Diocesan Community Snapshot
An Overview of Parish Life - First Sunday of Advent 2025
Welcome to our Advent overview, where we visualize the vibrant life and generosity of our parish communities. This infographic synthesizes information from parish bulletins for the week of 29th/30th November 2025, to highlight key trends in giving, events, and important operational updates.
Based on the latest reported weekly collections from 13 parishes.
Parishioner Generosity: A Financial Snapshot
Financial contributions are the lifeblood of our parishes, enabling ministry, maintenance, and community support. This chart compares the latest reported weekly Sunday collections, showcasing the remarkable generosity across our diocese.
Weekly Sunday Collections by Parish (€)
A Month of Community & Faith
Advent is a busy month filled with a diverse range of activities. From solemn religious observances and vital fundraising efforts to youth-focused events and community gatherings, our parishes are hubs of activity.
SVP Christmas Appeal
Diocese-wide St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Blue envelopes available at church exits.
Breakdown of Scheduled Events
Key Advent & Christmas Dates
November 30
Songs for the Soul Concert, Dunkineely, 3:30pm
November 30
Ozanam Craft Fair, Dunfanaghy, 10:30am-5pm
December 4
Youth 2000 Prayer Meeting, Mountcharles Chapel, 8pm
December 6
Afternoon Retreat, Divine Mercy Centre, 2pm-5:30pm
December 6
Burtonport Christmas Lights Switch-On, 5:30pm
December 7
Falcarragh Christmas Lights (Soilse na Nollag), 5:30pm
December 7
Eucharistic Healing Service, Cnoc Fola, 3pm
December 7
Kilcar Santa Grotto & Christmas Market, 1-5pm
December 7-13
Panto "Old Mother Hubbard", Leghowney Hall
December 8
Senior Citizens Party, Central Hotel, Donegal Town
December 10
Carols with The Conwal Singers, 8pm
December 13-14
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal (Diocese-wide)
December 14
Bambinelli Sunday - Baby Jesus figures blessed at Mass
December 21
Cathedral Carol Service, St Eunan's, 7:30pm
December 25
Christmas Day Dinner, Conwal Parish Hall, 1pm
Parish Operations & Clergy Updates
Behind the scenes, our parishes are dynamic organizations. This section highlights key operational changes and important announcements across the diocese.
Advent Spiritual Focus
Jesus' words from today's Gospel: "Stand Ready"
Advent Fast
Traditional preparation for Christmas
SOLT Christmas Cards
Novena of 9 Masses from Christmas Day
Bambinelli Sunday
14th Dec - Baby Jesus figures blessed
Major Operational Announcements
- Church Envelopes 2026: Boxes available from 8th December. Volunteers needed for delivery.
- Cathedral Cleaning: Monday 15th December, 2-4pm. Volunteers welcome.
- Toy Appeal: Hearts on Hangers supporting BUMBLEANCE - donate a toy.
- Food Bank Appeal: Falcarragh Food Bank urgently needs non-perishable goods.
- Capuchin Centre Appeal: Non-perishable food for Dublin homeless.
- Catholic Schools Survey: Have your say before 16th December 2025.
Detailed Parish Bulletin Highlights
Here's a detailed summary of the weekly parish bulletins, keeping you informed about local Mass times, intentions, and important community announcements for the First Sunday of Advent 2025.
