Pope Francis sends blessing to Irish National Eucharist Congress

Transcription

1 ! CNI Pope Francis sends blessing to Irish National Eucharist Congress Pope Francis has sent a special message an Apostolic Blessing to the faithful of Ireland on the occasion of the National Eucharistic Congress which opened on Saturday morning with a prayer service led by Bishop Kevin Doran at the Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 1

2 Thousands of pilgrims attended the two-day celebration of faith which will concluded yesterday evening. The Pope s blessing was conveyed by Archbishop Charles J Brown Apostolic Nuncio in Ireland. It states - The Holy Father Francis is very pleased to convey cordial greetings to the organizers and all the participants in the National Eucharistic Congress of Ireland, which is focused on the theme of Christ Our Hope. His Holiness asks everyone gathered in these days at Our Lady s Shrine in Knock to strive to intensify their life of prayer by making the Eucharist the true centre of Christian communities where praise and thanksgiving lead to a renewed commitment to evangelization and ecclesial communion. May all the participants draw abundant graces from the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar and seek to build a world that is ever more just and reconciled, in accordance with the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 2

3 With these sentiments, the Supreme Pontiff entrusts to the loving protection of Our Lady to the Bishops, priests, deacons, religious and faithful people of Ireland and, as a pledge of abundant divine gifts, imparts to them with affection his Apostolic Blessing. Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, said, The theme of our Congress Christ Our Hope, allowed us to harvest the fruits from the 50 th International Eucharistic Congress which took place in Dublin in 2012; serve as spiritual preparation for the 51 st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu in January; and it offers us as an opportunity to focus, in the light of our Eucharistic communion, on some of the important pastoral questions facing the life of the Church at the current time, especially regarding the need to support marriage and family, and to nurture vocations. Handing on the faith in the Home thirty-five years on Archbishop Eamon Martin at Knock Archbishop Martin of Armagh in his opening address to the Eucharistic Congress said - churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 3

4 I suggest two particular pastoral supports for marriage and the family: (i) a parish or pastoral area based approach to preparing for the sacrament of marriage including prayer, catechesis and practical advice for couples and opportunities for marriage support in the early years; and (ii) Prayer Guidance for couples and young parents on praying with your children and introducing your children to the faith, even before they go to school. I would like to see our Catholic teacher education institutions developing initial and inservice faith formation for teachers so that their knowledge and understanding of their personal faith is deepened. I would like to see the day when every parish or pastoral area has a trained lay catechist who could work alongside the parish priest, parish pastoral council and school religious education coordinators in ensuring that the triad of home school and parish are re-imagined for the twenty-first century. The challenge facing the forthcoming Synod will be to find ways of remaining completely faithful to the Church s teaching on marriage and the family while at the same time reaching out in a churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 4

5 compassionate and merciful way to those whose home and family situations are very different. Archbishop Martin said a lot had happened since Pope John Paul had visited Ireland in He said A lot has happened since then. There has been a huge downturn in the numbers of Irish people who regularly practice their faith. The number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life has declined steeply: seventy-nine seminarians began their studies with me that year in Maynooth. The Church in Ireland and indeed throughout the world has endured a dark and scandalous period in her history with revelations of child abuse together with a shameful betrayal of trust. A wave of secularism has washed across Western Europe and, in its wake, many Irish people have drifted away from the sacraments; more families in Ireland are living their lives with little or no reference to God. Ireland s economic prosperity on the world stage has come and gone again; and, as the Celtic Tiger slinked away, tens of thousands of our young people have left their homes, parishes and communities seeking better prospects in Australia and elsewhere. Could we ever have imagined thirtychurchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 5

6 five years ago that so much change would happen so quickly, especially to the role and standing of the Church in the lives, homes, communities, and thinking of the Irish people? Barnardo s stresses social media safety at St Patrick s Cathedral Schools service Students of Church of Ireland and Protestant second level schools from all over the State filled St Patrick s Cathedral in Dublin last week for the second annual service to mark the beginning of the academic year. The service was organised by the General Synod Board of Education (Republic of Ireland) and the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, presided. The Service of Choral Evensong was attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys. Beforehand, she visited the nearby Marsh s Library where staff showed her around the historic building and she had an opportunity to view several of the library s books including one containing ancient maps of her own Cavan Monaghan constituency. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 6

7 Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, with students from Protestant Second Level Schools from around Ireland in St Patrick s Cathedral. John Mills of Barnardos who spoke to the students about childhood poverty and the importance of staying safe on social media. He pointed out that there was a link between Thomas Barnardo and St Patrick s Cathedral as Barnardo had attended St Patrick s Grammar School before going to London to study and later establish Barnardos. Mr Mills said that the most people associated Barnardos with children living in poverty. There are 138,000 children existing in poverty in Ireland today, he said. Barnardos offer a range of churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 7

8 services to make a difference in these children s lives including breakfast clubs, homework clubs and counselling and bereavement services. But he said Barnardos also visits secondary schools throughout the country to give talks and workshops. Mr Mills said that while social media can be fun it can also create challenges for both adults and young people. He said that people can be bullied on social media because people say things online that the might not otherwise say. He encouraged the students to practise four things to keep themselves safer online: 1. Be aware of privacy settings; 2. Always log out; 3. Use good strong passwords; 4. Only add people to accounts when you know them. Cyber bullying happens more and more and people need to respect the technology they use, the speaker said. He advised students to take three steps if anything happens online or they receive a message that upsets or frightens them: 1. Do not reply. Take a screenshot but do not respond; churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 8

