The Parishes of Bantry Bay

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

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)


The Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Sunday after the Ascension

(Sunday, May 21st, 2023) 


Link to service booklet

https://kilmocomogueparish.link/Easter-7


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

YouTube link

https://bantry.online/YouTube

Livestream Feed

https://bantry.online/Livestream


+ St. James' Church, Durrus (11.45am)

YouTube link

https://durrus.online/YouTube

Livestream Feed

https://durrus.online/Livestream


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


The Ascension of the Lord 


St Luke relates the Ascension to us in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. We are told that Jesus, in the company of the Disciples,   set out for the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley, towards Bethany. It was there the He was enveloped by a cloud out of their sight. Classically, the depictions of the Ascension portray Jesus going up into the sky as the disciples look on. However, the significant thing about this story is the cloud. For our ancestors, the Children of Israel, clouds symbolised the glory and presence of God. They were a sign of His covenant with His created beings. 


In the Old Testament the cloud is always a sign and symbol of the presence of God. God made the symbol of His covenant with humankind through Noah by placing the rainbow in the clouds. The Children of Israel lost in the wilderness were guided by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the tabernacle was erected  in the wilderness cloud filled the Holy of Holies. The same was also true when the new temple was built in Jerusalem. It was to be the dwelling place of God, a place where earth encountered heaven at the tent of meeting.  In the book Revelation St John the Divine writes that there is a rainbow around the throne of Christ. In the Ascension therefore we understand that Jesus was taken into the presence of God to sit at His right hand in glory, the cloud obscuring Him from our sight. 


The Ascension, along with Easter and Christmas, is one of the major festivals of the church. Jesus ascended to be with the Father so that He could we with us forever. Needless to say the disciples were shocked and saddened because they assumed that when he was raised from the dead and returned to them everything would be the same and return to normal. However, things would never be the same again. They were instructed to return to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. And so in their confusion and bewilderment they returned to the Upper Room to wait and see!


Blessed be God for ever. 


Paul 


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]