Link to this week’s Newsletter

Prayer and Fasting for the Holy Land

The Irish Bishops, meeting in Maynooth on Monday May 26, offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land, for Ukraine, Sudan and in other troubled parts of the world. In particular, bishops discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, stating: “From all over Ireland, parishioners are reporting their horror and helplessness on seeing images of death and communal destruction in Gaza. Exhausted mothers can no longer nourish their young, children are dying of malnutrition, while aid lorries full of supplies are being refused entry into the territory, or are not safely arriving at their destination.

“We in Ireland must pray for a change of heart. Throughout the month of June – the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – we call on everyone to pray for an outpouring of the compassion of God on a heartless world.

“To see the relentless bombardment of civilian areas, the deliberate withholding of food from the starving, as well as the callous holding of hostages, it appears that humanity has lost its heart. In the face of these horrors, we invite everyone to turn to the heart of Jesus throughout the month of June by praying for the renewal of heart that our world so desperately needs. We call on all Catholics to make the first Friday, June 6, a day of prayer and fasting in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are suffering at this time in the Holy Land.

“We echo Pope Leo XIV’s recent appeal to allow into Gaza ‘the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, whose heartbreaking price is paid by the children, elderly, and the sick.’”

Other News

On Saturday, June 14th, the Irish Bishops’ Conference, in collaboration with Knock Shrine, will host ‘Dare to Hope’ – a dynamic and prayerful gathering for young adults aged 18 to 30. Details available at www.catholicbishops.ie

Each year the Dublin diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place in early September. This year it takes place from 4th – 9th September. More details available at www.joewalshtours.ie

During June there is a wonderful tradition of families gathering for the annual blessing of the graves, dates and times are as follows:

Newcastle church cemetery: Sunday 8th June (Mass & Blessing) 10.00.

Newcastle (Ballynakelly) cemetery Sunday 15th June (Mass & Blessing) 2pm.

Saggart 29th June (Mass) 9am with blessing of cemetery immediately afterwards. 9.45 approx.

Kind regards

Fr Joseph, Fr David and Parish Pastoral Council

Parish registered charity number:

RCN 20016166