Newsletters

Newsletter 23rd March 2025

What in this week’s newsletter?

  • A prayer for Lent

  • Reflection for the third Sunday in Lent – “God of the Second Chance:  Consider the fig tree.“

  • No morning mass in Holy Cross Church in Tueday 25th March due to confirmations.

  • Jubilee Year of Hope Presentation on March 27th @ 7.30pm

  • Recent Deaths and Anniversaries in our Parish.

Click Here to Download the Newsletter

Reflection for 3rd Sunday of Lent

 
God of the Second Chance:  Consider The fig tree.
This seems a rather strange story about Galileans being killed by Pilate. They were no greater sinners than others, but people thought they were being punished by God. Jesus asks us to repent, but does not punish the sinner. Repent is the word of Lent – and followed by the invitation to believe the good news of the gospel.
A fig tree had three years to get good. It is a precious tree because it uses little water. This one has not produced its fruit. Is God the one to get rid of the tree or the one to give it another chance? God is the God of the second chance all the time.
He never gives up on his love! We may need to give God another chance. We know we get angry at times. People find that many good things can happen even in bad times. Let’s have that faith and pray for it. God gives us chance after chance in our lives, as He wants our faith in him to grow.
We ask also that we now give the Church another chance. So this is a day of more chances, that life never folds up. We need to return more and more to the gospel and the goodness of so many people, which will lead us in our Church communities to Christ. We do not belittle some terrible things that happened, nor lessen our care for those abused, but ask to take a deeper step to the God who is the one giving and asking us for another chance!
 
Renew us O Lord, in love, in hope and in joy in your care for us.
 
Donal Neary SJ 

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES 

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the cross will take place during lent every Friday morning after the 10am mass, starting on March 14th. Prayers for the Holy Souls after 10am Mass on Friday mornings after the Stations of the Cross during Lent.

Trócaire boxes

Trócaire boxes are available in the porches. Please take home a Trócaire box for Lent and give it a prominent place somewhere in the home.
 

Change to Mass Times this week

There will be no morning mass in Holy Cross Church on Tuesday 25th March because of confirmations in our parish.
 

Living with Hope

Jubilee Year of Hope Presentation
March 27th @ 7.30pm with Speaker Elma Walsh
(Mother of the late Donal Walsh and founder of the #LiveLife Foundation)
St. John’s Pastoral Centre, John’s Hill, Waterford. X91 HW9D.
 

Ascend Youth & Young Adult Ministry

For more information, visit www.waterfordlismore.ie/youth-ministry
 

Jubilee Year Information:

For more information visit: www.waterfordlismore.ie/jubilee2025
 

Parish Office Shop

New stock has arrived at the Parish Office/Shop!
Lovely selection of Cards, Rosaries, Rosettes & gifts for First Holy Communion & Confirmation, are now available.
Please feel free to drop in. 

 

Prayers for the Holy Souls

Prayers for the Holy Souls after 10am Mass every Friday morning after Stations during Lent.
 

Frassati Camino

For Young adults from the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore and the archdiocese of Cashel & Emly
Frassati Camino, July 31st – August 4th
80kms over 4 days from the Rock of Cashel to Ardmore Round Tower
Celebrate the Canonisation of Pier Giorgio Frassati in the Great Outdoors!
Spiritual Directors: Fr. Shane O’Neill & Fr. Vincent Stapleton
€275 pps, Ages 18 – 35
 

Life in the Spirit Seminars

You are invited to “Come and See” in this jubilee year of Hope.
All are welcome (Ages 18 and upwards) 
Venue: – Glór na Mara
Monday evenings March 24th and 31st
Time: 7.30pm – 9pm
The aim of the Seminars is to establish, deepen or restore a personal relationship with Jesus through the sharing of the Gospel in a simple but profound way.
Each seminar builds on each other commencing with God’s love and finishing with Transformation in Christ.
Life in the Spirit Seminars give the participants an opportunity to open themselves up to experience the “full life” that Jesus won for them, a life of love, peace and joy in the midst of normal difficulties and troubles.
 

Pope’s Intention for March

For families in crisis.
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.
 

Mass Booking

The Mass Book for June is open at the Parish Office.
 

Enlighten – Lectio Divina for Young Adults

With the Sisters of Mary Morning Star
Friday  28th Mar @ 8pm
The Friary (Chapel), Lady Lane, Waterford
For young adults aged 18-35
 

Holy Cross Church Opening Hours

Holy Cross Church will open at 9.15am Monday to Saturday, and will close at 4pm Mon, Tue, Wed & Friday.
Exposition takes place on Thursdays at 5pm and the church will close immediately afterwards.

Parish Office Opening Hours For Next Week

Monday – Friday 9.30-1pm.

Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen

Faith@Home Activities for Children.

