Newsletter
PARISH OF LISDOONVARNA, KILSHANNY, TOOVAHERA, AND DOOLIN. 2025. November 29/30, 2025.
Fr. Robert Mc Namara PP, 065 7074142, 087 0949030
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, CEAD MILE FAILTE ROMHAT A IOSA, COME, LORD JESUS! lisdoonpp@galwaydiocese.ie Lisdoonvarnaparish.ie
CORPUS CHRISTI, LISDOONVARNA 10am: Tommy and Bridie Mc Namara, Sunnybank.
Next week: Tommy Mooney and deceased family members.
Our recently deceased: Noreen Delaney nee O' Callaghan, Roscrea and Toovahera.
No 7pm Mass this Saturday as it's a 5th Saturday.
Mass next Saturday at 7pm in Doolin: Michael O' Donoghue, Lurruga. The Doherty family, Ballyvara. Gus O' Connor, Boherbue, 12th anniversary. John Flaherty. THANKYOU FOR LAST WEEK'S COLLECTION: euro 986
PARENTS, GUARDIANS, GRANDPARENTS, HAVE YOUR SAY! 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
FR. ROBERT'S 30TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION will take place on Wednesday, December 10th, with holy Mass at 7pm in Corpus Christi Church, Lisdoonvarna, offered in thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of priesthood to the Church and to the world, and to pray for more vocations to priesthood, religious life, and lay mission. Following the Mass, there will be refreshments in Mary Immaculate Secondary School next door. You are all most warmly welcome, especially if you are bringing home baking! I am requesting donations to Mary's Meals instead of gifts please. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be moved to 1Oam that morning, to facilitate preparations for the Mass that evening. I know you will be delighted to reconnect with priests who have served here previously.
PLAY AND PRAY children's liturgy begins this weekend at the 10am Mass in Lisdoonvarna, where we also warmly welcome the participation in the Mass of the children and parents/guardians of the First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes. Thanks and best wishes to the newly-formed Sacramental Preparation Group, an initiative of the Parish Pastoral Council.
THE BOXES OF WEEKLY ENVELOPES are available once again at the back of the church, for those who use them. Please take your box and deliver a few as well. Thank you very much for whatever way you support the parish.
ST. ENDA'S NATIONAL SCHOOL LISDOONVARNA CAROL CONCERT in Corpus Christi Church, Lisdoonvarna, on Thursday, December 11th at 7pm.
FEAST OF OUR LADY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: just like our weekly Sunday obligation, this is a holy day of obligation for us Catholics. As the 4th Commandment says: "keep holy the sabbath day."
Vigil Mass in Enistymon church on Sunday evening, December 7th at 7pm, with the opportunity for the Sacrament of Confession before Mass.
Morning Mass in Lisdoonvarna at 9.30am on Monday the 8th (offered for Austin Rouine, 35th anniversary, and the deceased of the Rouine family, Ballycotton, Liscannor.)
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE: Fr Oliver will be returning to us.
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th: 5pm in Lahinch, 7pm in Kilshanny, 9pm in Lisdoonvarna (candlelight).
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th: 8am in Toovahera, 9am in Clouna, 10am in Lisdoonvarna, 11am in Doolin, and 12 noon in Ennistymon. Mass on St Stephen's Day in Lahinch will be at 7pm, not 10am.
Play & Pray group will be making a welcome return starting Sunday, 30th November, at 10am Mass in Lisdoonvarna – open to all primary school children.
PARISH OF LISDOONVARNA, KILSHANNY, TOOVAHERA, AND DOOLIN. 2025. November 22/23, 2025.
Fr. Robert Mc Namara PP, 065 7074142, 087 0949030
FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
lisdoonpp@galwaydiocese.ie Lisdoonvarnaparish.ie
CORPUS CHRISTI, LISDOONVARNA 10am: Anne Longwill, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Esther and Paddy Kennedy. Mary and Pat Moore. Michael and Delia Conlon and deceased of the Conlon family, Ballinalacken. Dan and Annie O' Connor, Sixmilebridge.
Next week: Tommy and Bridie McNamara, Sunnybank.
7pm Saturday evening Vigil Masses for November (no 7pm Mass next Saturday as it's a 5th Saturday.)
Clouna, 22nd: Thomas, Biddy, and John Hogan, Cullinagh, and deceased family members. Thomas and John Conway, Knockageraga, and family deceased. Marion Mc Namara, Clouna. Geraldine Organ, Cahersherkin.
THANKYOU FOR LAST WEEK'S COLLECTION: euro 641.10
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
FR. ROBERT'S 30TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION will take place on Wednesday, December 10th, with Holy Mass at 7pm in Corpus Christi Church, Lisdoonvarna, offered in thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of priesthood to the Church and to the world, and to pray for more vocations to priesthood, religious life, and lay mission. Following the Mass, there will be refreshments in Mary Immaculate Secondary School next door. You are all most warmly welcome, especially if you are bringing home baking! I am requesting donations to Mary's Meals instead of gifts, please. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be moved to 10 am that morning to facilitate preparations for the Mass that evening. I know you will be delighted to reconnect with priests who have served here previously.
PLAY AND PRAY: volunteers who wish to help run this liturgy for children are most welcome. We have numerous resources available.
FROM LISDOONVARNA FAILTE: the Christmas Fayre will be held in the Pavilion next weekend featuring Santa, as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Raffle prizes welcome. Quiz night at Mc Dermott's on Thursday, November 27, in aid of Ennistymon Choral Society's 2026 show.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BURREN GAELS on a wonderful evening of medal-presentations and dancing!
NORTH CLARE HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents Stories in Stone; Exploring Doolin's Ancient Landscape, by Kate Lavender-Duncan, on Monday, November 24th, at 8pm in the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon.
MASS FOR THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF MARY IMMACULATE SECONDARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY: Thursday, November 27th, at 7.30pm in the school hall.
ST. ENDA'S NATIONAL SCHOOL LISDOONVARNA CAROL CONCERT in Corpus Christi Church, Lisdoonvarna, on Thursday, December 11th at 7pm.
FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING: Jesus answered Pilate: "yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice." But Pilate doesn't "get" Jesus because Jesus is talking about a very different type of kingship, and a very different type of kingdom. Jesus is a king, exalted not on a throne, but on a cross. His kingdom is one of justice, love, and peace, a kingdom we are all missioned to build.
PARISH OF LISDOONVARNA, KILSHANNY, TOOVAHERA, AND DOOLIN. 2025. November 15/16, 2025.
PARISH OF LISDOONVARNA, KILSHANNY, TOOVAHERA, AND DOOLIN. 2025. November 22/23, 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.
Newsletter
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.