Woodford/Looscaun Parish Newsletter
Portumna Faith Community Area
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time August 23rd 2026
St John the Baptist Church, Woodford.
Mon. 9.15am Wed. 9.15am Fri. 9.15am Sun. 11am
Sunday August 23rd 11am Vincent & Lucy O’Farrell, Woodford
Pat Fahy, Allendarra (8th Anv)
Mary, Tommy, Brod & Sean Hanley & DFM, Clonmoylan.
Joe & Maimie Mahon, daughter Mary
& son Jodie & his wife Teresa & DFM, Woodford.
Denis, Mary Ann & Cormac Rafferty, Cappa
Sunday August 30th 11am Celia(1st Anv) & Pat Noonan, Woodford
Bill & Nuala Mahon, Dublin
Pat & Mary Hackett, Rossmore & their son Thomas
& their grandchildren Stevie Gleeson & Noah Hackett.
Edward & Mary Conway, Bolag & their sons PJ & Frank
& Frank’s wife Nora & DFM
Altar Society: (Aug) Celia Cox & family
St. Brendan’s Church, Looscaun
Tue. 9.15am Thur. 9.15am ** Sat. 7pm
Saturday August 22nd **7pm John & Annie Page, Bawnmore.
Desmond & Ciss Page(3rd Anv) Clonco House
Andrew & Mary Guilfoyle, Woodford
& son Tom Joe, daughters Mary
& Ann Nancy O’Sullivan & her daughter Mary Teresa.
Saturday August 29th **7pm Patrick & Delia Whyte & Paddy Gildea, Kylenamelly.
Altar Society Team 4 Betty Whelan & Maura Tully
RIP: Maureen Kearney(nee Connolly) Clonbur, mother of Ann Flaherty, Derryoober.
Paddy Hooban, Knockmoyle, Kylebrack, father of Anthony Hooban & Kevin Hooban, Cloonon
.
Thanks to all who use the Parish Envelope Box in making financial contributions to the Parish. You can also financially contribute to Woodford/Looscaun Parish by online banking by following the link on the Clonfert & Galway Diocesan website https://www.idonate.ie/donate/cause/clonfertdiocese or by paying directly to the Woodford/Looscaun Parish Account in the Bank of Ireland, Portumna Sort Code: 903947 Account Number 26884326, by using online banking IBAN: IE23BOFI 903947 26884326.
OFFERTORY Collection for Sat./Sun.aug. 14th/15th is 340.85 euro
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
Thanks to Woodford Heritage Centre for printing the newsletter
“Perhaps there is no better time than now to become a priest”
“If you ever felt that being a priest is something that you might do – something that you are interested in – something that attracts you – then, perhaps, it is what you have been looking for. Perhaps, in that stirring, God is leading you to embark on a life changing adventure. Maybe it is time to explore it further. Perhaps there is no better time than now to become a priest.” -Bishop Michael
THANK YOU AND FAREWELL to Fr. Kieran O’Rourke
Join us as we gather to say thank you and farewell to Fr. Kieran O’Rourke and to celebrate his time in our parish.📅 Sunday, 30th August⏰ 5 pm ⛪ Mass in St. John the Baptist Church Woodford. This will be followed by a Community Gathering and refreshments in the Youth Club Hall. The Pat Kenny Show on Loughrea Community Radio will be broadcast from Woodford from 7 pm.This will be an opportunity for everyone to thank Fr. Kieran for his dedicated service, friendship and ministry over the years, and to wish him every blessing and happiness for the future. All are very welcome!
Interested in becoming a priest in the Dioceses of Clonfert, Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora? – for more information contact Fr Ian on 087 2048497 or email at: priesthood@clonfertgalway.ie
RCIA 2026/2027 – Thinking of Becoming Catholic? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
is for adults who:
– have never been baptised
– belong to another Christian tradition
– are baptised Catholics but haven’t received confirmation or Eucharist
The journey begins this autumn. To find out more, contact the parish or email rcia@anghailil.ie
Young Adult Catholic Conference – 29 August 2026 – Legion of Mary;Embrace the Grace is a
conference on faith and culture for young adults (18-40) with talks, prayer, Mass, confession, workshops,food and social in the historic Legion of Mary headquarters at De Montfort House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7. It will be a chance to build faith in friendship with young adults from across the country. This event takes place on Saturday 30 August from 9.30am to 6.00pm with a social afterward. Tickets cost €20 and can be booked on the eventbrite website by looking upEmbrace the Grace. Any queries can be directed towards deusetpatria@gmail.com.
Tommie Larkins Lotto results for the 17th of August 2026 : 2, 12, 15, 28.
No Jackpot winner. Match 3 winner: Michael Rourke.
This week’s lotto jackpot is € 4000. Buy tickets online or in local shops/pubs.
Life of St Gemma Galgani and her first class relic are in Clonfert Family Centre, Ballinasloe, H53 NX59 on Tuesday 18 th &; 25 th August at 7p.m. Free prayer cards will be available each night. All are welcome to come and see. More details contact: Theresa on 086 3241269
This Sunday , August 23rd Clontuskert Fun Day takes place on the Community Pitch 1.30 -6pm, H53D602. It promises to be a great day out for children and adults alike with races, skills challenges and more, good food, novelty prizes and surprises on the day. Music and dancing with legendary Seamus Moore (JCB man) Everyone welcome!
As and from Tuesday September 1st 2026, Bishop Michael has appointed Father Pat Conroy while remaining as Parish Priest of Ballinakill and Derrybrien to also serve as Parish Priest of Woodford and Looscaun. We wish Fr. Pat every joy and God’s Blessing in his new appointment in Woodford/Looscaun. Ad Multos Annos!
**Please Note that the Saturday Evening Vigil Mass moves to the earlier time of 6.30pm from September.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***.