Archbishop Eamon Martin welcomes the message of Pope Francis for World Communications Day

·        Theme for 2018: ‘The truth will set you free’ (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace

I warmly welcome the message of Pope Francis for World Communications Day 2018, which we celebrate today, Ascension Sunday.

This year’s theme, ‘The truth will set you free’ (Jn 8:32).  Fake news and journalism for peace, is particularly relevant in our era of social media and digital communications.  The theme also resonates strongly in Ireland during these days as we count down to the referendum on the Eighth Amendment on 25 May.

In this year’s message Pope Francis gives us advice and guidance about “fake news” and encourages us to promote a journalism of peace.  All of us need to ask ourselves “what is ‘fake news’?”  Pope Francis tells us “fake news” is “false but believable news” that is sensational and often goes viral.  It is the “spreading of disinformation online or in the traditional media … based on non-existent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader”.  It seeks to “advance specific goals, influence political decisions, and serve economic interests”.  

Fake news spreads arrogance and hatred; it discredits others, presenting them as enemies, to the point of demonizing them and fomenting conflict.  The current referendum debate, including the decisions this week by Google and Facebook to shut down digital advertising regarding the referendum, has generated its fair share of accusations and counter accusations of fake news. 

Pope Francis tells us that we can recognise the truth of statements from their fruits – whether they provoke arguments and cause division or promote informed mature dialogue and discussion with friends, family, colleagues and loved ones.  He tells us: “Informing others means forming others; it means touching peoples’ lives”.

He chose to publish his message in January on the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists and writers.  This great saint preferred to confront the hostility of his time with the example of holiness and love.  If he were around today I expect his advice to all those in the media would be: “teach and proclaim the truth with love”.

This applies especially to those who work in the media.  The Pope describes the work of journalists as not just a job but a mission.  He invites them to promote a “journalism of peace” – journalism that is truthful, and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans, and sensational headlines.  He says journalists are the “protectors of news” with a responsibility to expose the truth at all times and hold people to account.

Pope Francis’ words are also relevant to all of us, because more and more we are all using a wide variety of media to spread our news and opinions.  Our world is rich in communications resources and our era is often described as the age of “democratic journalism”.  The way we express ourselves has changed radically and we can now instantly share our ideas on a multiplicity of platforms. 

As we reflect on the message of Pope Francis, I join with the Holy Father in encouraging Catholics and all people of goodwill to be more authentic, active and “truth-full” witnesses in the new digital world.

Download full text of Pope Francis’ Message for Communications Day 2018

Message of his Holiness Pope Francis Communications Day 2018

All over Ireland these days, thousands of young people in their final year of primary education are receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.  This year in anticipation of the World Meeting of the families, I’m taking the opportunity at Confirmation ceremonies to say thanks to families, to acknowledge and celebrate the joy of love in the family, and to reflect on some of the challenges, pressures and struggles which families face.  The Confirmation ceremony is a special moment of connection between Family, Parish and School.  It is an opportunity to humbly recognise how much we all need each other and to underline the importance of our working together in order to offer the very best education to our young people.

The three and a half thousand young people confirmed this year in the Archdiocese of Armagh will transfer in September to post-primary schools in Louth, Armagh, Tyrone and Derry – schools like your own.  The theme of your Conference is: “Catholic Schools – a Meeting of Families”.  I would like to reflect on some of the distinctive ways in which our Catholic schools can support families in the sometimes daunting task of educating young people today.

To read Archbishop Eamon Martin’s Keynote address download this pdf of his full talk.

Keynote address by Archbishop Eamon Martin to JMB

Just to flag we have added new resources to the Graduation Resources and upgraded it to a Category of its own.

You can check this out by looking in the category list section.

‘Gaudete et Exsultate’, Pope Francis calls on us to ‘Rejoice and be Glad’

A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness, for “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess 4:3). Each saint is a mission, planned by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel.

Pope Francis launches his new exhortation

GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE  OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD

.I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile.

To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.

.This holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures. Here is an example: a woman goes shopping, she meets a neighbour and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. But she says in her heart: “No, I will not speak badly of anyone”. This is a step forward in holiness. Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams, and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love. That is another sacrifice that brings holiness. Later she experiences some anxiety, but recalling the love of the Virgin Mary, she takes her rosary and prays with faith. Yet another path of holiness. Later still, she goes out onto the street, encounters a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step.

Please download and read prayerfully the full text below.  ENJOY

Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ..The call to Holiness.

