Sunday 8th February 2009

The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH Fr Duffy P.P.. 047-51048 Fr Gorman C.C. 048 67751231

Bishop’s Audit

Bishop Duffy met a group from each parish in the Diocese of Clogher during Autumn/ Winter ‘08. Prior to the meeting he stated that its purpose “is to encourage awareness among laity of the needs of their parish with a view to planning for the future when the services of priests in all parishes will be much more reduced than at present. Each group was asked to consider nine questions and to forward their response before the meeting. The questions dealt with three broad areas; Parish Property and organisation, Catholic Education, and the Liturgical life of the Parish. A report of the meeting with the Clones Parish Group has been received by the Parish Priest and later discussed by the parish group. The main points are:
Finance and Property:

* Clones parish is in a strong position and parish properties are in good condition

* A Parish Finance and Property Committee exists, however there is a need to
improve communication with parishioners

* The parish secretary provides a useful service
Catholic Education:

* Much of our faith is transmitted by way of our schools. ‘Alive O’ and ‘Do this in memory’ were commended as beneficial to parents and children.

* There is need for further support and training on an ongoing basis for school board members especially in the area of ethos.
Liturgy:

* Presently the parish has 6 Sunday Masses. A reduction needs to take place in consultation with people

* There are many positive aspects of liturgical life; The Baptismal Team, The Readers and Eucharistic Ministers groups, and Choirs

* Clones would benefit from a fully functioning liturgy committee

* In terns of bringing more young people to mass it was noted that mass could be better prepared with greater involvement in themed Sundays but it must not

* become a form of entertainment

Our thanks to parishioners involved in the process: Alphonsus Scarlett, Mary Courtney, Pascal Manley, Marie Maguire, Larry Butler, Majella Beggan, Leona McPhillips, Eugene McCaughey, Sean Slowey, Eilish Hamill, Sarah McCormick, Majella McCabe, Michael Hannon, Lorraine Fitzsimmons.

Deaths:

Please pray for the dead, especially:

Brigid Murphy, Scotshouse

Clare Creighan, Roslea

Do this in Memory Masses: On Sun 15th Feb & Sun 1st March @ 9.30am.

Meeting for Parents of Confirmation Children

The cluster of parishes of Clones, Currin/Killeevan/Aghabog, Roslea & Newtownbutler have come together this year to organise a special night for all parents or guardians of Confirmation Children. We have invited Andrew O’Connell to speak. Andrew is a young, gifted layman from Kerry who is at the moment giving some years of his life to work as Communications director for the Presentation Brothers. He addressed the clergy of the diocese last year and has spoken to the Confirmation parents of the South Monaghan cluster of parishes. The response from all who have heard him has been such that we have decided to group our parishes together, and have one large Confirmation meeting, so that as many as possible would have the chance to hear what he has to say.

The meeting is on Tues 10th Feb @ 7.30pm in the Creighton Hotel, Clones.

Collectors for February:

(Vigil) Gerry Reihill(Snr), Martin Connolly, Joanne Reihill, Anthony Keogh
(9.30) John Conlon, Brendan Carolan, Frank Farrell, Josephine O’Neill
(11.30) Mary Cooper, Bernadette Comaskey, P J McCague, John McAleer

First Communion Mass:
Aghadrumsee: Sat May 23rd
Connons: Sun May 24th
Clones: Sat May 30th

First Confession:
Aghadrumsee: Tues March 3rd @ 8pm
Connons: Thurs March 5th @ 12.45pm
Clones: Tues Feb 24th @ 7.30pm

Lough Derg: Ash Wednesday 25th Feb— Ecumenical Day of Welcome & Reflection.

You are invited to bring with you someone from another Church. Guest Speaker: Very Rev Ken Newell. Day begins @ 11.30am (Boats from 10.30). Lunch will be served (Departure from 1.30) .
For further information & to register contact the Lough Derg
Office Tel: 071 9861518 (from N.I. 686 32391) Email: manager@loughderg.org

St Alphonsus Church, Connons has closed for renovations and will re-open in Spring 2009.

SACRED HEART CHURCH , CLONES

Weekend Masses: Sat 7 pm (Vigil) Sun 9.30 am and 11.30am.
Confessions: Sat 10.20am; Sat 6.30—6.50; 1st Fri. 9.40am
Baptisms: By arrangement with the priest on Baptisms for the month
Marriage: By arrangement. Three month’s notice is required
Anointing Sick: At any time.
Adoration : Wednesday 10.30am—10pm

Masses for the Week

Sat 7.00pm Laurence Reilly, Beechgrove, Sarah Woods, Tydavnet
Thomas Duffy, Carrick & All for whom Anniversary Masses were
celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Mass
11.30 People of the Parish

