Thanks be to God and His Blessed Mother, we had a wonderful schedule of Christmas liturgies in our parish of four church areas. The live crib in Kilshanny started it off for me, and thank you again to the wonderful community there who organized and hosted it, even rounding things off with delicious hot chocolate! Thank you also to our wonderful four-legged friends who made it so real for us!  We had a beautiful Christmas Mass with the Stella Maris community. The altar-servers, children’s choir members and parish youth were invited by Fr. Robert to a parish youth outing, a screening of “Journey to Bethlehem” at Ennis Cinema. Thank you to the adult leaders who organized and attended. Then we had the most enjoyable concerts and Nativity presentations from our four parish schools. Thanks so much to all the staff teams and Boards of Management. I particularly enjoyed the Holy Family’s rendition of “Shoe the Donkey!” Then we had our children’s Mass hosted by Doolin School and church community, where even Santa dropped in during Holy Mass to invite the children to sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus and to pray a Hail Mary at the crib, reminding us of Who Christmas is really all about. We had the candlelight Masses in Kilshanny and Lisdoonvarna, praising the newborn King wih the help of our wonderful Kilshanny, Semper Fideles and Angel Voices choirs, and wonderful local soloists and musicians. Thanks to our parish choirs and organists. As well as that we had the early bird option in Toovahera on Christmas Morning. So I hope there was something to suit everyone. I would like to thank the Parish Council for organizing the parish mission, and Parish Finance Committee for stewarding the resources of the parish, and all groups and individuals who serve the parish in whatever capacity. It is noticed and appreciated. Thank you also for all the lovely Christmas cards and gifts. Uppermost in my prayers at this time are our sick at home, in hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes, and those who care for them, and also the bereaved, who are particularly conscious of the empty chair at the table at this time of year. And let’s redouble our efforts to pray for peace in this world, particularly in the Holy Land, Jesus Mary and Joseph’s own home place. At the end of the day, it’s only the power of prayer, the power of the Prince of Peace and His Mother’s Holy Rosary, that will melt hearts. Our Lady has said that the Rosary has the power even to stop wars. Wouldn’t it be a lovely New Year’s Resolution to say even one decade of the Rosary every evening at home for peace in the world, and peace in our own hearts? Thanks be to God also that, in 2023, we were able to carry out much-needed repairs to the leaking roof of Corpus Christi church, to the heating system,  and are now ready to proceed with interior repairs. Thank you so much to the individuals and companies who have donated to this, and advised us on it. I wish to form a Lisdoonvarna Church Fundraising Group, so please come forward with any ideas you have. We have repaired a leak and damage to windows in Doolin church, and look forward to the new boiler on the way. Toovahera car park progress continues slowly due to Clare Council Requirements, but we will keep you informed. We are also looking for improved street lighting here.  We have repaired the parking area at Kilshanny church and also the grotto, and removed dangerous overgrowth in the grounds of Kilshanny church and hall, but there is more to do. Thank you to our public representatives who have been of assistance across the board. Thank you to our wonderful sacristans and wedding coordinators. Love and blessings to our parishioners abroad.

Most of all, thank you to you, our loyal parishioners, who are here day in and day out, for your generous contributions which support the maintenance of our parish, and its four heritage churches .I wish you blessings galore in 2024, and let’s keep each other in the prayers. God bless, Fr. Robert