NEWSLETTER
15th June 2025
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY.
Welcome and Thank God for Pope Leo.
May the wisdom of his experience throughout the world guide him,
and may the spirit of Pope Francis who chose him last year to be a Cardinal lead him,
and
As successor to St Peter, 1st bishop of Rome,
may he too be a ROCK.
PRAY FOR:
Mick Gunning, Tullamore.
Anna Newth (Hade), Portlaoise.
Mary Dunny (Walsh), Athy.
Frances Gillespie (Baker), Rochfortbridge.
KILLEIGH: SATURDAY 6.00pm
Killeigh Cemetery Mass.
RAHEEN: SATURDAY 7.30pm
Margaret & Michael Fitzpatrick, Ballyduff.
Gabriel Starkin, Milltownpass.
Carmel Breslin, Shranure & her parents Michael & Josephine O’Meara.
BALLINAGAR: SUNDAY 10.30am
Jack Murphy, Knock & his Sister Molly.
KILLEIGH: SUNDAY 11.30am
Emma Daly, Gorteen.
Paddy Berry, Derryadd.
Pat & Christina Walsh, Glendyne.
Joe & Jane Carthy, Killurin.
Paddy & Freda Colton, England &
their son Paul & daughter Ann.
Joe Doorley & Deceased Doorley Family, Meelaghans.
MASSES FOR NEXT WEEKEND:
KILLEIGH: SATURDAY 6.00pm
Mary Byrne, Ballycollin. Months Mind.
RAHEEN: SATURDAY 7.30pm
Tom Bracken, Fear na Mona.
Paddy & Bridie Gordon, Cloneyquinn.
Kay Ennis, Cloneygowan.
Paddy & Anne Daly, Geashill.
BALLINAGAR: SUNDAY 10.30am
Bridget (Bridie) Malone, Ballinagar. 1st Anniv.
Rosemary Betson, Ballinagar & her parents Rose & Edward Gallagher, Cappyroe & their son Michael.
Julie Devery, Ballinagar.
KILLEIGH: SUNDAY 11.30am
James & Helen Gonoude, Derrygolan.
Ned Berry, Scrubb &
his parents Terrence & Annie.
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Ministers of Holy Eucharist Next Week:-
Killeigh -Sat: Marie Geraghty/Henry Bagnall
Killeigh Sun: Anne Brady/Patricia Nunan
Raheen Sat: Mary Dempsey
Ballinagar Sun: Catherine Guinan
READERS for next week-end:-
Killeigh 6.00pm: Family
Raheen Sat 7.30pm: Seamus Crombie
Ballinagar 10.30am: Malone Family
Killeigh 11.30am: Eugene Cahill
Gaza: “Words are not enough!”
Irish Bishops call for solidarity at parish lever.
See Message on Notice Board.
From the Bishops of Ireland recently
“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.
Parishes Alive - Moving Forward in Hope!” A day for lay people and clergy. Saturday, 21st June in Carlow College with registration at 9:30am, starting promptly at 10am and concluding at 4 pm. Lunch is included. Booking essential by email to parishdevelopment@Kandle.ie, providing your name and parish, or by phoning 083-830 5681.
Planning a Marriage ?
www.killeigh.com/getting_married
Synodality Workshop
Please see Notice on Church Board for Centro Evangelii Gaudium Workshop on Synodality taking place on the 28th-29th June 2025 in Curryhills House, Prosperous, Co Kildare.
Killeigh Tidy Towns for the month of June Tues 17th @ 7:30 pm Let’s get our hands dirty for the community.
Raheen GAA Tour To Glasnevin Cemetery for a Guided Tour: Wednesday July 16th leaving Geashill at 9am, Cloneygowan at 9.15am,
Cost is €35 per person for the bus and tour. Please contact Gerry Kelly 086 215 0017 or Pauric Pierce
087 683 3535 to book.
Killeigh Community Centre update:
For all class info, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Get in contact to hear about them. Email us to book a meeting room or use connectedhubs.ie to book a desk. Book your kids' party at the Centre
info@killeighcommunitycentre.com
A Local History Presentation Of Ballinagar will take place in the Community Hall Sunday 29th June at 11.30am. The event is hosted by Ballinagar Planning Group and John Malone will do a display of articles and photos about the village and some of people who lived here.
If anyone has old photos of Ballinagar please bring them along.
Parish Office Open this week:
Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri 10.45-12.45pm
At other times please call 057 93 44161 leave a message with your Name and Number. IF URGENT Call the 087 number given.
FATHERS DAY 15TH June:
A Prayer For All Fathers:
Dear God, we come before You today with a heart of thanksgiving for all fathers in the world. Thank you, Father, for designing fathers to be the pillar of support in families, the breadwinners, and the essential support in child-rearing. Whether they have been good or bad fathers, may we find it in our hearts to forgive them because no one is perfect. You always have a reason for creating families the way they are, and every father in every household has been placed there according to Your will.
