Parish Priest: Fr. John Naughton Tel: 090 967 5148 Parish Secretary: Nuala Power Tel: 090 967 5148 Eyrecourt, in the south east corner of County Galway incorporatees the ancient ecclesiastical centres of Dunanaughta, Clonfert and Meelick and is bounded by the rivers Shannon and Suck for 16 miles. Meelick has the oldest Irish Catholic church with continuous use since 1414 AD. Dunanaughta was the church at the highest altitude in east Galway. Clonfert has the grave of Saint Brendan, the ancient cathedral and famous doorway, the beautiful 14th century statue of Our Lady of Clonfert and Emmanuel House of Providence. Clonfert also gave our diocese its name and patron, Saint Brendan. This is a parish with many famous historical and heritage sites. Clonfert Cathedral with its romanesque door and Meelick Church are but two. The second church in this parish is the Church of Our Lady of Clonfert, which dates from 1838 and is one of the early Catholic Revival churches. The church as it stands today was restored in the early 1960's by the then Parish Priest, Fr. James Cogavin, assisted by his curate Fr. Hubert Murray. The stations of the Cross are the original wooden stations. In the chancel area there are two very interesting stained glass windows, the one to the left of the altar depicts St. Brendan (Patron Saint of the Diocese of Clonfert), holding an oar in one hand and a church in the other. It is thought that the church in question is the nearby Clonfert Cathedral. The second window depicts an image of Clonfert Cathedral's Romanesque doorway. Perhaps the most interesting feature of Our Lady of Clonfert Church is a 13th / 14th Century Madonna. Clonfert Church is indeed a special place any time of the year, but particularly during the month of May, when devotion to Our Lady, among young and old alike, is something special to behold. Many thousands of pilgrims visit Clonfert Church during May. Most people who are regular visitors to Our Lady of Clonfert make three visits during this month. People come here for all kinds of reasons: they make their petitions, say their prayers, light their candles and agree that they will return again next year, God willing.
Eyrecourt Meelick Clonfert Esker Patron of Church     Our Lady of Clonfert   Masses         Saturday Evening . 6.30 p.m. Jan - Mar  8.30 p.m. Apr - June  7.00 p.m. July - Sept 8.00 p.m. Oct - Dec     Sunday 11.00 a.m   9.30 a.m.   Weekdays 9.30 a.m.   Wednesday 8.00 p.m. First Friday 8.00 p.m. First Saturday 9.30 a.m. Special Devotions   Portiuncula - July 31 to Aug. 2 Our Lady of Clonfert - Every day in May

Devotions in Honour of Our Lady of Clonfert
May 2013

May devotions in honour of Our Lady of Clonfert will be celebrated this year as usual in the Church of Our Lady of Clonfert. Every Sunday there will be Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament with Rosary and a sermon, and on all other days except Saturdays there will be Holy Mass and a homily or sermon. All devotions and Masses will be at 8.00 p.m. On Saturdays there will not be Mass or devotions, but the Rosary will be prayed at 9.45 p.m. before the church closes at 10.00 p.m. Weather permitting there will be a Candle Light Rosary Procession around the Church each Thursday at 9.45 p.m. Themes and Special Celebrations are mentioned in the calendar. For further information contact the Parish Seccretary, Nuala, at (090) 967 5113 or 086 303 8267 or email stbrenseyrecourt@gmail.com

SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
			1 Fr. Angelus OFM Cap Relic & Rosary Beads of St Pio	2 Fr. Alan Burke (Oughterard)	3 Bishop John Kirby Fr. Joe Walsh
5 Fr. Iomar Daniels	6 Fr. Bernie Costello Anointing of the Sick	7 Fr. J. Gallagher (Kilcormac)	8 Fr. R. Sweeney (Portumna)	9 Fr. Barry Horan (Marriage Tribunal)	10 Fr. D. O’Donovan Speaker: Andrew O’Connell ‘Youth Exam Mass’
12 Fr. Brendan Lawless	13 Fr. Ciaran Kitching (Killimor)	14 Fr. Tony Gavin Speaker: David Quinn (Irish Catholic)	15 Fr. Liam Lawton Composer & Editor of Church Music	16 Fr. Frank Murray (Ferbane)	17 Fr. D. McInerney (Creagh)
19 Fr. John Garvey 4.00 p.m. Blessing of Babies & Children	20 Fr. Shane Crombie Francis Rebuilding Our Church	21 Fr. Simon Cadam Bereavement	22 Fr. Tony Cahir (Birr)	23 Mgr. Cathal Geraghty VG (Loughrea)	24 Fr. Colm Kilcoyne AP (Cong)
26 Fr. Christy O’Byrne Speaker: Eddie Stones	27 Fr. Tom Ryan (Shannon)	28 Fr. John Cullen (Kiltoom)	29 Fr. Benny McHale (Athenry)	30 Fr. John O’Gorman Mary Woman of Faith & Hope	31 Bishop John Kirby Closing Ceremony