Visit our Photo Gallery!

Photos from around the Parish. If you have a photo that you would like to share, please contact Teresa at the Parish Office.

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Nature and the changing seasons enhance the beautiful scenery in Shannon and the surrounding area. If you have a photo that you would like to share, please contact Teresa at the Parish Office. Our thanks to Gus Alhsved, Joe Buckley and Fr. Tom for capturing some lovely scenes!

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The Annual Shannon Senior Citizens Dinner Dance was held in the Oakwood Arms Hotel on St. Brigid’s Day 1st February 2012. This is a popular event in the calendar of our Senior Citizens and a great night was had by all.

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Catholic Schools Week began when Confirmation children and their families participated at the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist in both Churches. On Monday the children from St. Conaires went on pilgrimage to Cill Chonaire and St. Conaires Church in Carrigerry. They began with a short Prayer service in the 170 year old Church and then continued their journey to Cill Chonaire where their teacher, Pat O’Brien, and school Principal, Peter Walsh, shared the story of St. Conaire and the local history of the area with the pupils. Junior Infants from St. Conaires went on their own pilgrimage to the Adoration Chapel where their own work of art displaying their talents and gifts are on display all this week. After a short prayer service each child received an individual blessing. On Tuesday the students from both St. Patrick’s Comprehensive & St. Caimin's Community Schools took part in an Emmaus Walk from their respective schools to the Adoration Chapel in Skycourt Shopping Centre for a Prayer service. This was co-ordinated by the school Chaplains, Nuala Murray & Cora Guinnane. St. Senan's School were preparing for St. Brigid’s Day with the making of St. Brigid's Crosses. Teachers and school staff shared the tradition with the children thus ensuring that such traditions continue to live on in the Ireland of the 21st Century. Thursday 2nd February we celebrated Candlemas Day, 40 days since Christmas Day, and the day that we bless candles in Church. St. Aidan’s School gathered in SS John & Paul Church for a special Prayer Service and the Blessing of Throats.

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On Sunday 8th January 2012, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, all babies who were baptised in the parish in 2011 were invited back for a Blessing for their first year of life. The ceremony took place in SS. John & Paul Church and buiochas to the Folk group who provided the music for this lovely occasion.

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St. Senan’s School held their annual Carol Service in Mary Immaculate Church on Tuesday 20th December. The entire school community took part in the moving ceremony. This year St. Senan’s are celebrating 50 years since the first opened their doors to receive pupils in 1962. Our thanks to Joe Buckley for the photos.

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On Friday 16th December the children of first and second classes from St Conaire’s School sang Christmas Carols in Skycourt Shopping Centre, Shannon, during lunchtime. They raised €472 for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Our thanks to Joe Buckley for the photos.

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Our Christmas 2011 celebrations began on 14th December with the Annual Tradaree Cluster Christmas Carol Service which took place in Newmarket-on-Fergus Church on Wednesday 14th December. The parish choirs of the Tradaree Cluster; Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge and Shannon, along with the school choirs of St. Conaire’s and St. Tola’s participated and Scoil Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket-on-Fergus led the reflections. Then Santa dropped in on 18th December to visit the children of Shannon and to receive a blessing for a safe journey on Christmas Eve! On 20th December the annual Christmas Carol Service took place in Mary Immaculate Church with St. Senan’s School and Mary Immaculate Church Choir participating. The next few days saw preparations being made in both Churches for a very special arrival. The Children’s Christmas Mass in Mary Immaculate Church took place at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve with the Shannon Gospel Choir and the Children’s Mass in SS John & Paul Church was celebrated at 10am on Christmas Day with the Folk Choir providing the music. Mile buiochas to Joe Buckley for the photographs.

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On Wednesday 14th December, the Tradaree Cluster Christmas Carol service took place in Newmarket-on-Fergus Parish Church. The Church was packed to capacity as the three parishes in the Cluster of Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge and Shannon came together as a community to reflect in joyful expectation. A very special thanks to the combined choirs of the Tradaree Cluster; Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus parish choirs, Clare Music Circle, Shannon Golf Club choir, Shannon Gospel Choir and the school Choirs of St. Conaire’s, St. Tola’s and Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire. Thanks also to Ida Foley and Kieran O’Gorman, Gus Alhsved for conducting and directing and to all the musicians who enhanced the night. Thanks to the readers from the three parishes, Ann McMahon the Master of Ceremonies and Fr. Tom Fitzpatrick and Canon Reuben Butler who hosted the night. Our thanks to Joe Buckley for the photographs.

