RESOURCES for Season of Creation 2023
The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.
This year’s theme is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” taking inspiration from the Prophet Amos who declares: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24). And so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.
We hope that the following resources will help you and your parish community to celebrate the Season of Creation 2023. These resources are compiled by the Laudato Si’ Working Group of the Irish Bishop’s Conference. You can find further resources on the international website: www.seasonofcreation.org
- Sunday Liturgy Notes for Season of Creation 2023: This resource includes homily notes for each Sunday, prayers of the faithful, music suggestions, reflections and mass parts which highlight the call to “Let Justice and Peace Flow”.
- A River Ritual: This is a resource for a ritual to be celebrated by a river or stream. Given the theme of this year’s Season of Creation, and the reality that every Irish diocese has a river or sea access point – it seemed very appropriate to offer a ritual prayer that we could celebrate near a riverbank. We hope that this opportunity to gather out of doors in “the cathedral of nature” will be a support and inspiration for all involved.
- Season of Creation Biodiversity Leaflet: A colourful resource with many practical tips and reflections on how to “Let Justice and Peace Flow like a Mighty River” for Biodiversity this Season of Creation. This is an A5 Leaflet from the JPIC committee in the Diocese of Kerry and the Laudato Si’ Working Group. For printing purposes please use this version.
- Creation Walk Moments: adapted from the booklet by Fr. Brian Grogan SJ, Creation Walk: The Amazing Story of a Small Blue Planet. You might use this resource in your parish community by setting up moments around the church, or around your parish, to convey the different stages of the story of our Universe. This resource will provide people with an opportunity to experience the wonder and awe of God’s creation and to become familiar with the story of our Universe.
- Video Reflection of Pope Francis’ Message for Season of Creation 2023: “When we “seek first the kingdom of God” (Mt 6:33), maintaining a right relationship with God, humanity and nature, then justice and peace can flow like a never-failing stream of pure water, nourishing humanity and all creatures.” This video reflection can be used as part of liturgies, parish meetings during the Season or linked to your parish website and social media pages. With thanks to Finbarr Keaveney, Laudato Si’ Animator.
- Brother River Meditation: A three-minute reflection of nature sounds and visuals. This could be used at the start of a liturgy or a meeting to help people reflect on this year’s theme: “Let Justice and Peace Flow”.
- Tree Planting Resource: Engage your parish or diocese in Tree Planting initiatives this year. Thanks to ‘Easy Treesie’ we have all the tips you need and prayers for a tree planting service.
- A Blessing for Animals: On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) parishes might like to invite people to bring their pets for a special blessing. This resource will help support this activity. “Praise be to you my Lord, with all your creatures.” (Canticle of Creation).
- An Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching: This two pager is a short introduction for parish groups on the social teaching of the church.
Holy Father Pope Francis’s Message for Season of Creation 2023
Season of Creation events and resources
- Aug 31st, 2023 (Updated Sep 1st, 2023 )
Source: Westminster J&P/LSM
The Season of Creation which runs from today, Friday, 1 September to Wednesday, 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi is dedicated to prayer and actions to care for our common home on the theme: ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’. On the final day, Pope Francis will be releasing his eagerly awaited follow up to Laudato si.
Watch the Laudato Si Movement’s introductory video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPyobDnGP4
All are invited to the opening Global Ecumenical Prayer Service, organised by the Laudato Movement, which takes place at 2pm UK time today. Join the service here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv3kExaSMmI
Westminster Justice and Peace has compiled an extensive list of events and resources for the Season of Creation here: https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/season-of-creation-1st-september-4th-october/
Cardinal Czerny urges concrete action for our common home ICN REPORT
- Aug 6th, 2023
Source: Vatican News
The Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny, spoke at the 4th International Congress on the Care of Creation held in Lisbon, Portugal. He underscored the urgent need for “transitioning from a fossil-fuel economy to a clean-energy economy.”
‘Youth commitment to integral ecology – Lifestyles for a new humanity’ was theme of the 4th International Congress on the Care of Creation which took place on 31 July at Lisbon’s Universidade Católica Portuguesa. The one-day conference on the eve of the 38th World Youth Day.
