Sunday 25th May 2008

The Body & Blood of Christ

“Anyone who eats this bread will live forever”. Only the young believe that they will live forever. As we grow older we become aware of how short life is. Jesus, however, comes down on the side of the young. He calls on us to stay young, to be like children, to hope and to dream. And he gives us the way to do that – the way of love. For people who are married, it is vitally important that they keep their love for each other fresh and alive so that they can remain young no matter what age they are. It is also so important to keep family life as a wonderful adventure so that all those who are part of it can know the wonder of life. Jesus gives us the ultimate pledge of his love, his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, the Sacrament of eternal life and youthfulness. This extraordinary gift is celebrated in a special way in the parish community. The test of how truly we celebrate it is how alive our parish is.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Hedge
A hedge is good for hiding things
You don’t want folk to see
Untidy grass and rampant weeds
A gardening misery
In the darkness of this patch
Nothing ever grows
Decline of dreams abandoned there
A perfect place to doze

It’s time you cut that foliage down
And let the sun shine in
Revealing hopes that you once had
Before you choked on sin
He’s waiting for your outstretched hand
To intertwine with His
Together you can face this world
Oh wouldn’t that be bliss

St Alphonsus Church, Connons

A meeting will be held in Connons Community Centre on Tues 27th May @ 8pm, to decide the way forward regarding the proposed renovation of the Church. It is important that all Parishioners attend this meeting. Those who have connections with the Church or may have been parishioners and reside outside the area are also welcome.

Deaths: Please pray for the dead, especially:
Sheila McCrossan, Irvinstown
Ann Rynn, Arigna

Baptisms: We welcome into our parish community: Tiárnan Hugh O’Neill

St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society: Monthly Meeting on Tues 27th May @ 8pm in Parish Meeting Room.

Faith and Light: National Pilgrimage to Knock on Sat 31st May. Bus leaving the Diamond, Clones @ 8.30am. Anyone wishing to travel please contact Mary @ 047 51745 or Patricia @ 048 677 38775.

Senior Choir: We break for the summer from the beginning of June. Don’t forget our get-together on Sat May 31st.

Corpus Christi Procession in grounds of St Macartan’s Cathedral: On Sun 1st June @ 5pm.

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 Months Memory Leo Craig, NTB Rd &
All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Mass
11.30 People of the Parish

Mon 10.00 Paddy & Bridget Foster & Deceased Relatives, Magheraveely

Tues 10.00 Elizabeth & Owen Conlon & Deceased Relatives

Wed 10.00 John & Margaret McCabe
Adoration 10.30 — 10pm

Thurs 10.00 Virginija Karaliute, Poland

Fri 10.00 Norah Watters & Deceased Relatives
Evening Mass in Aghadrumsee at 8pm

Sat 10.00 Seamus, Kathleen & Ann O’Brien, Fitzpatrick Sq
7.00pm (Vigil) Months Memory Ellan Kelly, NTB Rd & All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Months Memory Christopher Aspell, Cara St

Sun 11.30 People of the Parish

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

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

Sat 8pm Betty Maguire, Belfast & Portlaoise

Sun 10am Smith Family, Carnmore

Fri 8pm Patricia Maguire, Killyliffer

Sat 8pm Joe Cassidy, Clonkeencole

Sun 10 Noel Swift & Betty Brinkman, Clones

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

Eucharistic Ministers: N Beggan, R Beggan

Servers: Team E Ryan McMahon, Joseph McCabe

GFC. Lotto No Winner. Winning No’s: 4, 12, 22, 23, jackpot now £2,300, thank you.

Area Committee Meeting: In Fr Martin’s house on Wed 28th May @ 8pm. Please note change of date. All members please attend.

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.
(25th May) Bernard McCabe, Clonfad
(1st June) Mass

Altar Servers (1st) Zoe Clarke, Rebecca Gavin

Reader (1st) Mary Rafferty

Gift Bearers (1st) Sean & Vera McCaffrey

Currin Lotto: No Winner. Winning No’s: 1, 7, 13, 22, jackpot now €9,050, thank you.

Irish Catholic on sale today.

Collectors for June: Oliver McDonald, Gerry Gavin

Altar Society for June: Bridie McDonald, Rose Conlon

COMMUNITY NEWS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS

Knock 2008: Main Pilgrimage Season—April 27th—Oct 12th

National Public Novena in Honour of Our Lady of Knock 14th to 22nd August
Public All-Night Vigils: 1st Fri in Month - May, June, July, Sept
Dec - Fri 7th (Eve of the Immaculate conception)
Mini Vigils: 1st Fri—Aug & Oct. All enquiries to 094 9388100

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart: Can recycle used mobile phones to raise funds for their missions in poor countries. You can post used mobiles (without charger) to Mobile Phone Recycling, P.O. Box 23, Western Rd, Cork

Sr Consilio Rehabilitation Fund: One of Irelands longest running “Charitable Events” the Sr Consilio 25 Hour Sponsored Fast has a shortfall of €2,500 to reach this year’s target of €75,000. In all her lifetime work at Cuan Mhuire, Sr Consilio has never experienced such demands as at present from the Homeless & the Afflicted. While it is hoped to make up this shortfall through donations of €50 or €100 each, any donation whatsoever will be greatly appreciated and duly acknowledged. Donations to Paddy O’Connor, Sr Consilio Rehabilitation Fund, 17 Oakpark Demesne, Tralee, Co.Kerry.

I.C.A: Arts & crafts show due to be held in the Protestant Hall on Sat 24th has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. All members are asked to bake for the Federation Meeting on Mon 26th in Protestant Hall. All guild members are requested to be there @ 6.30 to help out.
Annual Outing on Sat 7th June to Sprucefield Shopping Centre & Hillsborough Garden Festival. Cost €20, Tel: 51318 to book.

Drop In Coffee Morning: Clones Community Forum’s Drop In Coffee Morning continues every Wed Morning from 10.30am—12.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Citizens Advice Information: Monaghan citizens Information Centre continues to offer a free and confidential information service every Friday morning in the Diamond meeting rooms. All are very welcome to avail of this service.

Clones Golf Development Lotto: Alpha-Bet Letters S, Q, I, V, no jackpot winner. Jackpot now €3,900, thank you.

When God gave us the Ten Commandments,
he didn’t mention any amendments