World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Monday, 1st September
Pope Francis established the first of September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. This year's theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is Seeds of Peace and Hope. This is the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Day of Prayer and the publication of 'Laudato Si' (Pope Francis's encyclical letter 'on care for our common home'), which begins as follows:
“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.
This World Day of Prayer also marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, from the first of September to the fourth of October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi.
Sacred Heart Church, Western Road
Sunday 31st August – 8th September 2025
The MSC Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart takes place every year from
August 31st through to September 8th, at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork. Novena Masses will take place daily at 10.00am & 8.00pm.
In 1857, Fr Jules Chevalier, founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, honoured Mary with the title “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart”. During the Novena, we come to Mary with our prayers and with our petitions, united in the faith of the Sacred Heart.
Click on the link below for more information on the Novena, submitting prayers and petitions online, and viewing the live stream of the Masses.
Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Weekday Masses in August
Monday 10am Watergrasshill and Friday 10am Glenville
From September all weekdays as follows:
Monday 10am Watergrasshill and Thursday 10am Glenville
Adoration continues as usual: Wednesdays in Watergrasshill: Thursdays in Glenville
Weekday Mass times in Carraig na bhFear for the month of August will be 9.00 am on Mondays and Fridays only
Beginning September 1st Weekday Masses:
Monday 10am Watergrasshill
Wednesday 9am Carraig na bhFear
Thursday 10am Glenville
Friday 9am Carraig na bhFear
Changes to Weekday Mass Times
Canon Martin Keohane
Change is challenging and can be difficult. This year the Diocesan changes, which have been announced by the Bishop, will come into effect on Saturday 26th July, present a challenge and an opportunity for all of us. Canon Martin Keohane is to retire from his full-time appointment and to become weekend assistant in the Skibbereen Family of Parishes. We thank him for all he has done, for his commitment, support and friendship and wish him well in retirement.
We welcome Fr. Emmanuel Ihomon who has been appointed as curate to the Family of Parishes and will reside in Our Lady Crowned, Mayfield.
As there will not a be a resident priest in Carraig na bhFear, Fr. Christy Fitzgerald as Moderator will assume administrative responsibilities for the parish. Fr. Pat Fogarty, Fr. Damian O’ Mahony, and Fr. Christy Fitzgerald supported by Fr. Pat Nugent and Fr. Immanuel will share pastoral responsibility in Carraig na bhFear. As a Family of Parishes, working together, we will do our best to ensure continued pastoral care across the four parishes of Carraig na bhFear, Glanmire, Glounthaune and Watergrasshill and Glenville.
