Westport Parish

Gabriel Kelly , a cherished figure in Westport, County Mayo, was renowned for his exceptional contributions to music, particularly as the organist of St. Mary’s Church. His dedication spanned over five decades, beginning in 1959, during which he profoundly influenced the church’s musical heritage. In recognition of his outstanding service, Gabriel was honoured with a Knighthood of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI, underscoring his significant impact on church music. St. Mary’s Church itself has a rich history. The original Gothic revival structure, built in 1813, became insufficient for the growing congregation by the 1920s. A new church was constructed in stages, with initial work completed in 1932 and further developments finalised by 1961. This evolution reflects the parish’s commitment to accommodating its community’s needs. The church has been home to several notable organists. Before Gabriel Kelly, Ena Eaton served as the resident organist for over thirty-six years until her passing in 1974. She was also a talented soprano and music teacher, contributing significantly to Westport’s musical scene. Gabriel Kelly’s passing on February 25, 2021, marked the end of an era for St. Mary’s Church and the Westport community. His funeral Mass was held at St. Mary’s Church, followed by burial in Aughavale Cemetery. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the profound impact one individual can have on a community’s cultural and spiritual life. For a glimpse into Gabriel Kelly’s reflections on his music and the history of organists at St. Mary’s Church, you might find the following video insightful:

This Year's 'Week of Prayer for Christian Unity' 🙏 gathering is on Wednesday 29th of January at 10.30am in Holy Trinity Church, Westport. " United in Spirit, Together in Prayer " It will be followed by an #EcumenicalElevenses ☕️🍪🍰

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Should anyone need assistance, please contact SVP in Westport at 087-9334960   WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 18 – 25 JANUARY 2025:   The theme this year “Do you believe this?   The theme of the  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity   2025  is based on a text from the Gospel of John: "Do you believe this?" (John 11:26). The prayers and reflections have been prepared by the brothers and sisters of the monastic community of Bose in Northern Italy. The year 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. This commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians as expressed in the Creed formulated at that Council. The  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025  is an invitation to draw on this common heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians.   HEAVENLY FATHER, In the spirit of unity, we come before You, inspired by the words of Your Son, Jesus, who said, "Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." We pray that all who follow Christ may be united in faith and love, reflecting the light of Your truth in a world that longs for hope. Help us to embrace our differences and work together as one body, sharing the eternal life You offer. May our hearts be open, our spirits humble, and our actions guided by Your grace, so that we may be a testament to the power of Your love and the promise of resurrection.We make this our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.   WESTPORT COUNTRY MARKET : Will reopen on Thurs. 6th February.  Happy New Year to all our customers   BREAVEMENT SUPPORT: Bereavement Support meeting at the Family Centre, knock each Wednesday at 11am.No booking required. Further Information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320.   HOLY COMMUNION PYX: If you would like to take Holy Communion home to a family member or neighbour, please call in to the office to collect a Pyx.   HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE HOUSE BOND : Heavenly Father,We come before You with grateful hearts as we carry the gift of Holy Communion to those who are homebound. May Your presence fill their homes with peace and joy. Grant strength to the ones we visit, and let them feel the love of our community through this sacred act. May this communion nourish their spirits and bring them closer to You.We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.   ANAM CARRA: Supporting parents after bereavement, can    be contacted at info@anamcara.ie   YOU CAN HELP YOUR MARRIAGE: -  Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue ... or have you just stopped because it only makes it worse?   Retrouvaille has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. For confidential information about the next programme which will be presented on Zoom ... 27 February to 2 March 2025 E mail: info@retrouvaille.org.uk   Call or text 0788 7296983    www.retrouvaille.org.uk   WESTPORT ECO CONGREGATION: Are inviting anyone over 60 to join us for an exciting conversation starting in January 2025.  