Parish Office opens on 7th January 2026
Adoration Monday 5th January 0.30am – 6pm
6th January – Holy Day of Obligation
Masses for Epiphany – 10am and 7.30pm
The Magi followed Star which led them to Jesus, let us follow Jesus who is the Light of the World, whose Way is Truth and Love. Jesus is proclaimed as Saviour for the whole world and adored. Let us Adore Jesus in the Eucharist as he comes to us. This New Year may we commit some time to Adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Day of Prayer – Midleton Parish – Saturday 10th January
Mass at 10.00am to Vigil Mass at 6.10pm. A theme-based guided reflection will take place on the hour for each hour of the day with the Rosary recited on each half hour through the day. Confessions will be available from 12 -1pm. All are welcome
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/
28th December – Mass with Bishop Crean in St. Coman’s Cathedral at 7pm to mark the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope. All Welcome
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.
Parish Envelopes 2026will be available to collect from the Parish Office Monday from 9.15am to 1pm.
Please note that your parish Box Number may have changed this year.
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).
Young People of Secondary School Age: The Parish would like engage with young people of Secondary School Age whose faith is important to them and to hear from them about how the Parish can support them in faith – eg faith youth group: participate in John Paul II awards in the Diocese: youth justice and charity group. With parents’ permission and support, please contact Parish Office if you would like to explore this in the Parish. Adult Volunteers needed to ensure best Safeguarding Practice is adhered to; this may be young people 18 or over also. Contact Orla in the Parish Office.
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:
