Monday, June 30, 2025
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Come and See Evening

A “Come and See Evening” will take place on Monday 23rd November in Armagh for those who are thinking about Diocesan Priesthood. It will be an opportunity for men (18 years and older) to come together, to reflect more on the call to Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Armagh. Those who join for the evening will have an opportunity to hear a young priest share something of his story and they will be able to ask questions and join for worship and prayer. Anyone who may be interested in joining is asked to contact their local priest or you can contact the Diocesan Vocations Director at [email protected] or call Fr Peter at 028 37522802

Prayer for Vocations

O Jesus, send labourers into your fields, which are awaiting holy apostles, saintly priests, heroic missionaries and dedicated sisters and brothers. Enkindle in the hearts of men and women the spark of a vocation. Grant that Christian families may desire to give your Church, helpers in the work of tomorrow. AMEN

Death of Rev Bernard Hughes IC, CC, Faughart

The death has taken place on 10th October 2020, of Fr Bernard Hughes IC, CC, Faughart, Co Louth.  May he rest in peace.

His funeral will take place on Monday, 12th October, in St. Brigid’s Church, Kilcurry, at 11am, followed by burial in Omeath.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions the funeral Mass will be private.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRICULUM VITAE
Rev Bernard Hughes IC, CC

Born:                     28 March 1944, Douglas, Isle of Man

Studied                St John’s College, Waterford
                            Pontifical Beda College, Rome
                            Milltown Institute, Dublin

Ordained:            28 June 1991

Appointments

Chaplain, St Patrick’s, Upton, Cork                            1991-92
Curate, Innishannon, Co Cork                                    1992-00
St Joseph’s School for the Blind                                  2000-02
Curate, St Oliver’s, Clonmel                                       2002-05
Curate, Faughart                                                       2005-13
Rosminian Order                                                       2013-17
Curate, Faughart                                                       2017-20

Date of Death: 10 October 2020

Mass for the Dedication of Studies at the Catholic Chaplaincy, Queen’s University Belfast

Every young person should use their unique and God-given gifts to change the world for the better

A stand-out memory for me of life in university is that first day in College – with all its nervousness and anticipation; wandering and getting lost among historic buildings, libraries and lecture halls; student cards, clubs and societies; new faces the promise of making new friends.

 

I’m very conscious that this year’s Dedication of Studies Mass is taking place in a very different context: with social distancing, sanitising and face covering; webinars and blended learning; studying and socialising from a laptop in Halls or at home.

I know that university communities are sharing in the anxiety, disruption and uncertainty that has marked these months of pandemic.  A first year psychology student told me recently that this is not what she or her friends were expecting from College. “It doesn’t feel real”, she said.  And it’s upsetting for her that young people are being stigmatised for the spread of Covid19.  At times the irresponsibility of a few has perhaps tarnished the image of all.  But my experience of young people since the beginning of the pandemic has been of your generosity and self-sacrifice, your volunteering to help the elderly and isolated, your stepping up to serve in the retail and hospitality sector – not to mention the many students of medicine, pharmacy and nursing who have supported our health workers and carers on the so-called ‘front line’.

Many of you have shown great resilience and are making personal sacrifices to keep safe your parents,  grandparents, and other vulnerable family members. These are stressful times for us all, and I am aware of the support and encouragement that you are quietly giving to each other, especially to friends and others who are fragile and struggling to cope, either mentally, physically or spiritually.

This time two years ago I was in Rome with Pope Francis for the Synod on Young People. I remember coming home from the Synod with a strong sense that the primary vocation and mission of young believers in Christ is to reach out to other young people and invite them to share in the joy and hope that comes from friendship with Jesus.  Pope Francis put it beautifully when he wrote after the Synod:

“The Lord is calling (you) to enkindle stars in the night of other young people” (CV33). As “members of the Church”, he added, you “must dare to be different, to point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, … prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor, and social friendship”.

Yesterday in Assisi, the beatification took place of a young Italian schoolboy, Carlo Acutis, who did just that.  He dared to be different.  Carlo had a strong sense that every young person should use their unique gifts to change the world for the better.  Although his own life was cut short by leukaemia at the tender age of sixteen, he was already well known as someone who loved God deeply, who cared about the poor and who used his talent with computers to help build up faith.  Carlo once remarked that young people easily fall into the trap of consumerism and, although they may want to be different, they end up just like everyone else. “We are all born as an original” he once said, “but many people end up dying as photocopies”.

Perhaps that is one of the dangers of youth nowadays – to find yourself slavishly conforming to the banal uniformity of fashions and expectations that others have decided for you.  An alternative is to realise that you have a unique calling from God, a personal invitation to follow Him.  God will provide all the graces, gifts and skills that you need to say ‘Yes’  to His invitation and help you discern what particular service he is asking of you in the world.  Saint Paul certainly took up the challenge.  He wrote to the Philippians: “I am ready for anything anywhere … There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength”.

It is sad, however, that so many people turn down God’s invitation in their lives – perhaps being too distracted or too self-absorbed – to hear the gentle voice of the Good Shepherd who walks beside them.

In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, the king is furious that those invited to come to the banquet and celebrate with him, were totally disinterested and even treated his invitation with disdain.  It reminds me of something else Pope Francis wrote to the young people of the world after the 2018 Synod:

“Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth. Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen. Whatever you do, do not become the sorry sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions. Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go through life anaesthetised … Please, don’t take early retirement” (CV143).

This evening’s Mass is for the Dedication of Studies.  It is worthwhile asking: for what, or to whom, do we tend to dedicate our studies?  Of course there are many worthy causes, for example, to achieve our full potential, to make the most of our chances in life, or, to earn the best possible qualifications for future advancement.  Some will commit long hours of research this year in the hope of adding to the body of knowledge in a particular field, or achieving an international breakthrough in science, medicine or technology. Others will dedicate their efforts in recognition of teachers, parents or sponsors whose sacrifices made it possible for them to reach university.

In this Mass, we dedicate the coming year of study in thanksgiving to God, being mindful that all our gifts spring from God, and that these gifts are given not just to improve our own chances but for the betterment of others, the improvement of the world and for the building of God’s kingdom.

The peculiar ending to the Parable of the Wedding Feast speaks of someone turning up to the banquet unprepared, without a wedding garment, as if they had taken the invitation totally for granted.  Down the centuries scripture scholars have pondered what this ‘being without a wedding garment’ might signify.  Saint Gregory the Great suggested that, even though the guest had faith enough to get himself in to the wedding feast, he lacked the essential wedding garment of love or charity.  In other words, he kept his faith to himself.  He was not prepared to ‘give it away’ in love and charity for others.

It is a privilege to have the opportunity of education at Third Level.  It is a special invitation to use wisely our God-given gifts.  God expects much of those to whom He has given much. Your challenge is to use your talents generously – to change this world for the better; to be ever mindful of our neighbours throughout the world who are poor; to show compassion towards the vulnerable; to remain alert to the marginalised or forgotten.

I ask the Lord to bless each one of you – students and staff – who make up the community of Queen’s University Belfast; that the Good Shepherd will guide you along the right path this year, especially those who feel lost in the darkness and uncertainty of these Covid19 times.  Stay safe.  Pray safe.  Be leaders in taking care of yourselves, your families and of each other.  Amen.

Archbishop Eamon Martin encourages all to read Pope Francis Encyclical Fratelli Tutti


Archbishop Eamon Martin encourages all to read Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ letter to all of humanity on fraternity and social friendship

 

Pope Francis’ third encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti (All brothers and sisters), a call to solidarity for all of humanity to live in fraternity and social friendship, was published after the Holy Father prayed the Angelus in Saint Peter’s Square, Rome, today, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Yesterday the Pope Francis signed the letter in Assisi, Italy, at the tomb of Saint Francis.

 

Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “I warmly welcome this timely and provocative message from Pope Francis which reminds us so powerfully of the message of love that is at the heart of the Gospel – a love which reaches out to all of our ‘brothers and sisters’ who share our common humanity.

“I am conscious that Pope Francis wrote this encyclical during a global pandemic, a time which is reminding us not only of our connectedness around the world but also of our fragility, our shared vulnerability and common need for compassion and love and for the hope that faith in God can bring. 

“Pope Francis has a real gift for opening up and reflecting on the Word of God – he loves to select a passage from Scripture and ‘meditate out loud’ on what God’s Word is saying to us.  This time he chooses the challenging Parable of the Good Samaritan and he slowly ‘breaks open’ the wisdom and teaching of that Parable for today. Yes, we might agree, we are all ‘brothers and sisters’; we are all neighbours sharing this planet.  But, ‘Who is my neighbour?  Who is my brother?  Who is my sister?’ 

“Pope Francis reminds us of how his namesake, Saint Francis, answered this question.  He ‘heard the voice of God, he heard the voice of the poor, he heard the voice of the infirm and he heard the voice of nature.  He made of them a way of life.’ 

“In Fratelli Tutti Pope Francis therefore makes a special appeal in the name of justice and mercy for the orphan, the poor, the stranger, the migrant, the refugee and all those on the ‘margins’, the ‘peripheries’ of life and society.  He envisages an ‘open world’ motivated by what he calls ‘social friendship’ and sincere hospitality towards others.  I find it particularly challenging when he mentions that ‘Some peripheries are close to us, in the city centres or in our families.’  This of course reminds us here in Ireland to consider who might be left out, who do we tend to shuffle over into the margins of society and perhaps try to forget? 

“I sometimes wonder about the impact on us of seeing a homeless person lying on our streets, or watching live pictures on the media of thousands of refugees huddled in camps, or starving children swatting away flies from their faces – how easily we can ‘shift our gaze’, feel sorry for them but never really question our own values, lifestyle, attitudes?  This dilemma is at the heart ofFratelli Tutti.  These days we speak about social distancing during the pandemic.  Perhaps the real social distancing is the way that the great majority of people in the world can get on with their lives seemingly oblivious or ‘anaesthetised’ to the tremendous suffering, inequality and neglect of the poor and the most vulnerable among us.  Solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, Pope Francis says, means looking into their faces, touching their flesh, sensing their closeness and trying to help them.  It never tolerates any assault on human life or the human dignity of any person. 

“As expected, therefore, Fratelli Tutti has a challenging message for political leaders and Church leaders about dialogue, mutual understanding and combined effort towards practical actions to make a difference in the world.  It encourages us to ‘pay attention to the global’ while also ‘looking to the local’, avoiding both global uniformity and local narrowness or narcissism. 

“We are called to have a ‘gaze transformed by charity’ which touches our hearts like the Good Samaritan and shows a preferential love to those in greatest need.  That gaze ‘is at the heart of the authentic spirit of politics’.  It ‘undergirds everything we do on their behalf.’ 

“Pope Francis’ questions to politicians might also be asked of all of us who are entrusted with leadership positions.  He says: ‘The real, and potentially painful, questions will be, ‘How much love did I put into my work?  What did I do for the progress of our people?  What mark did I leave on the life of society?  What real bonds did I create?  What positive forces did I unleash?  How much social peace did I sow?  What good did I achieve in the position that was entrusted to me?’

Fratelli Tutti is a must read for everybody.  Pope Francis is addressing his new letter not only to Catholics but to all people of goodwill.  In terms of its theme it is a natural companion to Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter Laudato Si, on care for our common home, which highlights our collective responsibility to manage natural sources and to sustain our God-given environment.  But today, at this time of global pandemic, Pope Francis’ calls us to love each other as God loves us by living the parable of the Good Samaritan every minute of every day.  Our civilisation is not omnipotent, so we need to respect the innate dignity of each other – from family to stranger – with love and practical support, so that the human race can flourish.

“I would also like to compliment the supplementary resources which accompany Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti, including a quick key (see below), an overview, slides, questions and answers, and a video.  These will go a long way to effectively disseminate the letter’s powerful message and help to inform a wide variety of audiences, including educational.  

Click here to access resources 

 

Family Rosary Crusade against Covid-19

Archbishop Eamon asks that all pray the Rosary during October, asking that we keep those whose health or livelihood has been impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic in our prayers.
“I invite families all over Ireland to pray the Rosary together at home each day for God’s protection during this time of Coronavirus.
“These past six months have reminded us of the importance of the “domestic Church” – the Church of the sitting room and kitchen – the Church that meets every time a family stands or kneels down, or sits down to pray together!”
Please share widely on social media using the following hashtags

Clergy Appointments for the Archdiocese of Armagh, effective 3 October 2020

Archbishop Eamon Martin announces the following clergy appointments for the Archdiocese of Armagh, effective 3 October 2020.

Archbishop Eamon thanks the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese for their continued ministry and service, and wishes well those who are taking up these new appointments. He also thanks the people of the Archdiocese of Armagh for their ongoing prayers and support for their clergy. He encourages them to welcome their new pastors in the coming weeks.

V Rev Canon Michael Crawley, PE, AP, to retire

V Rev Fergus Breslan, AP, to retire

V Rev Peter Kerr, PE, AP, to retire

V Rev Seán McEvoy, PP, to retire from pastoral ministry and undertake a period of leave to explore hermitical life

V Rev Eamonn McCamley, PP, Keady and Derrynoose, returning from leave of absence, to be available for supply cover

V Rev Dean Kevin Donaghy, PP, VG, Dungannon, also to be Adm (pro tem), Moy (Clonfeacle) and Adm (pro tem), Eglish

V Rev Aidan Murphy, PP, Mullaghbawn (Forkhill), to be PE, AP, St Peter’s, Drogheda

V Rev Seán McCartan, Chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces, also to be priest-in residence, Collon, assisting in the Parish of Ardee & Collon

V Rev John Connolly, PP, Moy (Clonfeacle) and Adm, Eglish, to take sabbatical leave

Rev Linos Dube, CC, St Peter’s, Drogheda, to return to his diocese in Zimbabwe

V Rev Cathal Deveney, Adm, Aghaloo, to be PP, Aghaloo

V Rev John McKeever, Adm, Keady & Derrynoose, to be PP, Keady & Derrynoose

Rev Brian White, AP, Keady & Derrynoose, to be CC, Dungannon (Drumglass, Killyman & Tullyniskin)

Rev Magnus Ogbonna, MSP, CC, St Patrick’s, Dundalk, to be PP, Carlingford & Omeath

Rev Emlyn McGinn, CC, Cookstown (Desertcreight & Derryloran), to be PP, Mullaghbawn (Forkhill)

Rev Ryan McAleer to complete postgraduate studies in theology

Rev Michael Darko, AP, Dún Dealgan/Peninsula Pastoral Areas, to be CC, St Patrick’s, Dundalk

Rev Aidan McCann, CC, Haggardstown & Blackrock, to be CC, Keady & Derrynoose

Rev Brian Slater, CC, Ardee & Collon, to be CC, Cookstown (Desertcreight & Derryloran)

Rev Milan Tomaga, CC, Dungannon (Drumglass, Killyman & Tullyniskin), to return to his diocese in Slovakia

Rev Emmanuel Fasakin, MSP, to be CC, Cathedral Parish, Armagh

10 September 2020

Archbishop Eamon Encourages New Deacons: “Never underestimate the power of God’s Word”

 On Friday 28 August 2020, the Feast of Saint Augustine, Callum Douglas Young and Juan Jesus Gonzales Borrallo were ordained as Deacons in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh. Deacons Callum and Juan are seminarians of the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocese Missionary Seminary, which is situated in Dundalk, Co Louth.

During his homily, Archbishop Eamon said, “In a few moments, immediately after the rite of ordination, Callum and Juan Jesus will come forward and, as they kneel in front of me, I will place the Book of the Gospels in their hands and say to each of them: Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practise what you teach.

“For me it sums up one of the central roles of a deacon, and indeed of a priest – to be a herald of the Gospel – to receive the Word of God: to read it and meditate carefully on it; to believe it; to proclaim it, to share it and teach it; and, of course to act upon it – to put it into practice.” 

The Primate of All Ireland encouraged Callum and Juan, “Never underestimate the power of God’s Word, written in our hearts: to teach; to motivate; to enlighten; to challenge; to change; to inspire; to humble and chasten; to encourage; to convert!”

Drawing on the inspiration of Saint Augustine, Archbishop Eamon said, “The great Saint Augustine – whose feast we celebrate today – describes a significant moment in his conversion: while sitting in the garden he hears the voice of a young child chanting, as if in a rhyme: ‘Tolle, Lege’; ‘Tolle; Lege’; ‘Pick up and Read’. Opening his Bible at random, Augustine finds chapter 13, verse 13 of Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans, where Saint Paul is urging us to abandon the works of the flesh, to give up the way of the senses and instead to clothe ourselves in Christ. For Augustine it was a moment when he could at last hear clearly his personal call, inspired by the Word – to dedicate his life to God.

“Callum and Juan, I encourage you: ‘Tolle; Lege’. Pick up and read the Word of God every day as deacons and as priests. And do not keep that Word to yourselves. Be like that good man from Kerala, or one of the monks of old, and let the Word of God sink into your mind and heart and from there pour out on your lips and be visible in your daily actions.”

Towards the end of today’s ceremony, speaking directly to the newly ordained deacons, Archbishop Eamon emphasised, “Be chaste and beyond reproach before God and before people, as is proper for a minister of Christ and for a steward of God’s mysteries. Never allow yourself to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel. As I said earlier, you are now not only hearers of this Gospel but its ministers and teachers and living witnesses!

“Express by your actions the Word of God which your lips proclaim. Then on the last day, when you go out to meet the Lord you will be able to hear him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of your Lord’.”

Church leaders urge worshippers to wear face coverings to reduce the spread of Coronavirus

Church leaders urge worshippers to wear face coverings to reduce the spread of Coronavirus

 

 

 

The following statement has been issued by the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of All Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland:

At this time, both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, the governments have not formally made mandatory the wearing of face coverings at services of worship. This is, in part, due to the fact that as churches we are committed to maintaining 2 metre physical distancing between household groups and strict adherence to all government guidance on hand hygiene, cleaning, ventilation etc.