We will be joined by Jacinta Barrins from Galway – retired from the UN where her career focused on environment and climate.  Jacinta believes that having conversations on climate change is best done in a similar style to the old practice of ‘rambling’ to the neighbour to discuss the ins and outs of the latest news over a strong cup of tea.  This friendly atmosphere is the best way to unravel and demystify the terms used in climate science and for building confidence for action.   You are invited to participate in a 6 step Climate Course for two hours a week – beginning on Tuesday 14th January at 10.45 in Carrowbeg house The Mall Westport. This conversation is free - Booking is essential and we invite you to contact Brid McAuley 086 8576425 or Mary Manning 087 2421330 or E-mail: westportecocongregation@gmail.com   ST. PATRICK’S DRAMA GROUP : Is delighted to add a new date, 15th January 2025, for the staging of their production of the Plough and the Stars in the Town Hall Theatre. The play will run on one night only 15th January 2025   Tickets are available from Westport Town Hall Theatre T: 098028459 or book online at  www.westporttheatre.com   VINTAGE CHARITY TRACTOR RUN: Fundraising night. Sat 18th Jan. 8.30 pm Westport Country Lodge Hotel. In aid of three worthy causes: Cancer Fund for Children Daisy Lodge Cong, Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Gena Heraty Fund. Please support or donate to fundraising account Mizen to Malin TractorRun.Weciie21ie88weci99217312241688. Or  https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/12656   CUSHLOUGH 6TH MAYO SCOUTS:   Would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated to their recent Church gate collection.  THE CATECHISM CAFÉ:  presents.... 'Faith in a   Faithless   World': an evening of talks, panel discussion and Q&A. Guest speakers include Ronan Mullen (Seanad Eireann), Ben Scallan (Gript Media), Ciaran Clarke (MMA fighter) and Clodagh Gallagher (Aid to the Church in need). Light refreshments and pizza on the night. Friday the 31st January, 7.30pm, St. John's Centre, Knock Shrine. All welcome.   PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2025: Led by: Archbishop Francis Duffy 29th August – 4th September 2025 6 nights from Knock. For information and bookings, please contact Joe Walsh Tours – Tel 012-2410800 or Email: info@joewalshtours.ie

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Should anyone need assistance, please contact SVP in Westport at 087-9334960 GROW IN LOVE MASS: The next Grow in Love Mass is on Jan 11th for Lecanvey & Murrisk, at 8.00p.m. Westport at 11.00a.m. & Kilmeena at 9.30a.m. on 12th January 2025. HOLY HOUR: Will resume on the Tuesday 7th Jan. 2025 in St. Mary’s Church from 7.00p.m. – 8.00p.m. Prayer for Students. Almighty God, as students return to school after the Christmas holidays, we ask for Your guidance and blessings. May they embrace new lessons with open hearts and curious minds. Grant them the courage to face challenges, the wisdom to learn from their experiences, and the kindness to support one another. Fill their days with joy, friendship, and growth. Help them to shine brightly in their studies and to share their light with others. Watch over and protect our School Communities, teachers, staff and Boards of Management this New Year 2025. Amen. Pilgrims Of Hope Jubilee 2025  On Christmas Eve, 2024, Pope Francis, like Pope John Paul II in 1999, opened the Holy Door to begin a Jubilee Year in 2025. It will be an ordinary holy year — in accordance with the tradition of the Church to celebrate such a year every 25 years, to give every generation a chance to experience that special time of grace and mercy in their life. Those who participate in a Holy Year pilgrimage are granted a plenary indulgence; those who are unable to attend in person for concrete reasons are invited to participate spiritually, “offering up the sufferings of their daily lives, and participating in the Eucharistic celebration.”The last ordinary holy year, the Great Jubilee Year of 2000, which took place under John Paul II, was one of the biggest events in the history of mankind. The Holy Father Francis wants this Jubilee Year 2025 to be lived as a “Year of Hope,” very symbolic in times when the world’s wars and conflicts seem to be unending and multiplying. Catholic tradition refers back to the Jewish tradition of the “jubilees” present in the Bible (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13) The term “Jubilee” comes from the name of an instrument, the yobel, the ram’s horn, used by Jews in Biblical times to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). CHRISTMAS COLLECTION: Sincere thanks for your kindness, generosity and support in last weekend’s Priest’s Christmas Collection, it is deeply appreciated. Your donations pay Fr. John’s monthly salary of €2,100.  WESTPORT COUNTRY MARKET : Will reopen on Thurs. 6th February.  