St Eunan's Cathedral, Letterkenny
074 9121021 | office@steunanscathedral.ie
Collection: €5,863
- Bambinelli Sunday: 14th December at 10am Family Mass
- Cathedral Carol Service: 21st December, 7:30pm
- Cathedral Cleaning: 15th December, 2-4pm
- Church Envelopes 2026: Available from 8th December
- Christmas Day Dinner: Conwal Parish Hall, 1pm
- Toy Appeal: Hearts on Hangers supporting BUMBLEANCE
Glenties (Parish of Iniskeel)
074 9551117 | parishofiniskeel@gmail.com
Collection: €3,051 (Glenties €2,085 + Fintown €686 + Edeninfagh €280)
- SVP Christmas Appeal: Fri 5th Dec at Bridge & 6th-7th Dec at Masses
- Jiving Classes: Starting Wed 3rd Dec, Edeninfagh Hall, 8pm
- Capuchin Centre Food Appeal: Contact Mary 087 9215470
- David James Concert: Fintown Hall, Sat 6th Dec, 8pm
- Shop & Share Coffee Morning: Wed 3rd Dec, Main St Glenties
Kincasslagh (St Mary's & St Columba's)
Fr Pat Ward | 074 954 2006
Collection: €2,625 (St Mary's €2,015 + St Columba's €610)
- Burtonport Christmas Lights: Sat 6th Dec, 5:30pm
- Annual Bazaar: Sun 30th Nov, 3pm, St Columba's Centre
- Youth Mass: 13th December, 6:30pm, St Mary's
- Carol Service: 23rd December, 7pm, St Columba's
- Christmas Lights Quiz: Fri 5th Dec, Jimmy Johnny's, 10pm
Tawnawilly (Donegal Town)
Fr James Gillespie | 074 97 21026
Collection: €2,575 (St Patrick's €1,450 + St Agatha's €1,125)
- Children's Christmas Mass Rehearsal: Wed 3rd Dec, 7:30pm, Clar
- Senior Citizens Party: Mon 8th Dec, Central Hotel
- Panto "Old Mother Hubbard": 7th-13th Dec, Leghowney Hall
- Christmas Hooley: Wed 10th Dec, Leghowney Hall, 8:30pm
- Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026: 14th Sept, contact Fran 087 6676476
Kilbarron (Ballyshannon)
Fr Rory Brady | 089 4519740
Collection: €2,404
- Children's Rosary Group: Starting Wed 14th Jan 2026
- Musical Society Bake Sale: Sun 7th Dec, 9:30am-12:30pm
- Memory Tree: Purchase bulbs in local shops, €5
- Miraculous Medal Enrolment: Tue 9th Dec after 9:30am Mass
- Parish Pastoral Council Meeting: Tue 2nd Dec, 6:30pm
Templecrone (Dungloe)
Fr Johnny Moore | 074 95 21008
Collection: €2,255
- Confirmation Enrolment: Sun 30th Nov, 11am Mass
- Taize Service: Sun 30th Nov, 7pm, St Patrick's Church
- Capuchin Food Appeal: Sat-Sun 29th-30th Nov, St Mary's Hall
- Scoil Chrone Enrolment: Applications from 1st December
- Sick & Housebound Visits: Starting Monday in Doochary area
Ardara (Church of the Holy Family)
Fr Aodhan Cannon | 074 954 1135
Collection: €1,831
- Family Mass: Sun 30th Nov, 11am
- Christmas Angels: Available in chapel, €5 donation
- Town Christmas Lights: Church gate collection this weekend
- Assisi Pilgrimage: March 6th 2026, contact Fr Aodhan
- Christmas Dinner: Parish Centre, contact Josephine 087 9079925
Newtownkillea (Newtowncunningham & Killea)
Fr Philip Kemmy | 074 9156138
Collection: €1,730
- Thanksgiving Service: Sun 30th Nov, 7:30pm, Presbyterian Church
- Newtown Christmas Lights: Sun 14th Dec, 4-6pm, Columban Hall
- Medjugorje Rosary Beads for Sick: Available from Sacristy
- Housebound Visits: Newtown Thursday, Killea Friday
Kilcar (St Cartha's Church)
Fr Willie Peoples | 074 9738007
Collection: €1,720
- Family Fun Day: Sun 30th Nov, 12-3pm, Parish Hall
- Santa Grotto & Christmas Market: Sun 7th Dec, 1-5pm
