Church of the Blessed Virgin, Newtowncashel

07/09/2026

Parish of Cashel Newsletter

Sunday 6/9/26

06/09/2026

🎉 A WARM WELOME BACK FOR FR. KENNY 🎉

This weekend, the Parish of Cashel was delighted to welcome our Parish Priest, Fr. Kenny, back to ministry in our parish following his period of recovery.

Fr. Kenny has been greatly missed over the past four months, and it is wonderful to see him back among us, looking healthy, happy and ready to take up his ministry once again.

We wish Fr. Kenny continued good health and every blessing in the weeks and months ahead. We assure him of our prayers and support as he continues his ministry here in Cashel.

Welcome back, Fr. Merlyn.

01/09/2026

Parish of Cashel Newsletter

30/8/26

30/08/2026

With the return of Fr. Kenny to ministry next weekend, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have supported our parish over the past three months and ensured that Mass and the sacraments continued to be available to our parishioners during Fr. Merlyn’s absence.

We extend a very special word of thanks to Fr. Turlough Baxter, who took on the role of Administrator of our parish for the past three months. We are deeply grateful to him for accepting this responsibility so readily, generously and without fuss, and for the care and commitment he has shown to our parish community throughout this time.

Our sincere thanks also go to Fr. Gerard Brady, P.E., who shared weekend duties with Fr. Turlough, ensuring that Mass was celebrated in Cashel each weekend. Having spent 21 years in Cashel, it was nice to welcome Fr. Brady back among us, and we greatly appreciated his familiar presence and generous assistance.

We are also very grateful to Fr. Pat Lennon, P. E.,Fr. Francis C.C., Fr. Shay Casey, P.E., and Cashel native Fr. Michael Murtagh, C.Ss.R., P.P. who provided invaluable help and support at different times over the past three months. Their willingness to assist whenever needed was greatly appreciated by everyone in the parish.

A very special word of thanks also goes to Marie Kenny, Fr. Kenny’s sister, who has been a tremendous support to the parish during this period. Her kindness, generosity and willingness to help have meant a great deal to us and kept things running smoothly in CASHEL!!!

To each and every one of you, we say a BIG, THANK YOU. Your generosity, commitment and quiet service ensured that the life of our parish continued throughout these past few months.

As we now look forward to next weekend, we give thanks to God for Fr. Kenny’s recovery and are delighted that he will soon be back with us. We wish him continued good health and every blessing as he returns to ministry among us here in Cashel.

28/08/2026

Today, 28 August, we celebrate the Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. His life reminds us that no one is beyond the transforming power of God’s grace. After years of searching, Augustine found his true peace in Christ and devoted his life to serving God and His Church.

May St. Augustine inspire us to seek God with sincere hearts and to remember his beautiful words: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

St. Augustine, pray for us. 🙏

28/08/2026

24/08/2026

On Sunday last, we gathered at Saints Island Cemetery for Cemetery Sunday, a very special occasion when families and friends came together to remember, honour and pray for all those who are laid to rest there.

Our thanks to the Cemetery Committee, who did so much work in so many different ways to prepare for the day. From the many jobs carried out in the weeks beforehand to all the work behind the scenes and on the day itself, their dedication and commitment were evident throughout. The cemetery looked immaculate, and great credit is due to the committee and to everyone who helps care for and maintain this sacred place throughout the year.

A sincere thank you to Fr. Murtagh for celebrating the Mass and leading us in prayer, and to Tom Fagan for looking after the sound and canopy arrangements. Thanks also to everyone who helped or contributed in any way to making the occasion so special.

We were blessed with beautiful weather, which added greatly to what was a peaceful, prayerful and memorable day.

Cemetery Sunday is always a special time for our community to come together and remember those who have gone before us, keeping their memory close in our hearts and prayers.

May all who rest in Saints Island rest in eternal peace.

24/08/2026

Parish of Cashel Newsletter

Sunday 23/8/26

23/08/2026

We were saddened to learn of the passing of our former curate, Fr. Tom O’Connor, a priest of St Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan. Born in 1934, Fr. Tom devoted his life to the priesthood and missionary service.

Fr. Tom served our parish faithfully from 1969 to 1974 and holds a special place in our parish history as the final curate to serve in Cashel. During those years, he lived in the curate’s house in the village and became a much-loved and respected presence within our community.

He is remembered with great affection as a man of deep faith, compassion and gentleness. Many years may have passed since his time among us, but the warmth with which he is remembered is a fitting testament to the quiet and lasting impression he made on our parish and its people.

Fr. Tom’s Funeral Mass will take place in St Patrick’s Chapel, Kiltegan, on Tuesday, 25th August at 12 noon, followed by burial in the Society Cemetery. The Funeral Mass will also be available to watch online.

As a parish community, we give thanks for Fr. Tom’s years of faithful service among us and for the many lives he touched through his priestly ministry.

We extend our sincere sympathy to his family, his brother priests and all in St Patrick’s Missionary Society, and to all who mourn his passing.

May we remember Fr. Tom with gratitude in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days, and may the Lord whom he served so faithfully welcome him home to eternal peace.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

St Patrick's Missionary Society