Happy New Year to all our customers. MONDAY JAN 6TH THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: Mass Times, Kilmeena 9.30a.m. Westport 11.00a.m. and 6.30p.m. Drummin 8.00p.m. & Lecanvey 8.00p.m. BREAVEMENT SUPPORT:  Bereavement Support meeting at the Family Centre, knock each Wednesday at 11am. No booking required. Further Information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320. MONTHLY CALLS: Fr. John will do his next house calls in the first week of February. HOLY COMMUNION PYX: If you would like to take Holy Communion home to a family member or neighbour, please call in to the office to collect a Pyx. HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE HOUSE BOND: Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts as we carry the gift of Holy Communion to those who are homebound. May Your presence fill their homes with peace and joy. Grant strength to the ones we visit, and let them feel the love of our community through this sacred act. May this communion nourish their spirits and bring them closer to You.We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen. REGIFTING WEEKEND 11TH & 12TH JANUARY 2025:   If we want to move to a more circular economy we need to start sharing , reusing , repairing , and recycling  things we already have and extending the life of items as long as possible.  We all agree that there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness. Regifting  aligns with the principles of reducing waste and minimising our carbon footprint, as it extends the life of an item that might otherwise go unused or discarded. With the global awareness of environmental challenges,   many people now view regifting  as a responsible and eco-friendly practice. On top of that, Charity shops will gain much needed income from our regifting .  Westport Eco Congregation is delighted to host a REGIFTING  Sunday – gifts can be left In the back of St Marys Church beside the statue of St. Patrick after the masses on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th January 2025 Worshippers in Holy Trinity can leave items on Sunday 14th January at 11.30.  Eco Congregation members will take it from there… Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18 – 25 January 2025:  The theme this year “Do you believe this?” ANAM CARRA: Supporting parents after bereavement, are hosting their First Online Bereavement Information Evening on Tuesday 7th January 2025. This online talk is for bereaved parents only.

"One of the features of the Jubilee of Hope is an emphasis by Pope Francis on popular piety, such as places of pilgrimage, wayside shrines, both strongly associated with this area and county. In addition there are local shrines, patterns, holy wells, Knock, Ballintubber Abbey and of course our churches, prayers and practices. There is a religious instinct in us that can lead us to pause, to think, to look up and ponder. It goes beyond what can be measured, calculated and defined. It is real, it is there, in each of us; allowing it to blossom can make an enormous difference. Croagh Patrick, brings our thoughts right back to the start of Christianity in Ireland. There is something biblical about the reek, something awe inspiring. John the Baptist, preaching his good news of repentance, Saint Patrick preaching the faith, generations of clergy following on that pattern, generations of families, our ancestors, allowing that faith to keep stoking the embers of hope and charity down through the ages. So yes, in Ireland, in this very parish, there is a lot of heritage and wonderful to keep going, to appreciate and value in new ways for the present and future generations. We are pilgrims of hope. ..."

In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, themed Pilgrims of Hope , which officially begins on Christmas Eve at 7.00pm with the opening of the Holy Door at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Catholic Bishops of Ireland have launched an official Jubilee page on CatholicBishops.ie . This dedicated page will serve as a central hub for all Jubilee-related updates, ensuring the faithful remain informed about events and activities taking place both in Ireland and around the world. Welcoming this new resource, Bishop Fintan Monahan, the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference designate for Jubilee 2025, said, "I am delighted to introduce this Jubilee 2025 resources page!  It is a comprehensive hub for all things Jubilee - offering downloadable resources, an event calendar for the year to promote and feature activities across Ireland and Rome, as well as hosting inspiring videos highlighting people and events from across the island. "As we embark on this Jubilee Year of Hope, I encourage everyone to take part in Jubilee 2025 celebrations in whatever way possible - whether locally on the island or in Rome.  The first of these events will be the celebration of Mass this weekend by Bishops in cathedrals across Ireland." The Jubilee has its origins in an ancient biblical tradition ( Leviticus ).  