PARISHES OF PORTARLINGTON & EMO

PRIESTS PHONE NUMBERS

Very Rev. Thomas Dooley P.P. Tel: (057) 8643004  Rev. Joe O’Neill C.C., Tel: (057) 8646517
Very Rev. Michael Noonan P.E. Tel: (057) 8623431 (Please note the temporary number has been cancelled).
PARISH OFFICE
Tel: 057 8643004 - Email: portarlingtonparishoffice@eircom.net / Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm Mon. – Fri.
Anniversary Masses, Baptisms and Weddings can be booked by contacting the Parish Office during opening hours.
DIOCESE www.kandle.ie SAMARITANS 24-hour helpline: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 087 7640557 AWARE Lo-call Helpline 1890 303 302 G.R.O.W. www.grow.ie Info:1890 474 474
PARISH SAFEGUARDING REPRESENTATIVES: Jackie McNulty; Frances O’Dwyer; Mary Joyce; Clare Nerney
Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Tel: 085-8021633 dlp@kandle.ie

FEAST DAYS DURING

MASS VIA LIVE THE WEEK
STREAMING FROM Mon. 28th Dec. The Holy Innocents
Fri. 1st Jan. Mary, Mother of God &
ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH,
World Day of Peace
PORTARLINGTON. Sat. 2nd Jan. Ss. Basil & Gregory

Sunday 27th December 2020 – Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 

WEEKEND ANNIVERSARIES
PORTARLINGTON
Saturday 26th December – 6.15pm
Esther Dunne, St. Michael’s Pk. (1st Anniv.)
Deceased members of the Gorman Family,
Rathmore
Sunday 27th December - 12.15pm
Christy Smith, Ballymorris (1st Anniv.)
Dec. members of the Smith & Byrne Families;
Joe Walsh, Bracklone St.
WEEKDAY ANNIVERSARIES
PORTARLINGTON
Maurice Patrick O’Callaghan, St. Michael’s Park
Monday 28th December 10am
Pat Butler, Station Road
Tuesday 29th December 10am
Maureen McDermott, Garryhinch
Wednesday 30th December 10am
Gerard & Margaret Kearney, Drogheda
Thursday 31st December 10am
James Kennedy, Gracefield
Friday 1st January 2021 10am
Edward, Mary, Dessie & Eamonn Shortall;
Phyllis Hallisey (nee Shortall), St. Michael’s Park
ANNIVERSARIES
KILLENARD
---
ANNIVERSARIES
EMO
Saturday 26th December
Martin & Ann Buggy, Knightstown
ANNIVERSARIES
RATH
Sunday 27th December
Thomas McHale, Rath; Catherine McHale,
Rath; Joseph McHale, Rath; Thomas Blanch
(36th Anniv.); Molly Blanch (2nd Anniv.)
 DECEASED 
Prayers are requested for the following who died
recently: -
Let the gift of your peace come into our
 May we rejoice in your blessings
Mary Lernihan (née Dwyer), Templeogue,
Dublin (Sister of Joe O’Dwyer)
 BAPTISM 
We welcome the following children, who
were baptized over the past few weeks,
into the Christian Community
PORTARLINGTON PARISH
Gearóid Burke, Corrig Glen
Willow Kate Gallagher, Walsh Island
Donnacha Sean Flanagan, Shandra Lane
Sadbh Ellen Clifford, Ballybrittas
Erin Maura Brereton, Mount Henry Close
Jamie David McDermott, Rathmiles Grove
EMO PARISH
Eve Julia Hyland, Portlaoise
Fiadh Annie Gorman, Stradbally
Nicole Anna McCormack, Kilbride
Luke Michael Mitchell, Treascon
Dáire Matthew Havens, Treascon
FIRST FRIDAY – 1st JANUARY 2021
World Day of Peace
Friday next, 1st January 2021 is the First Friday
of the Month. Mass will take place at 10am on
Webcam from St. Michael’s Church,
Portarlington.
PRAYER FOR THE FEAST
OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, bless our family
and all its members and friends;
bind us together by your love.
Give us kindness and patience
to support each other;
and wisdom in all we do.
hearts and remain with us.
for all our days.
Amen.
Year B
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT
St. Michael's Parish Church on Sunday
27th December from 4pm to 6pm.
ROSARY
Rosary each day at: -
St. Paul’s Church, Emo – 3pm
St. John’s Church, Killenard 4pm
PARISH CALENDAR 2021
Parish Calendar for 2021 now available at
the Church porch or in the Parish Office.
IMPORTANT DATES
2021
Ash Wednesday 17th February
Good Friday 2nd April
Easter Sunday 4th April
Ascension Sunday 16th May
Pentecost Sunday 23rd May
Trinity Sunday 30th May
Corpus Christi Sunday 6th June
1st Sunday of Advent 28th November
PARISH OFFICE

Christmas Closure Dates
The Parish Office will close to the
public until Tuesday 5th January 2021.
It is important that ALL notices /
Anniversaries for the Parish Newsletter
to be in with the Office by Wednesday
of each week. They can be e-mailed to
portarlingtonparishoffice@eircom.net
or dropped in through the office door.
CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
THANK YOU
Sincere thanks to everyone who
contributed so generously to the recent
collection for the Priests of the Parish.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