The conference marked an opportunity to meet and hear from various experts on five areas regarding human life: economics, education and family life, natural resources, politics, and technology. A new element of this meeting compared to past encounters was the presence of virtual spaces using the immersive technology of the metaverse. The work concluded with a final document signed by the young people participating, consisting of the outcome of the discussions and a groundwork for further future action and reflection.
Integral ecology at the service of all
Several organisations collaborated in the organisation of the congress, including the John Paul II Foundation for Youth; the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life; the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 Foundation; the Universidade Católica Portuguesa; the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and its ‘Alta Scuola per l’Ambiente;’ the Laudato Si’ Movement; The Economy of Francesco and the Magis Foundation. The congress had the patronage of the General Secretariat of the Synod; the Embassies of Portugal and the Principality of Monaco to the Holy See.
On behalf of and representing the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, co-organiser of the conference, the event was attended by Tebaldo Vinciguerra, coordinator of the panel on natural resources, and Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect, who gave an address entitled, ‘The Theological Significance of Integral Ecology that is at the Service of every Person, particularly the most vulnerable.’
A new geological epoch
Cardinal Czerny first looked at the new geological epoch of today, called the Anthropocene, which has brought about “a staggering turning point in the history of our planet.” Human beings, Cardinal Czerny recalled, have significantly altered all planetary systems: the atmosphere, oceans, continents and ecosystems. What is unprecedented in our time is the combination of various crises, including the ecological crisis, cultural wars, the plight of hundreds of millions of poor people and refugees, and the digital age, with its opportunities and pitfalls.
The Prefect went on to emphasise that in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, he urges us to take into account all aspects of the global crisis linked to climate change and to reflect, in particular, on the cornerstones of an “integral ecology for a new humanity.”
Young people demand change
Cardinal Czerny said: “Pope Francis tells us, simply and forcefully, that humanity has to change, and even more so, to convert.” In the document, he added, the Pope also examines the role of the new generations: “Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.”
We must also pay more and more attention to the interconnections between the different elements that make up the world, he noted, and on which depends the “delicate balance that makes our survival and that of all living species possible.” This model capable of balancing these interconnections is inspired by Laudato Si’ which “affirms the irreplaceable human role in the care of the common home.”
A new economy
Cardinal Czerny also offered some concrete actions to authentically promote an integral ecology. The main objective is to achieve, through a sustainable transition, the goal of zero emissions by the middle of this century. There must be a rapid transition from “a fossil-fuel economy to a clean-energy economy.” To achieve this goal, the Cardinal explained we must stop deforestation, “especially in watersheds of global importance like the Amazon and the Congo.” One must “protect ocean shorelines from erosion,” “protect biodiversity,” and “halt ecosystem degradation.”
The economy and finance must also not be driven by “a frantic pursuit of profit.” And, above all, “a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society” must be promoted. “Integral ecology”, as the encyclical Laudato si’ states, requires “willingness to contemplate the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us” and “to honestly examine our commitments and lifestyle, to develop a serene harmony with creation.”
Following in the path of Saint Francis
To promote an integral ecology, Cardinal Czerny finally pointed to a guide, a role model mentioned often by Pope Francis: “Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically.” The Saint of Assisi shows us “how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.”
European Bishops joint statement on Season of Creation
- Aug 26th, 2023
Image ICN/JS
The presidents of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) have issued the following statement on the eve of the Season of Creation.
Before becoming a prophet, Amos had a piece of land, a family, and work. Suddenly, he knew poverty by confronting exile and becoming a refugee, feeling the pain of remembering the past and living the uncertainty of his own future.
Amos saw the injustice that hurt his own people, the painful contrast between the rich and the poor. He endured drought and the loss of the fruits of the earth. From this experience he learnt what poverty and uncertainty meant. Unexpectedly, he heard the voice of God and found within his own heart the strength to preach with grace to the poor, speaking words of hope with untiring readiness.
In this compelling spiritual experience of the prophet Amos, whose name means “burden- bearer”, we have found the inspiration for the oecumenical celebration of this year’s Season of Creation, “Let justice and peace flow”, that echoes the words from the Book of Amos: “let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream” (cf. Amos 5:24).
