Odhran Pastoral Area – Christmas Schedule 2023

It is that time of year again and, after much burning of the midnight oil and too many cups of coffee, we are delighted to unveil the Odhran Pastoral Area Christmas Schedule for 2023.

We are so excited to see all our friends, old, new, and not-so-new, at some of our Christmas ceremonies this year.

There will always be a welcome for everyone in Nenagh Parish!

Welcome, Fr Lorcan!

Today we welcome a new friend to Nenagh Parish and the Odhran Pastoral Area. After some two-and-a-half decades working as a teacher in Roscrea, Fr Lorcan Kenny begins a new adventure as he takes up residence in Portroe Parish as a priest of the Odhran Pastoral Area.
Fr Lorcan will, of course, celebrate Mass here in Nenagh Parish on a regular basis and we look forward to his presence among us over what we hope will be many happy and fulfilling years in the area.
While he seems to have brought the frost with him from Roscrea today, we know the reception he receives from our Parish and Pastoral Area communities will be anything but frosty!

Fáilte go dtí an tAonach, an tAthair Lorcan!

RIP Mrs Hoctor: Former Sacristan of St Mary of the Rosary

It is with a world of sadness that we in Nenagh Parish have learned of the passing of Christina Hoctor of Melrose, Nenagh.

For three decades, Mrs Hoctor served as the Sacristan at St Mary of the Rosary church where she undertook her duties with enormous reverence, diligence and a smile.

In late-2018 she was honoured with the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Francis in recognition of her more than thirty years of service to the church.

Nenagh Parish would like to extend our deepest sympathy and blessings to her family and many friends at this difficult time.

Nenagh Parish Welcomes Darkness Into Light Walkers

Nenagh Parish is delighted to announce that the doors of St Mary of the Rosary Church will open at 3.45am on Saturday, 6 May, just ahead of the Darkness Into Light walk through Nenagh.

Whether you are a regular Mass-goer or not, whether you are a person of the Catholic/Christian faith or not, whether you were last in Mass last Sunday or thirty years ago, please feel free to drop in during the walk and remember those we have lost.

Where are we going? An Invitation.

Following our initial introduction to the necessity of lay involvement in church ministry, we are holding a meeting of all interested members of our parish community, in the meeting room in St. John the Baptist Church on Tuesday 7 February at 7.30pm. Fr. Michael Collins will speak on the situation that exists in the church today, and the possible vision for the future. We would ask everyone who can,
to consider attending this meeting to help understand the situation in the church
today.

Pope Benedict XVI – 1927-2022

It is with enormous sadness we have learned of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ascended to the Papacy during challenging times for the world and those whose trust was betrayed by some members of the church. He became Pope during a time of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He became the spiritual leader of the world’s Catholics following the lengthy tenure of the popular Pope John Paul II.

Possessed with a towering intellect but yet a deeply humble individual at a personal level, Pope Benedict XVI, apparently the ultimate traditionalist, broke with one of the most sacred traditions of his office when he faced the reality of his physical and emotional health and announced his resignation in the Spring of 2013.

In the great tradition of Catholic communities, we in Nenagh Parish join our sisters and brothers across the world in prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as the angels carry him home to the house of the Father.