Clonmacnois Parish
Third Sunday of Lent (B)
March 3rd 2024
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 086-8319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
FACEBOOK www.fb.me/saintciarans
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
‘Stop turning my Father’s house into a market’ When Jesus shows anger, we should take notice. What gave rise to His deep anger in this episode in the Temple? Firstly, ordinary people coming as pilgrims for the Feast of Passover were being exploited by the money-changers. Secondly, the trading in the Court of the Gentiles was preventing these people from finding a space to worship in what should be a House of Prayer for all people. In all of this, the House of God was being disrespected greatly. In Old Testament times, God always had a designated place in which to meet His people from Abraham at Bethel to Moses at the burning bush to Solomon in his temple. The meeting place between God and His people was always holy ground. It still is. While it is true that God can be encountered in the ‘book of creation’ and in the faces of people, we should have a heightened sense of awareness, reverence, dignity and respect for His special presence in His house. Is beannaithe Tigh Dé. ‘The House of God is not a place where people meet in a trivial spirit of festivity. There should be religious awe at being face to face with God’. (Cardinal Robert Sarah). When Jesus shows anger we need to take notice.
PARISH COUNCIL: The Next Parish Pastoral Council meeting on Thurs March 14th at 8pm in Presbytery. Items for consideration can be dropped in letterbox in porch of either church
CASH4CLOTHES Fundraiser for Clonmacnois National School Drop off Days : Monday April 8th - Friday April 12th at the school The Final drop off date is Monday 15th April at approx 9.30am We accept All Womens, Mens and Childrens Clothing Paired Footwear, handbags, Belts Soft toys(teddies) Curtains, Towels, Bedlinen(duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, Blankets, throws)
NO PILLOWS OR DUVETS OR CARPETS All Support is greatly appreciated.
CLONFANLOUGH HALL:
-Zumba for kids - boys and girls aged 4 to 10, starting in the hall Monday 12th Feb 4.45 to 5.30
-Music Generation Offaly: Music lessons in Clonfanlough Hall every Wednesday
Times: 4-5pm ages 8-12 (primary school) 5-6pm ages 13+(secondary school).
-Pilates with Ger: Monday’s 8.00-9.00pm
-Women’s Fitness class with Nicky: Wed 7.30-8.30pm
SHANNONBRIDGE N37 FV05
Sat March 2nd 7pm People’s Intentions
Mon 4th 10am Mass
Tues 5th 10am Mass
Wed 6th 10am Mass
Thurs 7th 11 am CONFIRMATION MASS
Fri 8th 10am Mass (with Stations of Cross)
Sat March 9th 7pm
-Liam Keoghan (1st A)
-Jeremiah (Gerry) Greene & Parents Thomas & Catherine Greene (Blackwater) & dec’d family members
-Maureen Rock (4th A)
`CLONFANLOUGH N37 XR81
Sun March 3rd 10:30am Sarah Darcy (2a)Joe Darcy (16A) & dec’d members of Darcy family
Fri March 8th 7pm Mass (With Stations)
Sun March 10th 10:30am Egan & Mannion Family (deceased)
CLUAIN CHIARAIN Next Mass 6.3/24 @7:30pm
OFFERTORY Feb 25th €762.50 Monthly €15 Dues €305\
MINISTRIES Readers: 9/3/24 @7pm Pattie Corbett 10/3/24 @10:30 Mary Kelly (CF) Communion 9/3/24 @7pm Marie McManus 10/2/24 @10:30 Bridie Coughlan Church Care Paula Claffey, Antoinette Kelly, Deirdre Kenny (SB) Josie Egan (March )Counters Shannonbridge Servers; 9/3/24 Hannah M, Emily M. (SB) 10/3/24 Clonfanlough Mark O’S, Caoimhin D, Caitlin M, Saoirse T, Oisín T.
FEAST DAYS
Monday 4 March: St. Casimir.. .
Mar 5 th St Kieran (the elder) An early Irish saint closely associated with the diocese of Ossory (mostly Co Kilkenny) where he was a hermit.
Mar 7th St Perpetua & St Felicity Perpetua, an upper class married woman & Felicity a slave girl, were martyred in Carthage (North Africa) in 203.
Mar 8th St John of God (1495-1550) He devoted his life to the care of the poor and the sick. He is the patron saint of nurses
Saturday 9 March: St. Frances of Rome .
TRÓCAIRE BOXES are available in both Churches.