We also pray for all single fathers out there. Thank You for their strength,
for their perseverance, and love to raise their children despite the difficulty they faced in parenthood. We ask that God, bless them with wisdom, discernment, protection for their health, and faith in You to become even better fathers for their children.
We pray for the distant fathers who have been alienated from their children because of their jobs or due to other circumstances. Father, please change them and allow them to see how they can build a healthy relationship with their children. Remove all barriers that prevent their union, Lord. For fathers that are serving on the frontlines, we ask God that Your sovereign hand be upon them and protect them from all things that may harm or threaten their lives. Grant them the chance to reunite with their families one day.
Thanks to Ballinagar Cemetery Committee for 10% of the Gate Collection at the recent Cemetery Mass. Thanks for your donation of €1360 & for €136 donated to Parish Funds by the Committee.
Thanks to those who donated €378 at the Annagharvey Cemetery Mass.
An Spioraid Naoimh Pentecost Retreat
Parish Centre, St. Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise. Friday June 27th. 6:30- 9:30pm Guest: Fr. David Vard. Sat June 28th 10:00am to 3:45pm Guest: Fr. John Mockler. Full program on www.spioraidnaoimh.com
Spiritual Director: Fr. O'Domhnaill PP Newbridge. 086 815 7305
Mass Times.
Saturday evening Mass in Killeigh is at 6pm.
Saturday evening in Raheen at 7.30pm
Sunday morning in Ballinagar at 10.30am
Sunday morning in Killeigh at 11.30am
These times are provisional.
Interesting Catholic News
View interesting videos.
Congratulations to the Committee.
All updates on Facebook page.
Email:- info@killeighcommunitycentre.com
Useful contacts for Information on Marian Shrines, and others:-
http://www.knock-shrine.ie/
History; Pilgrims Guide; Facilities; Accommodation; News; Shop; etc
http://en.lourdes-france.org/tv-lourdes/
See Live TV from the shrine; Deepen [history, Messages, Cures, etc]; Youth
http://sacredsites.com/europe/
portugal/fatima.html
Sacred Sites; Places of Peace and Power throughout the world
A Copy of the Scroll of the Prophet Isaiah, found in 1948 in a cave near the Dead Sea.
Carbon dated showing it was writen in 70 B.C.
SLIDE SHOWS:-
Visit your ancestors grave in
Visit your ancestors grave in
Thanks to work of Roseanna and Emma.
See slides of the Easter Morning Mass on the mountain
View some pics from the Official Opening of Ballinagar School.
See slides of the Easter Morning Mass on the mountain
View some pics from the Official Opening of Ballinagar School.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Warning signs of a STROKE:
The following can help you recognise if someone is having a stroke and ACT FAST if you see any of them.
The following can help you recognise if someone is having a stroke and ACT FAST if you see any of them.
F – FACE: Ask the person to smile-does one side droop?
A – ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms and keep them there.
S – SPEECH: Can the person repeat a sentence? Is their speech slurred?
T – TIME: If you see any of the above signs – even just one – call 999 for an ambulance
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Suicidal Thoughts?
Share the Load!
….others can help you carry it.
Midlands Living Links 086-1600641
MABS – Money Advice – Hibernian Hse, 076-107-2710 (free & confidential).
C.I.C. – Citizens Information Centre
Mon-Sat, 10.30am-12.30pm 057 9352204.
Samaritans: 1850 60 90 90
Pieta House 1800 247 247 or 0818 277 438
Suicidal Thoughts?
Share the Load!
….others can help you carry it.
Midlands Living Links 086-1600641
MABS – Money Advice – Hibernian Hse, 076-107-2710 (free & confidential).
C.I.C. – Citizens Information Centre
Mon-Sat, 10.30am-12.30pm 057 9352204.
Samaritans: 1850 60 90 90
Pieta House 1800 247 247 or 0818 277 438
Samaritans new freephone number 116 123
visit www.3ts.ie/need-help/ for a full list of crisis helplines
Domestic Violence
We can help! Contact Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS)
on our Confidential Information Line 057 9351886. (Open Mon to Fri 10am to 12pm2pm to 4pm)
Have you got a number in your phone after the letters I.C.E.?
In Case of Emergency?
DO IT NOW!
Grow: World Community Mental Health Movement in Ireland.
You alone can dot it,
but you can’t do it alone.
If you are anxious, depressed,
or feeling suicidal,
GROW can support you.
Strictly Confidential. www.grow.ie
Young Adult Group Monday 7.30pm,
Community Group Thurs 3.00pm
Community Health Centre 057 9351124.
You alone can dot it,
but you can’t do it alone.