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On Saturday 27th November, as the Matt Talbot Novena concludes, some parishioners made a pilgrimage of Matt Talbot in Sean McDermott Street, Dublin. Fr. Brian Lawless, the vice postulator for the cause of Venerable Matt Talbot’s Canonisation, celebrated Mass for the pilgrims at the tomb. He also spoke about the life of Matt and shared the relics with those who had come on pilgrimage. Afterwards parishioners who travelled availed of the opportunity of doing some shopping in the capital. Our thanks to Pat Grue for the photographs.

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The tree on the footpath at the side of Mary Immaculate Church has, like so many other trees in Shannon, been part of the foundations of our community, but in recent times the spread of its roots was a cause of concern to the maintenance team of Mary Immaculate Church. With the assistance of the County Council who have responsibility for the pathways , the tree was felled on Monday 21st November by Michael Fahey, Tree Care Specialists, Littleton, Co. Tipperary. Our thanks to Clare Co. Council, Cllr. Patricia McCarthy, and Eugene O’Shea, Area Engineer with Clare. Co. Council for arranging the felling of the tree. Our thanks to all concerned , especially our maintenance team members Eugene Barrett & Jimmy Morris who first identified the problems.

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The Shannon Apostolic Workers Annual Sale of Work and Display took place in St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School on Sunday 13th November. All proceeds go to the support of Missionaries and Marguerite O’Keefe and her team thank the people of Shannon for their support of this very worthwhile event!

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St. Conaire’s N.S. launched its art project, The Story of St. Conaire, on Friday last, November 11th, 2011. The ribbon on the installation was cut by Dr. Ronald Kealy of Frostburg, Maryland, USA, in the presence of his colleague, Dr. William Bingman, and Ennis artist Harry Guinane. School chaplain, Fr. Tom Ryan, led a prayer service for staff and pupils. The dedication ceremony was a lovely way in which to introduce the inspiring story of the school’s patron saint, Conaire, to the present cohort of pupils and it is hoped that the piece will be a focal point for future generations of pupils, parents and staff. Our thanks to Joe Buckley for the photographic record of the occasion.

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Hundreds of People from Shannon and beyond gathered in both Illaunmanagh & Lemenagh Cemeteries on Sunday 6th November for what is now known as Cemetery Sunday for Shannon parish. The glorious sunshine brought family and friends to the graves of loved one to pray and remember. For some families this is one of their annual gatherings where they go to Sunday Mass together, then share a meal and conclude by going to the Cemetery to join with others in remembering and praying. Our thanks to Joe Buckley for the photos.

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All Hallows Eve has its origin in Europe in the pre Christian roots of the Celts, especially in Britain, Ireland and France. November 1st was regarded as New Years Day, the end of summer , the beginning of the dark, long and cold winter, the earth goes into hibernation and the Celts associated this with human death. Our thanks to Joe Buckley for Halloween photos from Shannon.

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The annual Class Blessing for Junior Infants attending St. Conaire's School took place on Wednesday 26th October 2011. Parents and grandparents attended the Blessing Ceremony for each class which takes place before the Mid-Term Break. It’s the opportunity for the school to welcome and ask God’s Blessing on their new pupils as they begin their primary education, conscious that what will happen over the next eight years will help shape and form each pupil for life. Our thanks to Jennifer, Martina and Caroline of the staff of St. Conaire's for the photos.

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A Blessing of pre school children and their teacher Karen Dunne from Dawn Montessori school Tullyglass took place on Wednesday 26th October.

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On Monday evening 24th October the Eucharistic Congress Bell arrived in the Tradaree Cluster at the Adoration Chapel in Shannon where the chapel was overflowing with people. Fr. Tom & Fr. Arnold were joined by Fr. Tom Fitzpatrick for the celebration of the Eucharist. At the end of the Mass, as the people left the Adoration Chapel, each took it in turn to ring the Bell. After Mass on Tuesday morning the Bell continued its journey to the parish of Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry. Our thanks to Gus Ahlsved for the photos.

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On Sunday 16th October The Congregation of Christchurch Shannon hosted an Ecumenical gathering in the Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul Ennis to welcome Rev. Dr. Ian Henderson, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, to Co. Clare. Fr. Tom represented the parish. Our thanks to Fr. Tom Hogan for the photographs.

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On Wednesday 12th October choirs from the parishes of Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry , Newmarket-on-Fergus and Shannon who form the Tradaree Cluster came together in Mary Immaculate Church for a Choir Workshop on the new music being introduced into the liturgy as part of the New translations of the Mass. Gus & Annette Alshved who represented the Cluster at the summer school of the Irish Church music association in Maynooth presented the workshop. 73 people attended from the three parishes.

