Sacraments and Funerals
Celebrating the Sacraments is at the centre of our Parish life. Here we provide all the details for the celebration of the sacraments in our parish.
BAPTISM ARRANGEMENTS
- To arrange the Baptism of your child, please contact the Parochial House on 9121021
- Individual BAPTISMS take place on Saturdays at 4 pm and Sundays at 2.30 pm (Times may vary according to the Cathedral Schedule)
- Five short videos can be viewed on this website under ‘Featured Videos’.
A visiting priest is welcome to celebrate a baptism at a time that suits on any day of the week if the Cathedral is available. If you have a child for baptism, please contact one of the Priests. At least two weeks’ notice is requested to arrange the ceremony. You will be asked to call to the Parochial House to fill in a baptism card (presently by phoning the Parochial House: 9121021). This card will be used for the registration of your child’s baptism in our Parish Records and you are asked to bring with you your child’s birth certificate, (presently you are asked to take photo on your phone and email the image to us: office@steunanscathedral.ie). If you live outside this Parish and wish to have your child baptised at the Cathedral, please get a letter from your own Parish Priest, giving is permission to do so.
Church law requires at least one sponsor/godparent for Baptism, but there may be two, one of each sex. A sponsor must be a baptised Catholic and should be aged 16 years or over (unless the parish priest considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made). A sponsor must have received Confirmation. You are asked to bring a Baptismal Candle and a white bib/shawl with you to the Christening.
CONFIRMATION DATES FOR 2025
Saturday 8th February ~ 12 noon ~ Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál
Saturday 8th February ~ 3 pm ~ Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin
Saturday 15th February ~ 12 noon ~ Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin
Saturday 15th February ~ 3 pm ~ Scoil Cholmcille
FIRST COMMUNION DATES FOR 2025
Saturday 10th May ~ 11 am ~ Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin
Saturday 10th May ~ 3 pm ~ Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál
Saturday 17th May ~ 11 am ~ Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin
Saturday 24th May ~ 11 am ~ Scoil Cholmcille
FIRST FRIDAY CALLS (SICK AND HOUSEBOUND)
The Priests of the Parish visit the Sick, Elderly and Housebound of the Parish on the First Friday of every Month. If you have a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, neighbour or friend who would like a visit on a First Friday, please contact the Parochial House and this will be arranged.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring Communion to the Sick, Elderly and Housebound when requested on a Sunday or Holyday. Please ring the Parish Office to arrange this.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND GRAVEYARD SERVICES
To arrange a Funeral Mass please contact one of the Priests. (Presently Funerals are celebrated at 11 am: Monday – Saturday)
Music for the Funeral Mass must be sacred. (i.e. Hymns)
Secular Songs may be played in the graveyard if you so wish.
Should you request a Eulogy this may be given in the home of the deceased before the funeral Mass or afterwards at the graveside.
Please check with your Undertaker in relation to the payment for a burial plot.
GRAVEYARD SERVICES 2025
Sunday 6th July ~ Conwal Graveyard ~ 4 pm
Monday 7th July ~ Aughaninshin Graveyard ~ 7 pm
Sunday 13th July ~ Old Leck Graveyard ~ 3 pm
Sunday 13th July ~ New Leck Graveyard ~ 4 pm
MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENTS
- Weddings should be booked in person with one of the Priests.
- A minimum of three months’ notice should be given to both the Church and to the State Registry Office.
- If a couple is living abroad, then a parent or relative are asked to come to the Parochial House to book the wedding.
Documents required: a recent copy of a Baptismal Certificate (dated within six months of the date of marriage), a Confirmation Certificate, a Letter of Freedom from parishes lived in for more than 6 months since sixteenth birthday, a Pre-nuptial Enquiry Form filled in by the priest of the parish. (Couples seeking to marry abroad will always be asked to provide a certificate proving that they have completed a Catholic Pre-marriage course). These are collocated and archived in the Church where the marriage is to take place.
Notifying the Civil Authorities
Couples must also give notice to the local Civil Registrar of Marriages (Letterkenny 074-9124576) and fill out the necessary papers. A visiting priest is welcome to celebrate a marriage in Letterkenny provided he is a Recognised Solemniser as registered by the civil authorities. We would like to stress that it is the responsibility of the couple to liaise with the Registrar.
Regarding the use of the Cathedral for Weddings
We welcome you to St. Eunan’s Cathedral.
Couples should note that we do not permit the scattering of confetti/petals, the erection in the aisle of decorative arches or the lighting of candles outside the sanctuary area. All couples should have their photographers and musicians contact the celebrant.
RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION)
Confessions take place in the Cathedral as follows:
Saturdays from 12 noon (or 12.2o pm if there is a Funeral Mass at 11 am) and after the 6 pm Mass
Wednesday Evenings after 7 pm Mass / 7.30 pm during June/July/August/September
VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD
If you have an interest in finding out more about the path to priesthood in our Diocese, you are very welcome to contact one of our Diocesan Vocations Directors.
Fr. Gerard Cunningham, Glenties. Phone: 074-9551117
Fr. Rory Brady, Bruckless. Phone: 074-9737015