‘Let’s Dive In’ Activity Sheet available in the porches
Parents, please take one home for your child/children or Grandparents please feel free to take one for your grandchild or grandchildren.
Further resources for Children on Diocesan website:
Resources | Diocese of Waterford & Lismore (waterfordlismore.ie)

Creation Surf Retreats, Tramore, Co. Waterford

Retreats for Body, Mind and Soul:
For Post-Primary Schools & Community Groups
Dates available in April through to October
Enquiries/Bookings
Call Billy – 086 3914908
info@freedomsurfschool.ie

 

67th Waterford & Lismore Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2025

(Under the leadership of Most Rev. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan)
5 nights Full Board 4-9th June 2025
Enquiries: Joe Walsh Tours
Tel: 01-2410800
Email: info@joewalshtours.ie

Diocese of Waterford & Lismore Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome

November 10th -16th 2025, led by Most Rev Alphonsus Cullinan
Contact Myriam Tours
Tel: 057-9355050
Email: info@myriam.ie

Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for the Jubilee Year

Full details:
joewalshtours.ie
Flying on 30th March 2025: 6 nights, €1449 Per Person
Spiritual Director: Fr Michael Toomey

Irish Conversation – Tramore’s Ciorcal Cómhra

You are warmly invited to join our Ciorcal Comhrá in Tramore Library on January 23rd!
If you’ve ever wanted to dust off your cúpla focal or improve your Gaeilge in a relaxed and welcoming setting, then Tramore Library is the place to be. Starting again after Christmas, the Ciorcal Comhrá (Conversation Circle) will meet weekly on Thursdays at 7pm, beginning January 23rd. The Ciorcal Comhrá offers a fantastic opportunity to chat in Irish, whether you’re fluent, a beginner, or somewhere in between. All ages and stages are welcome, making it a perfect chance to connect with others, share stories, and enjoy the rich beauty of the Irish language. This informal gathering is a friendly and supportive way to practice speaking Irish, meet new people, and keep our native language alive in the community. There’s no pressure and no tests – just the joy of conversation and a shared love for Gaeilge.
It is saor in aisce and there is a céad míle fáilte roimh gach duine. For more details, please call Tramore Library on (051) 849 594. Go n-éirí go geal libh – agus bígí linn!

Parish Website

You may have noticed, there is an additional page added to our Parish website: “Gospel & Reflection” which features the Sunday Gospel every weekend.
On this page also there is a Reflection on the Gospel each week, written by Fr Richard. www.tramoreparish.ie

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently: Gabrielle (Gaye) Farrell née Power and Josephine (Joan) Kelly née Bulger.

We remember the months mind for Mary Brennan née Hennessy and Michael Treacy. 

We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Con Casey, Alice & John Cheasty, Helen Douglas and Bridget Hannigan.

Lord,
We pray for those who mourn, immerse them in your love and lead them through this darkness into your arms and light.
For those who comfort, be in both the words they use and all that’s left unspoken;
Fill each heart with love.

rest in peace Tramore Parish

PARISH INFORMATION:

Holy Cross Parish Mass Times & Services

Mass Times:
Saturday 10am & 7.30pm (Vigil)
Sunday 8.30am, 11am
Monday to  Friday 10.00am

Confessions:
Saturday 10.30am & 7pm and upon Request

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help:
Mondays after 10am Mass

Holy Face Devotion:
Tuesday after 10am Mass

The Divine Mercy Prayer Group:
Wednesday at 3pm.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:
Thursday after 10am Mass until 5pm

Church Closing Times:
Church closes at 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday and at 5pm Thursday

Our Lady’s Church, Carbally

Mass Times:
Sunday at 11.00am

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Fenor

Mass Times:
Saturday Vigil at 6pm
Tuesday  at 9am.

Sacred Heart Church, Dunhill

Mass Times:
Sunday at 9.30am
Wednesday at 9am

Holy Cross Church-Live Streaming

Live Streaming facility is in operation, where you may join us for Tramore Parish Services online from Holy Cross Church.
Log in to the parish website www.tramoreparish.ie Click on “Live Stream” on the homepage when the services are on.

Tramore Parish Radio

Services are broadcast from Holy Cross Church, Tramore at 10.am from Monday to Sat,7.30pm Sat evening, 8.30am, 10.30am & 12 noon on Sunday on your radio 105.4FM. (It may be tuned in only when service is on.

CCTV/Live Stream

Please be aware that for the protection and security of all, CCTV Cameras are in operation in Holy Cross Church. All Masses are live streamed and broadcast over the internet.

Parish Facebook Page

CLICK HERE to open Facebook Page, where we share Parish information, news, prayers and reflections with you all. You may also access via the link on the very top of the page on the parish website:www.tramoreparish.ie  Please LIKE and SHARE with your family and friends.

Donate Online

We have an online donate facility on our parish website: www.tramoreparish.ie, where you can make your Sunday offering to the parish.

Please quote your envelope number, if applicable, when you make your donation. All contributions are gratefully received, and we thank you in advance for your generosity.

Parish Office Opening Hours

The parish office is usually open from 9am to 4 pm Monday -Thursday & 3.30pm on Friday. However, opening times may change temporarily, Please check the newsletter for updates.

COVID-19

We strongly recommended, that parishioners continue to sanitize their hands upon entry and leaving the church.

PRIEST ON DUTY – CALL 086-6004384

Tramore Parish, Waterford