This Sunday, 3rd May 2020, is Vocations Sunday. In this short video, John Gerard Acton, a student for the priesthood for Galway Diocese, talks about his vocation. Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.

Pope Francis has written a short letter encouraging everyone to pray the Rosary at home during the month of May. Here is the letter:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

Here is the first of the prayers Pope Francis recommended in his letter:

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.

We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

And here is the second prayer he recommends:

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

For an explanation of how to pray the Rosary, click here.

Stained glass window in the porch of St Joseph’s Church, Kinvara. We pray for all workers today, in the midst of all the challenges posed by the COVID-19 emergency.

Several people have asked in the last few days about Mass cards. Unfortunately, Mass cards are not available from Ballinderreen and Kinvara Parishes during the Coronavirus emergency, so as to avoid compromising physical distancing and contact requirements at this time. Booking of anniversary Masses, etc. continues as normal by telephoning Fr Hugh at 091 637154.

At this time, I am not placing emphasis on parish contributions, as many families and individuals are impacted financially by the COVID-19 situation. Only because some people have been asking about how they can make contributions during this time of emergency, when we cannot have public Masses, I am answering by giving the options here, in order of preference:

1. For those living locally, the best way to make parish contributions is through the parish envelope system. This way makes it possible for the parish to also obtain the charities contribution from Revenue, so it is a good help. So, either put the envelopes in the letterbox of the Parochial House in Kinvara or hold them until it is possible for the congregation to attend Mass again. Sincere thanks to parishioners who have been doing this.
2. If you would prefer to make a parish contribution electronically, you could do so through an electronic banking transfer. This might suit people in other areas who would like to contribute to Ballinderreen Parish or Kinvara Parish. The details for Ballinderreen Parish are: Bank: Bank of Ireland, Salthill, Galway; Branch code: 90-38-40; Account name: Ballinderreen Parish Current Account; IBAN: IE85 BOFI 9038 4041 8478 22; BIK: BOFIIE2D; Account number: 41847822.The details for Kinvara Parish are: Bank: Bank of Ireland, Gort, Co. Galway; Branch code: 90-38-67; Account name: Kinvara Parish Re: Kinvara Churches Current Account; IBAN: IE30 BOFI 9038 6729 5205 44; BIK: BOFIIE2D; Account number: 29520544.

3. For a convenient way of making a donation using a bank card, Galway Diocese has set up an online donations system. This might suit people in other areas or abroad who would like to contribute to Ballinderreen Parish or Kinvara Parish. Please click on this link and choose either Ballinderreen Parish or Kinvara Parish in the drop-down menu:                                : https://www.idonate.ie/donation_widget/register-donor-anonymous.php?pid=5200

Fr Hugh

COPE Galway has written to thank the parishioners of Kinvara for contributing €399.60 and the parishioners of Ballinderreen for contributing €300.92 to the 2019 Church special collection for COPE.

Sharon Fitzpatrick of COPE wrote: ‘At this unique and challenging time, COPE Galway’s staff and volunteers are continuing to provide essential services to individuals and families who are homeless, women and children experiencing domestic abuse and older people. As well as our essential services, COPE Galway are responding to the COVID-19 emergency with specific added supports in each of our service areas.’

We would soon be entering the joyful time of year when the First Communion ceremonies would take place in Ballinderreen and Kinvara Parishes. But because of the Coronavirus situation, here is the current situation regarding each ceremony:

Northamption N.S. (25th April): Postponed until further notice.

Doorus N.S. (9th May): Postponed until further notice.

Ballinderreen N.S. (16th May): It looks unlikely that the ceremony will take place on the planned day, but, as we do not yet know how the situation will develop, please await definite information when we know what restrictions will be in place at that time.

St Joseph’s N.S., Kinvara (23rd May): It looks unlikely that the ceremony will take place on the planned day, but, as we do not yet know how the situation will develop, please await definite information when we know what restrictions will be in place at that time.

We all look forward to celebrating these special days in the lives of the children and families, and special thanks go to the principals and teachers who are eager to facilitate the First Holy Communion ceremonies when it will be possible to celebrate them. In the meantime, parents, please continue to prepare the children at home for First Holy Communion.
Fr Hugh

Here is a reflection for Easter 2020 from Bishop Brendan Kelly, Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh, and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora:

Due to the government COVID-19 restrictions, Willie’s funeral Mass will be private. It will be held on Easter Sunday,12th April 2020 in St Kieran’s Church, Doorus.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.