First Friday Mass at 10am St Molua’s Church on Friday 4th July. Adoration for 1 hour afterwards.
Graveyard mass: There will be mass at the New Cemetery on Friday, 11th July at 7.30pm. In case of unsettled weather, notice will be given via members of the Parish Council on the Thursday evening, based on forecast, as to whether the mass is going ahead or not. There will be an opportunity for people to make a donation on the night towards upkeep of the graveyard and there will be a cup of tea after the mass.
A Special Sunday – our Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage: We travelled as a parish to Holy Island on Sunday for our Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage. It was short journey to the special island, one taken very much ‘in hope’……..of good weather, of spiritual enrichment so badly needed in this challenging world today, of a celebration of community and our future.
We got all of that…… and more. A lot more, in fact. We had songs, poetry, music from some of our youngest parishioners and, of course, a prayer service and reflection as we thought about our hopes for the future in a truly inspirational space, St. Mary’s Church on Holy Island. We wrapped it up then as the sun began to pierce the clouds with our ‘Pilgrims’ Picnic’. A lot more adventurous cuisine than the monks of 1,500 years ago, with some shared tasty treats, washed down by a sing-song as we overlooked Our Lady’s Well and the gently lapping waters Lough Derg itself.
One of many high points of the afternoon, was the typically brilliant and soothing poetic reflection called ‘I Hope So’, penned for the day and delivered by our very own Ogonnelloe wordsmith Jim O’Brien. Jim’s softly dropping words are the beautiful backdrop for a short video produced from the day that you will be able to see on our parish Facebook. Well worth watching…and listening to.
Thanks to everyone who made this memorable day happen – our organising committee, the supporting Parish Council, Ger Madden for his tour, readers, musicians, singers and, particularly, those who travelled with us, spanning all generations of the parish. We’ll be organising some more Jubilee Year of Hope events before the year is out but, suffice to say, we’ve already booked Holy Island for the same O’Gonnelloe Parish Pilgrimage. Same weekend, same special place next year!
Parish Pastoral Council: The new Pastoral Council is now in place. We would like to sincerely thank the retiring members from the last PC: Michael McNamara, Pat O’Brien, Ger O’Brien, Gerry English, Elaine Mulcahy and Liam Gavin. We will be celebrating their, and former PC members’ valued contribution to our Parish at an event later in the year.
Members of the new Pastoral Council are: Kieran Blake PP, Joe Mooney (Chair), Seamus Bane (Treasurer), Anna McElhinney (Secretary), Francis McNulty, Pat Gavin, Adrian Reilly, Matthew O’Brien, Eugene Hogan, Padraic McInerney, Margaret Mooney, Breda McNamara, Orlaith Ringrose, Olivia O’Donovan, Siobhan Kelly, Martin Quinn, Ray Bulger, Barry Kiely, Lorraine Hassett, Tony Cotter, Noel Daly.
You are welcome to speak to any member of the Pastoral Council if there is something you would like to be raised at a meeting. The next meeting will be on 28th August at 9pm.
Rotas: for Reading, Eucharistic Ministers and Cleaning of the churches are available on noticeboards in each of the churches for July to September. Many thanks.
To coordinate items of cleaning equipment / small maintenance issues: For St Molua’s this will be Margaret Mooney (087 2983487)and for St Mary’s, Matthew O’Brien (086 1512098). Please contact Margaret or Matthew if you notice anything that is needed.
New Altar Servers: we are looking for new recruits! Children from Second Class upwards are invited to attend Altar Servers’ training at a date in June to suit them. Please contact the Parish Office or speak to a member of the Parish Council if you would like more information or if you would like to put your child’s name forward.
Family Eucharistic Adoration: Families are invited to come to Eucharistic Adoration at a day and time that suits them. This would be just 10-15 minutes, once a month, to be in the quiet of the church, light a candle and spend time in contemplation with Jesus. Please contact Frances McKenna on 0874153583 and to see how this has worked elsewhere in Ireland, see https://childrenoftheeucharist.ie/
First Friday Visits: We invite sick or housebound parishioners who would like to arrange a First Friday visit from the priest to please call Kieran on 087 9302214 or the parish office on 085 877 9113. Also, those who are currently on the list might contact us again to confirm their details.
It is requested that people would take a copy of the parish newsletter home with them after Mass each weekend. Using the newsletter to refer to it for reminders of parish and community events will assist in keeping in touch and remembering what you wish to remember from what is included in each weeks issue.
Hospital Visits: If anyone has family members in hospitals in the region at present and would like them to receive a visit from the priest please call Kieran on 087 9302214 or the parish office on 085 877 9113.
Contributions: Thanks for your continued financial support of the parish at this time, your support is greatly appreciated in these difficult times. A number of payments have been received through the diocesan online donation facility and we are very grateful.
Raheen Hospital: Masses on Saturdays at 2.15pm and Wednesdays at 11.00am.
Pastoral Minister: Michael Daly – 086 3813677 email: mdaly178@gmail.com – Our recently appointed Pastoral Minister for the Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area, Michael Daly, introduced himself at Masses recently. We wish Michael the very best in his new role and we hope to work closely and effectively with him in the coming years.
Baptisms: Bookings for baptisms are now being accepted; please contact the Parish Office or Fr Kieran.
Anniversary Masses: If you wish to book an anniversary Mass you can do so through Joanne at the parish office.
Planning to get married ? You need to give at least six months notice for the completion of church and civil papers and so it would be a good idea to contact Fr Kieran to chat through the necessary requirements. This applies whether you are getting married in the parish, elsewhere in Ireland or overseas.
The new graveyard extension is now completed and graves are available for purchase. If you are interested in buying a plot you can contact one of the following; Michael McNamara -086 8202917 or Ger O’Brien – 087 6349429 or Pat O’Brien – 087 7924202Readers: Can you please check with the celebrant before Mass.