Newsletter week beginning 19th July 2026

Garland Friday 24^th Local Pilgrimage

Mass on Summit 10.00am. with Fr Tod Nolan P.P.

Mass at Croagh Patrick Carpark, Murrisk Community Café. 7.30pm. with Fr John Kenny Adm.                                                                  

Reek Saturday 25^th Tochar Phádraig Pilgrimage begins 8.15am at Ballintubber Abbey,Online booking is essential and you cannot just turn up. See  www.ballintubberabbey.ie 6.30pm Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Church Westport with Archbishop Francis Duffy. (And Sunday Mass 11.am.) Reek Sunday 26^th Masses hourly on the Summit from 8.00am – 2.00pm. Confessions 7.30a.m. – 2.00pm. This year we encourage all pilgrims to offer a special prayer Intention for road safety.

KNOCK YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME:

Grow in Faith, Lead with Purpose Inspire Others

You can make a difference in the lives of young people-walking with them on their journey of faith Visit.www.knockshrine.ie for more details.

HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE HOUSE BOUND:

If you would like to bring Holy Communion home to a family member, neighbour or friend you can avail of a Pyx by calling to the Sacristy or the Parish Office at the Presbytery, Westport. If anyone has finished using a Pyx please return it to the Sacristy or Parish office. Thank you.

MONTHLY ALZHEIMER’S ACTIVITY CLUB:

In Lough Lannagh Holiday Village Main Hall on a monthly basis on the (First Thursday of the Month Aug 5^th) from 10.00am to 12.00pm for Activities, Games, Chat, Refreshments and Day Trips. July activity club we will be having a Chair Yoga session, All Welcome. Please

Phone Marie on 087 170 8706.

CHURCH TOUR OF ST MARY’S WESTPORT:

Free Guided Tour of St. Mary’s by Barbara Rabbett on Thursday afternoon at 2pm. No booking required.

COFFEE MORNING:

Sunday 26^th July in Carrowbeg House after the 11.00am Mass.

WESTPORT ECO CONGREGATION: 

Is encouraging the community to make small changes during PLASTIC FREE JULY. Buying plastic-wrapped or packaged fruits and vegetables can be convenient, but unfortunately it creates plastic waste. Instead, consider looking out for loose fruit and vegetables in your local grocery store, or head to a farmers’ market where plastic packaging is less often used. It’s also worth asking if you really need a bag at all. For example, if you’re buying a bunch of bananas, consider keeping them loose in your shopping basket or trolley and transport them home in your reusable shopping bag?

ARCHBISHOP FRANCIS DUFFY:

We welcome our Archbishop on this Reek Sunday weekend for Mass Sat. July 25^th at 6.30pm and Sunday July 26^th at 11.00a.m.

PIONEER AND FRIENDS PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 

5TH August 2026.  Hotel Agena 5 nights Full Board 925.00 PER PERSON.  (INSURANCE Extra).

 Departs Shannon Airport on 5th August -Bus from Knock Airport.  Spiritual Director Fr Joe Delaney.  please contact Fr Joe Delaney 087 6660408 or Michael Rattigan 087 2929372

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE:

Sunday 26^th July 2026 Knock Shrine celebrating World Day for Grandparents and The Elderly

POPE BENEDICT XVI’s PRAYER FOR GRANDPARENTS:

Written at the request of the CGA in 2008.

Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary,the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.Look with love on grandparents the world over.Protect them! They are a source of enrichmentfor families, for the Church and for all of society.Support them!  As they grow older,may they continue to be for their familiesstrong pillars of Gospel faith,guardians of noble domestic ideals,living treasuries of sound religious traditions.Make them teachers of wisdom and courage,that they may pass on to future generations the fruitsof their mature human and spiritual experience.

Lord Jesus, help families and societyto value the presence and role of grandparents.May they never be ignored or excluded,but always encounter respect and love.Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomedin all the years of life which you give them.Mary, Mother of all the living,keep grandparents constantly in your care,accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage,and by your prayers, grant that all familiesmay one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland,where you await all humanityfor the great embrace of life without end.  Amen!

ROAD SAFETY PRAYER

Arise with me in the morning,

travel with me through the day.

Welcome me on my arrival.

God be with me all the way.

Amen"                                                                       

       Éirigh liom, a Dhia,                                        

Fan liom i rith an lae,

Sa bhaile agus ar gach turas turas,        

      Ná lig dom dul ar strae                                                

Áiméan