If you are anxious, depressed,
or feeling suicidal,
GROW can support you.
Strictly Confidential. www.grow.ie
Young Adult Group Monday 7.30pm,
Community Group Thurs 3.00pm
Community Health Centre 057 9351124.
Pontifical University – St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
Higher Diploma in Theological Studies One-year part-time evening course. Lectures are held on: Mon’s & Wed’s 6.30-9.30pmFour Saturdays ( 2 Sat every semester) 10am – 4pm. Info etcContact 01-7084772 email: admissions@spcm.ie or maynoothcollee.ie
Pope Leo XIV
The untold story of new elected Pope Robert Prevost:
In 1975 Robert Prevost was at the top of his game. Chicago math teacher. Devout Catholic. Accepted into Harvard Law. He had everything a young man could dream of, But then—he made a decision that no one saw coming. He said no to Harvard
No to a six-figure future. No to fame. No to comfort
And yes—to something few dare to choose: A life of complete surrender. He joined a missionary group and moved to Peru. Not to the cities. Not to the tourist spots .
But to the *most* remote villages—where children die from treatable diseases. And families walk miles just for clean water. There were no roads. No running water. No WiFi
Just mountains. Silence And poverty. But he embraced it like home
Robert didn’t just live *among* the people. He became *one* of them
• Learned Quechua—the sacred language of the Incas
• Carried food on foot for days
• Slept on dirt floors with the villagers
• Prayed under the stars
When he wasn’t building shelters. He taught math to barefoot kids under broken rooftops. When he wasn’t teaching. He carried the sick on donkeys to get help. When he wasn’t healing. He listened—truly listened—to stories no one else cared to hear.
While his friends from back home became lawyers and doctors. He became something else entirely.
A shepherd
A brother
A quiet warrior of faith
And slowly—his legend grew. His acts weren’t broadcasted. But they echoed through the Andes
Bishops noticed
Priests noticed
And eventually—the Vatican noticed
They called him back to lead his entire Augustinian order. From serving a village. To overseeing 2,800 brothers in over 40 countries.
Still—he kept his same sandals
Still—he walked with the poor
Still—he rejected luxury
Then came the call that changed everything:
Rome wanted him closer. In 2020 He was appointed Archbishop and assigned to govern other bishops globally. It was rare. But Robert had never chased tradition. He wasn’t just fluent in Latin or Canon Law.
He was fluent in *compassion*
In humility
In listening
In *presence*
The Vatican didn’t just see a priest. They saw a *leader with soul*. On September 30, 2023. Pope Francis made it official:
Robert Prevost was named a Cardinal. Just one step below the Pope
And then… in 2025
History was made. For the first time ever
An American
A former math teacher
A missionary to the forgotten
Was elevated as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church
And he didn’t forget the people who shaped him. To this day [the day he became Pope] Robert still returns to the same villages.
Still prays in Quechua
Still sits on dirt floors
Still holds the hands of the elderly in silence
Because leadership he believes:
Is about *presence* not position
The world is obsessed with power.
But Robert Prevost proves:
• Titles mean nothing without service
• Knowledge is useless without love
• And faith—without sacrifice—is noise
He turned down the world. And changed it instead.
Message to Priests & People on the death of Pope Francis
It is with great sadness that we learned of the news of the death of Pope Francis. While we knew he was very ill, seeing him on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, greeting the faithful, brought great comfort. The announcement of his death on Easter Monday morning was all the more a shock and sad, at the suddenness of his passing.
Pope Francis came from the periphery, as the first Pope from the Americas, and those at the periphery - the poor, the migrant, the prisoner, the refugee, the outcast – were always at the centre of his pontificate. Only last Holy Thursday, despite his own frailty, he took time to visit Rome’s Regina Coeli prison and his first visit outside Rome as Pope was to the tiny island of Lampedusa to remember the many drowned at sea, in search of refuge and a new beginning on mainland Europe.
Pope Francis will be remembered for many things and there will be much commentary over the next while, but for me, his message of inclusion and mercy was key. “The name of God is mercy” he reminded us. And now we commend him to the mercy of God.
I ask every parish to celebrate a Requiem Mass for the happy repose of the soul of Pope Francis on a date and time that is convenient for you. You may ring your Church Bells 88 times, if you wish, at the end of that Mass (once for every year of his life). We should include Pope Francis in our intercessory prayers for the dead at all Masses over the coming days.
I will celebrate a Requiem Mass in the Cathedral on Thursday 24 April at 10am for the repose of his soul.
At the heart of Pope Francis’ message of hope in this Jubilee Year was the reality of the life, death and resurrection of Christ and in this Easter Octave, Pope Francis is welcomed into the eternal embrace of the resurrection. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Every blessing and good wish to all of you during this Easter Octave,
22 April 2025 + Denis