What in this week’s newsletter
- Reflection for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Three Day Novena in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Encounter for young adults
- The Chosen
- Songs of Praise
Newsletter 8th February 2026
Reflection for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Salt for the Eucharist
In Galilee around the time of Jesus, there was a flourishing fish¬ing industry. Peter, James and John were part of it, and they were big-time fishermen. Fish from Galilee went all over the then known empire, and to Rome along the trade route, which went through Galilee. It was kept fresh, as much food was, as we kept food fresh for years before freezers – by salting it. The word of God is kept fresh within us by prayer; otherwise, our Christian life may become weak and tasteless.
A big food of Jesus is the Eucharist. His bread of life can go stale unless we ‘salt’ it. We salt the Eucharist by our lives. We keep the Mass alive by the way we live.
The Eucharist is entrusted to us. God gives us his Son, his food, and leaves it to us how we live by it.
Jesus invites us to be the ‘salt of the earth’ – to be people whose lives are centred on helping others and making the places around us places of kindness, compassion, hope, fun and life. We don’t say ‘You’re salt of the earth’, if someone just receives communion. We are the salt of the earth if we live out our com¬munion. The bread of Jesus is salted with the goodness of men and women, young and old, everywhere.
Our response then links in with the first reading – if we feed, shelter, clothe and help our neighbour, we are ‘the light that rises in the darkness’.
Recall when you helped someone recently.
Give thanks you could do this.
Lord may your kingdom come in every part of the world
Donal Neary SJ
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
THREE- DAY NOVENA
A short 3-day Novena in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes will take will take place in Holy Cross Church from Monday Feb 9th to Wednesday 11th inclusive at 10am Mass.
On the Wednesday the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes, an extra Mass will take place at 7pm with anointing of the sick for all who feel they would benefit from that sacrament.
Ash Wednesday A day of fast and Abstinence Feb 18th
Mass: Holy Cross Church: 10am
Fenor – 9.00am
STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
STATIONS OF THE CROSS WILL TAKE PLACE EVERY FRIDAY MORNING DURING LENT AFTER 10AM MASS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 20th
Trócaire boxes will available in the porches
Please take home a Trócaire box for Lent and give it a prominent place somewhere in the home.
Prayers for the Holy Souls after 10am Mass every Friday morning after Stations during Lent.
New Mass Schedule
With only having two priests to cover the parishes of Tramore & Carbally, Dunhill and Fenor we have no option but to change the Mass schedule going forward for the country parishes of Dunhill & Fenor and Carbally, on an alternating weekend basis, taking effect from the weekend of Feb 1st.
On Feb 1st Mass will take place in Dunhill at 9.30am and Carbally at 11am and the following weekend Sat 7th Feb the Mass will take place in Fenor at 6pm.
Full schedule of all Masses for Tramore, Carbally, Dunhill & Fenor up to the end of the year, will be available in the porches of all churches or click on the link below to view
Mass Booking
Letter from Fr Richard re our graveyard upkeep:
PARISH & DIOCESAN EVENTS:
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 Three of The Chosen series with us, at Glór na Mara School, Convent Hill, Tramore beginning . Tea & coffee served from 7.15 to 9pm
9th Feb Episode 5,
(9th Mar Episode 6,13th Apr Episode 7, 11th May Episode 8).
Tea – Watch – Chat – Enjoy!
Pilgrimage through Revelation Bible Study (Part 2)
Wednesdays 7.30 – 9pm. February 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th. Prayer, teaching/study, tea/coffee. All are welcome. Tinteán na hÉireann, (The Foyer of Charity), Leperstown Cross, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford X91FC65. Enquiries contact Helen (086) 1678027 or hellywilliams@gmail.com
Men’s Retreat
MEN’S RETREAT: “More than Conquerors” (Rom 8:37)
24th – 26th April, Holy Family Mission, Glencomeragh House, Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary E91H584. Led by Fr Patrick Cahill, Martin Moran and Patrick Reynolds. Revive – Rebuild – Restore. Brotherhood, BBQ, Campfire, Airsoft and Axe-throwing. Age 18+. Cost €230 (full board accommodation). To book email info@holyfamilymission.ie or call 052 6133181
Songs of Praise
SONGS OF PRAISE: Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity Within, Barronstrand St., Waterford. Sunday 8th February at 5pm. Join local choirs singing Waterford’s favourite hymns in aid of The Samaritans and Friends of the Cathedral Music which supports the cathedral music programme for young musicians. All welcome!
Encounter
ENCOUNTER FOR YOUNG ADULTS aged 18 – 35. Talk / Prayer / Music / Adoration and opportunity for Confession, followed by Pizza and Chat! St John’s Church, Parnell Street, Waterford. Friday 13th February at 8pm. More info on www.waterfordlismore.ie/youth-ministry
Café Theology
CAFÉ THEOLOGY: “Napro Fertility care for Life” – a Talk by Kay O’Dwyer. Tues 17th February at 7pm in St. John’s Pastoral Centre, John’s Hill, Waterford, X91 HW9D. Tea / Coffee afterwards. More info on www.waterfordlismore.ie
Life in the Spirit
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR@ Tinteán na hÉireann, (The Foyer of Charity), Leperstown Cross, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford X91FC65. Sundays 3 – 5pm from February 15th – March 29th. Open to all newcomers. Prayer, teaching, tea / coffee. To register contact Helen (086) 1678027 or hellywilliams@gmail.com
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.
Evangelium
Evangelium, a one-day Catholic Conference for young adults takes place in Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork at 10:30 Saturday 21st March 2026. A great opportunity to listen to inspiring speakers. More information and tickets (€15 each) available from www.evangelium.ie
DIOCESAN RESOURCES:
Diocesan Newsletters
Ascend Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Radio Maria
1. Via Digital TV – Saorview Channel 210
2. Download our FREE App “RADIO MARIA IRELAND”
3. Streaming on our WEBSITE – www.radiomaria.ie
4. Via our ‘Listen Live Radio’ link on our Facebook Page.
5. Via PHONE – get live radio feed by calling +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply).
6. Via DAB Radio in Leinster area.
Why not drop a line to our Spiritual Director, Fr Des Farren by text on 089-4672000, by phone on 01-4123456, or come and pay us a visit at Radio Maria Ireland, St. Anthony’s Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22. D22 R7W2
LOCAL EVENTS & RESOURCES:
Free Senior Citizens Cafe – Revive Cafe
Every Thursday 12.30 – 3pm
Riverstown Community Centre, Tramore, X91 F2AH
Booking advised: Text or call 087 2472005
RECENT DEATHS:
Please remember those who died recently: Peter (Punter) Halloran, Mary Fitzgerald née Grimes
We remember the months mind for: Kathleen Dunphy
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Bagge, Jean Phillips, Helen Byrne, Ray Walsh 1st Ann, Michael Delaney, Eileen Harty, Dan Cowman, Mary Cheasty, Kathleen Power White, Phillip & Joseph, Gallagher, William , Mary Patrick Murphy, Ann McGlynn née Murphy Bill Morris & May Wash B/Day Rem
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 visit 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
