What in this week’s newsletter
- Reflection for the 1st Sunday of Advent
- Details of Christmas Services in our parish
- Christmas Concert in Holy Cross Church on Wednesday 10th December in aid of St. Vincent de Paul
- Deacon Brian Hoffman apppointment to the Parish of Tramore & Carbally, Dunhill & Fenor
- Congratulations to Fr. Stuart McGovern who was ordained to the Priesthood last Sunday
- Holy Cross Church Christmas Tree of Remembrance
- Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of Tramore Hospice Support Group
Newsletter 30th November 2025
Light for the journey
In faith and in hope we begin Advent this week with its first candle. With Mary and Joseph we wait for Christ. The candles are lighting the way for them – and for us!
The coming light of Jesus lights both our waiting and our journey in life. May it shine the light of Christ into the darknesses of the year since last Christmas – bereavement, illness, depression, disappointments?
We prepare best for Christmas by spreading this light. The way to celebrate Christmas is rooted in our following of the gospel. Among our ways are caring more for the poor, some focused daily prayer, and the wish to forgive more and be forgiven.
All the different images of Christmas prepare us for this birth – the carols we hear and sing, – the lights in the streets, – the star over the church and our Christmas trees and the ways we pray with anticipation and remember other Christmas days with joy. Everything of this month can remind us of God.
The Christmas trees, lights, cards, carols, parties, Santa hats, the houses lit up with reindeer and all the things we see about Christmas, all remind us that God is near.
We welcome the lights in the spirit of Pope Francis: ‘Those who have opened their hearts to God’s love, heard his voice and received his light, cannot keep this gift to themselves. Since faith is hearing and seeing, it is also handed on as word and light’ (The Light of Faith, 37).
Spend a little time this Advent remembering some people or family memories that make you grateful for Christmas. Thank God for these in your own words.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come into our world of gold and grey, which needs you so badly today.
Donal Neary SJ
CHRISTMAS SERVICES FOR 2025
Please CLICK HERE for details of the services being held in the churches in Tramore, Carbally, Fenor and Dunhill over Christmas week.
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
Deacon Brian Hoffman
We are glad to announce that Bishop Cullinan has appointed Brian Hoffman to the Parish of Tramore & Carbally, Dunhill & Fenor. We are glad to have him as part of our Parish team and we wish him every blessing in his ministry.
Fr. Stuart McGovern
Congratulations to Fr. Stuart McGovern who was ordained to the Priesthood last Sunday. Fr. Stuart has been appointed to the Parish of Lismore/Ballysaggart.
Before he takes up that role, he will have a temporary appointment to Tramore.
We look forward to welcoming Fr. Stuart and we appreciate his assistance over the next few weeks.
Christmas Concert in The Holy Cross Church, Tramore
Parish Office Shop – Christmas stock now in!
Holy Cross Church Christmas Tree of Remembrance
An Evening with The Chosen
Tramore Parish invites you to see Jesus through the eyes of those who lived with and knew Him.
Come along to watch Season Two of The Chosen series with us at Glór na Mara School, Convent Hill, Tramore beginning with tea & coffee from 7.15 to 9pm, on 8th December, for season three – episode three.
Pope’s Monthly Intention for December
For Christians in areas of conflict
Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope.
Mass Booking
The Mass Book for March will open at the Parish Office on Monday 1st December from 9.30am. Phone bookings will be taken after 10am.
PARISH & DIOCESAN EVENTS:
First Saturday Conference in Knock
To mark the 100th anniversary of the First Saturday Apparition in Pontevedra, Spain, there will be a special conference in Knock on the first Saturday in December – December 6th. The day begins with adoration and confessions at 10am in the Reconciliation Chapel. There will be three talks from Bishop John Keenan, Antonia Moffat, and Fr Philip Kemmy in St John’s Centre. There will also be the Rosary led by the Children’s Rosary group, a 15-minute meditation led by Fr. Marius O’Reilly, as Our Lady requested for the First Saturdays, and time for lunch. At Fatima, Our Lady promised that there would be peace in the world and that many souls would be saved through this devotion. For more details, please visit firstsaturdays.ie
Fire in the South
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
If anyone is interested in donating money to offset the total cost of the Tramore Guild of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes for the sick, they could hand in their donation to either the Sacristy or the Parish office.
Also, if anyone is interested in travelling with the Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026 (3-8 June 2026) they could hand their name and phone number to the Office or Sacristy.
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
DIOCESAN RESOURCES:
Two New Young Saints for the Church!
To learn more about St Carlo Acutis and St Pier Giorgio Frassati, check out www.waterfordlismore.ie/youth-ministry
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
LOCAL EVENTS & RESOURCES:
Tramore Hospice Support Group
The next Coffee Morning will be held in the Community Care Centre, Pond Road Tramore on Thursday 4th December at 11 o’clock. This Christmas Coffee Morning will be extra special as we have a monster raffle with amazing prizes.
All monies raised here will be donated to Waterford Hospice.
Please come along and join us for some fun and festive treats for this great cause.
Craft Fair – Sisters of Mary Morning Star
The Sisters of Mary Morning Star, based in Waterford City (The Friary, Lady Lane), are warmly opening their doors for a special Craft Fair on Friday 28th, Saturday 29th, and Sunday 30th November.
Tramore Community Care – Meals on Wheels
Urgently needs Kitchen Volunteers for the following periods:
9am – 11am or 11am – 12 noon, Monday to Friday.
Please call to the centre or phone 051-381126 / 089-2050290
Free Senior Citizens Cafe – Revive Cafe
Every Thursday 12.30 – 3pm, X91 F2AH
Booking advised: Text or call 087 2472005
Little Nellie’s Baby Bank- Volunteers Wanted
Sign up today: Pamela — 085 862 3705
RECENT DEATHS:
Please remember those who died recently: Kay O’Sullivan née Walshe and Carmel O’Regan Crosby.
We remember the months mind for those who died recently.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Declan Clerkin, Bridget Melvey, Jimmy Flynn, Kathleen Flynn, Michael Flynn, Roger McGrath, Paddy O’Brien, Catherine & Frank Burke.
Dear 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 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:
PRIEST ON DUTY – CALL 086-6004384
