'The Abbey' was founded in 1296. In 1483 a school of advanced theology was instituted there; in 1513 Maurice O Fihely, archbishop of Tuam was buried in the church; 1657 friary destroyed, church made into a court house. The present court house stands on the same site. In 1660 a church was erected on the present site. In 1766 there were 13 friars here, but 10 were old men. In 1774 the only novitiate of which we have definite information was opened here. In 1781 church rebuilt and around 1836 the present chuch was opened; present friary built or rebuilt in 1820, and renovated recently.
CLERGY:
Fr Padraig Breheny OFM PP
Fr Hilary Steblecki OFM CC
Local Activities:
MASSES:
Eve of Sunday: 19.30pm Sunday: 08:00, 11:00, 12:30 Monday - Friday: 10:30, 13:10, 16:00 Saturday: 10:30 (Novena to Our Lady), 13:10 Eve of Holyday: 19:30pm Holyday: 10:30, 13:10, 16:00
Community Mass: Monday 10:30 Perpetual Novena to St Anthony: Tuesday 10:30
CONFESSIONS:
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 (until 13:10 except during Mass)
15:00 (until 18:00 except during Mass)
Saturday: 10:00 (until 18:00 except during Mass)
DEVOTIONS:
Tuesday: 19:30 (Padre Pio Mass; third Tuesday of the month)
Wednesday: 11:00 (St Joseph's Young Priests Society; third Wednesday of the month)
Thursday: 10:30 (Secular Franciscans Meeting; first Thursday only)
19:30 (Secular Franciscans Meeting; first Thursday only)
Saturday: 13:30 (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 19:00)
BAPTISMS:
Sundays: at 13:15 by arrangement.
FILIPINO COMMUNITY MASS:
Third Sunday of the month at 15:00
WEDDINGS:
By arrangement
A.A. Meeting:
In the Abbey Hall, Newtownsmith, every Monday at 7.30pm.
Abbey Hall is also used by other groups such as Teen Parents Project, Young Mothers in Education, Karate Club, Abbey Friendship Group, Grow, Bethel Assembly Church.
Friars of the community are also engaged in other activities away from the friary: teaching in the local University and Theological Institute, assisting in the hospital, taking care of a diocesan parish, helping missionary work abroad, etc.
Franciscan Abbey,