Every 50th year was celebrated as a time for setting slaves free, for forgiving debts, and for allowing the land to rest.  In our Christian tradition the Jubilee has a strong focus on reconciliation and renewal, including reaching out to people on the margins.  It is normally celebrated every 25 years, so that more people can celebrate it at least once in a lifetime.  Already in Ireland, many different groups: clergy, religious various ministries and lay apostolates, are preparing to celebrate specific jubilee occasions locally and in Rome over the year ahead.  At the same time, during Jubilee 2025, the Irish Synodal Pathway will also journey with the theme of 'Hope' at its many meetings and prayerful discernment gatherings which will lead to a national assembly in Ireland in 2025.  For the latest updates and newly added resources, visit the page regularly or follow the Catholic Bishops' social media channels.  X , Facebook , Instagram , Bluesk

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Should anyone need assistance, please contact SVP in Westport at 087-9334960 HOLY HOUR: Will resume on the 7th Jan. 2025 in St. Mary’s Church from 8.00p.m.-9.00pm NEW ROTA: The new rota and Missals for Eucharistic Ministers and Readers are available at the Sacristy, you can collect one before or after Mass. CRIB BLESSING: Loving God, bless this crib and all who look upon it. May it remind us that Jesus was born into a family who didn't have very much to share except their love for one another. May it help us to keep you at the centre of our Christmas celebrations. And may the joy and peace brought to the world by Jesus be in our home at this time and always. Amen CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PRAYER AND BLESSING: May this Christmas 2024 and the coming New Year Jubilee 2025 year of hope bring us joy, peace and many blessings. May all our days be filled with faith, hope and love. May we have a happy time with family and friends. May we keep in touch with all those in other parts of the world. And may we honour and treasure the memory of the faithful departed. May God bless and keep us safe, healthy and happy, through Christ Our Lord. Amen THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS: When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among us, To make music in the heart. Howard Thurman JANUARY 1ST 2025 MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD PRAYER FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Mass at St. Mary’s Church Westport at 10.00a.m . We encourage as many of you as possible to please join us for this special Mass on New Year’s Day. We will be offering  special prayers for peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and all the places where there is war, violence and conflict. Our baby Jesue in the manager is wrapped in a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scar. DEFECTIVE CONCRETE BLOCKS FACILITATOR:   Ma yo North East Partnership hold clinics in North Mayo, Castlebar and Westport by appointment to assist homeowners with the DCB Grant scheme and application.  All enquiries/appointment p lease  contact: Caroline on 087 482 8261 / email:  carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com BREAVEMENT SUPPORT:  Bereavement Support meeting at the Family Centre, knock each Wednesday at 11am.No booking required. Further Information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320.  FAILTE CUPPA: Sunday 29th December in Carrowbeg House after the 11.00a.m. Mass. All welcome. MONTHLY CALLS: Fr. John will do his next house callS in the first week of February. HOLY COMMUNION PYX: If you would like to take Holy Communion home to a family member or neighbour, please call in to the office to collect a Pyx. REGIFTING WEEKEND 11TH & 12TH JANUARY 2025:   If we want to move to a more circular economy we need to start sharing , reusing , repairing , and recycling  things we already have and extending the life of items as long as possible.  We all agree that there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness. Regifting  aligns with the principles of reducing waste and minimising our carbon footprint, as it extends the life of an item that might otherwise go unused or discarded. With the global awareness of environmental challenges,   many people now view regifting  as a responsible and eco-friendly practice. On top of that, Charity shops will gain much needed income from our regifting .  Westport Eco Congregation is delighted to host a REGIFTING  Sunday – gifts can be left In the back of St Marys Church beside the statue of St. Patrick after the masses on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th January 2025 Worshippers in Holy Trinity can leave items on Sunday 14th January at 11.30.  