CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

(INCORPORATING THE CATHOLIC PRESS & INFORMATION OFFICE)

CHRISTMAS 2002

Diocesan Ceremonies




ARCHDIOCESE OF ARMAGH
Most Rev. Seán Brady, DCL
Archbishop of Armagh

Tuesday 24 December 2002 - Christmas Eve
12.00 Midnight Mass in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh 
(St Patrick’s Cathedral closed for major restoration)  

Wednesday 25 December 2002 Christmas Day
Christmas Day Mass at 11.30am in St Patrick’s Church, 
Dundalk.

Most Rev. Gerard Clifford, DD
Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh  

Tuesday 24 December 2002 - Christmas Eve
Mass at 10.30pm in St Patrick’s Church, Dundalk

Christmas Day – Wednesday 25 December 2002
Mass at 12.00 noon in St Nicholas’ Church, Dundalk


ARCHDIOCESE OF CASHEL AND EMLY
THURLES
Due to the renovation been carried out in the 'Cathedral of the Assumption', Thurles.  All 
services take place in the Premier Hall, Thurles.  A Carol Service will be held on Sunday 
22 December 2002 at 7.00pm in the Premier Hall.

Archbishop Dermot Clifford will celebrate Christmas Night Mass at 12.00am in
Bothar na Naomh Church, Thurles.  

CASHEL
A Christmas Service will take place at 7pm on Sunday 15 December 2002 at 'John The Baptist 
Parish Church', Cashel.  All the schools in the parish will participate with the Cashel 
Brass Band.
 
TIPPERARY TOWN
Carol Service on Sunday 15th at 7.30pm in St. Michael's Church, Tipperary.


DIOCESE OF CLOYNE
Tuesday 17 December 2002
Parish Carol Service in St. Colman’s Cathedral at 7.30pm

Friday 20 December 2002
Advent Service in Rushbrooke at 8.30pm

Saturday 21 December 2002
Reconciliation and Confession Service in St. Colman’s Cathedral at
11.00am (Several confessors available.)

Saturday/Sunday 21st/22nd December2002
Masses at usual times

Cathedral: 6.00pm on Saturday and 8.00, 10.00am, 12noon, and 7.00pm on Sunday
Evening Prayer and Benediction at 5.00pm

Rushbrooke: 7.30pm Saturday. 9.00am and 11.00am on Sunday.

Ballymore: 9.30am. Sunday

Christmas Eve, December 24th: Masses as follows:
St. Colman’s Cathedral: 6.00pm 
Family and childrens’ Mass - Homilist: Bishop John Magee

12.00 Midnight Mass: Celebrant: Bishop John Magee
			       
Rushbrooke: 9pm., 12.00 Midnight Mass

Ballymore:    12.00 Midnight Mass

Christmas Day 25 December 2002
St. Colman’s Cathedral:  8am
10am.  Celebrant: Bishop John Magee
12.00 noon

Rushbooke: 9am., 11am.

Ballymore: 9.30am.

NB:  No evening Masses on Christmas Day in any parish in the Diocese of Cloyne

Sunday 29th December 2002: Masses at usual times
St. Colman’s Cathedral, 3pm:
Ordination to the Priesthood for service in the Diocese of Cloyne of Rev. Patrick Relihan 
and Rev. Anthony Sheehan by Bishop John Magee.	

Wednesday 1st January 2003:
Mass at 11.00amin all three churches.

Sunday 5th January 2003
Masses at usual times.

St.Colman’s Cathedral, 4pm.
Blessing of all babies baptized during 2002.


DIOCESE OF DERRY
Bishop Seamus Hegarty will officiate at the Christmas Midnight Mass in St. Eugene's 
Cathedral, Derry.

DIOCESE OF ELPHIN
Christmas ceremonies in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception are as follows: 

Sunday 22 December 2002
Reconciliation Service with special introduction by Fr Kit O'Connor. Service at 
3.00pm, Confessions from 3.15pm, Benediction at 4.00pm and Confessions until 
4.30pm. 

Christmas Carol Service at 8.00pm

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December 2002
Masses at 8.20am amd 10.30am.
Christmas Vigil Mass at 10.00pm

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
Masses at 8.30am, 10.30am and 12.00 noon.

World Day of Prayer for Peace - 1 January 2003
Mass for Peace at 7.00pm. 

ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN
LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS AT ST MARY'S PRO-CATHEDRAL, 
MARLBOROUGH STREET, DUBLIN 1

Sunday 22 December 2002
3.30 p.m. Annual Carol Service with the Palestrina Choir, directed by Blánaid Murphy; Organist, 
Professor Gerard Gillen.  A collection in aid of the Crosscare Homeless Outreach will be taken 
up during the Service.

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December 2002
9.30 p.m. Carols with the Palestrina Choir precede Mass at 10.00 p.m.

