Parish Office open Monday to Friday 9.15am – 1pm
Adoration Monday 26th January 10.30am – 6pm
Planning for the Future: Please pray for the Bishop, priests and deacons who will be meeting this week to discuss ‘Pastoral Areas’ and how to plan for Parishes into the future with fewer priests, where more parishes will not have a resident priest.
Word of God Sunday
“We are called ‘to hear the Word of God with reverence and to proclaim it with faith”. Pope Leo XIV 19/9/25
This Sunday to celebrate the Word of God Sunday a copy of the Gospel of Matthew is available for every household. Please accept this Copy of the Word of God and may it encourage you to read the Word of God every day. Take it home, leave it in a place accessible to all to pick up and read. Reverence it as God speaking to you.
Pope Leo XIV invites us to read and Listen to the Word of God.
In this beautiful daily prayer he composed, let us this year take it to heart.
“Lord Jesus, living Word of the Father, in You we find the light that guides our steps. We know that the human heart lives restless, hungry for meaning, and only your Gospel can give it peace and fullness. Teach us to listen to you each day in the Scriptures, to let ourselves be challenged by your voice, and to discern our decisions from the closeness to your Heart. May your Word be nourishment in weariness, hope in darkness, and strength in our communities. Lord, may your Word never be absent from our lips or from our hearts— the Word that makes us sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, disciples and missionaries of your Kingdom. Make us a Church that prays with the Word, that is built upon it and shares it with joy, so that in every person the hope of a new world may be born again. May our faith grow in the encounter with you through your Word, moving us from the heart to reach out to others, to serve the most vulnerable, to forgive, build bridges, and proclaim life. Amen.”
Consider getting involved in parish Ministry / Activities
Can You Help in any of the following areas of the Parish
- Visit the Sick/housebound:
- Bring Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound:
- Reader:
- Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion:
- Choir members:
- Musicians:
- Youth work:
- Collector of Baskets:
- Counters – count the finance collected on Sunday:
- Property – Help with parish deeds and the law:
- Church Cleaning Group.
- Safeguarding:
Altar Servers: Children / young people are invited to consider becoming an Altar Server in the Parish. It is a most important role of service to Christ and the Community. A child from third class upwards who has received Holy Communion is welcome to apply. Altar Serving is not confined to children but can and is undertaken by older young people and adults. Anyone interested please contact Fr. Winkle and or email parish office.
If you are interested in any of these roles or in other roles in the Parish, please contact Parish Office for more information. Other roles, choir members, musicians, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, etc
Parish Box of Envelopes: If you haven’t collected your box, please do so, otherwise they will have to be posted and this adds another cost to the distribution of envelopes.
Church Unity Week
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4)
Unity is a divine mandate at the core of our Christian identity, more than simply an ideal. It represents the essence of the Church’s calling – a call to reflect the harmonious oneness of our life in Christ amidst our diversity. This divine unity is central to our mission and is sustained by the profound love of Jesus Christ, who has set before us a unified purpose. As the Apostle Paul asserts in his letter to the Ephesians, “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (4:4). This Bible verse, chosen for this year, encapsulates the theological depth of Christian unity.
Catholic Schools Week – Normal Lives, Called to Holiness
“Holiness is not an achievement but a gift—a gift that God offers to each of us in the ordinary rhythm of our days. During Catholic Schools Week 2026, let us joyfully proclaim with Pope Francis: “Do not be afraid to be saints!” Catholic schools are communities where every pupil can discover that their life matters, that they are loved by God, and that they are called to be saints—not in some distant way, but right now, today, in the classroom, the playground, and at home.
“The measure of holiness stems from the stature that Christ achieves in us, to the extent that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we model our whole life on his.”
— Gaudete et Exsultate, 21www.catholiceducation.ie
There will be pupils from Catholic Primary Schools, Scoil Mhuire Naofa and Scoil Chlochair Mhuire at 10 am Masses on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Consider getting involved in parish Ministry / Activities
Can You Help in any of the following areas of the Parish
Visit the Sick/housebound: Be part of a group that was established a year ago that visits people who are sick / housebound in the Parish. This is a visit to talk with the person and pray with them if they wish, it is separate from bringing Holy Communion to people.
Bring Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound: A number of people in the parish would like to receive Holy Communion in their homes, because they are unable to go to Church due to illness or burden of years. Could you help in this ministry? You do not have to be an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion for Masses to undertake this ministry.
Reader: Proclaim the Word of God at Mass and Liturgies in the Church. A person needs to be 16 and Confirmed for this ministry.
Join the Cleaning Group for the Church. Due to the generosity of a number of people’s time given to cleaning the Church on a weekly basis, the Parish has been able to reduce the cost of hiring a cleaning company to do this. It involves 2 hours over five weeks, the more people involved the less time for each person. Due to some people having to step down from this group at present there is need for new people.