The spiritual symbol for this year is a mighty river; it is water, a simple and essential element present in our lives, a sign of life and purification in our religious traditions. Water reminds us of our Baptism and our commitment for conversion and new life. Water, however, is not safely accessible to everybody even though it is so essential for human survival. So many people still lack access to drinking water; others have recently had to flee their villages because of drought. So many of our brothers around the world are constrained to repeat the words of Jesus: “I thirst” (cf. John 19:28). Still others have had to flee because of flooding, be that for natural or human causes.
In this time of prayer and conversion, we heed the plea of our brothers and sisters, that are victims of different forms of environmental injustice. Therefore, we turn to God with a humble heart to make our prayer: “Lord, let justice and peace flow in our world, in our common home”.
Every time we sadly see people thirsting or battling against drought, we pray: “Let justice and peace flow”. Every time we see the inhuman destruction of war, such as in Ukraine, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Myanmar, and many other places around the world, where essential needs are hindered or where water is used as a weapon against innocent civilians, we repeat the same words: “Let justice and peace flow”.
In this time of prayer and conversion, we remind ourselves that God wants that each and every one of us behaves fairly and peacefully in every situation of life. If we nourish a trustful relationship with God, with our brothers and sisters, and with nature. Thus, an effective justice and peace will flow abundantly in our midst.
As Christian churches, and with prayerful hearts, we offer our contributions and reflections to the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), organised by the United Nations in Dubai, UAE, from 30 November to 12 December 2023, whilst also inviting all world leaders and every person of good will to listen to science and commit to the fair implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The opportunity to create a more fair and sustainable way of living for the whole of humanity depends on our commitment to protect our common home, changing our style of life, favoring temperance and sobriety when using resources that are a gift of God for us. But in a special way, it depends on the commitment and thoughtful work of those more directly involved in politics and social life.
We invite all Christians in the churches, parishes, communities, and every person of good will across Europe to observe and celebrate the 2023 Season of Creation from 1 September to 4 October in an ecumenical spirit, united in prayer and action.
In this Season of Creation, we wish to be witnesses of Christ, the fountain of living water. We want to work and pray so that our churches may become welcoming spaces where a resounding voice is clearly heard proclaiming: “Let justice and peace flow, like a mighty river in our world”.
NOVENA AND PRAYER FOR RENEWAL OF FAITH IN IRELAND TODAY
Throughout the pandemic, I have daily in my prayer asked the intercession of St Oliver Plunkett to help Irish people once more deepen and in some cases rediscover their faith in Jesus as their Lord and their Saviour. I pray too that we will all rediscover how receiving Jesus as our daily Living Bread will nourish us as we journey here on our earthly pilgrimage. Jesus promises all who eat the Bread of Life a share in His Resurrection and therefore Eternal Life. D join me in this prayer. Declan
Yesterday I was sent a video message from Archbishop Eamon Martin. I am delighted to post it here for you to view and join in his prayer novena.
HOMILY OF ARCHBISHOP EAMON on CROAGH PATRICK ( Reek Sunday July 30th 2023 )
Homily
Six hundred years before Christ, the city of Jerusalem was completely destroyed and thousands of its inhabitants were forcibly deported far away to Babylon. During this time of Exile and captivity the Jewish people found themselves surrounded by the trappings and temptations of a powerful foreign culture. The prophet Isaiah urged them not to forget their heritage and the faith of their fathers. “Look to the rock from which you were hewn”, he wrote, “and to the quarry from which you were dug”.
On Reek Sunday every year we follow in the footsteps of Saint Patrick, and of our ancestors who have climbed this holy mountain since the dawn of Christianity. Croagh Patrick represents the rock from which we, the people of Ireland were hewn. Today’s pilgrimage links our past, present, and future and it continues to nurture the spiritual memory and identity of this country. It is particularly special to celebrate the Eucharist here on top of Croagh Patrick because the Mass is our greatest act of Christian remembering. It makes present, here and now, the Paschal Mysteries of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus said: “Do this in memory of me”.
Tradition tells us that our patron Saint Patrick came to these parts to do penance, to be renewed, and to find answers to his deepest struggles and questions. No doubt this mountain connected him with the time when he was a teenage victim of human trafficking, a time when he prayed constantly – day and night, in the woods and on the mountain – even in the rain and snow and ice (see Confession 16).
