Newsletter 30 March 2025

Reflection for 4th Sunday of Lent 

‘Give me my legacy … now!’

This is a real family story about breakups and reconciliation, about love that covers all sorts of happenings and about love to the end. It is about a father who loved all the time, and many a parent identifies with it.

Look at a few things… the son had wanted him dead… ‘give me the legacy Da’. Everyone knew that. He had shamed the family. And the old man waited for years, hoping that his loved son would return.

Look at what happened when he came home – mercy took over – the run, robe, ring and the sandals. He was welcomed as a son. The father doesn’t even say once that he forgives. He loves totally and that includes forgiveness.

It’s mercy all the time. That repairs the loss. The son wanted to be a hired servant and that would have kept the old man at a distance. He was brought back as a son.

The story is also a call on us to have mercy. People all do wrong – often great wrong. We need a lot of mercy in our country now, but we can’t hold bitterness forever. The gospel today encourages us to love as we have been loved with the love that is merciful.

And even when we can’t do this – like the elder son – we are still loved. The father says – All I have is yours. God gives his love all the time and waits for our response. Mercy may take time. And God has all the time in the world.

Lord have mercy, on me and on all who stray, today and every day. Amen.

Donal Neary SJ

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES 

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the cross will take place during lent every Friday morning after the 10am mass, starting on March 14th. Prayers for the Holy Souls after 10am Mass on Friday mornings after the Stations of the Cross during Lent.

Trócaire boxes

Prayers for the Holy Souls

Life in the Spirit Seminars

Mass Booking

Church Cleaning

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.

Parish Office Opening Hours For Next Week

Monday – Friday 9.30-1pm.

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)

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

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!

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

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently: Kevin Hayes.

We remember the months mind for: Joe Williams Snr and Martin (Marty) O’Rourke.

We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Anna Treacy, Matt & Áine Waters, Colin Waters, Tony Wall, Dick Cowman, Jimmy Harty, and Catherine O’Connor.

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.