Diocese of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland
The annual St. Vincent De Paul Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Irelands International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, for Vincentian Day will take place on Saturday 12th September 2026.
Bus leaves from outside the former Convent at 8:00a.m. Names to Ian Doyle at 087 6644654.
Bishop Crean has published the Cloyne Diocesan Changes during the week. The full list is published below.
In the changes he has accepted the resignation of Fr Anthony Wickham P.P. Shandrum who has reached the retirement age of seventy-five years. As a result of this he has transferred the administration and pastoral care of the Parish of Newtown and Dromina to the care of the priests and Deacon in Charleville Parish. Canon Donal O Mahony to become Administrator. These changes will come into effect at 12 noon on the 12th of September 2026.
Already the priests and deacon in Charleville have held separate meetings with the Parish Pastoral Councils in both parishes. Both meetings were cordial, productive and members in both Councils were anxious to have a smooth transition. Both councils expressed concern for the wellbeing of the priests.
Diocesan Changes:
Very Rev. Anthony Wickham P.P.
Newtownshandrum to retire and become Pastor Emeritus. (P.E.)
Very Rev. Michael Fitzgerald P.P. Blarney to take Sabbatical Leave.
Very Rev. Canon Donal O’Mahony P.P. Charleville to continue as P.P. Charleville and to be Administrator of Newtownshandrum.
Very Rev. Eugene Baker P.P. Buttevant and Adm of Churchtown-Liscarroll to be P.P. Blarney.
Very Rev. Christopher Donlon P.P. Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge to be P.P. Buttevant and Adm. Churchtown – Liscarroll.
Very Rev. Tom McDermott Adm. Cobh to be P.P. Milford.
Rev. Mark Hehir C.C. Midleton to be P.P. Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge.
Rev. Gerard Cremin C.C. Cobh to be Administrator of Cobh.
Rev. Damien Lynch C.C. Mallow to be C.C. Midleton.
Rev. Tiernan Burke C.C. Youghal pro-tem, to be C.C. in Cobh.
Deacon Garrett Cody Co-ordinator of Support to PASTORAL AREAS.
In light of the Diocesan Changes announced by Bishop Crean, that Charleville and Shandrum Parishes will be co-operating parishes and sharing clergy, during the week the priests and deacon of Charleville met with the Charleville and Shandrum Parish Pastoral Councils to make decisions about the future.
In regard to the Mass times, we are advised to leave an hour and a half between Masses to allow time to celebrate Mass and travel from A to B safely.
Arrange Masses so that if one priest was ill, away on pilgrimage, or on annual leave/holidays etc. that the one priest could celebrate Masses on those occasions.
After discussion the following Rota of Masses is the most suitable and agreeable:
Saturday: 6:00p.m. Vigil in Charleville and
7:30p.m. Vigil in Dromina.
Sunday: 9.30a.m. Mass in Newtown.
11:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. in Charleville
Both parishes are losing a Mass.
Other decisions include setting up a Funeral Ministry Team to recite the Rosary and lead prayers in the Funeral Home when necessary and also to expand the Baptism Team to both parishes.
There will be no funerals celebrated on Sundays.
This is the practice in Shandrum, Mallow and other parishes. Funerals are not celebrated on Sundays in Cork Diocese, Kerry Diocese and in other areas around the country.
We appreciate that what is happening is a big change for all of us and it will take time to adjust to the new Mass times going forward. We ask for your co-operation and support as we journey along.
Would you like to deepen your faith, grow closer to Our Blessed Lady, and become more involved in the life of the parish? The Legion of Mary offers a wonderful opportunity for prayer, friendship, spiritual growth, and service to others. Through weekly meetings, prayer and apostolic work, members support one another in living out their Catholic faith and sharing Christ’s love with those around them. We warmly welcome new members to join us. Meetings take place every Thursday at 8p.m. at the Parish Office. Whether you are looking to deepen your prayer live, serve the parish community, or simply learn more about the Legion of Mary, you are welcome to come along. For further information, please contact the parish office or attend one of our meetings or contact Maria at 086-028223.
We would appreciate if some more people would join the parish envelopes for 2026. A refund can be gained for the parish if a person is paying €250 or more and paying tax. They will be printed for distribution in November. Give your name to parish secretary. If anyone has changed address in the last year, they might also contact the parish office, if they have not done so already. Parish Office 063-81319.
In recent times people are becoming more accustomed to using online Banking. There are two separate currents accounts in the Parish, one for the parish and various collections like Emigrants, Trocaire etc. The other current account is for the support of the two priests in the parish. The priests are usually supported in Offerings at Lent, Easter, Autumn and Christmas. Some donations are handed in with the November Mass Offerings. For those who might like to consider doing online banking please click this link to go to the Diocesan Website
Thank you
