Calendar

The Diocesan Prayer and Spirituality Commission has organised a day of prayer entitled Prayerfest for Saturday March 4th at Drumcree Pastoral Centre Portadown. This follows on from our successful Spiritfest Days in former years. The emphasis is very much on time praying together. Full details are attached as downloadable documents, poster and draft timetable. There is no charge for the day but please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. We start at 9.30 am with registration. Hope you will come and join us.

PRAYERFEST 17 Poster

PRAYERFEST 17 Timetable

Mount Oliver, Carlingford Road Dundalk. 

Wednesday March 8th   7 – 9.30 pm

Cantabelles to present an evening of Sacred Music and Song in St Patrick’s Cathedral, ARMAGH as part of the St Patrick’s Festival.

This new and exciting vocal ensemble combine rich harmonies and sumptuous vocals to old classic and the more modern hymns. They will present a selection of uplifting liturgical pieces including St Patrick’s Breastplate, How great Thou art, Hail glorious St Patrick, Ag Criost and Siol and many more. The evening which will reflect the life and mission of St Patrick will be presented in the beautiful transept of St Patrick’s  Cathedral on Friday 10^th March at 8pm. Tickets are limited for this unique event and they are available from Armagh Parish Office (028 37522813) or alternatively online through the Market Place Theatre, Armagh.

Throughout the country, churches are being asked to join the bell-ring if they can at the same time, or a time of their choosing on the day, and for as long as is practical in their circumstances.  Churches that do not have bells may choose to plan a special prayer dedicated to building a culture of tolerance and love for immigrants and refugees or sing a suitable hymn at the end of their Sunday Mass.

The world ecumenical Joy Bells initiative which is being launched at Waterford’s Christ Church Cathedral on 19 March 2017 at 11.00 a.m. Irish time.  The Church of Ireland Cathedral bells will peal for one hour to send a message of love and hope to refugees and immigrants everywhere and to counter the growing tide of intolerance. 

For the fourth year, Pope Francis has asked that parishes organise a special time for Prayer and Confessions during the Season of Lent. He has suggested that parishes organise 24 hours for the Lord on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 March. The 24 hours for the Lord will take place in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh from 12noon until 12 midnight on the Friday and from 5am – 5pm on the Saturday. During the 24 hours, there will be special times of prayer and reflection. There will also be opportunities for Confessions during the 24 hours and people are encouraged to make a special effort in this season of Lent to celebrate the love and mercy of God.

Programme for the 24 hours for the Lord

Friday 24 March

12noon Midday Prayer

3pm Way of the Cross

7pm Evening Prayer and Benediction

7.30pm Mass

10pm Night Prayer

12midnight Rosary

Saturday 25 March

5am Rosary

7am Morning Prayer

12noon Midday Prayer

3pm Way of the Cross

4.30pm Evening Prayer & Benediction

5pm Exposition of Blessed Sacrament ends

From 12noon to 12 midnight on the Friday and from 5am to 5pm on the Saturday, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in St Malachy’s Church. The Adoration Room in St Malachy’s Church will be closed during these 24 hours!  Confessions will be heard from after Mass on the Friday evening in St Malachy’s Church until 10pm and on the Saturday in St Malachy’s Church from 11am – 3pm.

Lent has traditionally been known as a time for fasting, a time to tame one’s body so that we may concentrate on higher things. The three spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving go hand in hand and the Church invites us to practise all three at this special time of year. Pope Francis reminds us that our fasting must never become superficial and he reminds us that Lent is a good time for penance and self denial and our Lenten activities must enrich others. He also challenges us by saying that if we’re going to fast from anything, we must fast from indifference towards others. As part of our special 24 hours, we might challenge ourselves to fast from something for those hours as a special offering to the Lord!