Extraordinary Mission Month

What is the Extraordinary Month of Mission?

Pope Francis has declared October 2019 to be an Extraordinary Month of Mission (EMM). This special month of prayer and action calls us all to renew our missionary commitment. We are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all peoples. The Extraordinary Month allows for each of us to deepen our personal encounter with Jesus through our reflection on the lives of Missionaries especially those from the Archdiocese and the witness of many Missionaries who never returned home. Let us ask God to renew our Missionary Spirit that through prayer and our generosity we can make God known in all the corners of our world.

Please see the resources available at https://www.wmi.ie/emm for more information. Please use the hashtag #MyMission to celebrate the contribution that you, your family, school or community are making towards this celebration of mission.

Prayer for the Extraordinary Month of Mission

Heavenly Father,

when your only begotten Son Jesus Christ rose from the dead,

He commissioned His followers

to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’

and you remind us that through our Baptism we are made sharers in the mission of the Church.

Empower us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be courageous and zealous

in bearing witness to the Gospel,

so that the mission entrusted to the Church, which is still very far from completion, may find new and efficacious expressions that bring life and light to the world.

Help us make it possible for all peoples to experience the saving love

and mercy of Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Who are World Missions Ireland:

World Missions Ireland is Pope Francis’ official charity for overseas mission. We’re part of a worldwide network of 120 offices, under the coordination of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome. We are the Holy Fathers chosen instrument for sharing the Gospel and building the Church throughout the world. We believe in the dignity of all, and we support everyone regardless of race, gender, religious or political beliefs.

Through your prayers and generosity we can reach out to missionaries who work in some of the most inhospitable, marginalised and disadvantaged communities in the world. Your support means we can offer aid to struggling communities, allowing them to grow and thrive. Because of you, we can bring hope and love to places where there are turmoil, poverty, and uncertainty. Thank you for all you make possible.

How can we support this work:

On Mission Sunday every year Parishes around the country have a special collection for the Propagation of the Faith, if you would like to contribute at other times through the year please send your donation to World Missions Ireland, C/O Ara Coeli, Cathedral Road, Armagh. BT61 7QY.

Who is the Diocesan Director for the Pontifical Mission Society:

The Current Diocesan Director is:

Fr Barry Matthews

Our Lady of Lourdes Presbytery,

Hardmans Gardens,

Drogheda.

Pioneers

Pioneers description here …

Legion of Mary

“Yours is an eminently Marian spirituality, not only because the Legion glories in carrying Mary’s name as its unfurled banner, but above all because it bases its methods of spirituality and apostolate on the dynamic principle of union with Mary, on the truth of the intimate participation of the Virgin Mary in the plan of salvation. In other words you intend to render your service to every person, who is the image of Christ, with the spirit and the solicitude of Mary.”
(Pope John Paul II – Address to Italian Legionaries, 30th October 1982)

The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin, Ireland on 7 September 1921. It is a lay Catholic organisation whose members are giving service to the Church on a voluntary basis in almost every country.

The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work.

The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium.

The Works of the Legion

The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish.

Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.

“For all states of the laity the perfect example of spiritual and apostolic life is the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, who while leading the life common to all here on earth, one filled with family concerns and labours, was always intimately united with her Son and in an entirely unique way co-operated in the work of the Saviour…All should devoutly venerate her and commend their life and apostolate to her maternal care.”
(Apostolicam Actuositatem, Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity – 18 November 1965)

Auxiliary Membership

This membership is open to Priests, Religious and lay people who wish to associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name.

Legion of Mary Armagh Curia – Helen Loughran 07713 744903.

Guides

Guides description here …

Fr Matt Union

Fr Matt Union description here …

Deaf

Since the departure of Sr Carmel McEvoy who had worked with the deaf community in our Diocese for over 30 years, a new coordinator was appointed to serve the deaf community in the Northern dioceses. Ms Denise Flax was formally commissioned by Cardinal Sean Brady at a special Mass for the deaf in the summer of 2007. Denise works alongside the chaplains to the deaf in the Northern Dioceses. Since she was appointed she has worked very hard getting to know the deaf community, helping to plan the various masses. Denise has introduced recreational days, days out and workshops.

In our own Diocese there is a bi-monthly Mass for the deaf. These are arranged by Denise, the Chaplain, Fr Garrett Campbell, and the Clarke family. This Mass is celebrated in the Chapel of St Patrick’s Grammar School. To help facilitate the needs of the deaf community Denise has the text of the Mass on PowerPoint and Paula Clarke signs the Mass as Fr Campbell celebrates. These masses are not only prayerful but also social experiences for the community. After each mass there is good social interaction, where the community have a chance to communicate and share experiences. The Clarke family and friends always arrange tea, sandwiches and cakes after each celebration. At Christmas the Mass is celebrated by the Cardinal, followed by a Christmas dinner.