Looking back, Patrick saw his exile and captivity as a bitter, but purifying time – a time when he first turned to God personally with all his heart, and when the spirit of God began to burn within him. Patrick admits that before his enslavement in Ireland, he and his family had drifted away from God and from the practice of their faith. It seems they had largely forgotten “the rock from which they were hewn”. Patrick tells us they no longer kept God’s commandments and had stopped listening to the advice of their priests on how to be saved. They had lost the wisdom to distinguish good from evil.
In today’s first reading, when God told Solomon He would give him anything that he wanted, Solomon made a surprising choice. Rather than selecting riches or power or long life, he said:
“Lord, Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil”.
Young Solomon and young Patrick both knew that such wisdom could stand the test of time. It was like finding a pearl of great price. Today, on Ireland’s holy mountain, I pray for that gift from God, for each of us personally, and for our country at this time – the gift of a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil. Because good builds us up; evil destroys us.
Reek Sunday this year is sandwiched between last Sunday’s World Day of Prayer for grandparents and the elderly, and next Sunday’s World Youth Day. The gift of being able to distinguish between good and evil is needed by all our people – young and older. Because we are surrounded by the dangers of evil which is already prowling around our land – destroying life; stealing away happiness; stirring up violence and discord. Such evil seeks to snuff out the memory of ‘the rock from which we were hewn’; ‘the quarry from which we were dug’. Because if we lose our spiritual memory we lose our sense of identity, our sense of purpose and direction; we lose our way.
To be able to discern between good and evil is more important than ever, when there are just so many choices out there, and when the primacy of individual choice – including absolute choice over our bodies and over creation – is sometimes held up as the gold standard of a ‘modern’ society freed from the so-called ‘shackles of the past’. But to present choice as unlimited, unencumbered by talk of ‘good and bad’ choice, of ‘right and wrong’ choice, is a recipe for disappointment, for a sense of personal failure and even despair.
To worship unlimited choice is to worship a false god. Far from nourishing a happier life and a more free and rounded society, uninhibited choice is overwhelming, and can impact negatively on spiritual, physical and mental health and well-being, especially that of our young people. At its worst the concept of unlimited choice without consequence becomes a tyranny which threatens the dignity of the human person as a unity of body and soul; it can destroy life, create confusion and contribute to a culture of death where the destruction of innocent and vulnerable human life – at its very beginning or near its end – is presented as a matter of legitimate individual choice.
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks instead of the importance of discerning what is the ‘pearl of great price’, of choosing what is good, and discarding what is of no use. This is the gift that both Saint Patrick and King Solomon prayed for – to be able to say ‘yes’ to what is of value and to say ‘no’ to what is wrong, to say with the psalmist, (Psalm 118):
“Lord, how I love your law! I love your commands
more than finest gold, I rule my life by your precepts,
and hate false ways.”
Standing here at the top of Croagh Patrick I recall the dream that led our patron saint back to Ireland as a missionary of the Good News, a dream in which he heard the voice of the Irish people calling out to him: “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.”
Today from this holy place, ‘near the western sea’, I call out once more to our patron saint to intercede for Ireland, to come and walk once more among us, to rekindle in us the memory of the rock from which we were hewn, and to help us rediscover that wisdom for which he himself prayed – to be able to discern good from evil – for ourselves personally, for our families, our communities, for Ireland!
