Clonmacnois Parish

September 12th 2021

24th Sunday in OrdinaryTime(B)

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK    https://www.facebook.com/tomas.macconchoille  (Live)

https://fb.me/saintciarans  (saved to it afterwards)

 

24th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘Who do you say I am’?
Caesarea Philippi is situated twenty-five miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee. At the time of Jesus it was a significant centre of pagan worship and it was here that He chose to pose a searching question to His disciples and by extension, to His followers of every generation: ‘Who do you say I am’? In other words, do you really know me, and does it show in your life? Many know about Jesus, but few actually know him. It is one of the great tragedies of our time that many have walked away from their faith without ever having encountered the Person at the centre of it all. And all the while, He stands, waiting to be found. English painter William Holman Hunt captured this truth beautifully in his evocative work ‘The Light of the World’ where Jesus is depicted with lantern in hand knocking on a closed door. The message is clear. He can only enter our house if we allow Him in. It begins in little ways. Dutch artist Vincent Van Gough, a contemporary of Hunt, once said that ‘the best way to know God is to love many things’. It is certainly true that, if we begin to see Him in little things, we will come to see Him in all things. He will make His home with us, and we will live in such a way that those who know us, but don’t know Him, will come to know Him because they know us
 
OPEN DAY at the Orthodox Monastery of the Life-giving Spring Ard Ciaran, Shannonbridge  Sr. Iosifie & Sr. Nimfordora would like to invite you to their Open Day on  Saturday 18th September 2021 from 2-5pm.(14:00 to 17:00 hours). Just to drop in, pass bay, have a cup of tea or a chat, or stroll on the gr ounds. If Saturday doesn't suit you, call some other time. Queries to Sr. Iosifia at 089 4831802
RECENT DEATHS  Joe Boyce (Ballynacargy, Westmeath) father of Claire (formerly Killeens Pub)  Sonny (Joseph) Keenaghan Ferbane, father of Deirdre Keenaghan, Shannonbridge
MARION HIGGINS (nee Donegan) Shannonbridge & UK. The Ashes of Marion, sister of Olive and Martin who died  June 2020 will be interred in Clonmacnois on Sat 18th Sept at 2pm. All welcome, please follow Public Health Guidelines
MINISTRIES  IN CHURCH              
 CHURCH CARE   S’bridge Martha Murphy/Marie McManus Clonfanlough: Anne McEvoy/ Eilish Egan (Sept)       READER Sept 18th @ 7pm Ffionn Anderson Sept 19th@ 10:30 Kathleen Guinan
Church Counters  Clonfanlough  (September)
 
SHANNONBRIDGE(50% Capacity)
Sat 11th September   Eileen, Sonny & Dessie Keena
Mon 13th Sept 9:30am St John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the church
Tues 14th Sept 10am Triumph of Cross
Wed 15th Sept 10am O.L. of Sorrorw
Thurs 16th Sept 10am Service Ss Cornelius, pope, and Cyprian, bishops, martyrs
Fri 17th Sept 8p.m. Teresa Rocke & Deceased Family Members  
Optional Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor of the church
Sat 18th
 
CLONFANLOUGH  (50% Capacity)
Sun 12th Sept 10:30am
Fri 17th 7p.m. Larry & Brigid Rohan
Sun 18th Sept 10:30am
 
OFFERTORY September 5th 2021 €575
Baptism: We welcomed into the Christian Community Liam Davis Kelly  son of Hilary & Aidan Kelly (New York), who was baptised in our parish  last weekend.
SAINTS FOCUS
Tues 14th Sept Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrated on Tues. 14th Sept. We remember the redemption that Jesus won for us by His Cross and Resurrection. Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi – “We adore you, O Christ, and We praise you. Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the World”.
Wed 15th Sept Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows  Our mother of sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore him in your arms, mourning and weeping. We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of his passion. Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love. Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
 
