PARISHES OF
ARDFINNAN, BALLYBACON & GRANGE
NEWCASTLE, FOURMILEWATER
TOURANEENA, THE NIRE
Fr Michael Toomey V.F. / P.P. / ADM.
Fr. Jim Denmead A.P.
Sixth Week of Easter 4th & 5th May 2024
Website: www.abgnfparish.ie
☏ For Priest on Duty Please Call: 087- 6564170
✉ Please email us at: office@abgnfparish.ie
📫 The Parish Office, Holy Family Church, Ardfinnan, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
☏ Phone: 052 – 7464408 E Mail parishofagb@gmail.com
THANK YOU
Many thanks for your contributions in the last weeks in the collections and envelopes for the upkeep of our parishes and churches:
Ballybacon/ Grange: Weekly Collection €895 / Education of Priests €600
Newcastle/Fourmilewater: Weekly Collection €632 / Education of Priests €310
The Nire: Weekly Collection €385 / Education of Priests €145
Touraneena: Weekly Collection €351.20
BAPTISMS
Please contact the Parish Office on 052-746 4408
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE- UPDATE
Sincere thanks to the Parish Councils of Ardfinnan Ballybacon Grange, Newcastle Fourmilewater, Touraneena and The Nire who met together last week to discuss how we can manage our local area going forward, and where needed, support our other local churches in our Pastoral Area. This was in response to Bishop Cullinan’s letter last October where he highlighted the challenges, we in the church are currently facing. He has asked each pastoral area to look at our Mass times and schedules and how best we can pool our resources together collectively whilst doing our utmost to provide services to people on a weekly basis but particularly of course at baptisms funerals and other sacraments.
The councils made several positive recommendations, including having a ‘special timetable’ in cases where we are only at one priest due to illness / absence and gave some very helpful suggestions to help our local churches and parishes into the future.
A report will be submitted to Bishops House and to parishioners in the coming weeks allowing other local churches in our area to discuss similar changes.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT-
This takes place in our parishes on:
Tuesday’s 10-11am in Ardfinnan
Friday’s 2.30-3.30 in Newcastle
Everyone is welcome to come and spend some time in quiet prayer and adoration.
ROSARY AT THE GROTTO
Rosary will take place at the Grotto in Ballymacarbry every Thursday evening at 7.30 for the month of May.
All are welcome
ARDFINNAN FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 15th June from 1pm with many attractions and entertainment for all the family. Proceeds go towards the Ardfinnan Community Centre.
*PLEASE NOTE – to facilitate parishioners and those attending, our Masses that weekend will be:
Saturday 15th June – 6.30pm – BALLYBACON
Sunday 16th June – 12pm ARDFINNAN
NEWSLETTER
From the recent parish council meetings, it was suggested to assist in keeping parishioners informed across our 7 churches by way of updating our newsletter. This will be done by our Parish secretary, Orla, in Ardfinnan. For notices and information including Mass intentions, please let Orla know by each Thursday morning by email office@abgnfparish.ie or leaving a message on 052 7464408. We will be updating and adjusting our newsletter in the coming weeks to keep it local and relevant to each of the parishes.
I want to thank most sincerely, Danny Desmond who has been doing such tremendous work on the newsletter since my arrival, and at his own time and expense, has produced and printed the newsletter for Newcastle / Fourmilewater. He also is such a great help in the Tax Rebate scheme which we are so grateful for as a parish. “Thank you Danny!”
MONTH OF MAY
May is the month to remember Mary in a special way. The Blessed Virgin Mary offered the disciples her prayers, motherly care, and witness. She continues to offer us her motherly love and intercession. During this month of May, let us rediscover her maternal role in each of our lives.
MASSES THIS WEEK
Bank Holiday Monday – 6th May – No Mass.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION DAY
CONGRATULATION to the boys and girls in Newcastle who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday.
Best wishes and prayers to our students in Grange who are receiving their First Holy Communion next Saturday at 11am.
And to the 2nd Class in Touraneena also making their First Holy Communion on Saturday
PETITIONS TO PADRE PIO
Fr Michael is going on a private pilgrimage at the end of May to San Giovanni and the shrine of Padre Pio. If you would like a petition placed near the tomb of Padre Pio, you can drop it in or post it to the Parish Office, Ardfinnan, with PETITION written on the envelope.