ST. CARLO ACUTIS PARISH PASTORAL AREA
ARDFINNAN, BALLYBACON, GRANGE
NEWCASTLE, FOURMILEWATER
TOURANEENA, THE NIRE
Very Rev Fr Michael Toomey V. F. / P.P. / Adm.
Fr. Jim Denmead A.P. / Fr Bernard Frawley CSSr
St Brigid’s Day/4th Sunday Ordinary Time
31st January / 1st February 2026
Website: www.stcarloacutisparish.ie
☏ For Priest on Duty Please Call: 087- 6564170
✉ Please email us at: office@stcarloacutisparish.ie
☏ Phone: 052 – 7464408
📫 The Parish Office, Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary, E91 W7P3
MASSES THIS WEEK:
SATURDAY- VIGIL 31st January 2026
NEWCASTLE: Vigil Mass 5pm
ARDFINNAN Vigil Mass 6.30pm
TOURANEENA: Vigil Mass at 7pm
SUNDAY 1st February 2026
FOURMILEWATER: Mass at 9am
GRANGE: Mass 10.30am
NIRE: Mass at 11am
BALLYBACON Mass 12.00 noon
DIED RECENTLY
Maurice Cliffe Jnr. Touraneena / Cobh Co Cork
Alison Daly Garryroe, Grange / Elm. Park Clonmel
MASSES THIS WEEK
There will be NO MASS on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd Feb.
ST BRIGID’S DAY
St. Brigid’s Day, or Lá Fhéile Bríde, is celebrated on February 1st and marks the first day of spring in the traditional Irish calendar, signalling the end of winter darkness and the beginning of new life. As one of Ireland’s three patron saints, alongside Patrick and Columba, Brigid is a figure of profound cultural significance, often associated with healing, protection, and creativity. Traditional customs include weaving St. Brigid’s crosses from rushes or straw to hang above doors for protection, as well as leaving out a piece of cloth, known as a Brat Bríde, for the saint to bless and endow with healing powers.
St Brigid – Patroness of Ireland – Pray For Us.
ST BLASIE’S DAY
St. Blaise’s Day, celebrated on February 3rd, honours the 4th-century Armenian bishop and martyr, Saint Blaise who is revered as the patron saint of throat ailments, wild animals, and wool combers. According to legend, Blaise was a physician who became a bishop and later lived in a cave surrounded by wild animals, which he healed. His most famous miracle involved saving a young boy who was choking on a fishbone, leading to his association with curing throat illnesses.
There will be blessing of the throats this week after Mass on: Tuesday – Ardfinnan 9.30am /Wednesday 10am Fourmilewater / Thursday 10am Newcastle.
SONGS OF PRAISE: OUR CHOIRS AND MUSICIANS ESPECIALLY WELCOME!
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity Within, Barronstrand St, Waterford. Sunday 8th February at 5pm. Join local choirs singing Waterford’s favourite hymns in aid of The Samaritans and Friends of the Cathedral Music which supports the cathedral music programme for young musicians. All welcome!
THANK YOU
Many thanks for your contributions in the collections and envelopes for the upkeep of our parishes and churches in the recent collections:
Ardfinnan/Ballybacon/Grange: €1,460
Newcastle/Fourmilewater: €614
The Nire: €445/ Touraneena: €406.90
FAITH REPS
A wonderful incentive in our diocese has been the formation of Faith Reps in parishes. This role is for someone who is a person of faith and upholds the Catholic Faith in their lives and have a heart for passing on the faith to our young people. No formal qualifications are needed, and training and discernment for the role is given by the Ascend Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese. If you would like to learn more, please contact Fr Michael for further information and details of information sessions being planned.
CAHIR MEALS ON WHEELS
We Are now considering delivering meals to Ardfinnan village. If anyone is interested in availing of this service, please contact Mary Lonergan – 087 0389671
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
This takes place in our parishes on:
Tuesday’s 10-11am in Ardfinnan
Friday’s 2.30-3.30 in Newcastle
Everyone is welcome to come and spend some time in quiet prayer and adoration.
BAPTISMS / WEDDINGS
Please contact the Parish Office on 052-746 4408
CCTV CAMERAS / LIVESTREAM
Please note that for the protection and security of everyone CCTV cameras are in operation in our churches. All our Masses are Live streamed in Ardfinnan and are at other times broadcast from Newcastle, Fourmilewater, Ballybacon and Grange, Touraneena and The Nire on Churchservices.tv and Facebook Live pages.