Newsletter 16th February 2025

Reflection for 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Feeling Peace – at the centre of the Beatitudes
On one of my first visits to a Jesuit house, I felt a huge peace – maybe the beginning of a vocation. In bereavement there can be a moment of peace, which seems to come from nowhere: peace of being totally loved by a good friend or spouse, peace, just peace with the children.
There is a peace that comes from faith and love and that is prayer: peace that comes from knowing I am heard, understood and loved.
There is a huge need for listening now, for knowing that people care in our world of suicides, addictions to alcohol. We can feel we live in an impersonal world of anxiety and isolation. We need the peace of honest conversation and openness, and the peace of being forgiven.
Peace is not evading difficulty. You are mad worried about a child – somewhere in the middle, like gold in the mud, you find the peace of knowing God’s love for you and for him or her. That needs time and a bit of prayer.
It is good to sit each day in silence. Allow this peace to get into you. Breathe in and out, just saying the word ‘peace’. That is God’s gift to you.
There is also a peace from God in doing good and doing the right thing. Jesus knew it was the best gift he could give. It comes from love.
Back to my first visit that day – what caused the peace? I don’t know fully. We can be surprised when we will be graced with the peace of Jesus Christ which the world cannot give.
Give each of us O Lord, that peace beyond all understanding.

Donal Neary SJ

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES 

Prayers for the Holy Souls

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

Life in the Spirit Seminars in Tramore

Venue: – Glór na Mara
Date: – Monday 17th Feb and runs for 7 consecutive Mondays
Time: 7.30pm – 9pm (t/c b4)
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.

 

Youth Adoration in Holy Cross Church

An Evening With The Chosen in Tramore Parish

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.

Change to Parish Office Opening Hours For Next Week

Monday to Friday 9.30-1pm. 

Pope’s Intention for February

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life:
Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.

February Hospice Coffee Morning 20th February

February Hospice Coffee Morning will be held in O’Shea’s Hotel, Tramore on Thursday morning 20th February at 11 o’clock. There will be a raffle also with very nice prizes. All monies raised here will be donated to Waterford Hospice. Please come along, join us for a great cause.

Lourdes Volunteers Fundraising Concert

A Concert to raise funds for the support of the Volunteer helpers who travel with the Waterford and Lismore Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

The following acts will be performing – The Waterford High Hopes Choir, Caroline Reid-O’Brien (Soprano), Linda Gough (Storyteller), Soul-Song Gospel Choir, Paul Farrell (Comedian), a Local Irish Dance Group, Emer McGrath (Soprano) and more.

This will be a free Concert but there will be a collection in support of the Lourdes volunteers during the interval. Dymphna Nugent of WLRFM will act as MC.

Venue – Setu Chapel, College Street Campus, Manor Street, Waterford.
Date and Time – Thursday 20th February 2025 @ 7.30pm

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)

Parish Faith Rep Recruitment 2025

Do you feel called to help young people on their journey of faith?
Join our growing team of Faith Reps across the diocese. We are looking for volunteers to train and be commissioned for two years to support young people in encountering faith in their parish or area, while being supported themselves by the Ascend Diocesan Team for Youth & Young Adult Ministry.
What qualifications are necessary? We are looking for people of faith over the age of 18, who uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church and have a heart for young people, and who are supported by their parish priest. Faith Reps can come from any walk of life or stage of life.
Firstly, speak with your parish priest to express interest, and complete the application form he will give you. More information on the role of a Faith Rep can be found at www.waterfordlismore.ie/parish-faith-reps
Application deadline: Friday 21st February
Information Sessions: Monday 10th February at 7.30pm (St John’s Pastoral Centre, Waterford X91HW9D) and 17th February at 7.30pm (on zoom) – email youthministry@waterfordlismore.ie or contact (085) 8623704 for more information.

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:
https://joewalshtours.ie/tours/pilgrimage-to-assisi-rome-2025-03-30/
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!

Mass Booking

The Mass Book for May is open at the Parish Office

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

School Enrolment

Enrolment forms for September 2025 for Holy Cross N.S., Glór na Mara & Gael Scoil Philib Barún are currently available from the school’s offices.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 28th February.

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently, Geraldine Carbery.

We remember the months mind for Sean Foley, Rev. Fr. Ray Liddane, Rory Gallagher, Noreen Condron née O’Rourke, Jim Whelan, Kathleen Daly née Power and Noel O’Neill.

We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Walter Parkinson (20th Ann), Evelyn Dineen, Dan Cowman, Kathleen Power née White, Michael Power, Michael Delaney, Philip & Joe Gallagher, Alicia McGrath, William, Mary & Patrick Murphy.

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.