Eco Congregation members will take it from there… Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18 – 25 January 2025:  The theme this year “Do you believe this?” ANAM CARRA: Supporting parents after bereavement, are hosting their First Online Bereavement Information Evening on Tuesday 7th January 2025. This online talk is for bereaved parents only.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Should anyone need assistance, please contact SVP in Westport at 087-9334960   HOLY HOUR: Will resume on the 7th Jan. 2025 in St. Mary’s Church from 8.00p.m.-9.00pm   NEW ROTA: The new rota and Missals for Eucharistic Ministers and Readers are available at the Sacristy, you can collect one before or after Mass.   CRIB BLESSING: Loving God, bless this crib and all who look upon it. May it remind us that Jesus was born into a family who didn't have very much to share except their love for one another. May it help us to keep you at the centre of our Christmas celebrations. And may the joy and peace brought to the world by Jesus be in our home at this time and always. Amen   CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PRAYER AND BLESSING: May this Christmas 2024 and the coming New Year Jubilee 2025 year of hope bring us joy, peace and many blessings. May all our days be filled with faith, hope and love. May we have a happy time with family and friends. May we keep in touch with all those in other parts of the world. And may we honour and treasure the memory of the faithful departed. May God bless and keep us safe, healthy and happy, through Christ Our Lord. Amen   THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS: When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among us, To make music in the heart.   Howard Thurman   JANUARY 1ST 2025 MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD PRAYER FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Mass at St. Mary’s Church Westport at 10.00a.m . We encourage as many of you as possible to please join us for this special Mass on New Year Day. We will be offering special prayers for peace in Gaza, the middle east, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and all the places where there is war, violence and conflict. Our baby Jesus in the manager is wrapped in a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf.   PADDINGTON BEAR RAFFLE: Raised €1090.00 for UNICEF Gaza children’s appeal. Congratulations to the winner Jason Kelly and thanks to everyone for your support. DEANERY MASS TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS: PARISH CHRISTMAS EVE Tuesday 24th  CHRISTMAS DAY Wednesday 25th  AUGHAGOWER 8pm Cushlough 9pm Aughagower 10.30am Cushlough 11.30am Aughagower BURRISHOOLE 7pm Newport 9pm Tiernaur 9.30am Shramore 11am Mulranny   ISLANDEADY 7pm Glenisland 9pm Islandeady 10am Glenisland 11am Islandeady KILMEENA/ FAHY 5pm Fahy 9.30am Myna   LOUISBURGH 6pm Killeen 7.30pm Louisburgh 10.00am Killeen 11.30am Louisburgh   WESTPORT 6.30pm Westport 8.00pm Drummin 8.00pm Lecanvey 9.30pm Westport 11.00am Westport   ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES:  Sun 22nd Louisburgh 7.30pm There will also be opportunity for confessions in Westport on Sat. 21st 7.30pm – 10.30pm   CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH WESTPORT: CAROL SERVICE:  Sunday 22nd December at 5.00p.m. ANAM CARA: S upporting parents after bereavement, are hosting their first Online Bereavement Information   Evening on Tuesday 7th of January 2025.  This online talk is for bereaved parents only. CANCER FUND FOR CHILDREN:   Cancer Fund for Children were extremely grateful to receive over €1000 at our recent church gate collection in Westport on December 14th and 15th. A huge thank you to everyone. HOLY COMMUNION PYX: If you would like to take Holy Communion home to a family member or neighbour, please call in to the office to collect a Pyx.   DEFECTIVE CONCRETE BLOCKS FACILITATOR:   Ma yo North East Partnership hold clinics in North Mayo, Castlebar and Westport by appointment to assist homeowners with the DCB Grant scheme and application.  All enquiries/appointment p lease  contact: Caroline on 087 482 8261 / email:  carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com   BREAVEMENT SUPPORT:  Bereavement Support Group meeting at the Family Centre, knock each Wednesday at 11am.No booking required. Further information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320.

Recording of the Live Broadcast on 15th DEC 2024 Archbishop Francis Duffy Tuam Archdiocese  formally launching The Jubilee Year 2025 in Westport. #PilgrimsOfHope  at St. Mary's Church, Westport   Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference Thanks to Kevin Barret, Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council welcoming Archbishop Francis on behalf of our Parish. And a special thanks to Shelly O'Neill for the wonderful design for our #PilgrimsOfHope Poster and prayer card. —  with Shelly O'Neill . Thanks to The Mayo News for featuring our local launch of #JubileeYear2025 Pilgrims of Hope at St. Mary's Church, Westport.