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On Wednesday 12th October the children attending Flowerpots Pre school in Tullyglass came to Mary immaculate Church for their annual Blessing at the beginning of the new school year. Accompanied by their teachers Barbara Jordan & Mary Ryall, the children sang and prayed. Fr. Tom blessed each child individually.

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The Autumn Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes left Shannon Airport on Sunday 2nd October with 315 pilgrims from all over the Killaloe Diocese, returning on Friday 7th October. Our thanks to Our thanks to Willie Carey, Fr. Tom and Frédéric Lacaze, Lourdes, for the photos.

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On Friday night 7th October the Indian Catholic Community gathered in the adoration Chapel at Skycourt for a night vigil of prayer culminating in the celebration of the Eucharist at dawn. Our thanks to the Indian Catholic Community who are so supportive in prayer for our parish.

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Fr. Tom and a group of parishioners joined with pilgrims from other parishes throughout the country on a week long visit to Medjugorje from 10th to 17th September 2011. Our thanks to Fr. Tom & Kathleen Morris for the photos.

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On Monday 15th August, a group of young people from our Diocese travelled to Madrid to participate in World Youth Day with Pope Benedict. Kelly Molloy from Carrig Hill, a teacher in St. Senan’s School, was our Parish representative. She was joined by Jane O’Leary, her colleague in St. Senan’s, who represented Newmarket-on-Fergus Parish.

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On Sunday 22nd August 2011 Fr. Colm Hogan PP Kildysart/Cranny/Coolmeen led the annual pilgrimage to Canon Island where he celebrated Mass in glorious sunshine. Canon Island in the Shannon Estuary is part of the parish of Kildysart. 22 years ago the late Fr. Michael Hillery PP (brother of Sean) revised a tradition of celebrating Mass on the island. This has continued each year since. This year some parishioners from Shannon participated and our local Bunratty Search and Rescue accompanied the pilgrims as they crossed from the pier in Kildysart to the island. Our thanks to Charlie Murray of Bunratty Search and Rescue, and sacristan in SS John & Paul Church, for the photos.

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The Intercession for Priests is held in All Hallows College, Dublin each August. During the Month priests from all over the country and those home on holidays gather for a day, a few days, a week or the whole month to pray for one another. The Intercession which was founded by Vincentian Priest Fr. Kevin Scallan CM (brother–in–law of Dana) is now in its 36th year. In the core group he is joined by well known Poor Clare Nun Sr. Breege McKenna, Frs. Jack Finnegan SDB, Pat Dwyer SCA, John O’Reilly OP and Diocesan Priests Fr. Barry Horan and Seamus Mulvanney. During the month of August over 400 Priests and Bishops attended the intercession and prayed together.

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Parishioners from all over Ireland travel to Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday of July. During the summer months individual pilgrims climb the mountain in their own time. Our pictures show Caitriona Cullinan from Aidan Park and her family who made the pilgrimage climb in August.

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On Sunday 21st August at 3pm, Bishop Kieran ordained Ger Jones, a native of Bridgetown, to the Priesthood in St. Flannan’s Church, Killaloe. Ger is the second student from the Diocese to be ordained a Priest this year. Fr. Ger has been appointed curate to Nenagh Parish.

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On Monday 1st August Canon Brendan O’Donoghue led his first pilgrimage to Poland with a group of 49 people, the majority of whom were from the Tradaree Cluster. The group left Shannon airport for Poland and spent the week visiting places of both historical and spiritual importance in the life of Poland. Such places as the Shrine of Our Lady at Czestochowa, Krakow, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, the tomb of St. Faustina, Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz Concentration Camp were visited. Our thanks to Pat & Mary Grue for the photos.

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The annual pilgrimage to Lough Derg organised by Ennis Parish took place from Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd August. In recent years Parishioners from Shannon have availed of this opportunity to go to Lough derg and participate in the traditional three day pilgrimage of fasting, bare feet walking, and a 24 hour vigil. Photos show parishioners who took part in this year’s pilgrimage. Our thanks to Fr Tom Hogan for the photos and to Ennis parish for organising the pilgrimage.

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Volunteers visited Orphanages in both Goradiche and Chereven in Belarus this summer. As their photographs show great progress has been made since our parish made a commitment in the year 2000 to support the Orphanage. The money donated by so many generous people has made a difference. The generosity of volunteers who give of their time during the summer months simply to visit and spend time with the children is bearing fruit. The stimulation and smiles show it all. Our thanks to so many people who quietly continue to support the orphanage by financial assistance and also to the volunteers who give of their time.

