Clonmacnois Parish
January 10th 2021
Baptism of the Lord
Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/ 0868319500
Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com
WEB shannonbridge.blogspot.ie
FACEBOOK https://fb.me/saintciarans
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Jesus was baptised in the Jordan by John
On Christmas night we greeted a baby. In the Epiphany we learned of His mission to all nations. At His Baptism His ministry begins. He plunges into the waters of the Jordan to signify His total commitment to His task. Water is where life begins. It is the difference
between life and death. In Genesis God parts the waters. In the Flood saga the waters bring death. In the Exodus event the chosen people pass from slavery to freedom by crossing the Red Sea. In Baptism we passed from slavery to freedom, from death to life. It conferred on
us a dignity beyond measure. It marked the beginning of a walk with the Lord that will last forever. On this significant feast, let us remember and re-echo the profound words spoken by Pope St. John Paul II near the end of his long pontificate: ‘The day of my Baptism was the most important day of my life’.
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY They followed the star Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior must have been very single minded. We are told that they only saw the star at the beginning of their journey and near the end. It follows that most of their searching was done in darkness. They must have had to ask for directions and trust the guidance of others. In the end, their reward was great. Like the Wise Men we have hitched our wagon to the star of Bethlehem. It is not always visible, but it is always there. We too must be humble enough to seek the support, advice and direction of fellow travellers as we move towards the light.
STAMPS FOR THE MISSIONS: Keep the stamps from your post, leave a small margin around each stamp and post them to St. Patrick's, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow or you can drop them into the Convent in Ferbane.
Sat 9th Jan 7:00p.m. Barney (3rd A) & Christine Reynolds (1st Anniv)
Sun 10th Jan 10:30a.m. Dan Edwards (1st A) & dec’d family members. John Loonam & dec’d family members
Tues 12th 10am
Wed 13th 10am Michael & Stephen Shrahan
Fri 15th 10am Cormac (23rd A) & Mick Devine
RECENT DEATHS Michael Gerard Malone Creagh, (Husband of Marie née Carty– Leharrow) Joan Farrelly (Shannonbridge) Noel Grennan (Rahan) son of late Bridget Egan of Clondelara
HOPE PRAYER CARD in both Churches
I list the ways people donate.
Moran’s Shop I am indebted to Fergal & Linda Moran of Moran’s Gala shop & Post Office who continue to offer a drop in facility.
IBAN-IE90BOFI90368011629381 Please put your name and/or your box number in reference section.
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA A.G.M
Our GAA club 2020 AGM will take place on Tuesday 26th January at 8.30pm via Online platform. All of our club members are welcome to join in on our ‘Zoom’ meeting. In order to do so you need to register your interest to join our AGM by sending an email to secretary.shannonbridge.offaly@gaa.ie or text your name to 086 8211559. Nearer to the time we will send on the link for the Zoom platform through email or WhatsApp for the meeting. Further to this, closer to the date all of the annual reports will be made available for viewing. We are always looking for new members to come on board to join our club and everyone most welcome! All motions and nominations must be with our club secretary Niamh see email above no later than Monday 18th January. We look forward to seeing all our members on the night and welcoming new faces as well!
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH: Announced by Pope Francis with the Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde” “With a Father’s Heart”. Pope Francis recalls the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” 8th December 2020 to 8th December 2021. In our prayer we ask St. Joseph to protect and to provide for our needs during the coming year. ]
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH Hail the Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son, in you Mary place her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. St. Joseph Pray for us.
We said it Despite the uncertainty and evidence to the contrary At risk of ridicule and falling flat on our backs The wind dying in our sails Our dreams getting no further than the garden gate. Because it’s a ritual, a habit, a thing we say; But also because we are creatures Who make leaps of imagination and faith. Who are able to see, Even when the body fails, What the spirit and mind wills: The things that do not yet exist Have not yet come to be. And we say them for the ones unable to say them. Who don’t believe them Who have not the breath to utter them. Or light to feel them. This year will be different but the same: People will die Too soon and alone. There will be earthquakes and famine And a senseless war will rage In a place too far away to feel the richochet. Some will be unlucky; some defy the odds Goals will be met and scored, Posts struck, last posts played. Someone you love will suffer. A business will fail The price of houses will go up. I know I’ll speak ill of someone Send a text I regret Get into a futile argument about The state of the nation, The World. This year there will be bad news But the good news will be like pearls Found in the bin. Resolutions are for fools But still we’ll make them. Resolution means ‘to set free’. I’ll resolve to be more green Then be on the first plane When the freedom to go is given. I’ll kiss the ground of the country I fly to The way the old pope did. At the first party we get to We’ll raise hands in the air And shout ‘yes!’ And when that jab Punctures my arm I’ll thank God For clever people. I’ll visit my un-hugged Mum And my Dad with his un-plugged heart; We’ll get back to the old beat Make a new start. This year things will change and yet be just the same. Let’s lose the weight Of these sad times, Believe that healing awaits and is free. Agree to let no debt remain Except the continuing debt to love. Believe we are necessary to one another. And that with each other we should bear. It’s with this hope I say Happy New Year. -Rhidian Brooke
Gordon Wilson’s daughter was killed by a bomb in Enniskillen on Remembrance Day 1987. Instead of calling for revenge, he forgave her killers& began a campaign for peace & reconciliation. He said: ‘I am a very ordinary sort of man.I have few personal ambitions and no political aspirations.
I just want to live & let live. Life has been kind to me in the main, I have tried to live by the Good Book. I do not profess to be a good man,but I aim to be. I would like to leave the world a better place than when I found it, but have no exaggerated ideas of my ability to do so.I have hitched my wagon to a star,a star of hope,the star of Bethlehem.
