What in this week’s newsletter
- Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
- Youth Adoration in Holy Cross Church on Thursday 18th Dec
- Details of Christmas Services in our parish
- Carbally collection for fresh flowers for Christmas
- The Annual Collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul before all Masses this weekend
- Holy Cross Church Christmas Tree of Remembrance
Newsletter 14th December 2025 – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Reflection
Good news of God
John the Baptist was a man of passionate commitment to what he believed in. He strongly believed in the coming of the Christ. This man of faith was being tested in that Jesus was a different type of Christ or Messiah from what he expected. He often wondered who the Messiah would be.
John was a man with a lot of conviction and truth. He preached what he believed and practised what he taught. But he seemed to miss the point sometimes. He seemed to miss that Jesus would be found, not in preaching only but in helping others.
John preached repentance for sin; Jesus preached the coming of the kingdom. The blind would see, and the lame would walk – these were to be signs of the coming of the ‘One to come’.
The late Pope Francis says:
‘There is no prayer in which Jesus does not inspire us to do something. Our faith in Jesus is seen in strong action. The poor are helped at our pre-Christmas collections.
We might ask not what we might get for Christmas, but how our Christmas might help others.
We might ask that Christmas will be happy for others because of us –
happy in body, with enough food for every family,
happy in mind that we know the truth of God’s coming into the world, and
happy in forgiveness, as that is one of God’s biggest gifts.
Lord, let me believe that your life is good news and
help me to share this good news in word and deed with all whom I meet
these waiting days
Donal Neary SJ
CHRISTMAS SERVICES FOR 2025
Please CLICK HERE for details of the services being held in the churches in Tramore, Carbally, Fenor and Dunhill over Christmas week.
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
Annual Churchgate Collection for Society of St Vincent de Paul
Carbally collection for fresh flowers for Christmas
Youth Adoration in Holy Cross Church, Tramore
Thank you from the Tramore Hospice Support Group
Your kindness was greatly appreciated.
Parish Office Shop – Christmas cards, gifts and more!
Holy Cross Church Christmas Tree of Remembrance
Pope’s Monthly Intention for December
For Christians in areas of conflict
Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope.
Mass Booking
The Mass Book for March is open at the Parish Office.
PARISH & DIOCESAN EVENTS:
Fire in the South
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
If anyone is interested in donating money to offset the total cost of the Tramore Guild of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes for the sick, they could hand in their donation to either the Sacristy or the Parish office.
Also, if anyone is interested in travelling with the Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026 (3-8 June 2026) they could hand their name and phone number to the Office or Sacristy.
Jubilee Year of Hope
For the Jubilee Year of Hope Bishop Cullinan invites the people of the Diocese to visit various pilgrim locations from Ardmore to Mount Melleray, from Lismore to Waterford.“Pilgrim Path Passports” are available in all porches to record people’s personal journeys to special places around the Diocese.
For more information visit: www.waterfordlismore.ie/jubilee2025
DIOCESAN RESOURCES:
Two New Young Saints for the Church!
To learn more about St Carlo Acutis and St Pier Giorgio Frassati, check out www.waterfordlismore.ie/youth-ministry
Jubilee Year
A Jubilee Year is celebrated by the Church every 25 years. This Jubilee Year begins on Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes on 6 January 2026.
In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
For more information please visit www.waterfordlismore.ie/jubilee2025
Diocesan Newsletters
Ascend Youth & Young Adult Ministry
LOCAL EVENTS & RESOURCES:
Tramore Community Care – Meals on Wheels
Urgently needs Kitchen Volunteers for the following periods:
9am – 11am or 11am – 12 noon, Monday to Friday.
Please call to the centre or phone 051-381126 / 089-2050290
Free Senior Citizens Cafe – Revive Cafe
Every Thursday 12.30 – 3pm, X91 F2AH
Booking advised: Text or call 087 2472005
Little Nellie’s Baby Bank- Volunteers Wanted
Sign up today: Pamela — 085 862 3705
RECENT DEATHS:
Please remember those who died recently: Nick Power and Nicholas O’Connor.
We remember the months mind for: Deinice Quilty, Maureen Hayes née Cahill, Stephen Richards, Dan Spillane, Joan Breslin née Walsh and John Brett.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:Tom & Kathleen Cheasty & daughter Catherine, George & Kit Bolster, May Power, Bridget & Joseph Dunne and Patricia Coady.
Dear 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.
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 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
Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:
Friday after 10am Mass
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 & 11am 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.
Gospel & Reflection
Take a few minutes to visitn the Gospel and Reflection section on the parish website written each week by Fr. Richard.
www.tramoreparish.ie/category/gospel-reflection/
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 Monday – Friday 9.30am to 1pm. However, opening times may change temporarily, Please check the newsletter for updates.
We strongly recommended, that parishioners continue to sanitize their hands upon entry and leaving the church.
Diocesian News & Information
Please visit the diocesian website to find out what is happening and resources available to you on the website for the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore:
PRIEST ON DUTY – CALL 086-6004384