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Work began on Monday morning 25th July of the painting of the interior and exterior of SS. John & Paul Church and within 3 weeks the painting was completed. Our thanks to Martin Monaghan and his team of Damian and Joe for their hard work and professionalism. This is the first time in the Church’s history that the complete Church was painted in one session. Our thanks to them for completing the job on time and the fact that the Church could remain open while work was in progress. Our thanks also to Pascal Hynds of the Parish Finance Committee who acted as Clerk of Works for the project.

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St. Joseph’s Church Castleconnell was packed to capacity On Friday 22nd July as the parishioners of Castleconnell/Ahane gathered with the family and friends of Fr. James Minogue to celebrate 60 years of faithful service as a priest of the Diocese of Killaloe.

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A festival of football, culminating in the Annual General Meeting of the FAI, was held in Co. Clare on the second week of July. Our selection of photos by Joe Buckley show the visit to Shannon by leading members of the FAI and some of Ireland's greatest soccer heroes.

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The Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, the first under the leadership of Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, took place from Sunday 26th June to Friday 1st July with 450 pilgrims – 60 of them sick - making the journey.

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On Wednesday 22nd June Bishop Kieran made his first Pastoral visit to Carrigoran House, where Sr. Christine welcomed him and invited him to celebrate the Eucharist. The priests from both Newmarket-on-Fergus and Shannon parishes, who are the Chaplains to Carrigoran, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Kieran. Afterwards Bishop Kieran joined the guests for lunch and visited and chatted with residents.

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On 22nd June, as part of National Bike Week, St. Senan’s, St. Tola’s and St. Conaire's schools took part on what is now regarded as an annual event, the cycle around Shannon. Clare Co. Council, An Taisce Green schools, and the local Gardai supported the cycle and accompanied the children as they cycled around the town with their teachers and some SNA staff.

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On Tuesday 21st June Shannon parish welcomed Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril from Kelera in Southern India. Bishop Sebastian was making a pastoral visit to the Indian Catholic community in the parish and celebrated the evening Mass and preached in SS.John & Paul Church. After Mass he shared hospitality and welcome with the Indian community in the home of parishioners Monachan & Shirley Narakathara and their children Astle & Aleena in Finian Park. He also took the opportunity to meet with Sr. Maureen Haugh from the Mercy Convent who is Immigrant Officer for the Diocese. On Saturday evening Bishop Sebastian will lead the Marantha Prayer Ministry in St. Paul’s Church in Dooradoyle, Limerick, in a night vigil from 8.30pm to 1am to which all are welcome. Maranatha prayer ministry is a Catholic Community, committed to developing a caring environment in which the transforming graces of the Holy Spirit can renew persons into the likeness of Christ.

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The Annual Triduum of Prayer in honour of St. Anthony took place in Shannon from Friday June 10th to Monday June 13th (his Feast Day). Fr. Cletus ofm conducted these days of Prayer

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Apostolic Workers from all over the Diocese, under the leadership of Mai Farrell and her team held their annual display for the 56th year in the Scout Hall, Ennis, with an official opening by Bishop Kieran on Friday 17th June.

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On Thursday 2nd June St. Conaires hosted a Blue Light Day in which all the emergency services were invited. The Gardai, Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade, Bunratty Search and Rescue and the Coast Guard all participated.

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Mass was celebrated in Lemenagh Cemetery at 8pm on 31st May by Shannon & Newmarket-on-Fergus Parishes. Thanks to everyone who came to share in the celebrations and to all to helped make the occasion a great success.

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On 14th May the children from St. Conaire’s and St Senan’s celebrated First Holy Communion and on 21st May the children from St. Tola’s & Gael Scoil Donncha Rua joined the celebrations. On 28th May St. Aidan’s were our final school to share in the First Holy Communion celebrations. We congratulate all of the children and thank their teachers and families who journeyed with them.

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On 11th May we celebrated the gift of new life with expectant parents from our Parish.

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2011 was an historic year for Shannon as Bishop Kieran O’Reilly delegated Fr. Tom to administer the sacrament of Confirmation on his behalf which was celebrated on Friday 6th May and Saturday 7th May. Our thanks to all who made these days special, Fr. Tom, our priests, teachers, special needs assistants, choirs, sacristans, altar servers, our schools who prepared the children, our faith friends – leaders who accompanied the children on exploring their faith. We also thank Joe Buckley for providing a pictorial record of this special time in our childrens' lives.