By Mary O'Malley as published on Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage Group. visit: https://www.louisburgh-killeenheritage.org/ "This is the story of the Families who for generations traded on Croagh Patrick providing refreshments to the weary pilgrims. What were the different routes taken by these families to bring all their supplies to the summit from the surrounding villages? How did this network of support, Meitheal and friendship endure the sometimes-harsh conditions? Who are these families and why were they so connected to Ireland’s Holy Mountain? Traditionally, the locals would climb Croagh Patrick on Garland Friday, the Friday before Reek Sunday, which is the last Sunday in July. On Friday 26th July 2024 after mass in Murrisk Carpark we premiered this short film telling the Traders stories and also had an excellent exhibition from the pupils of local primary schools. From August 2023 to 2024 Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage and Louisburgh Area Men’s Shed researched and gathered the stories and memories of some of the families who were Traders on the Reek. We met weekly in Lecanvey community centre to share information and plan the next steps. We visited all the local primary schools to invite the students to create art work and Holy Family N.S. Killeen, St. Patricks N.S. Louisburgh and Drummin N.S. submitted some beautiful paintings, PowerPoint presentations, poetry and essays including audio which you can view on our website." More you find under this link: https://www.louisburgh-killeenheritage.org/topics/traders-on-the-reek-project/traders-on-the-reek-documentary

CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL MASS AT 9.30P.M. We are looking for Volunteers from our Eucharistic Minister’s’ Rota & Reader’s Rota for the Vigil Mass at 9.30p.m. Please give your name in to the Presbytery/Sacristy.   BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Bereavement Support Group meeting at the Family Centre, Knock each Wednesday at 11am.No booking required. Further information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320.   NEW ROTA: The new rota and Missals for Eucharistic Ministers and Readers are available at the Sacristy, you can collect one before or after Mass.   WESTPORT FUEL APPEAL: The Annual Westport Fuel Appeal is ongoing until December 23rd with bucket collections and fundraising from local clubs or online at IDonate.ie Established in 1996 and in Memory of Martin Keane RIP   JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025 Today Sunday Dec. 15th we welcome Archbishop Francis Duffy for the launch of this special year in our Parish and Diocese at 11. 00a.m. Mass. He will bless the new Jubilee plaque in St. Mary’s Church. He will also preach on the significance of the Jubilee Year for our parish and especially for Croagh Patrick Ireland’s Holy Mountain.   NIGHT FEVER: St. Mary’s Church on Sat. 21st Dec from 7.30pm-10.30pm Adoration, Scripture, Music, Prayer & Confessions. Volunteers needed, please contact Martin 085-8727732   A PILGRIMS PRAYER: As Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year 2025 may we walk with Faith, Hope and Love. Illuminate our path, inspire our hearts and strengthen our resolve to spread Your compassion and kindness. Help us to take each step as we journey towards a brighter tomorrow. Christ be with us. Amen. (The prayer card is available at the back of the Church)   A PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR THE BABY JESUS FIGURES: God our Father, you loved us so much you send us your only Son, Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, to save us and lead us back to you. We pray that, with your blessing, these images of Jesus might be a sign of your presence and love in our homes. Good Father, give your blessing to all who gather with us this Christmas, our family and friends. Open our hearts, that we might receive Jesus in joy, do always what he asks of us,  and see him in those who need our love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son, who came to give peace to the world. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.     DEANERY MASS TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS:   PARISH CHRISTMAS EVE Tuesday 24th  CHRISTMAS DAY Wednesday 25th  AUGHAGOWER 8pm Cushlough 9pm Aughagower 10.30am Cushlough 11.30am Aughagower BURRISHOOLE 7pm Newport 9pm Tiernaur 9.30am Shramore 11am Mulranny   ISLANDEADY 7pm Glenisland 9pm Islandeady 10am Glenisland 11am Islandeady KILMEENA/ FAHY 5pm Fahy 9.30am Myna   LOUISBURGH 6pm Killeen 7.30pm Louisburgh 10.00am Killeen 11.30am Louisburgh   WESTPORT 6.30pm Westport 8.00pm Drummin 8.00pm Lecanvey 9.30pm Westport 11.00am Westport   ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES: Mon 16th. Islandeady 7pmMon 16th Aughagower 7pmTues 17th Kilmeena 7pmTues 17th Newport 8pm?Weds 18th Westport 8pm  Sun 22nd Louisburgh 7.30pm There will also be opportunity for confessions in Westport on Sat. 21st 7.30pm – 10.30pm   CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH WESTPORT: Thursday 19th December Scoil Phádraig 10.30a.m. - 11.30am CAROL SERVICE: Sunday 22nd December at 5.00p.m. PLEASE NOTE: All children of a school going age in the parish are invited to take part in our Christmas Carol Service on Sunday December 22nd at 5.00pm in this church. Practices will be held on next Friday 13th and the following Friday 20th in Carrowbeg House from 5 to 6pm We would love to see lots of children taking part.   ANAM CARA: The organisation that supports bereaved parents, will hold its monthly Parent Support Evening on  Tuesday 17th December at 7.30pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or how recent their death was. You do not need to register in advance.  Ph No. 01 4045378   DRUMMIN N.S. Christmas play in St. Mary's church, Drummin, on Tuesday, 17th December at 5pm. Tea and refreshments in the school afterwards.   HOLY COMMUNION PYX: If you would like to take Holy Communion home to a family member or neighbour, please call in to the office to collect a Pyx. YOUTH BAKE SALE : Last weekend’s Bake sale event raised €555 for our local VDP We wish to thank all who supported us and helped to make our fundraiser a huge succ ess