FOUND : A pair of Glasses was handed into us at Clonfanlough Sacristy. Owner can collect
LENT: Parishioners are reminded that packs containing a Trocaire box and information on this year’s Lenten campaign are available in the Church porch -please take one home and make a contribution to those suffering from poverty and injustice in many parts of the world. This year’s campaign focuses on Malawi, which has been badly affected by climate change and severe droughts. Trócaire is helping communities to develop sustainable access to clean, safe drinking water supplies
SHANNONBRIDGE LOTTO Feb 26th 2024 numbers drawn 4-13-19-31 No Winner, Two Match 3 Next Draw 4/2/24 Jackpot stands at €6,000
MEALS ON WHEELS : If you would like to avail of this service contact 087 2410587
Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024 takes place 31st May – 5th June 2024. For information and bookings contact Joe Walsh Tours 01 2410800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie
Banagher Drama Group presents - “Don’t Dress for Dinner” by Marc Camoletti and Robin Hawdon and directed by Brendan Hanamy in St. Rynagh’s College of Further Education @8pm on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th, Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th March 2024. Booking essential phone or text the booking line : (087) 477 8492 open 5-7pm daily.’
NATIONAL PIONEER BALL- Calling Pioneers and Friends to the 25th Pioneer National Ball on Saturday 6th April beginning with Mass at 6 pm. in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, followed by guest speaker, dinner and dancing at the Annebrook House Hotel. For details contact 0857201646 or 0876544626.
BIRR HISTORICAL SOCIETY - County Arms Hotel Mon. 11th March @ 8pm. Illustrated talk by Christy Cunniffe retired Community Archaeologist “would you recognise a Saint if you met one? An examination of Saintly attributes as depicted in Medieval and Early Modern Art
BIRR FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB- Enjoy an evening of Easter Flowers, with Melanie Harris Aoifa Demonstrator. Tuesday 5th March @ 8pm in Dooly’s Hotel Non-members €10.00
CLONFANLOUGH HALL
Zumba for kids - boys and girls aged 4 to 10 ,continuing in the hall Mondays 4.45 to 5.30
-Music Generation Offaly: Music lessons in Clonfanlough Hall every Wednesday
Times: 4-5pm ages 8-12 (primary school) 5-6pm ages 13+(secondary school).
-Pilates with Ger: Monday’s 8.00-9.00pm
-Women’s Fitness class with Nicky: Wednesday’s 7.30-8.30pm
FOOT CARE: MOBILE Foot Health Practitioner Service House Calls Available Daytime and Evening:
CONTACT Maura at : (086) 8053671 for appt..
Upcoming Referendums: “In a democracy that guarantees the freedom to vote, it is important that citizens cast their ballot on 8th March with matters of such importance at stake. As pastors, concerned for the common good as well as the moral and spiritual well-being of God’s people, we offer these reflections in order to help inform the consciences of Christians and others who are concerned to preserve and foster the dignity and value of family life and motherhood”. Read the full statement of the Irish Catholic Bishops on ardaghdiocese.ie
Copies also at the Church Porches
PUBLIC INFORMATION EVENT - To view the proposed designs for the refurbishment of St. Joseph’s Convent, Ferbane will take place in Gallen Community School on Wednesday 6th March from 6.30-8pm. Hosted by Offaly County Council in partnership with An Síolán
ANAM CARA MIDLANDS - Supporting bereaved parents, Monthly Parent Evening on Wednesday 13th March at 7.15pm in the Mullingar Park Hotel. This event is FREE and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. For more information call 01 4045378
DAFFODIL DAY - Is on Friday 22nd March
ONLINE ADVENT RETREAT - The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a FREE OF CHARGE Easter Triduum retreat ‘Bright Sadness and Solemn Joy: The Easter Triduum’. Visit prioryinstitute.com.
OUR PARISH - FACING THE FUTURE - A series facilitated by Rev. Dr. Eugene Duffy at St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine from 8-9.30pm featuring guest speakers by Videolink continues on Mon. 4th March: “How do we fit in to the worldwide Church?”, Prof Myriam Wijlens, University of Erfurt, Germany. This series is FREE of charge. Email: faithrenewal@knockshrine.ie. Tel: 094 9388100.
CONFIRMATION 2024 - We welcome Bishop Paul Connell to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation 18 pupils from Clonmacnois 5th & 6th Class in Shannonbridge on Thursday 7th at 11am. May the Holy Spirit be their guide always.
This is a wonderful occasion for children and we ought to support them with our prayers. The Bishop extends his hands over the candidates as a sign of the sending down of the Holy Spirit and then he prays ‘ All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their Helper and Guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.’ May they remain faithful to Christ during their lives and grow in faith and be faithful to attending Sunday Mass and the reception of the sacraments. Amen.
Athlone Little Theatre 'Art' by Yasmina Reza is one of the most successful comedies ever. A modern classic tale of three friends and one white painting, Runs March 9-16 at 8pm. Sunday matinee on March 10 at 3pm. For tickets, go to www.athlonelittletheatre.ie or Eventbrite now.
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