Newsletter :: Lisdoonvarna Parish

PARISH OF LISDOONVARNA, KILSHANNY, TOOVAHERA, AND DOOLIN. 2025. November 15/16, 2025.

Fr. Robert McNamara PP, 065 7074142, 087 0949030,

lisdoonpp@galwaydiocese.ie, Lisdoonvarnaparish.ie

CORPUS CHRISTI, LISDOONVARNA 10am: Geraldine Considine. Tony and Maureen 'O'Connell, Mary-Kate Williams, Cloghaun, Lisdoonvarna. The deceased members of the 'O'Connell family, Fernhill.

Next week: Anne Longwill, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Esther and Paddy Kennedy. Mary and Pat Malone.

Our recently deceased: Fr. Sean O'Leary, California, uncle of Louise Rosengrave. Walter "Wally" Burke.

7pm Saturday evening Vigil Masses for November (no 7pm Mass on a 5th Sunday):

Toovahera, 15th: Patrick and Margaret 'O'Loughlin, Cahercloggane. Johnny Collins, Church St., Lisdoonvarna.

THANK YOU FOR LAST WEEK'S COLLECTION: €1488

MEETING WITH THE FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS: Thank you to all involved for a lovely evening of family, faith, and fun with the Lord!

CLARIFICATION: "No morning Mass on the day of a funeral" does not refer to Sunday! There is always morning Mass on the Lord's Day!

STELLA MARIS DAY CARE CENTRE: sale of clients' work on November 24, 25, and 26 from 12 noon to 2pm.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SURVEY ON THE FUTURE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PATRONAGE: Bishop Michael writes that this is important, as it will shape the discussion on primary school divesting. It is important that those who wish for a change in patronage have their voice heard. It is equally important that those who wish for a Catholic education for their children and sacramental preparation in school would have their voice heard also. For these reasons and to ensure that an accurate picture emerges, please participate in the survey if you are a parent or prospective parent of a primary school student: www.gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey

A PARENT'S ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE: Making your first Holy Communion and Confirmation is you telling God that you are ready for the next step in being a Christian. You are receiving a consecrated Host, the Body of Jesus Christ, for the first time. Thereafter, every time you go to Mass, you can receive the Host and this makes you closer to God. When I was younger, I thought of receiving Holy Communion as getting a little top-up of Jesus every Sunday, and that this would help me get through anything that happened over the next few days, giving me the strength to do good and be a nicer, better person until the following Sunday, when I would get a top-up again! God is like food—we need food to nourish us, to give us strength, and to keep us strong. Without God, we will not thrive. "When you are down to nothing, God is up to something." Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible. God is always by your side, our loving creator who loves us all unconditionally.

In Confirmation, we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps to guide us through life. Making your Confirmation means you are strengthening your relationship with God and the Church. You are making a deeper commitment to your faith through your words and actions, such as participating regularly in Holy Mass. You can also take time out from your busy everyday schedule to talk to God—maybe thank Him for helping you with something or indeed ask Him for help with something. God is always listening. You are human; you make mistakes, but He is ready to forgive you and help you back on the right path again. We all have the ability to be a good Christian, and by choosing to make your First Holy Communion and Confirmation, you are doing just that. God says, "Do not be afraid; I am with you." (Deirdre Howley).

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL met on October 23rd. We discussed Fr Robert's additional workload since his appointment to Ennistymon parish in addition to this one and the possibility of eventually having common secretarial help and a common newsletter between ourselves and Ennistymon parish. We discussed plans for First Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation and the possible introduction of the Play and Pray programme at Mass.