It, however, remains our responsibility to ensure that our services of worship are safe places for all who join with us. It has become increasingly clear that the wearing of face coverings, in conjunction with hand washing etc., is likely to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, thus helping to protect others. Their use is therefore one way in which we can evidence protection for the most vulnerable, support for our health workers, and practical love for our neighbours.

Following further recent consultations with public health authorities, we join with Christian church leaders all over this island in formally recommending and encouraging the use of face coverings at all services of worship, along with the ongoing maintenance of 2 metre physical distancing, from Sunday 30 August 2020, and earlier if practicable.

We understand that some people are exempted from the wearing of face coverings, as outlined in the two jurisdictions.

We also recognise that whilst it may not be appropriate for those who are leading from the front during worship, including preaching, to wear face coverings, they should at all times continue to maintain at least 2 metre physical distancing from one another, and 4 metre physical distancing from the front row of the congregation.

The Most Revd Eamon Martin

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

The Most Revd John McDowell

Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

The Rt Revd Dr David Bruce

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Revd Dr Tom McKnight

President of the Methodist Church in Ireland

Message for Nagasaki Day by Archbishop Eamon Martin

Message for Nagasaki Day by Archbishop Eamon Martin given at Saint Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn, Derry

“The development of atomic energy for war and the possession of atomic weapons is immoral and incompatible with our faith”

Archbishop Eamon

 

It was around this time seventy five years ago that an atomic bomb was detonated above the Japanese city of Nagasaki. Three days earlier another atomic bomb had devastated Hiroshima. Together these attacks caused more than two hundred thousand immediate deaths, and led in the years to come to tens of thousands of others who perished from direct injuries, cancers and other effects of radiation. The bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki seventy five years ago are still seen by many as among the worst examples of what we humans can do to each other. The devastation caused on the ground was unimaginable – last Tuesday’s horrific explosion that ripped through the port in Beirut, causing such terrible death and destruction, was small in comparison. And yet, several countries continue to hold, develop or test weapons of mass destruction which are capable of unleashing many times over the horrors of 1945.

Last November Pope Francis visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a pilgrim for peace. He passionately pleaded for an end to the development and threat of such armaments, including the use of the deterrence argument – that having such weapons helps to guarantee world security and peace.  He said “the possession of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction is not the answer”. Instead it fosters “a false sense of security sustained by a mentality of fear and mistrust, one that ends up poisoning relationships between peoples and obstructing any form of dialogue.” It is “incompatible” he said to try to build and sustain peace “upon the fear of mutual destruction or the threat of total annihilation.”

Pope Francis also strongly denounced the arms race pointing out that “in a world where millions of children and families live in inhumane conditions, the money that is squandered and the fortunes made through the manufacture, upgrading, maintenance and sale of ever more destructive weapons, are an affront crying out to heaven.”

In today’s readings at Mass we contemplate the presence of God, not in the earthquake wind and fire, but in the still, small voice spoken to Elijah out of the gentle breeze on Mount Horeb.

We hear the words of Jesus in the midst of the storm holding out his hand  to Peter who was losing confidence, encouraging him: ‘Do not be afraid, you of little faith‘. 

The palmist sings of justice and peace embracing, mercy and faithfulness meeting as he cries out ‘Let us see o lord your mercy and give us tour saving help’.

This week here in Derry we have laid to rest one of our greatest sons, the Nobel laureate John Hume who throughout his whole life urged people never to see violence as a way to solve differences and achieve aspirations.

On this Nagasaki day, it is worth reminding ourselves that the development of atomic energy for war and the possession of atomic weapons is immoral and incompatible with our faith in Christ the Prince of Peace. Pope Francis urges us to pray and work every day for the abolition of nuclear weapons, “for the conversion of hearts and for the triumph of a culture of life, reconciliation and fraternity.” And so we pray:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; 
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
Where there is injury, pardon; 
Where there is doubt, faith; 
Where there is despair, hope; 
Where there is darkness, light; 
And where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console; 
To be understood, as to understand; 
To be loved, as to love; 
For it is in giving that we receive, 
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. 

Amen.

Theology Programme

Do you want to learn more about your faith?

If you are interested, why not consider joining our Theology programme.  The course takes two years with one night per week and two weekends over the academic year and is accredited by St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. There are no educational entry requirements, and completion of the course is based on submitted work and does not include sitting exams. Our Theology course will be continuing this year with predominantly online classes, starting on 8th September.

If you are interested and would like more information contact Milanda on 00353 429336393 or [email protected] (9am – 2pm). All are welcome.