Newsletter 7th December 2025

Newsletter 7th December 2025 – 2nd Sunday of Advent Reflection 

The Straight Way
Before motorways a journey took ages, with many twists and turns, corners and hills. Now much has been made straight.
John’s message was that we would live along a path where words and actions match, and where kindness matches convictions.
John the Baptist was a man on a mission – to be the messenger of the one he did not know. His life had a vision and a purpose, like when we are really committed to people or to causes or to the poor or to peace in the world.
John was the man of desert food and desert dress; he took time out to find what the biggest thing in life was and then kept following it, often not knowing where it would take him.
The human heart is complicated and we know that. We all need that one who will touch our hearts with love and forgiveness and guide us himself in ways that are straight, and whose hand will guide us along straight paths when we need it.
God’s guiding is gentle. John found that Jesus was a gentler guide:
no name-calling, no bringing of the axe to the tree, but calling each of us his friend, and nourishing the tree rather than cutting it down.
Our hearts can be melted at Christmas time by the love of God and love of others, if we can just thaw out. Think of, or remember a past Christmas time when you made a decision to allow Jesus do this for you again – maybe it is time to try again this year!

Lord Jesus, this year, arm our hearts to be like yours.

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

Benemerenti Medal awarded to Helen & Michael Crowley

On Friday the 12th of December @ 7pm, a Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated by Bishop Cullinan in honour of the bestowing of the Benemerenti Medal on our sacristans Helen & Michael Crowley.
All are welcome to attend this Mass.
Refreshments will be served afterwards in Glór na Mara School Hall.

Annual Churchgate Collection for Society of St Vincent de Paul

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.

PARISH & DIOCESAN EVENTS:

Fire in the South

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 I.C.A.

Our last guild meeting for 2025 is on Wednesday 10th December at 2.30pm.
We will have our annual auction.
All proceeds will go to a local charity.

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

RECENT DEATHS:

Please remember those who died recently: Kathleen Dunphy

We remember the months mind for Luke Power, Josephine (Josie) O’Byrne, Sr. Mairéad Doyle, Michael Morrissey and Paul Corcoran

We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Nan, Dick & Paddy Curran, Patricia Kirwan, Michael Walsh, Kathleen Dunford, Thomas Barry, Josie, Nellie & Joseph Kiely, Jim Corbett, Eamon Wall, parents Ted & Nellie, sister Veronica & grandson Alan Lyons, Michael Maguire, Rita & Michael Power, John O’Rourke, Peggy Cheasty, Catherine & Thomas Hogan and Frank McCarthy

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:

www.waterfordlismore.ie

PRIEST ON DUTY – CALL 086-6004384