Archive for category: Latest News

The Achonry diocese pilgrimage to Knock takes place this Sunday (15.5.2022). Blessing of the sick and 2.30pm, with mass at 3pm.

First Holy Communion – Congratulations.

Congratulations to the 9 children of Keash National School who received their First Holy Communion in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church Culfadda on Saturday May 7^th.

We thank Fr. Murphy, the school principal Miss O’ Dowd and the childrens teacher Miss Carbery for preparing the children for this wonderful day.  We thank Maureen O’ Dowd and the Parish Choir, the sacristans Marian Kielty and Linda Donaghy for preparing the Church.

We deeply appreciate all who contribute to this celebration in the lives of the children.

We pray that we can continue to nurture these wonderful children’s faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In years to come, when outside influences attempt to say to these children; that there is no God and that he does not exist, we pray that these children will have the strength to look within their own hearts and lives and see the Lord at work. Although we know there is wind, we can never see it. We can see it at play but we still cannot see the wind itself. We know the Lord is at work in our lives but we too cannot see him in a worldly sense.  Without Priests and religious, events such as this celebration of First Holy Communion cannot happen. We pray for the Holy Spirits calling for new priests, Nuns and other religious to be heard and answered. Each of us have a part to play in circulating this message

Confessions for Easter.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available for Easter on Palm Sunday, April 10^th from 6-7pm in Our Lady of the Rosary Church Culfadda. A visiting priest will be available, confession, will take place in the Sacristy.                        Our Bishop Paul Dempsey, has prepared a ‘Pocket Guide for Confession’ they are available in the church in card form, the cards might be of help to people who may be nervous coming to Confession because they don’t remember the “formula” they were taught so many years ago.  As we know, Confession is not about the “formula,” however, some people find it helpful to have.  The cards may also be useful in schools.

The death has occured this week of Rev. Fr. Roger McDonagh. Fr. Roger was appointed to the Parish of Keash in 1989, where he took up the role as curate in Culfadda.  Fr. Roger remained with us for four years until September 1993; when he moved to Kilmactigue Parish.

Fr. Roger was ordained in All Hallows college, Dublin in 1959.  He shortly thereafter took up the role as a Priest in the Archdiocese of Cardiff, Wales. He remained there until 1986, where he returned to Ireland, due to ill health.

Fr. Roger was a native of Gurteen and has now been laid to rest there.

Fr. Roger was highly thought of everywhere he went. A man known to regularly start out his sermons with a joke. Laughter and fun played a big part in Fr. Rogers life. In particular, he had a great way with children. Many Alter boys from our parish back when Fr. Roger was here, attended at his funeral, paying their last respects to Fr. Roger; recalling the kindness and fun that he had brought to their lives during his time in this parish.

We remember Fr. Roger at this time and thank him in prayer for his service to this parish. We pray that Fr. Roger will now enjoy the eternal rewards, from the good life that he led.

The following is an extract from a Personal reflection delivered at the Funeral Mass of Fr Roger McDonagh, prepared by him a short number of years ago.

‘Those who care about others, pick up many wounds.

Those wounds, may not of themselves be big wounds; only a multiplicity of little wounds, a host of scratches, wrinkles and belts. There can be a lot of invisible wounds.

The furrows left on the mind and heart, by hardship, worry and anxiety, disappointments, ingratitude and betrayal. Those wounds are not things to be ashamed of. Those wounds are badges of glory and honour. They are proof of our love. Jesus did not hide his wounds, which emphasised his love for us, for which we are healed.’ Fr Roger McDonagh

I love thee Jesus, my love above all things.

I repent with my whole heart for having offended thee.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again.

Grant that I may love thee always and then do with me, what thou wilt.

Happy St. Patrick’s day to one and all, near and far.  Following two years of covid, God willing today will be a day of joy and one in which we will all enjoy, especially our children. God bless you all.

Our small Country like every other Countries around the world has inadequacies. Today is a day however to celebrate all that is good here. We especially are cognisant of the peaceful society we live in. This is highlighted by events in the Ukraine. How lucky we are. We thank God for this grace bestowed upon us. We should reflect today on all the good this small country contains and remembering and praying for all those not so fortunate…..