Newsletter week beginning 26th July 2026

CROAGH PATRICK PILGRIMAGE AND WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS

AND THE ELDERLY: July ,25^th, 26th

 Reek Saturday July 25^th 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:

Coffee morning in Carrowbeg House after the 11.00am Mass today Reek Sunday.

WESTPORT ECO CONGREGATION: 

As Plastic free July comes to a close - what changes can we sustain into the future?Can we bring our keep cup when ordering a take away tea or coffee?  Will we use fill water bottle?  Where possible can we refuse plastic wrapping and where possible use refill containers when shopping.  Small steps by everyone can make a difference. Be part of the solution.

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.

WESTPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

Tours of Westport each Wednesday at 11.00a.m.

July-September, starting point The Clock, High Street. FREE! All welcome

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.

Chief Celebrant Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of all Ireland. Anointing of the Sick in the Basilica – 2.30pm. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass – 3.00pm. Rosary Procession after Mass.

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!

THE WEEK OF IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY 2026

Sunday, July 26th to Saturday, August 1^st in the Prayer Centre at Knock Shrine. The theme for this year's retreat is 'Jesus, if people only knew You'. Welcome session takes place on Sunday evening at 7pm, with a full daily programme from Monday to Saturday. See www.knockshrine.ie for full programme. For enquiries, contact John Farrelly at 086 0108623.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Contact SVP Westport on 087-9334960