Parish choir members may wish to avail of this opportunity for in-service formation and renewal in music ministry on Saturday 15th November 2025.

There will be a day of music, prayer, and learning, facilitated by Dr. John O’Keeffe, Director of Sacred Music at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and Úna Nolan, Director of Sacred Music at Knock Shrine. The day will feature practical workshops focused on selecting music for liturgies, choral direction, and learning new repertoire. Participants will also be led in a guided prayer session. During an open forum attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions related to music ministry. The day will conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist, incorporating some of the music explored during the sessions. 10am to 5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Cost: €20 including resource pack. Advance booking is required as places are limited. For bookings, email: music@knockshrine.ie

Reminder to parents who have filled out the vetting form to be Altar Servers supervisors: Please check your email for the confirmation email from the vetting office, and then please reply to it, filling in the necessary information. The vetting will not come through until you complete that part of the process.

Many people ask about how to obtain the indulgences for the souls of the departed in November, so here are the norms, as found in the Liturgical Calendar for Ireland 2025, page 163:

1. From twelve o’clock noon on 1 November until midnight on 2 November, all who have confessed, received Holy Communion and prayed for the Pope’s intentions (one Our Father and Hail Mary, or any other prayer of one’s choice) can gain one plenary indulgence by visiting a church or oratory, and there reciting one our Father and the Apostle’s Creed.
This indulgence is applicable only to the souls of the departed.
Confession may be made at any time within the week preceding or the week following 1 November.
Holy Communion may be received on any day from 1 November to 8 November.

2. The faithful who visit a cemetery and pray for the dead may gain a plenary indulgence applicable only to the Holy Souls on the usual conditions once per day from 1 to 8 November. The conditions above apply also for this.

The Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

If you would like to read an explanation of indulgences in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, click on the link here.

You are welcome to join the Chaplaincy at the University of Galway for a special evening celebrating the life of Saint Carlo Acutis, the young Saint who used his gifts and faith to inspire people around the world. The gathering will be on Wednesday, 29th October, 6.00pm to 7.30pm in the Chapel of St Columbanus, University of Galway. Bishop Michael Duignan will lead reflection and prayer  about this remarkable young Saint and how his example can inspire our own pilgrim journey of faith. The evening will be followed by pizza and conversation. All are very welcome. Please register to attend using this link: https://forms.office.com/e/BfRAZceRj5

Here are the dates for First Holy Communion and Confirmation in Kinvara and Ballinderreen Parishes in 2026:

First Holy Communion:

(All Saturday at 11am)

18th April: St Joseph’s N.S., Kinvara, in St Joseph’s Church, Kinvara.

25th April: Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Doorus N.S., in St Kieran’s Church, Doorus.

9th May: Scoil Bhríghde Naofa, Northampton N.S. in St Joseph’s Church, Kinvara.

16th May: St Sourney’s N.S., Ballinderreen, in St Colman’s Church, Ballinderreen.

Confirmation:

Thursday 26th March:
11am: St Joseph’s N.S., Kinvara, in St Joseph’s Church, Kinvara.
3pm: Scoil Bhríghde Naofa, Northampton N.S. & Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Doorus N.S. in St Joseph’s Church, Kinvara.

Friday 1st May, 11am: St Sourney’s N.S., Ballinderreen, in St Colman’s Church, Ballinderreen.