Newsletter 29 December 2024

Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family

Natural attachments
The regular presence of parents is a constant assurance of safety for every young child. The family, no matter what its shortcomings, is the fundamental human connection. There are flaws in every human connection, but even the most fragile families tend to be more supportive to a young child than an institutional upbringing. No matter how much the institution cares, it can never replace the natural bond between mother and child. We know that the warm, intimate relationship the child has with his or her mother is essential for the growth of the child’s inner life. This is not to underestimate the role of the father: it is simply to admit the truth that in most homes it is still the mother who feeds and cleans her young child, keeps her child warm, comforts her child in distress. Above all it is the mother who is there for the young child.
Parents are the first teachers of love; their attachment to their children shows them that they are worthy of love, shows them how to love. It is very hard for a child to grow up without caring support of that attachment. And Luke shows us in today’s Gospel how the parents of Jesus fulfil the requirements of their religious tradition, and how the child Jesus grows in wisdom and maturity under their care.
From the mutual love between Mary and Joseph and from their love of him, the child Jesus will be schooled in love and grow in the security of their attachment to him. To know the meaning of love, Jesus will only have to consult his experience.
That love will give him the security and the freedom which will enable him to become himself, and although he is more than Mary and Joseph can ever give him, their influence on him can never be underestimated. The time will come when Jesus- like all children-must separate himself from his family to make his own way in life; but as a child he is wholly dependent on the love that is offered from his own family. That is the glory and the limit of his humanity.
In remembering the Holy Family, we look to our own family in gratitude for what we have received. The feast of the Holy Family we celebrate today is not an old one-it was introduced to the whole Church in 1921; but the Christian family has been celebrated by all who care to admit their indebtedness to it as the lively place where they were at home with God and an assortment of weird and wonderful relatives. In the Christian family we learn that God never comes alone-God is always accompanied by a legion of others who, in their own shy and halting way show us something of the God who accepts us as we are and who keeps on loving us stubbornly to the end.

 

A Prayer for the Family

O God, who was pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

 

PRIESTS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

THANK YOU

The priests of the parish would like to thank you for your continued support and contribution to the recent Christmas Collection.
May we also take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved at our Christmas liturgies, those who decorated and cleaned the churches, and to the sacristans, ministers, readers, servers, choirs, singers and musicians who all enhanced our liturgies.
We wish you every good wish and blessing for 2025.

 

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 Office Opening Hours For Next Week

Thursday January 2nd 9-4pm

Friday January 3rd 9.30am-12.30pm

We wish you all a very Happy Christmas & Good health in the New Year

 

 

 

Mass booking

The Mass book for March 2025 is open at the Parish Office. The next Book to open is for April which will open on the 2nd January

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

 

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.

 

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently Annette Devine Née O’Malley. Maureen Hoban Nee Kelly

We remember the months mind for Brigid Abernethy, Margaret Lodge née Cowman

We pray Jodie Farrell 1st Ann, Patsy Flanagan 1st Anniversary, Eileen Flynn, Toddy Murray, Austin Costello, Bridie O’Brien, Paddy O’Brien, Annie & Paddy Dunphy Richie & Anne Power, Peggy & Maurice Cheasty Cheasty Mary Mc Nally, whose anniversaries occur about 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.

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