10.00 p.m. Mass of Christmas Night.  
Principal Celebrant: Cardinal Desmond Connell with the priests of the Pro Cathedral.
Music:  Mass in C.K. 317 (Coronation Mass - Mozart). Cathedral Players and Soloists 
Mary Callan Clarke, Deirdre Cooling-Nolan, John Scott, John Magee.  Organist:  Gerard Gillen.  
Organ Voluntary Toccata in F – by C.M. Widor.
The Lord Mayor and members of Dublin City Council and the Diplomatic Corps will be in attendance.

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
11.00 a.m. Mass of Christmas Day. 
Principal Celebrant: Cardinal Desmond Connell with the priests of the Pro Cathedral.
Music:  Mass in C.K. 317 (Coronation Mass - Mozart). Cathedral Players and Soloists Mary Callan 
Clarke, Deirdre Cooling-Nolan, John Scott, John Magee.  Organist:  Gerard Gillen.  Organ Voluntary 
Toccata in F – by C.M. Widor.

Dublin’s Auxiliary Bishops’ Christmas events:

Bishop Eamonn Walsh will be celebrating Mass on Christmas Eve in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, as he is 
currently Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ferns. He will also be celebrating Mass in Mountjoy 
Male Prison, Dublin,  on Christmas morning.

Bishop Raymond Field will be celebrating Mass in Ballyfermot, in the Parish Church of the Assumption 
on Christmas Eve at 9.00 p.m. and Mass in Cherry Orchard Parish Church on Christmas Day at 12.00 noon

Wednesday 1 January 2002 - World Day of Prayer for Peace
Mass for Peace in St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, Sandymount at 11am. 
Principal Celebrant, Cardinal Desmond Connell.


DIOCESE OF FERNS
On Monday and Tuesday the 23/24 December 2002, South East 
Radio will broadcast a special 10/12 minute reflection of Words and 
Music for Christmas presented and produced by Enniscorthy Vocational
College Media Students. This will be broadcast at 11.04am during
the Regional Express programme. 

Wednesday 18 December 2002
Kilrush Parish is holding a Christmas Carol Service featuring the
Wexford Festival Singers at 8.00pm in St. Brigid's Church, Kilrush. 
Admission: Adults €5 and Children €2.50. 

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December 2002
There will be an outside broadcast of the First Mass of Christmas 
at 9.00pm. Most Rev Eamonn Walsh, Apostolic Administrator of the
Diocese of Ferns will celebrate this Mass. 

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
South East Radio will broadcast "Sounds for Christmas" at 9.00am. 

DIOCESE OF GALWAY
Wednesday 18 December 2002
Diocesan Carol Service by candlelight at 7.30pm in the Cathedral of
Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas.

Thursday 19 December 2002
Penitential Service in Sacred Heart Church at 7.30pm.

Sunday 22 December 2002
Christmas Pageant "The Story of Christmas" at 8.00pm in the Cathedral.

Tuesday 24 December 2002
Christmas Night Mass in the Cathedral at 10.00pm celebrated by Bishop
James Mc Loughlin.

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
Christmas Day Masses at 8.30am, 9.15am, 10.00am, 11.15am and 12.30pm.

St Stephen's Day - Thursday 26 December 2002
Masses at 9.00am, 11.00am and 6.00pm.

World Day of Peace - Wednesday 1 January 2003
Mass at 9.00am, 11.00am and 6.00am. Mass at 11.00am is the Peace Mass and will be 
celebrated by Bishop James Mc Loughlin. 

DIOCESE OF KERRY
Wednesday 18 December 2002
Christmas Carol Service at 7.30pm in Caherdaniel Parish. 

Sunday 22 December 2002
Christmas Carol Service at 3.30pm in St Mart's Church of Ireland,
Killarney. 

Tuesday 24 December 2002
Midnight Mass, St Mary's Cathedral Killarney with Bishop Bill Murphy
as Celebrant. 

DIOCESE OF KILDARE AND LEIGHLIN
Sunday 15 December 2002
St. Conleth's Parish Church, Newbridge and Owen C. Lynch present
"O Holy Night" with Adagio Chamber Choir and Orchestra at 8.30pm
in St. Conleth's Parish Church, Newbridge. Tickets: €15 from 
Newbridge Parish Centre, Station Road, or at the door.

St. Joseph's Parish Church, Mountmellick: Carol Service at 7.00pm, 
featuring local Deanery Choir.

St. Brigid's, Church of Ireland Cathedral, Kildare: Carols at 7.30pm.

Tuesday 17 December 2002
St. Brigid's, Parish Church, Kildare - Reflections/Carols at 8.00pm.

Sunday 22 December 2002
Children's Carol Service at 7.00pm in Cill Mhuire, Ballymany, Newbridge. 

Carlow Cathedral: Cathedral Carol Service at 8.30pm feturing
Diocesan and Cathedral Choirs.

Tuesday 24 December 2002
Carol Service at 11.00pm in St. Michael's Church, Portarlington


DIOCESE OF KILLALA
The Christmas Ceremonies in St. Muredach's Cathedral  and
St Patrick's Church, Ballina are as follows: 

St Muredach's Cathedral
Sunday 15 December 2002
Carol Service at 4.00pm attended by Most Rev John Fleming,
Bishop of Killala. 

