The Parishes of Bantry Bay

St. Brendan's Church, Bantry  
St. James Church, Durrus    

In Christ, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Kilmocomogue Union of Parishes


Welcome to our web page. We are the Church of Ireland parishes that surround beautiful Bantry Bay in South West County Cork, Ireland. We are small in number but we have a big heart and we cover a vast area of territory with some of the most amazing scenery. We are a church,  a place of welcome and inclusivity. Everyone is welcome, whoever you are. 

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Upcoming Sunday Church Services

(Holy Communion, Eucharist, Mass, The Lord's Supper)


Palm Sunday

(Sunday, April 2nd 2003 ) 

 

Link to service booklet

https://kilmocomogueparish.link/Palm-Sunday


+ St Brendan's Church, Bantry (10am) 

YouTube link 

https://bantry.online/YouTube 

Livestream Feed

https://bantry.online/Livestream


Wednesday in Holy Week

April 5th 

+St Brendan's Church, Bantry (Noon)


The services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday

and Easter Eve will be live-streamed and on youTube. 


Use the links; 

YouTube link

https://durrus.online/YouTube 

Livestream Feed

https://durrus.online/Livestream


Holy Thursday

April 6th

+St James’ Church, Durrus 8pm

Liturgy of Holy Thursday 

link to service booklet 

https://kilmocomogueparish.link/Holy-Thursday


Good Friday

April 7th

+St James’ Church, Durrus Noon

The Holy Hour 

link to service booklet

https://kilmocomogueparish.link/Good-Friday


Easter Eve

April 8th

+St James’ Church, Durrus 8pm

The First Eucharist of Easter 

link to service booklet

https://kilmocomogueparish.link/Easter-Eve


Easter Day

Sunday, April 9th 

+St Brendan's Church, Bantry (10am)

+St James’ Church, Durrus 11.45am


Canon Paul Willoughby (Rector) 
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The Rector writes ....

We know the story so well. Jesus, the wandering preacher from Galilee, with has band of followers, enters the Holy City on a donkey, a few days before Passover. The followers lay palm fronds and blankets on the rough road to make the way gentle for the donkey. Jerusalem would have been thronged with people at that time as Jewish pilgrims from all over the neighbouring countryside and beyond arrived for Passover. They helped to form the crowds cheering and chanting as the Lord arrived. 


In the Gospel we read that the donkey in question was ‘unbroken’. This was necessary in Jewish law for sacrifices at the Temple as the animals had to be ‘perfect’. St John also points out that Jesus’ actions were actually a sign that fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah: “Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rides on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal” The Legend of the Jerusalem Donkey  has become a part of the story of Easter. Although it is, perhaps, just a story about the donkey that was Jesus’ mount on Palm Sunday. We all know that a donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem and on the trip to Egypt, Jesus rode a donkey to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the significance of Jesus’ riding a donkey was that he was coming in peace.  

 

The Nubian donkey has a cross on its back because it was said that this breed of donkeys carried Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. According to legend, the donkey knew what that Jesus was facing a trial and much suffering. Seeing the tragic event of Jesus’ crucifixion, the donkey wished that he had been able to carry the cross for Jesus and bear his burden. The donkey could not bear the sight of the cross and turned its head away until it was “finished” because of its love for Jesus.According to legend, in reward for the loyal and humble love of the donkey for Jesus, the Lord caused the shadow of the cross to fall across the back of the Jerusalem donkey. Ever since, the Jerusalem donkey has carried a sign of the love of God for all to see. The cross on the back of each Jerusalem donkey is different. No two are alike. Each donkey is defined by the cross they bear on their back.


Paul 


Blessed be God for ever. 



If you would like to make a donation towards continuing ministry in our parish  please use the PayPal link above. 


Contact details for Canon Paul Willoughby

email:            [email protected]

text or phone:  + 353 086 8233399


If you would prefer to use 

Electronic Bank Transfer

please contact us directly for details. 

Safeguarding

Kilmocomogue Union of Parishes is committed to safeguarding children by working under the guidance of our national safeguarding policy Safeguarding Trust and its associated procedures. We acknowledge our duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we are committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

If you would like to receive the weekly bulletin and parish updates by email 

please contact the rector by email at [email protected]