Safeguarding: the Parish has a Safeguarding Committee, to ensure that the Parish complies with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. It is a vital and important role in the Parish. There may be people who work in this area and or are interested in this who would step forward to join this Committee.
If you are interested in any of these roles or in other roles in the Parish, please contact Parish Office for more information. Other roles, choir members, musicians, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, etc
Parish Pilgrimage to Fatima 7th to 14th September 2026 – Seats limited. Flight Cork to Faro, return, full board at Steyler hotel Fatima, Cost €1,045, single room supplement, limited single rooms, Contact Fr. Winkle if interested. If paid in full by23rd December, €100 off.
Details and booking
https://joewalshtours.ie/private-tours/carrigtwohill-parish-fatima-pilgrimage/
Parish Gathering
Thanks to those who took the time to gather and reflect on the possible future of Parish management and Pastoral Care of Parishes into the future with less priests. Thanks to parents who also addressed some of this at their last meeting in preparation for the Sacraments.
Questions that were Considered on the night and some answers given.
A fuller report will be made to the Diocesan committee undertaking this.
- In the event that your parish will no longer be served by a resident priest – what challenges will it present to the Pastoral Council and parishioners?
Ans: Difficulty of Masses in parish, weekdays and Sunday, opportunities for Sacraments. How to continue the various work a priest does in various ways, in schools, visitation of housebound, preparation for Sacraments.
- In the event of future changes of priest’s appointments, which of the nearby parish/parishes would be a good fit to co-operate with?
Ans: Lemlara –Lisgoold, Cobh, Midleton
- In the event that the Parish Priest of your Parish has responsibilities for another Parish, how can the Parish Community take more responsibility for management and Pastoral Care into the future.
Ans: Important of people taking on roles of responsibility – leading prayer, helping at funerals, youth ministry, visit the housebound, care of parish property and finances.
Other topics that were raised: Importance for training for people at local level: children liturgies: need for more volunteers.
As part of the reflection onging with Parishes a census of the numbers celebrating Sunday Mass took place at the weekdn of 13th / 14th December.
Diocesan Review
On Monday 3rd November, a meeting was held in the Midleton Parish Pastoral Centre with representatives from the 10 Parishes in the Midleton Deanery. There were around 60 people who attended from Pastoral Councils to Priests, Deacons and Religious. Bishop Crean and the Diocesan Review Committee gave a presentation on the reality of the Diocese in relation to Parishes and the statics of the number of Churches, schools and Liturgical celebrations of Masses, funerals, wedding and Baptisms. It gave particular attention to the number and work of Priests in the Diocese. Bishop Crean affirmed the essential role and ministry of Priests for the Church. Some of the data that was presented is:
- 46 Parises in the Diocese:
- 57 priests under 75 years of age are active in the Diocese:
- 1 man to be ordained a priest in 2026, please God:
- 5 men either in training or discernment for the Priesthood:
- Over the next 2 years 6 Parish Priests will be eligible to retire, and over next 5 years 13 priests will be eligible to retire.
In the Midleton Deanery- 10 parishes: 18 priests under 75 in ministry, 4 retired priests continue to minister, 5 permanent Deacons in ministry and 2 of the Parish Priests are over 70.
Message from Bishop Crean – Bishop of Cloyne (Extract)
5th August 2025
Dear friends in Christ,
For some months now a group of lay people and priests have been working together, at my request, looking at the current pastoral reality in all the parishes across the diocese. Their work has involved gathering information concerning all aspects of parish life in the diocese. The number of priests and deacons, the existence of Parish Pastoral Councils, the number of schools, the formation that’s made available and so much else.
They, as a group, have made presentations to both the Council of Priests and the Clergy gathering in May. On the basis of the endorsement of their work thus far, this Diocesan Review Group will seek to build on their progress thus far by extending the discussion, prayer and reflection to all parishes through a series of Deanery meetings planned for this Autumn time.
The reason for these synodal gatherings is first to reflect on our current reality and with the help of this group to guide us to search together how best to organise our parish communities to ensure they remain vibrant in the face of a declining number of priests. These meetings will help prepare together for a reconfiguration of our resources to meet new circumstances.
Change is a constant reality. Life calls us forward guided by the Holy Spirit to do a new thing so that a new generation may sense the freshness and joy of life in Christ
Koinonia Cloyne
Koinonia Cloyne is a two-year in-person course for adults who wish to explore questions of theology, liturgy, spirituality and pastoral ministry. Participants grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith and become more capable participants in their local parish. At present there is one member of the Parish partaking in this course, preparing for the future, more people will be needed to help in parishes. Anyone interested in this Course and wishes to hear more about it or to apply for it contact Fr. Winkle. Read more on https://cloynediocese.ie/mission-and-ministry/koinonia-cloyne
The Priesthood
‘Take the Risk for Christ’, Called to the Priesthood?. Thinking of becoming a priest contact Vocations Director: V. Rev. John McCarthy SP, Tel: 086 8212101 Email: priesthood@cloynediocese.ie
Lord grant discernment and courage to those you have called to be priestss, that they may hear and answer your call. Through Christ our Lord
Celebrating with People from India
Munster Konkans visit to the parish on Sunday 7th of September for the 10am Mass with Bishop Crean and the Parishioners. Munster Konkans, a community of families originating from Mangalore in South West India, and currently living in and around the Munster region, are gathering together for the celebration of ‘Monthi Fest’ (Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
Mass in St. Mary’s Cemetery Carrigtwohill on 25th July 2025
150th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God Sisters to the Parish in 1875. On the 21st of June 2025 a reenactment of that first moment the Sisters arrived to the Parish took place. Fr. Winkle P.P. welcomed the actors and the real sisters of today to the Church, it was a ‘Back to the Future’ moment.
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer for discernment
Holy Spirit, you, light of our understanding, gentle breath that guides our decisions,
grant me the grace to listen attentively to your voice and to discern the hidden paths of my heart, so that I may grasp what truly matters to you, and free my heart from its troubles.
I ask you for the grace to learn how to pause, to become aware of the way I act,
of the feelings that dwell within me, and of the thoughts that overwhelm me which, so often, I fail to notice.
I long for my choices to lead me to the joy of the Gospel. Even if I must go through moments of doubt and fatigue, even if I must struggle, reflect, search, and begin again. Because, at the end of the journey, your consolation is the fruit of the right decision.
Grant me a deeper understanding of what moves me, so that I may reject what draws me away from Christ, and love him and serve him more fully. Amen.
Words of Pope Leo XIV to Young People
“Dear brothers and sisters, young people gathered with us .., remember that God has created each one of you with a purpose and a mission in this life. Use this opportunity for listening, for prayer, so that you may hear more clearly God’s voice calling you deep within your hearts. I would add that today, so often, we lose the ability to listen, to really listen. We listen to music, we have our ears flooded constantly with all kinds of digital input, but sometimes we forget to listen to our own hearts and it’s in our hearts that God speaks to us, that God calls us and invites us to know him better and to live in his love. And through that listening you might be open to allowing God’s grace to strengthen your faith in Jesus (cf. Col 2:7), so that you might more readily share that gift with others.” 5/7/2025
Helping Hands in the Parish – Can you help?
Would you consider in helping in any of the following ways in the Parish,: choir members, musicians, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion in Church and to the house bound, visit housebound and sick, collectors, gift bearers, flower arrangers: Baptism preparation, preparation for Sacraments: safeguarding: cleaning the Church, children liturgy: faith youth group, set up faith camps: welcoming team: helping out at hospitality events: skill sets: builders, carpenters: gardeners, architect, plumbers, engineers, etc.
The more people are involved in small ways the greater communion there is in the Parish.
Contact carrigtwohillmasses@gmail.com or 0214533806 or Fr. Winkle 0214882439
Families of Light
Baptised in Christ we share in the light of Christ. Families are particularly endowed with the responsibility to share the Light of Christ within the family and among others. In an ever-changing environment Families of Faith need the support one another. The idea of Families Supporting one another through coming together once a month or so for prayer, food, support is put forward to families in the Parish today. If a family would like to explore this further or express interest in it, please contact Fr. Winkle.
Catholic Schools in the Parish
Primary – Scoil Clochair Mhuire, Scoil Mhuire Naofa
Secondary – St. Aloysius College
Catholic Ethos – Carrigtwohill Community College
Care for housebound and older people: The Parish has formed a group of people who will be available to visit people who are housebound or older and wish for a visit. This group will also be able to Bring Holy Communion to the Sick and housebound. If a person would be interested in this ministry please contact Fr. Winkle or Parish Office. Garda Vetting will be required and Training will be given in Adults at Risk Policy.
Carrigtwohill Catholic Parish Primary Schools
Catholic Schools offer an all-rounded education with Catholic Faith explored and preparation and celebration of the Sacraments celebrated along with the curriculum outlined by the Department of Education. Right throughout the school years, prayer and faith are intertwined within the School community. Schools welcome all pupils and respect the faith of each person while teaching that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Scoil Chlochair Mhuire: Scoil Mhuire Naofa:
Second Level Schools
Catholic Ethos School
Carrigtwohill Community College: Co educational:
Catholic Secondary All Girls School – St. Aloysius:
