Bookings are now open for the official Irish pilgrimage to the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in, Hungary, from 13 – 20 September 2020. Encouraging pilgrims to attend the Congress in Budapest, Bishop Kevin Doran, the Irish bishops’ delegate for International Eucharistic Congresses, said: “The Church in Hungary is inviting us to join with it to celebrate the next International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest next year. Ireland has had that privilege in 1932 and in 2012. Hungary has very deep Christian roots, dating back 1000 years to its first King, Saint Stephen. The beautiful city of Budapest was a place of suffering for Jews and Christians alike for much of the 20th century. What better way for us to express our communion with the people of Hungary and, at the same time, to renew our experience of Dublin in 2012? I look forward to meeting with hundreds of Irish pilgrims on the banks of the Danube next September.

“In addition to the daily activities of the Congress – the celebration of Mass and the delivery of catechesis and testimonies by clergy and well-known lay Catholics from around the world – pilgrims will also be able to enjoy a variety of cultural events and outdoor activities. There will also be an opportunity, for those who wish, to visit the cities of Estergom and Gyor.”

Bishop Doran concluded, “In Ireland, as we prepare for the IEC2020 in Budapest, we will host a National Eucharistic Congress Adoremus 2020 at the national Marian shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, on 19 and 20 June next year. Adoremus 2020 is a joint initiative between the National Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration and the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. All are welcome.”

Bishop Kevin Doran is Bishop of Elphin. In 2012 Bishop Doran was Secretary General of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which took place in Dublin on the theme, ‘The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with One Another’. He is the national delegate of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference to the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. In 1932 Ireland hosted the 31st Congress which coincided with the 1500th anniversary of Saint Patrick’s arrival in Ireland.

The International Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of people every four years, somewhere in the world, which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church; to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. These aims are achieved through a programme of pastoral preparation in the lead up to the Congress and a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops throughout Congress week.

Hungary last hosted the International Eucharistic Congress in 1938. The theme of IEC2020 is ‘All My Springs are in You’. It is taken from Psalm 87 and refers to God as the source (or spring) of life for his people.

Those interested in being part of the IEC2020 pilgrimage from Ireland are invited to contact Joe Walsh Tours at the following link https://www.joewalshtours.ie/holidays/pilgrimages-international-eucharistic-congress

For more on IEC2020 see www.iec2020.hu/en

Archbishop Eamon Martin wishes to draw the attention of the Catholic community to the current PSNI recruitment campaign which runs until 25 February – information is available on website joinpsni.co.uk  Archbishop Eamon says: “I encourage the very best of our young people to seriously consider a career in the police. Help to shape the future of policing here and serve your community with generosity, concern, respect and courage”. 

The annual Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse takes place on Friday 28 February.  Prayers will be offered at Masses on that day for those who have been hurt by abuse in the Church.  We are all asked to remember this intention in our private prayers also. 

Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
Prayers for the victims and survivors of sexual abuse

PRAYER I

FATHER

Since your mercy has been revealed
In the tenderness of your Son Jesus Christ,
who said to his disciples:
“Suffer the little children to come unto me”,
we pray that your Church may be a secure home
where all children and vulnerable adults are brought closer to your Beloved Son.

May all those who have been abused
physically, emotionally and sexually by your ministers,
be respected and accompanied by
tangible gestures of justice and reparation so that
they may feel healed with the balm of your compassion.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

PRAYER II

Heavenly Father,

Who loves and cares for all of your children, especially the smallest and most vulnerable, we entrust to you the lives of the many children and vulnerable adults, who have been sexually abused, and whose trust and innocence have been destroyed. Help us to hear their cries of pain and to take responsibility for so many broken lives.

We pray that within their communities and families they may find understanding and support so that with the help of your grace their wounds may be healed, and they may again know peace.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who shared our weakness in all things but sin, and lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

Amen.

On Thursday, 30 January Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishop Michael Router launched a ‘Year of Reflection and Prayer’ in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

Background

As the Diocesan Pastoral Plan in the Archdiocese of Armagh for the period 2015 to 2020, ‘Share the Joy of the Gospel’, draws to a close, the archdiocese is making preparations for a new Pastoral Plan for this new decade.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council has set aside the year 2020 as a ‘Year of Reflection and Prayer’ throughout the archdiocese encouraging reflection and seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning the way forward for the diocese in the coming years.

Bishop Michael Router, who has assumed responsibility for this area of diocesan life has said: “The reasons for beginning this process with a year of prayer are linked to the example of Jesus Christ and to the very foundations of the Church itself.  Jesus prayed in a quiet place before undertaking each step of his mission, Saint Patrick found his calling and direction in life on the quiet slopes of Slemish Mountain and everything worthwhile and lasting in the life of the Church, and in life in general, begins with reflection, prayer and the invocation of the Holy Spirit”.  

Bishop Michael added: “Our Diocesan Pastoral Council believes the process of planning for the future is too important to be rushed.  It is essential to give time as well to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past few decades of Pastoral Planning and in the last five years in particular.  The ‘Year of Reflection and Prayer’ is an opportunity for everyone in the diocese to get involved in the process, including young people, families, the housebound, our religious congregations and prayer groups.”

More details on the year ahead and the resources available can be found on the website www.armaghprays.com.

ENDS

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444

The Archdiocese of Armagh marks World Day for Consecrated Life today with a gathering and Liturgy in Our Lady of Lourdes Convent, Beechgrove, Drogheda, Co Louth.

On this occasion Bishop Michael Router celebrates the life and work of the many religious communities and congregations who give service and add so much to diocesan life and the life of the Church.

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/Kj-Jibbl8fM

On Saturday 8th February the people of Ireland go to the polls at a very difficult and challenging time for many in our country. Each week seems to bring its own sad news story of violence and crime, suicide, hardship or addictions. This election provides an opportunity for citizens to choose those who will govern our country and a chance to set out the changes they wish to see.

***

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35).

Housing: At present thousands of people are homeless in this country, among them a large number of children. Too many young couples and families are living in rented accommodation that they can barely afford. Even though they work hard, they have little prospect of owning their own home because they have been “priced out of the market”, particularly in the major urban areas. The right to own one’s own home is a basic human right. The next government needs to put people first and not always be bound by market forces and private developers. Each local authority must receive the necessary resources to provide affordable housing for those most in need. Ireland, as the country of “one thousand welcomes”, must also consider with compassion its responsibility for welcoming the stranger and meeting the accommodation needs of those migrants and asylum seekers who come here.

“I was sick and you visited me” (Mt 25:36).

Health Care: Our health system must be enabled to put patients’ needs first, reducing waiting time for treatment and ending the indignity of an ill person being left on a trolley for long periods. It will make all the difference if:

• Every medium sized town has a primary care centre to look after the basic health needs at a local level;
• More public nursing care beds are available for “step-down” services to free up beds in acute hospitals, and more home care packages are available for those who wish to receive or provide care in the home and family;
• The salary and working conditions of nurses and other frontline health workers is commensurate with their invaluable service to society.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).

Crime and Gangland Violence: The Irish people are concerned about the huge increase in the sale and abuse of illegal drugs which have fuelled gangland violence and led to an erosion of law and order in many local communities. Extra resources are needed to tackle this problem at its roots, including for outreach services and rehabilitation for addicts, and for Garda support. Appropriate legislative changes must also be prioritised to effectively halt those who “get rich” on the misery of others.

“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mt 5:9).

Brexit: The Archdiocese of Armagh straddles the border and will be greatly affected by ‘Brexit’. It will be extremely important that the free movement of people and goods across the border will be maintained and that the process of peace building, reconciliation and understanding on this island is not threatened in any way. Border communities need to be consulted on the financial, technical and social supports they will need to offset any negative repercussions from ‘Brexit’.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right” (Mt 5:6).

A consistent culture of life:  Our politicians, and all who serve the common good, have an important, but challenging, responsibility to support laws which uphold the dignity of every human person made in God’s image – even when this is not the popular opinion to hold. Laws and policies that fundamentally contradict the moral law, such as those that would violate the life and integrity of any person at any stage, from conception to death, are fundamentally unjust and must be opposed, not only on the grounds of faith, but also by virtue of right reason.  We must make it clear to all those seeking our vote that we expect them to support the sacredness of all human life, the dignity of the person, and the centrality of the family. In response to so many of our young people who feel passionate about the issue of climate change, and in solidarity with those marginalised and poor people in the world who are disproportionately affected, we also ask our new political representatives to lead meaningful progress in this country on climate goals and care for the environment.

***

It is a privilege and a social responsibility to vote in elections and something that should never be taken for granted. We encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote, and, before doing so, to question and challenge the candidates on these important issues. We also ask for prayers for our politicians – that they may build in Ireland a truly compassionate society that respects all life and puts people first.

+Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh
+Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh

As the Archdiocese marks the launch evening of its Year of Reflection and Prayer we present the first of our parish and community resources for this Year.  

This video marks St Brigid’s Day and also looks at and celebrates the critical role women play in the Archdiocese of Armagh.

The video has associated reflective resources that will be distributed to parishes and communities in the coming week.

Youtube Link is:  https://youtu.be/_NtqDgwJDNc

Credo is a gathering of Catholic Young Adults, in association with Armagh Diocesan Youth Commission.

Theme: ‘He loved them to the end’ – John 13:1

Purchase your tickets here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/credo-2020-tickets-83539949237

Credo is an opportunity for you to get away from the chaos of everyday life and gather with other like-minded Catholics for a relaxing day of faith talks, workshops, adoration, praise, confessions and Holy Mass, as well as lunch, tea/coffee on tap & a swag bag!

We are delighted to have Fr. James O’Reilly & Laura Whinnery as our guest speakers this year. They will speak on this years theme of ‘He loved them to the end’.

We look forward to seeing you and are praying for you all as we prepare to gather on 8th February 2020 in Dromantine Retreat Conference Centre.

OUR SPEAKERS:

Father James O’Reilly is originally from Poleglass, Belfast. Ordained to the priesthood on 12th June 2016. Prior to his acceptance to study for the priesthood in 2010 James, a graduate of St. Mary’s University Belfast, spent a year living and serving as part of a missionary team in Detroit, Michigan. Upon returning home, James spent a further year working for Youth Initiatives; a Christian youth organisation based in West Belfast. Fr. James O’Reilly was appointed to the Parish of Antrim in October 2016.

Laura Whinnery is the Alpha NI youth & schools worker and is the former Faith Development Worker for Youth Initiatives where she ran school retreats and prayer groups for young people who wanted to explore their faith and connect with their local parish. She is passionate about Jesus, politics, jazz, gin and bad jokes.

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]

NB: Please email any dietary requirements in advance, as those provided on the day cannot be catered for.