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On Sunday 1st May, Pope Benedict beatified Pope John Paul II at a ceremony in Rome. Beatification is the final step on the road to canonisation and Pope John Paul II will be now known as Blessed John Paul II. Shannon Parish has very close ties with Pope John Paul. He visited our Parish on 1st October 1979 when he departed from Shannon Airport at the end of his Irish visit. He blessed the foundation stone for the new Church of SS John & Paul during that visit in 1979 and a sapling tree which he presented to the late Bishop Michael Harty is planted in the grounds of the Church. Our thanks to Padraig O'Reilly for the colour images of the visit and to Shannon Development archives for the black & white images. Our thanks also to Gus Ahlsved for the photos of the May Devotions.

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Preparations were made in SS John & Paul Church and Mary Immaculate Church for the Resurrection of Our Lord. As the dawn rose over Shannon, Mass was celebrated by Bishop Kieran in Illaunmanagh Cemetery.

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The blessing of the baskets is known as święcenie pokarmow wielkanocnych, a tradition which is still maintained by most Polish families on Holy Saturday. The Święconka (Easter Baskets), containing a sample of Easter foods that have a symbolic meaning, are brought to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. The basket is traditionally lined with a white linen or lace napkin and decorated. The three-part blessing prayers specifically address the various contents of the baskets, with special prayers for the meats, eggs, cakes and breads.

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Mass of Chrism took place in Ennis Cathedral on Spy Wednesday. Mass of the Lord's Supper was celebrated in both Churches on Holy Thursday which included the washing of feet. Later an Hour of Prayer before the Altar of Repose also took place in both Churches. On Good Friday the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion took place and later in the evening Stations of the Cross also took place in both Churches. Our thanks to Fintan Lynch for photos from the Chrism Mass

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The Apostolic workers held their annual sale of work and display in St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School on Palm Sunday 17th April. The proceeds of the day goes directly to support the work of Missionaries.

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St. Conaire's Parents Council organised a car wash day in the school on Saturday 9th April. The car wash was made possible with the support of Shannon Fire Brigade who provided both personnel and resources. The day was a great success and the Parents Council are grateful for all the support they received from the school community and the public.

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The Junior Conference of St. Vincent de Paul in St. Caimin’s Community School hosted the annual lunch for senior citizens from Shannon Parish on Thursday 24th March. This year they also invited their colleagues from St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School who recently formed a Junior branch of St. Vincent de Paul in the school.

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Work commenced on Monday 7th February on an extension, consisting of a new toilet block with disability access and a storage room, to Mary Immaculate Church and was completed by 25th March. Our thanks to Michael Clancy, Building Contractor, for carrying out the work with minimum disruption ceremonies in the Church.

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Blessing of shamrock took place before 10am Children's Mass in SS John & Paul Church with members of the 32nd Infantry Battalion Reserve Defence Forces. Later the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade took place and Joe Buckley really excelled with his amazing collection of images which captured the atmosphere of the day and gave us our biggest Photo Gallery to date! Mile buiochas Joe!

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A Presentation Ceremony for the Shannon Area Community Games Art Competition 2011 was held in the Sean Lemass Library on Tuesday 1st March. Recently retired Teacher Philip Brennan, an accomplished artist, was guest of honour and presented the awards. Photos courtesy of Rosaleen Byrne.

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The 2nd class children from our schools in Shannon celebrated their First Confession in February and March in preparation for First Holy Communion

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Members of the Order of Malta participated in the 11am on Sunday 20th February in Mary Immaculate Church when deceased members of the Shannon Unit were remembered. After Mass, the new Ambulance was blessed by Canon Brendan. Our thanks to Lawrence Murray, Ian Gallagher and Neville Bedford for the photographs.

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The February Days of Prayer take place in Lourdes each year from 9th-11th February. Pilgrimage directors from around the world gather for 3 days of prayers and meetings to plan their pilgrimages for the year. Fr. Tom, who is pilgrimage director for the Killaloe Diocese, attended the meetings with Canon Brendan.

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On 13th November 2005, our parish community got together to celebrated the Silver Jubilee of SS John & Paul Church and to thank God for the Blessings that he bestowed on all of us.

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On Sunday 29th August at 3pm in Ennis Cathedral, Fr. Kieran O’Reilly SMA from Turner’s Cross, Cork, was ordained Bishop for service in the Diocese of Killaloe. Thank you most sincerely to Louise Brooks of Brooks Photography, Joe Buckley and Pat Hanrahan for the lovely photographic record of the event.

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On Tuesday 8th December 2009, the Adoration Chapel in Skycourt was officially opened and blessed by Bishop Walsh.

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