Sunday 22 December 2002
Penitential Service at 7.30pm 

Monday 23 December 2002
12.00 noon to 7.00pm - Confessions

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December 2002
11.00am-7.00pm - Confessions
Christmas Masses at 8.00pm and 10.30pm. Bishop John Fleming
will say the 10.30pm Vigil Mass. 

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
Christmas Day Masses at 8.00am, 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm.

St Patrick's Church, Ballina
Sunday 22 December 2002
Christmas with Gospel Choir at 8.00pm attended by
Bishop John Fleming.

Monday 23 December 2002 
Confessions at 12.00 - 1.00pm and 6.00-7.00pm

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December 2002
Confessions at 12.00-1.00pm and 6.00-7.00pm. 

Christmas Mass at 9.00pm.

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
Christmas Day Masses at 10.00am, 11.15am and 12.30pm. 
Bishop John Fleming will say the 11.15am Mass.


DIOCESE OF KILMORE
Christmas ceremonies in the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim are as
follows: 

Friday 13th December 2002
Carol Concert at 8.00pm. 

Wednesday 18th December 2002 
Carol Concert at 8.00pm

Thursday 19th December 2002
Confession from 10.30am to 6.30pm with a special Christmas Rite of
Reconciliation at 8.00pm. 

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24th December 2002
Mass celebrated by Bishop Leo O'Reilly at 9.00pm. 

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25th December 2002
Christmas Masses at 8.00am, 10.00am and 11.30am. 


DIOCESE OF LIMERICK
Bishop Donal Murray will be participating in the Vigil Mass in St. John's
Cathedral on Christmas Eve at 7.30pm and again on Christmas Day in St
John's at 11.00am. 

DIOCESE OF MEATH
Sunday 15 December 2002
Carol Service in Church of St. Columcille, Kells with the Diocesan
Choir.

Ecumenical Service at 5.00pm in All Saints Church, Mullingar. The following
will officiate at the service: Most Rev. Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, 
Rev. Sean Henry, Administrator, Mullingar, Rev. Patrick Carmody, Rector,
All Saints Church and Rev. Stephen Lickington, Presbyterian Church, Mullingar. 

Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December 2002
Christmas Vigil in Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar at 10.00pm
celebrated by Bishop Michael Smith. 

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
Christmas Day Mass in St Mary's Church, Navan at 10.30am celebrated by
Bishop Michael Smith. 

DIOCESE OF OSSORY
Most Rev Laurence Forristal, Bishop of Ossory will celebrate the following:

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Sunday 22 December 2002
Carol Service at 7.30pm in St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny

Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 2002
Midnight Mass in St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny. 

Mass at 11.00am in Hugginstown Church, Co Kilkenny. This Mass will be 
broadcast live on Radio Kilkenny. 

World Day of Prayer for Peace - Wednesday 1 January 2003
Mass in St. James's Church, Glenmore at 11.00am. People from 
neighbouring parishes are invited to attend.

A list of ceremonies from around the Diocese of Ossory is available
on their website at: www.ossory.ie

DIOCESE OF WATERFORD AND LISMORE
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford
Civic Carol Service on Sunday 22 December 2002 at 3.00pm. Bishop William Lee and
Dean Peter Barrett will be in attendance. 

The WLR FM Lions Club Carol Service is on Saturday 14 December 2002 at 4.00pm. 

Reconciliation Service in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Barronstrand Street, 
Waterford, on Saturday 21 December 2002 during the 7.30 p.m. Vigil Mass and 
Sunday 22 December 2002 during the 12.00 noon and 5.30 p.m. Masses.

Mass of the Nativity on Tuesday 24 December 2002 at 9.00 p.m.  The Mayor and 
members of Waterford City Council will attend.  Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Lee.

St. Mary¹s Church, Dungarvan
Evening Prayer with the music of Taize, on First, Second and Third Sundays of Advent at 5.00 pm.  
On Fourth Sunday of Advent at 5.00 pm, the Dungarvan Gospel choir with readings and prayers.  
Reconciliation service on Friday 20 December 2002 at 7.30 in St. Mary¹s Church.

Clonmel
St. Peter and Paul's Church
Monday 23 December 2002 at 7.30 pm Penitential Service. 
Franciscan Friary each Sunday of Advent, Evening Advent Prayer from 4.30 pm ­ 5.30 pm 
Holy Hour each Friday of Advent in St. Peter & Paul¹s Church.

St. Mary¹s Church. 
Ecumenical Carol Service on Saturday 14 December 2002 at 8.00 pm in St. 
Patrick¹s, Marlfield.
Penitential Service on Tuesday 17th at 7.30 pm.
Carol Service on Sunday 22nd December at 4.00 pm.  Music by Banna Cluain Meala, Cor Cois 
Suire and St. Mary¹s Church Choirs.

ENDS



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