 
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO DRAW  6th Sept 2021 Numbers drawn on Facebook Live  7-14-26-31 No winner,  Four Match 3  Jackpot now €14,400  Lotto can be played online also at clubforce
NEED TO UPSKILL?
FREE COURSES available in September at Athlone VTOS if you are over 21 and receipt of a DEASP payment for more than 6 months. We offer Art, Business and Computer Programming courses at Athlone Training Centre, Garrycastle, with excellent up to date facilities. Hybrid courses may be also available with a mixture of online and in class delivery. Ring Maria on 086 8522795 or email mryan@lwetb.ie "
WEST OFFALY TRAINING - Are commencing a Training Delivery and Evaluation Course, QQI Level 6 on Tues. 14th September. More About Autism Course starting Wed. 22nd Sept. Study Skills for Students for 5 Monday evenings from 6-8pm. For all details of the above courses please contact Josephine, West Offaly Training, Banagher 057 91 52003 josephine@ westoffalytraining.com.
GUIDED PILGRIMAGES ON THE LOUGH DERG PILGRIM PATH - Will be offered on Sunday 12th, Wednesday 15th, Saturday 18th, Sunday 26th September and Sunday 3rd October, with Mass outdoors, weather permitting. The full route is a 12km loop, with a shorter 8km option. Advance booking is essential. For further information email info@loughderg.org or telephone 00353 71 9861518. www.loughderg.org. Lough Derg Pilgrim Path, Pettigo, Co. Donegal, F94 N289
Accord Ballinasloe Going through a difficult time in your relationship? Maybe we can help…ACCORD Ballinasloe is open for face-to-face counselling in a safe environment. For more information call 09096 43573 or 086 4149033 or email accordballinasloe@gmail.com
ANAM CARA - Would like to invite yo to join us for an online Bereavement Information and Support Evening taking place on Thurs. 16th September at 7pm. This event will give you an opportunity to hear a bereavement professional talk about the difficult challenges and many milestones grieving a child of any age has on you and your family. If you would like to join us please register here https://bit.ly/3Dzyphc or contact us on info@anamcara.ie or 085 288 8888
Interested in working in Retail, Tourism or the Hospitality sector? Then this is the course for you! Retail Sales & Skills course commencing Sept. 27th in Banagher Further Education & Training Centre. For further info. contact Linda Hogan or Aoife Kelly phone 087 7385989 or lhogan@offalyldc.ie akelly@offalyldc.ie
A TIME OF HOPE  The latest health advice from the Government has relaxed restriction on Church attendance for Mass from 50 people to half the capacity of our church bearing in mind the need for social distancing. This is regardless of vaccination status and of course good cough etiquette, use of hand sanitiser and only if not showing symptoms.   In one sense “half capacity”  means 90 people for instance in Shannonbridge, (15 seats with 6 per seat) but of course this will vary if it’s a family, a couple or an individual who require a place.
-Face covering is still a  requirement (bar medical exemption and u12s)
You are still welcome to join us for Mass from the car park.
Mass will continue for the moment to be broadcast on the Facebook feed. for you who join us from your home.
 We are always conscious of your prayer and presence with us. As we begin to see a light of hope at the end of a dark tunnel, I ask for your patience and understanding . It has been a long hard road for many of you. I thank for your support, your sacrifice, your prayer and your generosity over the last 18 months. I will never forget the support and help of so many of you . Thank you again. (t.c.)
PRAYER AT CHURCH DOOR: “May the door of this be wide enough to receive all who hunger for love, all who are lonely for fellowship. May it welcome all who have cares to unburden, thanks to express, hopes to nurture. May the doors of this Church be narrow enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity. May this sanctuary welcome all who seek serenity, renewal and truth, may it be, for all of us, the gateway to a richer and more meaningful life.” (Dr. Murray Watson).
PRAYER: Season of Creation (runs to October 1st) : Loving Father. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world, and not prey on it .that we may sow beauty not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Burren Weekend Retreat 24-26 September Would you like to come on a guided journey through the Burren? Experience the silence and beauty of this unique landscape through walking mindfully on ancient pathways or limestone pavements. Get to know some of the rare flora and appreciate our rich faith heritage in one of the many ancient sacred sites. Further information, contact Noirin 087 9459151 or Mary 087 9701130
The Faith Café for Grandparents :The Faith Café is an initiative of the Catholic Grandparents’ Association for Grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers and intentions and to just be together in the spirit of faith. It has be The next Faith Café will be on Tuesday 14th September from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and the speaker is Fr Richard Gibbons PP and Rector of Knock Shrine. Register for the Faith Café by email to info@catholicgrandparentsassociation.com. Once you register for the Faith Café, you will receive the details of how to connect in for the gathering on Zoom. We look forward to welcoming you to the Faith Café
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Clonmacnois Parish