HILL OF SLANE HOMILY
| Archbishop Eamon Martin celebrates Mass on the Hill of Slane: “Light the Flame of Faith!” |
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| Archbishop Martin: “The way to win souls these days will be ‘heart to heart’, by speaking the truth with love and attracting others to God by the example of our lives” Background Today, on the major Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, we also mark World Youth Day in the Catholic Church. At Slane, Co Meath, in the spirit of WYD, an expected three-thousand people are expected to attend an outdoor Mass on the Hill of Slane to be celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin, as part of the ‘Light the Fire’ festival of faith. During the day, a service of healing will be led by Sister Briege McKenna, who will be accompanied by Father Pablo Escriva de Romani. Dana Rosemary Scanlan will also perform her new song Light the Fire, recalling how our patron Saint Patrick lit the fire of faith on Slane in 433AD. Today also marks the conclusion of the near week-long 37th World Youth Day festival in Portugal. This global celebration of faith for young people is being attended by Pope Francis who, earlier in the week, visited and prayed at the Marian Shrine of Fatima. This morning the Holy Father will celebrate Mass at 9.00am in Lisbon for an estimated one million people. Homily of Archbishop Martin for 2.00pm Mass on the Hill of Slane Peter’s words on the mountain of the Transfiguration come to mind this afternoon, here at the hill of Slane: “It is wonderful for us to be here”! At the transfiguration Peter, James and John were given a glimpse of the transcendent God. The face of Jesus Christ radiated hope, shining like the Sun; Hs clothes became dazzlingly white. The same three disciples would soon be asked to share a very different moment with Jesus on the Mount of Olives, during His agony on the night before the crucifixion. But the Transfiguration experience would remain for them a promise of hope – that by His dying Christ destroyed death; by rising, He restored our life! It is interesting that many of the key events in the life of Jesus took place on hills or mountains – His temptations; His most memorable teachings; His agony, crucifixion and resurrection. In Old Testament times also, the People of God experienced the Transcendent God on mountains like Sinai, Horeb, Moriah. We have our own holy mountains and hills here in Ireland: like Slemish in County Antrim; Croagh Patrick in County Mayo and, of course, here on this historic hill of Slane in County Meath where Patrick lit the Paschal fire to proclaim the Risen Lord and the coming of Christianity to this land. It is indeed wonderful for us to be here, and to give thanks today for the generations of faithful people who since the time of Patrick have lived the joy of Christianity and passed on to us the flame of faith – ‘in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.’ Just as Jesus invited His three friends to join Him in prayer on the mount of the Transfiguration and at Gethsemane, He has invited us here today – first and foremost – to pray. Remember Saint Patrick came to this hill to pray, to celebrate the Easter Vigil. He was not seeking to cause trouble with the pagan powers that be – He came here to witness to the Risen Lord! He came to evangelise – to share the light and joy of the Gospel. Similarly God has called us to Slane today, to give us new life in the Holy Spirit and to send us out from here, carrying the torch of faith with courage and conviction. Let us make our own these words from Saint Patrick’s powerful profession of faith in the Holy Trinity, which are recorded in his Confession (C4). “There is no other God, nor will there ever be, nor was there ever, except God the Father… the one who holds all things in being – this is our teaching. And his son, Jesus Christ, whom we testify has always been…with the Father in a spiritual way… Everything we can see, and everything beyond our sight, was made through him. He became a human being; and, having overcome death, was welcomed to the heavens to the Father…Let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ, in whom we believe and whom we await to come back to us in the near future, is Lord and God. He is judge of the living and of the dead; he rewards every person according to their deeds; He has generously poured on us the Holy Spirit, the gift and promise of immortality, who makes believers and those who listen to be children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This is the one we acknowledge and adore – one God in a trinity of the sacred name.” Friends, our patron saint tells us he couldn’t be silent about all that God had done for him here in the land his captivity. Saint Patrick had a burning conviction that he was called to be a witness, to spread the name of God ‘faithfully and without fear’. For Patrick, to be a missionary was a ‘holy and wonderful work’, something for which he was prepared to suffer insults, falsehoods, opposition, imprisonment, and even willingly give up his life. Patrick saw himself as an ‘ambassador’ for Christ here at the ‘furthermost parts of the earth’. Last Sunday at Mass on the top of Croagh Patrick, I recalled the dream during which Saint Patrick heard the voice of the Irish people calling out to him: “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.” And, today, I call out once more from this historic and holy Hill of Slane: Saint Patrick, intercede for Ireland! Come and walk once more among us. Inspire our dream for a renewal of faith, hope and love here in our land. I ask for the grace of God – the Three in One, and One in Three – to raise up ambassadors, witnesses, missionaries for Christ among us. Our need is great. For, sadly, many sons and daughters of Ireland are drifting away from the practice of the faith; some may even have abandoned God. How much our land needs the uplifting power of faith, hope and love – today, more than ever! The Church in Ireland is also going through a testing time. The terrible sins and crimes of abuse have had tragic consequences for so many victims and, as Pope Benedict XVI put it, these sins and crimes “have obscured the light of the Gospel to a degree that not even centuries of persecution succeeded in doing.” This must be a purifying time for the Church in Ireland, a humbling time, which brings us to our knees to beg forgiveness for the awful betrayal of a sacred trust. commandments Saint Patrick tells us that his exile and captivity as a teenager in Ireland was a bitter, but purifying experience – it was the first time that he turned personally to God with all his heart, and discovered the spirit of God burning within him. He and his family had drifted away from God and from the practice of their faith; they no longer kept God’s Commandments, and had stopped listening to advice of their priests on how to be saved. But during Saint Patrick’s time of exile and slavery he experienced personally the love and mercy of God. He writes (C12): “I was like a stone lying deep in the mud. Then he who is powerful came and in his mercy pulled me out, and lifted me up and placed me on the very top of the wall. That is why I must shout aloud in return to the Lord!” Dear friends, we are not here by chance. God has brought us here. And it is now our turn to shout aloud the message of salvation and tell others about the difference that faith makes to our lives, and the value it brings. But in doing so we must be mindful, as Saint Paul said, that we hold the treasure of faith ‘in earthen vessels’; its extraordinary power belongs to God; it does not come from us (2 Cor 4:7). As we go out from here to spread the Gospel, we must seek to convince others, but avoid engaging in pointless polemics which make lots of noise but fail to win hearts for Jesus and the Gospel. Yes, we must stand up for the faith; yes, we must confront falsehood and evil as Saint Patrick did. But the Gospel cannot be imposed; we must propose it with conviction and joy. The way to win souls these days will be ‘heart to heart’, by speaking the truth with love and attracting others to God by the example of our lives. Those who meet us must see that our lives are ‘transfigured’ by faith, hope and love. And then they will be inspired to inquire, ‘What is that treasure you have? You, believer, you live your life totally aware of this world with all its struggles and problems, but you point us to the transcendent, to our real homeland and destiny in life beyond this world, with God, in heaven; how is it that you have such meaning and purpose in your life? You radiate hope in this troubled world!’ Those whom we meet say, ‘You, person of faith, you respect the dignity of all life; you are a responsible steward of all God’s creation; you care for the poor, the homeless, the displaced; you weep for the trafficked child, the abused woman, the struggling family; you are compassionate to those addicted by drugs and alcohol. We notice how you reach out to the victims of war and violence and you spread peace everywhere you go; you are a forgiving and merciful person; you do penance, you make sacrifices and yet you are happy in yourself; you love to pray the Rosary, to attend Mass and to to spend time in adoration with God. We want what you have!’ Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people said this of us, believers, and if they remarked, as the prophet Isaiah once did: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation” (Isaiah 52:7). Brothers and sisters, we cannot be silent. We have work to do! The work of God. The work of salvation. The work of Saint Patrick. I look forward, especially to being joined in this task of new evangelization by all of you, and especially the committed young people of faith who are here today and by the many amazing young people returning to Ireland from their joyful experience at World Youth Day in Lisbon! With them, let us “go in haste”, as Mary, our Blessed Mother did after the Annunciation, to proclaim the Good News and rekindle the light of Christ once more across the island of Ireland. And as we go away from the Hill of Slane today, may we be inspired by the words of Dana’s new song: “Light the flame in our hearts once again, and the fire will burn in the darkness, as on this ancient hill, the embers burning still.” Saint Patrick, pray for us! |
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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land at Christmas
Last remaining places for special Pilgrimage to the Holy Land at Christmas 2023 EX Dublin taking in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Last Supper Room, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives with full day in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. Contact James Treacy 0035361921470/ jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com
Maryvale Institute, Birmingham- Study part-time, by distance learning for a Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv) or a Licence in DivinityThe Ecclesiastical BDiv is a five-year part-time, collaborative-learning degree programme in Catholic theology providing a comprehensive exposition and analysis of Christian doctrine based on the study of the sacred Scriptures, the works of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the documents of the Magisterium.
Contact: Admissions tutor, Deacon Dr Harry Schnitker at: researchcentre@maryvale.ac.uk.
RE SOURCE 