Straide Parish Church

09/06/2026

Newsletter 7th June 2026

Straide Parish Newsletter Click on the link to view this weekends newsletter Open Newsletter

08/06/2026

Newsletter - 7th June 2026

07/06/2026

Thank you to all who organised and participated in today’s Corpus Christi Procession - the servers, choir, rosary group, First Holy Communion children and parents and to all who joined in the procession.
Thank you to Fr Stephen for carrying Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament around Straide - a fitting way to give thanks to God as he celebrates 45 years of priesthood today.

06/06/2026

On Sunday we celebrate the Feast of The Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi.
A Eucharistic Procession will take place after 11am Mass, concluding with Benediction (weather permitting).

04/06/2026

The story of the Water Bugs & The Dragon Fly 💜

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in awhile one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about.

Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.
Look! said one of the water bugs to another. one of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going? Up – up – up it slowly went….Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn’t return…

That’s funny! said one water bug to another. Wasn’t he happy here? asked a second… Where do you suppose he went? wondered a third.
No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled.

Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together. I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.
We promise – they said solemnly.

One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broke through the surface of the water and fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above.

When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings…The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water.

He had become a dragonfly!!

Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing some time before.

The dragonfly remembered the promise: the next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why. Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water…

I can’t return! he said in dismay. At least, I tried. But I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I’ll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they’ll understand what has happened to me, and where I went.

02/06/2026

As students begin their Junior and Leaving Certificate exams tomorrow, we hold them in our thoughts and prayers.

Best of luck to everyone. May all their hard work and dedication be rewarded.

02/06/2026

It is with sadness we share the news of the death of Cían McHale RIP

It is with sadness we share the news of the death of Baby Cían McHale, Ballylahan, Straide. Cían will rest in repose at Straide Community Centre on Wednesday evening, 3rd June from 6pm to 8pm. Mass…

01/06/2026

Today, 1st June, we begin the Month of the Sacred Heart, a special time dedicated to reflecting on the love, mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ.

As we enter this month, we place our trust in the Sacred Heart, asking Jesus to be close to all of us.

May His gentle presence bring comfort, healing and strength to those who need it most.

The Heart of Jesus is a source of light, peace and reassurance, calling us to support one another with kindness, prayer and love.

May the Sacred Heart bless our homes, our families, our parish and our community throughout June, filling our hearts with faith and hope.

This year the Feast of the Sacred Heart is on 12th June.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

31/05/2026

Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday - a beautiful reminder of the mystery and love of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Trinity teaches us about unity, relationship and community - three persons, one God, bound together in perfect love.

May we be inspired to live with that same love, kindness and compassion toward one another.

31/05/2026

Newsletter 31st May 2026

Straide Parish Newsletter Click on the link to view this weekends newsletter Open Newsletter