The Priests of the parish congratulate all who
attended a Mass over the Christmas or who took
part via the webcam / Facebook / parish radio.
We thank you must sincerely for the support of
the Priests. We thank the Organists, Musicians
& Singers, the Eucharistic Ministers, Readers,
Sacristans, Altar Servers, Stewards, those who
kept the Churches clean and sanitised and,
indeed those who decorated the four Churches
and who erected the Cribs.
REFLEXOLOGY
Experienced Reflexologist & Indian Head
Massage Therapist available for appointments.
Phone Ann on 087 6913986.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Portarlington Social Services / Meals on Wheels
thank, most sincerely, everyone who has helped
in any way to keep the Service running during
this past year. It has been a stressful and
difficult year for so many in our Community. By
the end of December there will be up to 10,000
meals cooked and delivered. This would not
have been possible without our amazing kitchen
staff, our 80 plus volunteer drivers, who bring
the dinners to our meal recipients 3 days a
week. To everyone who has donated in any
way to keep our service going, we thank you
most sincerely. We wish everyone a Happy,
Peaceful and Healthy, Christmas and a much
better New Year. We remember all who have
passed away this past year. R.I.P.
SANTA’S HELPERS
The Committee extend their thanks to everyone
who donated to Santa’s Helpers again, this year.
A lot of families were assisted in the County of
Laois. Wishing all of you a Happy, Healthy &
Peaceful Christmas.
AN ACT OF
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and
unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
The Priests of the Parish
wish all Parishioners a
HAPPY
& 204099789669547/
PEACEFUL
New Year
PORTARLINGTON PARISH
ENVELOPES
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into
The envelope boxes are available at the Church
porches this weekend. The boxes contain
weekly collection envelopes & special collection
envelopes. To register write your name &
address on 1st envelope. This contribution goes
towards the upkeep of schools, churches &
parish buildings. Thank all who contributed
during the past year.
DONATION TO PARISH
which wind ahead, so dim to our imperfect
If you wish to make a donation, the Parish
Account details are as follows and you can do so
on-line or through your Bank: Thank you.
PORTARLINGTON PARISH
Bank Bank of Ireland, Portarlington
Name of A/c Portarlington Parish No. 1 A/c
BIC - BOFIIE2D
IBAN - IE28 BOFI 9018 6154 5717 14
(Please put your name/address in ref. box)
EMO PARISH
Bank - Bank of Ireland, Mountmellick
Name of Account - Emo Church No. 1 A/c
BIC - BOFIIE2D
IBAN - IE16 BOFI 9018 1051 4302 54 (Please
put your name/address in ref. box)
ONLINE DONATIONS THROUGH OUR
DIOCESAN WEBSITE
There is a donation facility now on the Kandle
website & people can donate both to parishes
(option for parish & clergy collection) & the
diocese as they wish. On the diocesan button
there is an option to donate to Trocaire, Retired
Priests or other areas. The Diocese will forward
any donations received for parishes.
www.kandle.ie
PARISH DONATION ENVELOPE
Available at the Church Porch. Thanks to all for
your donations – It is greatly appreciated.
ceremony and reception, whether indoors
attend a wedding ceremony and reception,
UPCOMING EVENTS AT
MOUNT ST. ANNE’S RETREAT &
the onus of personal responsibility is upon
CONFERENCE CENTRE, KILLENARD
Spring Courses online:
All courses are at 7-9pm (UTC) on ZOOM.
Mindful Mystic
Feb. 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd (John Doherty)
Emerging spirituality in light of our Cosmic
Story – The relationship between spirituality
and ecology
Feb. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (Niamh Brennan)
https://www.facebook.com/Whyte-Music-
Evolution & Spirituality in the 21st Century.
March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd (Diarmuid O’Murchu)
To book a place for any of the above you can E-
mail secretary@mountstannes.com
Phone 057 8626153
Rath via Courtwood GAA Facebook page
www.mountstannes.com

https://www.facebook.com/172349387455
NEW YEAR PRAYER

I said to the Man
who stood at the Gate of the Year:
the unknown”.
And He replied:
“Go out into the darkness
and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than a light
and safer than a known way!”
So I went forth, and finding the hand of
God, tread gladly into the night,
and He led me towards the hills
and the breaking of day in the lone East.
So, heart, be still: The stretch of years
vision, are clear to God;
our fears are premature.
In Him all time hath full provision.
ML Hoskins
CELEBRATION OF MASS VIA
WEBCAM
Live streaming from St.
Michael’s Church, Portarlington
as follows:- Saturday 6.15pm /
Sunday 9am & 12.15pm /
Monday – Friday 10am
Link to live streaming:
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-
michaels-church-portarlington
COVID 19 DIOCESAN UPDATE
With the Government announcement on
Dec. 22nd 2020 that Ireland is moving to
Level 5 restrictions, the following points
apply to religious services:
Religious Services
Christmas religious services may take
place up to and including the 25th
December. With effect from the 26th
December 2020 Religious services will
move online. Places of worship are to
remain open for private prayer.
Funerals
With effect from the 24th December
2020 up to 10 mourners can attend.
Baptisms
Planned baptisms for the coming days /
weeks are unfortunately deferred until a
suitable date can be arranged later.
Weddings
• Up to and including 2nd January 2021,
up to 25 guests can attend a wedding
or outdoors. With effect from 3 January
2021, up to 6 guests are permitted to
whether indoors or outdoors
We are told these measures will be
reviewed on the 12th January 2021.
Christmas is very different this year and
us all.
CHRISTMAS CEREMONIES
LIVE STREAMED EMO PARISH
You can view the Christmas ceremonies
taking place in St. Paul’s Church, Emo
via the following link, courtesy of
Maria Whyte (Musician)
You can view the Christmas ceremonies
taking place in Sacred Heart Church,
as follows:-
0156/posts/2997960643770133/?d=n