Newsletter 26 January 2025

Reflection for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Faith beyond words

Jesus’ religious beliefs grew on the word of God. Through boyhood and family life, visits to the synagogue and prayer, he heard the word of God. Gradually he knew what it meant. Now was his time to speak that word, and to begin his ministry.
For Mary and Joseph this was a proud moment. They had given their time and love to Jesus’ upbringing and now it would bear fruit. Today parents worry about the faith of their children. They see a different attitude to religion, prayer, morality and many other aspects of life. They wonder did they do their job well.
Much of the culture today goes against God and religion.
Parents cannot fight the culture. But they can hand on the best of the gospel by their own faith and by the way they live their lives, by their love and by speaking the truth as they see it. What is handed on in faith is beyond words.
Teachers and Chaplains play a big role in handing on our faith. The Church owes a huge gratitude to teachers, chaplains, priest and lay, who have held that role in very difficult times over the last forty years.
We are all part of the ‘faith ministry’ of Jesus. By our own prayer we can help a new generation find their way to faith. We hand over worries to the Lord. Prayer gives us the encouragement to support a younger generation in their ways of faith – meditation groups, prayer groups, folk and gospel music Masses, work for and among the poor. God loves our younger generation more than we do!
Lord may my own faith grow deeper by my relationship with you.
Help those who search for you, especially the young.
Help us all to find your love in our lives, Amen.

Donal Neary SJ

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES

Please note 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.

The Parish Office will open from 9.30am – 1pm Monday to Friday.

Our Christmas Crib at Holy Cross Church

With the holy season of Christmas now at an end, our beautiful Crib will be removed this Sunday. The priceless figures dating back to 1880 will once again be cleaned, covered and stored away in their press, for yet another year.
Roofs, wood logs, stones, scenes of Bethlehem, Herod’s palace, constructed from a drawing, as it was at this period. All of those are reminders to us of Christmas. The simple message of the Birth of Christ once more reached out to the great number of parishioners and visitors, who paid a visit to our Crib during the Christmas Period. We hope all found peace and renewed faith for the coming year.
We thank our Crib team members, men, women and children who gave of their time during the month of December, helping to build the birthplace of our Saviour.

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.

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!

POPES INTENTION FOR JANUARY

For the right to an education
Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

Mass Booking

The Mass book for April is open at the Parish Office. The Next Mass book for May will open on February 4th

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.

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

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently, Rina Piercy née O’Gorman

We remember the months mind for Patricia (Pat) Murphy née O’Rourke, Maureen Hoban

We pray for: Jack & Statia Comerford, Nicky Dunphy, Tom Furlong, Ronnie Hanley, Chrissie Moylan, Paddy Dunphy, Paddy Connors whose anniversaries occur at this time.

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.

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.