Update from Pastoral Council Meeting held on 5th June:

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.

Parish pilgrimage to Holy Island: Our Holy Island Pilgrimage, to mark Pope Francis’ ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’, is upon us and promises to be a really enjoyable gathering this Sunday afternoon. All places are fully booked, which reflects brilliantly on the interest in this Pilgrimage.  We leave from Knockaphort Pier, first boat at 1:30pm. We strongly recommend car-pooling due to limited parking and will be in touch with our ‘pilgrims’ on this over the weekend. We will, of course, be keeping an eye on the weather and while all looks pretty good there, a Child of Prague or two would more than welcome in advance!

The pilgrimage will start with a tour of Holy Island, followed by our ‘Pilgrimage Prayer Service’ at St. Mary’s Church on the island, which provides ample shelter, though no roof cover. The Prayer Service will be complete with readings, prayers, reflections, poetry, song and music. And we will cap the afternoon on the island by breaking bread together with a ‘parish picnic’ nearby. So, for those boarding, make sure to bring your own food and a little bit extra for the rest of us! 😊 Please also bring suitable footwear as grass may be damp and beware of what’s underfoot as you walk the island (there are a lot of sheep!!). Please also bring a rain jacket, just in case, and a ‘camping chair’ for the Prayer Service and picnic. We look forward very much to seeing you!

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.

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.