September 5th 2021

23rd Sunday in OrdinaryTime(B)

Fr. Tom Cox (Adm) Tel. 090 9674125/  0868319500 

Email: clonmacnoiseparish@gmail.com

     WEB  shannonbridge.blogspot.ie

FACEBOOK    https://www.facebook.com/tomas.macconchoille  (Live)

https://fb.me/saintciarans  (saved to it afterwards)

 
Starting afresh It will be hard going for the Church… It will make her poor and cause her to become the Church of the meek… But when the trial of this sifting is past, a great power will flow from a more spiritualised and simplified Church. Men in a totally planned world will find themselves unspeakably lonely. If they have completely lost sight of God, they will feel the whole horror of their poverty. Then they will discover the little flock of believers as something wholly new. They will discover it as a hope that is meant for them, an answer for which they have always been searching in secret. Pope Benedict
 23rd SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
‘He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak’ Today Jesus encounters and heals a deaf man who also has an impediment in his speech. The Lord’s gesture reminds us that the gifts of hearing and speech are among God’s greatest gifts, and are closely connected. Many talk, but few actually listen. Research has found that we only listen at twenty five per cent of our capacity. If we do listen, it is most often with the intent to reply, not to understand. One of the most sincere forms of respect is to listen to what another has to say. The esteemed German theologian, Paul Tilich went so far as to say that ‘the first duty of love is to listen’. It is interesting to note that the words ‘listen’ and ‘silent’ are composed of the same letters! We would do well, then, to heed the wisdom of the Turkish proverb: ‘listen a thousand times and speak once’. In that way, we will be more likely to use the precious gift of speech to lift-up, not to tear down; to heal, not to wound; to help not to hurt. At a recent audience in Rome, Pope Francis concluded his remarks on the theme of listening with a beautiful prayer: ‘May the Lord give us the grace to discern when we should speak and when we should stay silent’.
 
MINISTRIES  IN CHURCH              
  CHURCH CARE   S’bridge Anne Ryan/Maureen Mitchell Clonfanlough: Anne McEvoy/ Eilish Egan (Sept)       READER Sept 11th @ 7pm Dympna O’Carroll Sept 12th@ 10:30 Ann Guinan
Church Counters  Clonfanlough  (September)
PATTERN SUNDAY Regrettably we are not as  yet in a position to have a Public Pattern on Sept 12th
SHANNONBRIDGE(15 seats/Max 50
 Sat 4th Sept 7:00p.m. Optional Memorial of St. Mac Nissi, Bishop
Mon 6th 7pm Mass Jim  Downey (4A)
Tues 7th Centenary of founding of Legion of Mary.
Wed 8th 10am Service
Shannonbridge ARA group outing to Knock…
Thurs 9th 10am Mass
Fri 10th Sept 10am
Sat 11th September   Eileen, Sonny & Dessie Keena
CLONFANLOUGH   (Max 50)
Sun 5th Sept 10:30am
[The annual diocesan pilgrimage to Knock will not take place this year due to the continuing restrictions. Bishop Duffy will celebrate Mass at Knock Shrine on Sunday 5^th September 2021 at 3.00pm.  The Mass will be livestreamed at www.knockshrine.ie]
Sun 12th Sept 10:30am
 DEATHS: Please Pray for Monica Darcy USA, wife of the late Christopher Darcy (Recently Deceased)  USA & Shannonbridge
OFFERTORY August 29th 2021 €422.70  Online in August €145
SAINTS FOCUS
Sept.8 th Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth. The church has celebrated Mary’s birth since the sixth century. “She is the flower of the field from which bloomed the precious lily of the valley”
Sept. 9th St Ciaran St Ciaran was born in Roscommon around 512. He came to Clonmacnois in 545 where he founded a monastery which was to become one of the most renowned in Europe. He, along with St Mel is patron of our diocese.
 
Examination Results Congratulations to the girls & boys who got their exam results on Friday, after a difficult year. Best wishes as they plan their future courses in the days ahead
 
The Irish Catholic: The Irish Catholic newspaper is available each week in our parish from local Distributors. It costs €2.50.
Also the Sacred heart Messenger If you would like a copy, let me know to forward your details.
  
