Newsletter 14th September 2025

Newsletter 14th September 2025  – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection:

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Early in the fourth century, Saint Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. She razed the second-century Temple of Aphrodite, which tradition held was built over the Saviour’s tomb, and her son built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher on that spot. During the excavation, workers found three crosses.
One cross immediately became an object of veneration. The following day, the cross that Empress Helena had discovered on 14 September 320, was venerated in a solemn ceremony. At a Good Friday celebration in Jerusalem toward the end of the fourth century, according to an eyewitness, the wood was taken out of its silver container and placed on a table together with the inscription Pilate ordered placed above Jesus’ head: Then “all the people pass through one by one; all of them bow down, touching the cross and the inscription, first with their foreheads, then with their eyes; and, after kissing the cross, they move on.”
In 614, the Persian King, Chosroes II, waged war on the Romans. After conquering Jerusalem, he confiscated many treasures, among which was the Cross of Jesus. The Byzantine emperor Heraclius initiated peace negotiations but was rejected. He then waged war and won near Nineveh, asking for the restitution of the Cross, which then returned to Jerusalem.
To this day, the Eastern Churches, Catholic and Orthodox alike, celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the September anniversary of the basilica’s dedication. Today, the cruelty of the Cross is not what is exalted, but the Love that God manifested to humanity by accepting death on the Cross: “Who, though in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. This is the glory of the Cross of Jesus!” (Pope Francis)
Here in Holy Cross Church, we have a relic of the true Cross. It will be placed before our Altar for all Masses this weekend.

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES

Retreat and Ministry of Healing

Saturday September 20th & Sunday 21st 2025. Led by International Priest Fr. Rozo Palić also beautiful International Music Ministry. Bring the sick, family, friends, neighbours.
St. Mary’s Parish, Irishtown, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary,  E91 FD28
For further details contact: Patricia 089 9466193 or Imelda 089 9558283.

Concert with Dominic McGorian Classical Irish Tenor

Dominic McGorian Classical Irish Tenor in concert at St. Joseph & St. Benildus Hall, Waterford City, Thursday 25th September 2025 @ 8pm
Tickets €20 available at the St. Joseph & St. Benildus Parish Office.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place October 1st-31st.
For further information, please log onto www.breastcancerireland.com.

Pope’s Monthly Intention for September

For our relationship with all of creation
Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

Mass Booking 

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

Men’s Shed Tramore

Tramore’s Men’s Shed, more than a cuppa and a chat!
Next meeting on Tuesday September 16th at the Coastguard Cultural Centre from 11am onwards – CLICK HERE to find out about our meetings and activities.

PARISH & DIOCESAN EVENTS:

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

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

DIOCESAN RESOURCES:

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 

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently: Timothy Moylan

We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Clodagh Floud, Bridget Leonard, Maurice & Lilian Fitzgerald and deceased members of Fitzgerald & McNeff families, Eileen & Thomas Power, Margaret & John O’Keeffe & John Jnr, Jim Brophy, David Cowman, Bridget & Thomas Elliott, Celia O’Connor, Mary Dunphy and the Power Family, Dunabrattin.

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 & 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

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:

www.waterfordlismore.ie

PRIEST ON DUTY – CALL 086-6004384