Woodford/Looscaun Parish Newsletter
Portumna Faith Community Area
First Sunday of Advent Sunday November 30th 2025
St John the Baptist Church, Woodford.
Tue. 7pm Thur. 9.30am Fri. 7pm Sat. 10am Sun. 11am
Sunday Nov. 30th 11am Margaret Shiel, Clonmoylan (First Anniversary)
Mary Starr, Bolag (Anv)
Saturday Dec. 6th 10am Bridget, Nora & Kathleen Minogue,
& Jackie Lee & DFM, Coose.
Sunday Dec. 7th 11am John & Mary Kate Slattery & their sons Joe & Tom & DFM, Clonmoylan.
Altar Society: Mary Gorman Wiltrude Duell (Dec)
St. Brendan’s Church, Looscaun
Mon. 9.30am Wed. 9.30am Sat. 7pm
Saturday Nov. 29th 7pm Jimmy & Maisie & Francis Fahy, Bawnmore & DFM
Agnes, James & Micheal Kelly, Clonoon & DFM
Tommy McMahon, Clondagoff (15th Anv) & DFM
Saturday Dec. 6th 7pm Jimmy Power, Cloncoe.
Altar Society Team 3 Betty Whelan Maura Tully.
RIP: Michael Francis Gildea, London & formerly Scarriff
Offertory: Sat/ Sun 22nd/23rd Nov. €828.16 Thanks for your continued support Please Note Envelope Boxes for 2025 are available in both Churches
Mass will be available on 105.0FM locally, on Parish Facebook Page & Church Webcam
Link for St. John the Baptist Church Woodford www.churchmedia.tv/stjohnbaptist
Link for St. Brendans Church, Looscaun www.churchmedia.tv/stbrendans
Tommie Larkins Lotto results for the 24th of November 2025 – 1,4,15,16. No Jackpot winner. Match 3 winners: Delia Larkin &Tony Kelly, Martin Sheil . This week’s lotto jackpot is € 5000. Buy tickets online or in local shops/pubs.
Department of Education Survey on the Future of Primary School Patronage The current Department of Education survey on the future of patronage in the primary sector is important. It will shape the discussion on primary school divesting for the years to come throughout Ireland. It is important that those who wish for a change in patronage would have their voice heard. It is equally important that those who wish for a Catholic Education for their children and for those who would wish for sacramental preparation within school would have their voice heard also. For those reasons and to ensure that an accurate picture emerges, please participate in this survey if you are a parent or a prospective parent of a Primary school student. The survey can be accessed at www.gov.ie/primaryschool survey.
“Come away and rest for a while.” (Mark 6:31) with Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality 426 Clontarf Road, Dollymount, D03 FP52, Dublin
Advent Weekend Retreat Friday-Sunday, 5-7 December 2025 Step away from the busyness of the season and enter a time of quiet reflection – a silent weekend retreat to ready your heart for Christmas. Advent Triduum Retreat Monday-Friday, 1-5 December or 8-12 December 2025 A silent retreat guided by the Jesuit community, offering space for prayer, reflection, daily Mass, adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in preparation for Christmas.
New Year Retreat Monday, 29 December 2025 – Thursday, 1 January 2026 Welcome the New Year in a spirit of peace and prayer. This silent retreat offers time to reflect on the year gone by, seek God’s grace for the year ahead, and be guided by daily prayer and liturgy. Bookings can be made online (manresa.ie), by email at reception@manresa.ie, or by calling 01 5529 448.
First Friday Calls for December will be on next Tuesday Dec. 2nd beginning at 11am If you would like a call or know someone who would appreciate a call, please contact Fr. Kieran on 090-9749100
An all night vigil will take place in St. Brendan’s Church Looscaun on next Sun. 7th Dec . The Eve of the Immaculate Conception. Starting @7pm Adoration through the night. Concluding with Mass on Mon. Dec. 8th @7 am . If you would like to volunteer to do a holy hour during the night please contact Mary Walsh on 086 -6685917 thank you.
Indoor Christmas Market & Craft Fair on Sunday November 30th at Shragh Community Centre (H62 H318)) from 12 noon to 4pm. Browse a wide selection of handmade crafts, home baking, gifts, festive decorations and lots more. For vendor enquiries contact Rosaleen 086 0723164 Tea/Coffee available and Raffle on the day. All are welcome
Come join the festivities as Woodford-Looscaun Christmas Lights host the big Christmas Switch on Sunday 14th December With a Christmas market from 2pm and the big switch on at 4.30pm with lots of fun for the whole family so come join us.
Davitts 50/50 draw.: Congratulations Oliver Loughrey ,Woodford, ,winner of €610 in last weeks draw. Next draw takes place on Mon 1st Decr . Tickets available in local shops/pubs or online at www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Davitts_Camogie _Club/TicketSales “
For Young Women (18-40yrs) who are discerning a Vocation to Religious/Consecrated Life, monthly meetings are held in Charleville Retreat Centre, Cork. The day includes prayer, talks, Holy Mass, Adoration and a chance to meet and chat with religious sisters of different communities. If you are interested in attending please email womendiscern@corkandross.org
Sponsor a Light in Memory of a Loved one for Woodford-Looscaun Christmas Lights. Sponsor a light for €5 by contacting Martha Hickey on 086 1971774. A remembrance mass will be celebrated in the New year. Míle buíochas.
If you are 65 or older and would like to apply for a personal alarm, under the Seniors Alert Scheme Grant, for your safety and peace of mind, please call Galway Contact at 091 867892 or email galwaycontact@gmail.com
Woodford Youth Club & Community Hall – annual Sale of Work takes place on Sunday December 7th with Santa arriving at 3pm.
Lots of home baking, wheel of fortune with super prizes including ipad, concert tickets, vouchers, auction for firewood and bales and much more. Draw for smart TV takes place on day – tickets on sale in local shops. We have a place to sit and enjoy a cuppa and meet with friends and neighbours. Everyone is welcome and all support is greatly appreciated.
Fr. Kieran O’Rourke, T. 090 9749100, M. 087 2997956,* E. woodfordlooscaun@clonfertdiocese.ie
Newsletter available on www.clonfertdiocese.ie, Eircode: H62 AK18
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Woodf4dLooscaun, Woodford/Shragh Defibrillator 999 or 112***.