For a detailed article that explains this wonderful exhortation follow this link…

https://laciviltacattolica.com/gaudete-et-exsultate-rejoice-and-be-glad/

A colleague recently asked me if I had a reflection or prayer on Servant Leadership.  I searched my files but didn’t find one.  I have made a small attempt myself at writing what I believe lies at the core of servant leadership.  I hope you may find it helpful     Declan

In his homily at the last World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pope Francis spoke about howwe  experience ‘homely gestures’ in our families, such as a hug at the e nd of a day, or a meal readywhen we arrive home. He then goes on to say the following:
“We Christians, the Lord’s disciples, ask the families of the world to help us! How many of us are here at this celebration! This is itself something prophetic, a kind of miracle in today’s world, which is tired of inventing new divisions, new hurts, new disasters. Would that we could all be prophets!
Would that all of us could be open to miracles of love to benefit our own families and all the families of the world, and thus overcome the scandal of a narrow, petty love, closed in on itself, impatient of others! I leave you with a question for each of you to answer – because I said the word ‘impatient’: at home do we shout at one another or do we speak with love and tenderness? This is a good way of measuring our love”

PP18_M4_Assembly

PP18_M4_Liturgy

SC_CSW18_M4  Senior Booklet 

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2018

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run as usual from 18 to 25 January.  The theme this year is That All May Be Free. Resources are available as downloads from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website at www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer.  An interdenominational Service for Christian Unity will be held in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, on Wednesday, 24 January at 7.30pm. The guest preacher will be
Fr Kieran McDermott, Administrator of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin.  It is hoped that there will be a large attendance of clergy and people from the diocese at this service. .

Download pdf of this year’s booklet

WPCU-English_2018

Powerpoint for Service

Week-of-Prayer-for-Christian-Unity-2018-Powerpoint-for-service

Archbishop Eamon Martin launches  Advent Calendar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

·         “As Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of our Lord, I encourage the faithful, notwithstanding our hectic schedule over the coming weeks, to make time to pray – alone and with loved ones – and by so doing to draw nearer to Christ.”

Ahead of the first Sunday of Advent which takes place this Sunday, 3 December, Archbishop Eamon Martin has launched a specially commissioned 2017 online Advent Calendar.  This date also marks the beginning of the Church’s new year.

The online Advent Calendar will offer the opening of a virtual door each day during the season of Advent.  Behind each door there will be content aimed at assisting people to pray and to reflect on how best we can put Christ to the centre of our Christmas preparations during this special liturgical season.  This year’s Advent calendar will provide a special focus on family as part of ongoing preparations for the hosting of the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin next August.  There will be family prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that family members will be encouraged to take on during the month of December. 

The calendar will go live simultaneously on the Catholic Bishops and the World Meeting of Families 2018 websites (www.catholicbishops.ie and www.worldmeeting2018.ie) on the first Sunday of Advent. 

Archbishop Eamon said “The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Catholic year and the time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas.  It is a time of waiting, conversion and hope.  Advent also prepares us for the second coming of Christ at the end of time.  As Christians, we must always be prepared for the coming of the Lord – ‘You must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do no not expect’ [Mt 24:37-44].   Preparation does not happen at once but over time and so each day of Advent amounts to a period of time which allows us to journey and reflect on the joy of the Gospel.  Our online calendar is a helpful resource in this journey.”

Archbishop Eamon continued, “Advent offers us a perfect opportunity to reflect on the Gospel of the Family as we continue our preparations for the World Meeting of Families 2018.  Pope Francis has described the family as the first school, the nearest hospital and the best place to grow old.  This Advent, many parishes are continuing to reflect on the Amoris Programme and the Amoris: Let’s Talk Family, Let’s Be Family pastoral programme for the WMOF2018.  The season of Advent offers all of us a period of time out to reflect on the gifts of our families and what they offer to us in our parishes, schools and in society. 

Lectio and other resources to download

1st Sun Advent B 2017  Lectio Resource.

Advent 2 Year B 2017   Lectio Resource

3rd Sunday Advent B 2017  Lectio Resource

4th Sunday Advent Yr B 2017  Lectio Resources

Advent Penance Reconciliation Service 17

ADVENT -CHRISTMASTIDE slides (PDF of PPt)

Blessing and Prayers for Advent Wreath

Child of promise come   ( Lovely reflection)

carol service powerpoint  ( Pdf version.  Backdrop)

Christmas assembly

ADVENT Booklet 2017 Year B  Great booklet of resources for family and school.