- Christmas Lights Switch-On: Sun 7th Dec, 7pm
- Capuchin Food Collection: Before Wed 10th Dec
- Parish Council Meeting: Tue 2nd Dec, 8pm
Drumholm (Ballintra)
Fr Adrian Gavigan | 074 97 34642
Collection: €1,531
- Community Centre AGM: Tue 2nd Dec, 7:30pm - new members needed
- Naomh Brid Christmas Bazaar: Hamper donations welcome
- Community Bake Sale: Sun 30th Nov after 11am Mass
- Parish Celebration of Service: Mon 8th Dec, 7pm
- Senior Citizens Party: Thu 11th Dec, Sandhouse Hotel
Dunfanaghy (Holy Cross Church)
Fr Martin Doohan | 074 91 36163
Collection: €1,048
- Ozanam Craft Fair: Sun 30th Nov, 10:30am-5pm (for Capuchin Centre)
- Festive Christmas Tea: Fri 5th Dec, 10:30am-1pm, Resource Centre
- Candle of Remembrance: Lit in memory of Catherine Gallagher
Annagry (Teach Pobail Mhuire)
074 9548902 | www.annagryparish.ie
Collection: €1,040
- SVP Drive Through Collection: Sat-Sun 6th-7th Dec, 12-4pm
- Service of Remembrance: Mon 8th Dec, 8pm
- Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards: €4 each, available in sacristy
- Medjugorje Pilgrimage: May 2026, €895
- Gligini na Rosann: Thursdays 10-11:30am, CLG Naomh Muire
Taughboyne (St Baithin's)
Fr Philip Kemmy | stbaithins@yahoo.com
Collection: €1,000
- Parish Meeting: After 7pm Mass, Wed 3rd Dec
- Lourdes Rosary Beads for Sick: Available from Sacristy
- Housebound Visits: Carrigans/St Johnston Thursday afternoon
Bruckless (Church of St Joseph & St Conal)
Fr Morty O'Shea | 074 97 36007
- Youth 2000 Prayer Meeting: Thu 4th Dec, 8pm, Mountcharles Chapel
- Songs for the Soul Concert: Sun 30th Nov, 3:30pm, Dunkineely
- SVP Christmas Appeal: 13th-14th December
- Sunday Social: Sun 30th Nov, 8-10pm, Dunkineely, €10
- SOLT Christmas Cards: Novena of 9 Masses, €3 donation
Falcarragh (Naomh Fionan)
Fr John Boyce | 074 91 35196
- Soilse na Nollag: Lights switch-on Sun 7th Dec, 5:30pm
- Tractor/Vintage Car Run: Sun 7th Dec, registration 4pm, €20
- Food Bank Appeal: Urgently needs non-perishable goods
- Knock Night Vigil: Sun 7th Dec, bus leaving 4pm
- Christmas Craft Fayre: Sun 7th Dec, 12-4pm
Stranorlar (Church of Mary Immaculate)
Fr Kieran McAteer | 074 9131135
- Service of Thanksgiving: Sun 30th Nov, 7pm
- Family Mass: Sun 30th Nov, 9am
- Twin Towns Concern Bazaar: Sun 14th Dec, 3pm, Jackson's Hotel
- Carols with Conwal Singers: Wed 10th Dec, 8pm
- Parish Draw: Sun 7th Dec, 30 prizes
Church of the Irish Martyrs, Letterkenny
Fr Ciaran Harkin | 074 91 27600
- First Friday Visitation: Thu 4th & Fri 5th Dec
- SVP Christmas Appeal: 6th-7th December
- Church Envelopes 2026: Ready for collection from office
- Blood Clinic: Radisson Blu, 1st-4th Dec
Mevagh (Carrigart & Downings)
Parish Office
- Senior Citizens Party: Thu 4th Dec, 6pm, Rosapenna Golf Pavilion
- Christmas Craft Fair: Sun 30th Nov, 12-3pm, Parochial Hall
- Festive Tea: Fri 5th Dec, 10:30am-1pm, Resource Centre
- Carol Service: Sun 7th Dec, 7pm, Presbyterian Church, Carrigart
- Medjugorje Pilgrimage: Oct 2026, contact parish
Advent Reflection
"Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent's intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child."
From the Parish Bulletins
Thought for Advent:
"Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ's birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives."