Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Bishop Fintan will lead the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from Shannon Airport on Tuesday 27th June, returning Sunday 2nd July. €809.00 includes flight, airport transfers, full board with three meals a day, sanctuary levy. For more information and bookings, please contact Joe Walsh Tours 01-2410800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie
Killaloe and Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, takes place on Sun. July 2nd 2023. We are inviting new members from the Parish and community to consider attending. The Ark Children’s Club at The HUB is available for those coming with small children (open Wednesday to Sunday). Bus Organisers contact details: Brigdale Coaches 086-8034092 or email info@brigdalecoaches.com. (preferable) to book a seat. Bus will be leaving St. Joseph’s church , Ennis at approx. 9.30am. Any questions Contact – Claire 065-6828638 Killaloe Diocesan Office.
World Elder Abuse Awareness: The United Nations General Assembly has designated the 15th June annually as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This day focuses our attention on the need for all of us, to take responsibility in preventing elder abuse for those with whom we work to care for and those within our community. The HSE Safeguarding & Protection Teams work directly with those who find themselves vulnerable and who are at risk of abuse. If you have a concern for yourself or an older person you can contact the HSE Mid-West Safeguarding & Protection Team on safeguarding.cho3@hse.ie, or ring 067 46470 / 067 46428.
GETTING MARRIED IN 2023!
Accord Pre Marriage Courses available face to face in Ennis. Bookings on www.courses.accord.ie
Pilgrimage to Poland: 4th – 11th October 2023 Direct from Shannon Airport, led by Fr Brendan Quinlivan Tulla Cost 995 euro includes flights, all taxes and baggage fees, all coaching and tours, all dinners, 4 star accommodation in the centre of Krakow. Itinerary includes; Divine Mercy Shrine, Wadowice (home of John Paul II), Wawel, Czestochowa and Auschwitz. Limited places remain. Please phone Kieran or Laura on 057 9355050 to book, or email info@myriam.ie
Diocese of Killaloe Synodal Process & Synthesis: Many thanks to all the parishes, pastoral areas, individuals who took part in the diocesan phase. Thanks to the Diocesan Pastoral Council who did fantastic work from October to April and the Synthesis Group of 10 people, Diocesan Pastoral Council, New Minsters and Clergy who did Trojan work on putting together the synthesis from the huge volume of data gathered.
Youth Ministry Coordinator in the Diocese of Limerick – (Three-year fixed-term fulltime contract): The Diocese is now recruiting a Youth Ministry Coordinator. The successful candidate will work on the delivery of the objectives and actions of the Young People theme in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, the vision of which is: “ to create local opportunities for young people to meet their peers in the Eaglais Óg and replicate at local level, the success of the Youth Ministry at diocesan level and ensure that young people feel connected, involved and active in a multigenerational church whereby grandparents, parents and children minister to each other”.
The role will involve the creation, resourcing, delivery and support of youth ministry programmes and initiatives across the Diocese, including with parishes and schools with a focus on building capacity in the local context. It will also involve engagement with Youth Work and other relevant Organisations (Voluntary and Statutory) both Regionally and Nationally as appropriate.
An Application Pack with Job Description (PDF) and Application Form (Word) are available on www.limerickdiocese.org/news/vacancy-for-youth-ministry-coordinator/. CVs will not be accepted.
Sincere thanks to all who contributed so generously to the recent Special Collection for Ukraine. Nationally, this collection has raised to date over €3.25 million. The war in Ukraine, and the terrible suffering which has resulted, has seen a tremendous outpouring of compassion and generosity from our parish communities. Your contributions will bring much-needed relief to those in the region whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated. The funds raised will be used by the international Catholic Church agency, Caritas Internationalis, which is currently operating on the ground in Ukraine and its surrounding areas. We continue to keep the people of Ukraine in our thoughts, praying for peace and an end to this appalling humanitarian crisis.
A link for the Holy Communion Webinar with Fr Chris O’Donnell
A link to the Confirmation Webinar held this week with Fr. Chris O’Donnell of Limerick leading.
One Flock One Shepherd – I am with you Still – Faith Reflections from a Covid-19 World
I hope you are keeping well on this fresh January day! A colleague who, during the Christmas was browsing a publication from Veritas from last year, I am with you Still – Faith reflections from a Covid-19 world – suggested that it might be timely to forward the reflection I submitted which is attached. The book was published last year and you may have read it then. One would have hoped by now that we would have moved on to a brighter and better situation, but the reality of ‘it’ being with us still is very much the case. Of course the real meaning of ‘He’ being with us still is a greater reality that trumps and gives meaning to the struggles therein and thank God for that. The reflection might be helpful in advance of what I hope will be many life-giving and energising discussions and dialogues on the Journey of the Synodal Pathway in the coming months and years.
Sláinte agus beannachtaí, Fintan
Pope Francis, along with other religious leaders has called on those attending COP26 to renew their commitment to keep global temperatures below 1.5°C and to take action to make this possible. “We have inherited a garden: we must not leave a desert to our children,” the statement says.
Limerick-Killaloe Camino: is a project of the Church of Ireland Cathedrals of St Mary’s in Limerick and St Flannan’s in Killaloe. It is roughly 25 kilometres in Length which is about a five hour walk. It follows part of the Lough Derg Way with a mixture of river bank, canal bank, forest trail, old roadway and minor roads. The Limerick-Killaloe Camino is best accessed from one of three different trailheads along the Lough Derg Way which provide information boards and car parking. These are at Limerick (Arthurs Quay), Clonlara (centre of the village) and Killaloe (Riverside Car Park on the Killaloe Side of the Shannon, near the Tourist Office). A booklet containing prayers and readings for this camino can be downloaded at https://limerick.anglican.org/limerick-killaloe-camino/
On-line Donations to Parish: In these times of Government lockdown and restrictions on attendances at public masses, many people who are unable to attend church services are interested in contributing to the support of their parish or their priests. Sincere thanks to all our parishioners who have contributed during this time. It is now possible to make a contribution by credit or debit card directly to your parish using the Diocesan Website – www.killaloediocese.ie. The full contribution as received by the Diocesan website will be fully paid to your parish. Simply go to the Diocesan Website and click on the red “Donate to your Parish” button on the top of the page. You will be invited to select your parish and the parish fund you wish to contribute to. Your support is greatly appreciated.