Newsletter 26th April 2026

Castlemaine Parish                                                                     Fourth Sunday of Easter – 26th April

Moderator: Fr. Kevin Sullivan 087 6277638 Parish Office: 3 Meanus Heights, Castlemaine Opening Hours: Tue & Thur 9.30am – 12.30pm (087) 2979864 Email: castlemaine@dioceseofkerry.ie Safeguarding Children: Contact No. (087) 6362780
Sat. 25th April  Keel  7:30 pmJohn O’Connor, Whitegate 1st Anniversary  
Sun 26th April  Kiltallagh10:00 am  Seán Horan, Cnocán
Tue. 28th AprilKeel  10:00 am   
Fri. 1st May  Kiltallagh6:00 pmFirst Friday Mass
Sat. 2nd May    Keel     Keel  12:00 pm     7:30 pmHoly Communion  Castledrum National School   Thomas Sayers, Lack & New York  
Sun 3rd May   Kiltallagh  10:00 amBurke family, Castlemaine

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Monday in

St Gobnait’s Church, Keel from 11am – 7pm

Priest on Duty: Fr Kevin Sullivan – 087 6277638

  • Offertory collection: €758.00     Míle Buíochas
  • Parish Office: is closed until Thursday 7th May at 9:30am. Please contact Moderator Fr Kevin Sullivan 087 6277638 for urgent matters.
  • Communion Calls will take place in the Parish on the second Tuesday 12th May. If you know someone who wishes to be included, please let Fr Kevin know 087 6277638.
  • Better Bones Better Balance: Classes are returning to Ballyfinane Hall on Wednesday April 29th from 10am – 11am. If you are interested, contact Darragh at 087 3779585. Or come along to the hall on Wednesday next.

There is a growing awareness throughout our diocese that the number of priests in active ministry is diminishing. Nationally, the average age of priests is over 65.

A different shape and style of church is emerging in our country at the moment. The introduction of the diaconate has proved to be successful as we can testify in our own pastoral area. The collaboration between priests and parishioners in the leading of parishes is taking root. This is most certainly a giant step in the right direction. These moves and others certainly to come will ensure the vibrancy of parishes.

Good Shepherd Sunday is also known as ‘Vocations Sunday’. On this day we are especially asked first to pray that the Church may be provided with the leaders needed to do its work of spreading the Gospel. But, while we may earnestly pray that our Church be supplied with the leaders it needs, there can be a tendency among us to pray that ‘others’ may answer that call. We do not see ourselves as included. We may pray earnestly for more young people to offer themselves as priests and religious but clearly exclude our own children.

If we are serious about calling ourselves disciples of Christ, we must be counter cultural. We must rise above the modern-day cry of society that faith is a thing of the past and has no space in the marketplace. We need to ask questions of ourselves and not re-direct them towards others. There is a great need to create a spirit of generosity in ourselves and others, a sense of mission and purpose, and an atmosphere where a person is encouraged and supported in their calling.

Ministers of The Eucharist
Keel2nd MayJohn Carmody & Mary Ita Ladden
Kiltallagh3rd MayEileen Lovett & Mike Carroll
Readers
Keel2nd MayFamily readers
Kiltallagh3rd MayMike Carroll
Altar Society
Keel2nd MayLinda Flynn
Kiltallagh3rd MayParents of First Holy Communion
Offertory Collectors
KeelMay   Timmy O’Connor & Aodhan Murphy
KiltallaghMayTed Murphy & Brendan Dennehy