Sunday 20th December 2009

4th Sunday of Advent

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH Priest on duty today Fr Duffy 047 51048

Who started Christmas

A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with the kids in tow and her arms loaded with her purchases.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season. She was overwhelmed with the pressures to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, and get that perfect gift for every single person on her shopping list. She had to make sure she didn't forget anyone on her card list, and the pressure of being sure she responded to everyone who sent her a card. was almost more than she could bear.

Finally the elevator doors opened. There was already a crowd in the elevator, but she pushed her way inside, dragging her two kids and all the bags of stuff in with her. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the elevator everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry. We already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

Penitential Service for

Christmas Sun 20th Dec 2009

Magherarney 2pm

Roslea 3pm

Connons 3pm

Aghadrumsee 6pm

Clones 7pm

Lisnaskea Wed 23rd Dec 7.30pm

“Come to me all you who are overburdened”

Christmas Mass Times in Clones Parish

Adr Christmas Vigil Mass 7pm Christmas Morning Mass 10am
& Midnight Mass (12 O’Clock)

Clones Christmas Vigil Mass 9pm Christmas Morning Mass 9.30am & 11.30

Connons Christmas Morning Mass 11am

Divine Mercy Christmas cards available at back of church or from sacristy, €5 per pack. Please support this worthy cause.

Children Christmas Celebration:

On Sun 20th Dec @ 9.30am. Almost all pupils from St Tiarnach’s will attend and participate celebrating mass in prayer, drama & song. All most welcome to support & join in this advent/manger preparations for Christmas.

Marriage Preparation Workshops: Fridays 8—10.30pm; Saturdays 10am—5pm, €150 per couple (Early Booking Advised)

26th & 27th March 2010 - 23rd & 24th April 2010
4th & 5th Dec 2009 - 14th & 15th May 2010
15th & 16th Jan 2010 - 11th & 12th June 2010

Contact Accord, St Macartan’s College, Monaghan. Tel: 047 83359, Mon—Fri 10am-2pm

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 John & Anna McCabe, The Diamond & Madge Burke,
Declan Carolan, Newtownbutler Rd &
All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Months Memory Eddie O’Harte, Corraghy
11.30 People of the Parish
7.00pm Penitential Service

Mon 10.00 Liam McMahon, Cara St

Tues 10.00 Michael McCabe, Corcummins

Wed 10.00 Rose & John McCaughey, Clonkeen
Adoration 10.30 — 10pm

Thurs 10.00 Larry McGonnell, O’Neill Pk
9.00pm Christmas Vigil Mass

Fri 9.30am Christmas Day Mass
11.30 People of the Parish

Sat 7.00pm (Vigil) Michael McKernan & Deceased Relatives, Clones/Connons
Billy Flynn , Southampton & Deceased Relatives &
All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Catherine Manley, Cherry Pk

Sun 11.30 People of the Parish

Altar Society: M Murray, C Toye, A Woods, I Gleeson, R Corr

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 Mary O’Hara, Cortrasna

Sun 10am Michael Maguire, Gorteen
6pm Penitential Service

Mon 9.30am Mass (Rosary)

Wed 9.30am Mass (Rosary)

Thurs 7.00pm Christmas Vigil Mass Midnight Mass @ 12 O’Clock (Adoration 10—12)

Fri 10am Christmas Day Mass

Sat 8pm Bernard & Susannah Beggan, Roslea

Sun 10 Mary McCabe, Lackey


Servers: Team A Hannah Beggan, Gemma Beggan

GFC Lotto: Winning No’s 4, 7, 13, 17, winner Sean Greene, Balagh. Jackpot now £1,000, thank you.

Collectors for Dec:

(Vigil) Breege Grew, Deirdre Grew, Michael Grew, Patsy Beggan

(10am) Karen Boyle, Stephen Flymm, Rose Beggan, Margaret Nolan

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 (20th Dec) Patrick, Margaret & Paudge McCabe, Cloncallick
3pm Penitential Service

Fri 11am Christmas Day Mass

Sun 11am (27th Dec) Deceased members McCaffrey Family, Clonlura

Altar Servers : (25th) Rachel Maguire, Michaela Maguire
(27th) Rebecca Gavin, Jessica Gavin

Gift Bearers (25th) Vincent & Bernadette Smyth (27th) McCaffrey Family

Currin Lotto: No Winner. Winning No’s: 2, 13, 21, 26, jackpot now €6,950, thank you.

Irish Catholic on sale today.

Connons School Parents Association wish to thank all who sponsored & supported their Christmas Draw.

ACCORD: Would you like to speak with a counsellor about your problem? Accord provides a caring and supportive environment to help you find a way through any difficulties you are experiencing in your relationship.

You can contact us at 047.83359 10am – 2pm to make an appointment in confidence. Our counsellors see people in either Monaghan or Carrickmacross during the day or in the evening.

Study Theology from Home: The Dominicans are offering a theology programme specifically for lay people, offered by distance learning. This means that one can study for a certificate, diploma or degree in theology, and even more importantantly, become more educated in the Faith, all from the comfort of home. For further information, please contact The Priory Institute, Tallagh Village, Dublin 24, Tel: 01 404 8124/7, or email enquiries@prioryinstitute.com.

Blood Transfusion Service: Will attend at Largy College on Wed 23rd Dec from 4.30pm—8.30pm. It is important that we all remember that many patients in hospitals need our blood and this need never ceases.

Cassandra Hand Centre: The Management & Staff of Clones Community Forum would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas & prosperous New Year. We thank you for all your support during 2009 and look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

Monaghan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Sponsored Christmas Dog Walk: On Mon 28th Dec @ 1pm in Rossmore Pk! Come along with or without a dog! Refreshments & raffle. Get sponsorship cards from Squealing Pig Bar, Hillgrove Hotel, or phone Sinead 086 8262885 or Lori 086 8262956 for details. All proceeds to the MSPCA shelter in Emyvale. Get yourself and your 4-legged friend out for good
exercise after all the holiday feasting!!

Gaelscoil Eois Parents' Association have the ideal Christmas Gift idea for all cooking enthusiasts: Celebrity chef Nevin Maguire will be giving a Cookery Demonstration in the Creighton Hotel, Clones on Wednesday May 12th 2010. To book tickets as Christmas Gifts or to find out more please ring the following: Gaelscoil Eois 047 52162, Leona 087 2143105, Rose Mary 086 3507216

Free Pre-School Year / Páistí Eois:Páistí Eois the Irish medium Naíonra (Pre-School), located at Gaelscoil Eois (between Clones and Newbliss) is now taking bookings for the free pre-school year which commences in January 2010. Places available. Information pack and further information available from Páistí Eois: (047) 52868 / paistieois@gmail.com

Everyone has a place in the Church. Every person, without exception, should be able to feel at home, and never rejected. God, who loves all men and women and wishes none to be lost, entrusts us with this mission.
Pope Benedict

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.