The Faith Café for Grandparents The Faith Café is an initiative of the Catholic Grandparents’ Association which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic as a social and spiritual space for Grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers and intentions and to just be together in the spirit of faith. It has been a lifeline for so many people during this time of pandemic and has connected Grandparents across the world from Ireland to the USA, from the UK to Australia. The next Faith Café will be on Tuesday 14th September from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and the speaker is Fr Richard Gibbons PP and Rector of Knock Shrine. Register for the Faith Café by email to info@catholicgrandparentsassociation.com. Once you register for the Faith Café, you will receive the details of how to connect in for the gathering on Zoom. We look forward to welcoming you to the Faith Café.
BISHOP’S LETTER - The latest health advice from the Government, dated 31st August 2021, is that First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies may proceed from Monday 6th September. From that date the number of participants at religious ceremonies will be 50% of the church’s capacity. The number of guests at a wedding remains at 100 during September. As the vaccination programme for younger people continues, side by side with large numbers of infections, it is important to maintain the current high standard of safety in our churches. Social distancing, face coverings, hand sanitisers, one way systems, omitting the handshake as a sign of peace and communion on the hand, continue as protective factors. Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois
MY OWN NOTE While we are not restricted to 50 people in the church from Sept 6th, we still are being asked to maintain social distancing of 2 metres. Given our size of Church in Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough-this will naturally limit numbers.  I am grateful for your continued cooperation and for the immense work that has been in place since March 2020 in sanitising and cleaning  our churches and to the  small group of ushers that have ensured we kept compliant with Health Protocols.  Oct 22nd is being signalled as the possible/probable date of lifting all remaining restrictions & a shift to taking more personal responsibility and judgement.  T. Cox
Up to 22nd October the following health & safety practices remain
-Wear a face mask (u12s don't have to do this)
-sanitise your hands at provided dispensers as you enter
-keep a 2m distance from others when seated in the Church (2m between individuals or family groups)
Ventilation is very important- please God it will be mild!
Sanitising after Mass (big thank you to parishioners)
We have come this far together and looked after one another, let us keep going and this through to the end.
 
SHANNONBRIDGE GAA LOTTO DRAW  30th August 2021 Numbers drawn on Facebook Live  7-8-13-22 No winner,  Five  Match 3  Jackpot now €14,200  Lotto can be played online also at clubforce
NEED TO UPSKILL?
FREE COURSES available in September at Athlone VTOS if you are over 21 and receipt of a DEASP payment for more than 6 months. We offer Art, Business and Computer Programming courses at Athlone Training Centre, Garrycastle, with excellent up to date facilities. Hybrid courses may be also available with a mixture of online and in class delivery. Ring Maria on 086 8522795 or email mryan@lwetb.ie "
WEST OFFALY TRAINING - Are commencing a Training Delivery and Evaluation Course, QQI Level 6 on Tues. 14th September. More About Autism Course starting Wed. 22nd Sept. Study Skills for Students for 5 Monday evenings from 6-8pm. For all details of the above courses please contact Josephine, West Offaly Training, Banagher 057 91 52003 josephine@ westoffalytraining.com.
GUIDED PILGRIMAGES ON THE LOUGH DERG PILGRIM PATH - Will be offered on Sunday 12th, Wednesday 15th, Saturday 18th, Sunday 26th September and Sunday 3rd October, with Mass outdoors, weather permitting. The full route is a 12km loop, with a shorter 8km option. Advance booking is essential. For further information email info@loughderg.org or telephone 00353 71 9861518. www.loughderg.org. Lough Derg Pilgrim Path, Pettigo, Co. Donegal, F94 N289
Accord Ballinasloe Going through a difficult time in your relationship? Maybe we can help…ACCORD Ballinasloe is open for face-to-face counselling in a safe environment. For more information call 09096 43573 or 086 4149033 or email accordballinasloe@gmail.com
ANAM CARA - Would like to invite yo to join us for an online Bereavement Information and Support Evening taking place on Thurs. 16th September at 7pm. This event will give you an opportunity to hear a bereavement professional talk about the difficult challenges and many milestones grieving a child of any age has on you and your family. If you would like to join us please register here https://bit.ly/3Dzyphc or contact us on info@anamcara.ie or 085 288 8888