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.

Catholic Schools Week 2020 runs from Sunday, 26 January to Sunday, 2 February. The theme this year is Catholic Schools: Living in Harmony with God’s Creation.  The launch of Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Armagh will take place as follows:

Date                            Time               Venue
Tuesday 21 January    11.00 am         St John the Baptist Church, Drumcree, Portadown
Thursday 23 January   12.30 pm         Holy Redeemer Church, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk

Organising teams have been meeting to prepare the liturgies and suitable resources for our own celebrations.  These will be posted on www.resource-ni.com. Please also see https://www.catholicschools.ie/resources-for-use-in-catholic-schools/.