Mon 10.00 Vera Monahan, O’Neill Pk

Tues 10.00 Frank & Frankie Murtagh

Wed 10.00 Eddie & Mary McEntee, Cara St
Adoration 10.30 — 10pm

Thurs 10.00 Frank & Katie Martin, O’Neill Pk

Fri 10.00 Gerry Mulligan, O’Neill Pk
Evening Mass in Aghadrumsee at 8pm

Sat 10.00 Patricia Hamill, NTB Rd
7.00pm (Vigil) Months Memory Paudie Sheridan, Stonebridge &
All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Mass

Sun 11.30 People of the Parish

Altar Society: A Tracey, M Lennon, T Healy, P Connolly, M Coogan

ST. MACARTAN’S, AGHADRUMSEE

Masses: Sat 8pm(Vigil); Sun 10am. Fri 8pm;
Confessions: First Sat 7.30 pm. 1st Fri 7.30 pm
Baptisms: By arrangement with priest on Baptisms for month (See above)
Adoration : Wednesday 7.30pm—9.30pm

Masses for the Week

Sat 8pm Coulter Family, Gorteen

Sun 10am Betty Lambe, Crockawaddy

Fri 8pm Tommy McDermott, Doon

Sat 8pm Mass

Sun 10 Tony, Edward & Elizabeth O’Hara, Corraghy

Eucharistic Adoration: M Lynch, M Flanagan, H Flanagan, H Crudden

Eucharistic Ministers: N Beggan R Beggan

Servers: Team B Kyle Crudden, Noel Grew

ST. ALPHONSUS, CONNONS

Masses: Sun 11.00 am.
Confessions: 1st Thurs. 6.30pm; 1st Sun 10.40
Baptisms: By arrangement with priest on Baptisms for the month

Sun 11am.

(8th Feb) Phil McDonald, Derrygoas &
Deceased Members Gilroy Family, Clonoula

(15th Feb) Patricia, John & Elizabeth McCabe, Cloncorrick

Altar Servers (15th) Daniel Maguire, Caolan Maguire, Claire McCaffrey

Reader (15th) Patricia McCabe

Currin Lotto: No Winner. Winning No’s : 8, 11, 16, 17, jackpot now €14,550, thank you.

Irish Catholic on sale today.

Dancing Classes in Lennard Arms: Continue every Thurs from 8.30—10.30pm. Tutors Eileen & Jimmy Scott. Classes taught in Jive, Quickstep & Waltzing. For information contact 047 52997.

Oil Painting Classes for Beginners: Are taking place in Cassandra Hand Centre, beginning Tues 3rd March from 8—10pm. There are still a few places available. If you are interested please contact 047 52997 for further details.

Clothes Collection: The Management & Staff of the Cassandra Hand Centre would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated unwanted clothing to their collection recently. All bags of clothes went to Africa. The Cassandra Hand Centre Clothes Collection will be on going and there will be further collections in the future, so feel free to drop in any bags of unwanted clothing to the centre at any time.

Drop in Coffee Morning: Continues every Wednesday from 10.30—12.30 in Ionad Na nOg. Come along for a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

Annual Pilgrimage: 25th Annual Pilgrimage to the city of the Sacred Heart, includes 7 spiritual & reflective days in Pray-le-Monial. For further information contact Edward & Carmel Donaghy Tel: 041 6871877.

Irish Conversation Course: 8 week beginner/intermediate Irish conversation course for adults, commences Mon 9th Feb (8—9.30pm) at Gaelscoil Eois, Clones. To register contact Gaelscoil Eois 047 52162/eois.ias@eircom.net

Largy College DrugEducation Evening: Are you a parent who worries about your child taking drugs? Are you frightened because you know less about drugs than your children? What can parents do? Research has shown that parents should be involved in drug education and learn the truths about the effect of drugs. Jackie Burke, an ex-addict will present a Drug Education Evening in Largy College on Thurs 12th Feb @ 7.30pm. Jackie is in the unique position not only to present statistics on drugs but also give you the real sense of reality. All parents are encouraged to attend.

Fundraiser for Action Cancer: Caroline Cosgrove’s “Trek” in the Himalayas for Action Cancer Kids Disco on Sun 15th Feb in Derrygannon Hall from 3—6pm. Local Walk on Sun 22nd Feb leaving Derrygannon Hall @ 2pm sharp. This walk is to Jenkin Lough over bog & lanes, approx 3hrs. Waterproof clothing & foorwear essential, refreshments afterwards in hall. 45 Card Drive on Sat 28th Feb in Derrygannon Hall @ 8pm. Everyone welcome. Thank you for your support.

Monaghan IFA Co Executive AGM: Will take place on Tues 10th Feb in the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney @ 8.30pm. The meeting will be attended by incoming IFA General Secretary Pat Smith & IFA Regional Vice President Joe Brady. All farmers welcome to attend.

Helplines:

Alcoholics Anonymous 01 4538998
Aware 1890303302
Samaritans 1850 60 90 90
Teenline 1800 833 634
Women’s Aid 1800 341900
Accord (Marriage Guidance) 047 83359

One friend, one person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us as we consider a problem can change our whole outlook on the world.