When there is no Mass in our Diocese, Dromore Diocese and the Diocese of Down and Conner offer Mass for the deaf community. There is much support between the Dioceses. We have been greatly supported over the years by Fr Paul Strain of Down and Conner. Fr Paul and Sr Carmel worked very well over many years and as a Diocese we are indebted to this work by Sr Carmel McEvoy.

The Chaplain’s contact details are:

Rev Garrett Campbell CC,
Parochial House,
17 Eagralougher Road
Loughgall,
Co Armagh, BT61 8LA
Tel (028) 3889 1231
Fax (028) 3889 1827
E-mail: [email protected]

Aras Mhuire

Aras Mhuire Oratory and Shop

Address – 14 Irish Street, Dungannon
Tel no – 028-87726852
Email – [email protected]

Aras Mhuire shop supports the Oratory and Dungannon parish financially by the sale of a wide range of religious goods including books, candles, statues, religious pictures, rosaries, plaques, grave accessories, Christening robes, First Holy Communion and Confirmation goods. It also offers a large selection of gifts for weddings and Christmas and other occasions.

There is Eucharistic Adoration in the Oratory from Wednesday to Saturday during shop opening hours.

Volunteers undertake one hour of worship each week, but many people call into the Oratory on an informal basis to light a candle, say a prayer and spend a few quiet moments with the Blessed Eucharist.

The hours of opening are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00am-4:00pm

Saturday – 10:00am – 3.00pm. The shop is closed 1.30pm-2.00pm daily for lunch.

Apostolic Work

Apostolic Work is a Voluntary Organisation made up of people who work in different ways to provide help for those who suffer and are deprived. It began in Belfast in 1923 to help missionaries in their work of Evangelization by supplying them with Vestments, Sacred Vessels etc. and with material and financial help to carry out their work of spreading the Gospel. It later spread to the Archdiocese of Armagh under the leadership of the late Margaret Colgan who started Branches in approx. 30 Parishes.

Eighty-five years later Apostolic Work continues to receive and respond to numerous appeals from such Missionaries whose work is still so necessary today. Dedicated members knit and sew and make Vestments etc. as well as garments, which can be used to fundraise. This money goes directly to where it is most needed for Churches, Clinics, Food, Water, Medicines, Street Children and those in great need. In this Archdiocese the centre is 13 College Street, Armagh, from where all materials and finances are dispatched.

Aifreann Gaeilige

Aifreann Gaeilige description here …

Accord

MISSION STATEMENT

Empowering People
Fostering Relationships
Caring for Couples facing the
Challenges of Christian Marriage
This is the work of ACCORD
In today’s world

VISION STATEMENT

ACCORD is an agency of the Catholic Church providing a nationwide service to couples preparing for or seeking a deeper commitment within the sacrament of marriage.

ACCORD is committed to providing a quality service. Personnel, coming from a wide variety of backgrounds, are appropriately trained.

ACCORD responds to the challenges facing Christian marriage today and affirms its value in an ever-changing world. It empowers couples to explore and reflect on:

the essential elements of their marriage.
the purpose and value of their choices within a committed relationship.

ACCORD serves the pastoral needs of couples at different stages in their relationship.
Preparation for marriage in a Christian context focuses on the essential components which foster a good couple relationship:

lifelong commitment.
communication and conflict resolution skills
responsible parenthood within a faith context.
time and resource management.

Ongoing support throughout marriage facilitates:

the development of strategies for the emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being of couples.
reflection on the Christian experience of love, commitment and family life.

Relationship counselling is provided for couples as well as individuals in a couple relationship in a caring and confidential manner. It is a twofold process enabling clients to identify and acknowledge difficulties in their relationship and to discover the inner resources to deal with them.

CONTACT US
Armagh Branch: 1 Tavanagh Avenue,
Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3AJ
Tel (028) 3833 4781
Chairperson: Edward Lavery
Chaplain: Rev Seán Larkin

Drogheda Branch: “Verona”, Cross Lane,
Drogheda, Co Louth
Tel (041) 984 3860 Fax (041) 983 1215
E-mail [email protected]
Chairperson: Rhona Kelly
Chaplain: Very Rev Martin Kenny,PP

Dundalk Branch: St Patrick’s, Roden Place,
Dundalk, Co Louth
Tel (042) 933 1731
Chairperson: Mary McDonnell
Chaplain: Very Rev Pádraig Keenan

Other Agencies