9 2. Block the person; 3. Tell someone. Mr Mills encouraged schools to invite Barnardos in to give workshops to their students and said all support for the charity was very much appreciated. PCI s Newcastle respite care home celebrates first anniversary Lawnfield House in Newcastle, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland s (PCI) respite care home, celebrated its first anniversary with a family fun day for residents, guests, staff and their families at the weekend. Isobel Leslie, Lawnfield s manager, explained that a diverse range of people requiring respite care stay at Lawnfield, from those with various physical disabilities, visual and sensory impairment to mild learning difficulties as well as older people. PCI took over the running of the care home from the Disabled Christian Fellowship last September and this weekend s event was to celebrate its first year under new management. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 9

10 Local singing trio, The Half Octave Singers, serenaded those enjoying homemade tray bakes in the centre s courtyard, while children had fun in the bouncy castle and had their faces painted. There was also a treasure hunt and balloon modelling for them to enjoy. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 10

11 Since we took over the centre we are now open 12 months a year instead of 9, with referrals coming from all of Northern Ireland s health and social care trusts, as well as self-funding guests. All of our 20 rooms are wheelchair accessible and some are en suite, Isobel said. Respite care is important for the many people who come and enjoy Lawnfield as it is an invaluable service for them and their families. While they are here they still receive the care and attention that they need from our trained staff. Nestling at the foot of Slieve Commedagh and churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 11

12 with our sea views, it is a great place for those looking for a break away from home. Some residents have been coming for over 20 years, Isobel said. One guest, Sharon Garland from County Tyrone, has been coming since it opened in 1993 and spends five weeks a year at Lawnfield. I love everything about the place, especially the atmosphere and Christian fellowship which is important to me. It is an uplifting atmosphere, just to get up in the morning and seeing the sea is beautiful. I like being able to go out, we have outings twice a week and trips into Newcastle. It really is a blessing of a place, she said. Like the other homes run by the Church, the Christian ethos is a central part of Lawnfield House, and those who come to stay come from a range of denominations and none. With different activities to enjoy at the home, Lawnfield s wheelchair accessible minibus is used for day trips to the local tourist attractions and to the shopping centres in Newry. Lindsay Conway, Secretary of the Church s Council for Social Witness, which has overall management responsibility for Lawnfield and PCI s 17 other projects was also at the churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 12

13 celebration. The Church recognises the importance of the 3 strands of residential, respite and day care in the overall care of individuals and support for families. As a Church we seek to deliver an effective social witness service and Lawnfield is an important part of that witness, he said. Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes UN 'Global Goals' for sustainable development As the UN adopted its landmark Sustainable Development Goals, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: "I warmly welcome today s announcement that the members of the UN General Assembly have adopted an ambitious agenda to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice and climate change over the next fifteen years. "Humanity is called to justice, compassion and standing alongside the poor. If we root our response to the afflictions of extreme poverty and other major global issues in these values, we can ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 13

14 provide a vision and a framework through which all of us can play a part in working towards a more just world, in which all have the opportunity to flourish and where no one is left behind. "Our response, today and in the years to come, must seek to emulate the sacrificial pattern of love and servant-hearted leadership that is demonstrated perfectly in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The powerful are called to serve, the rich to give, and the vulnerable to be cherished, so that they may flourish and stand strong. "The global Anglican Communion has sought to model this example in its response to the churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 14

15 Millennium Development Goals in many parts of the world delivering health and education services, that have helped improve access to education, reduce child and maternal mortality, and assisted in turning the tide on HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In places of instability and conflict it is often the church - along with other faith communities - that is the sole surviving institution providing hope, relief and support to those most in need. "We must all now work together to redouble our efforts to banish global extreme poverty and inequality from our midst. When we recognise the God-given dignity in each and every person in our world, we are compelled to reach out to them in love, whatever the cost. "Without such a response from all involved in this endeavour - governments, the private sector, faith communities, civil society and the public, we risk falling short of what is required of us, and undermining the major progress made through the Millennium Development Goals. "My prayer today is that all of us would have the courage to live our lives for the common good; to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly in churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 15

16 pursuit of a world free from poverty and injustice." Gay clergy who defied bishops by marrying their male partners run for Synod Two gay clergy who both married their male partners in defiance of the Archbishop of Canterbury are standing for election to the Church of England s ruling body. If Canon Jeremy Pemberton and the Rev Andrew Foreshew-Cain win places on the General Synod, it will embarrass bishops who issued guidance last year banning clergy from entering same-sex marriages. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 16

17 Canon Pemberton, a hospital chaplain in Lincolnshire, is in the middle of a court battle with a bishop who sacked him from his role as a priest, while Mr Foreshew-Cain has been privately rebuked by his bishop. They are among several openly gay clergy and lay people standing for the Synod in the run-up to a contentious debate as early as next year over whether the Church should drop its ban on same-sex marriage and the formal blessing of civil partnerships. Read more: article /gay-clergy-defied-bishops-marryingmale-partners-run-synod.html#ixzz3mvbxqafi Pope shares Philly stage with Queen of Soul and Bocelli Pope Francis and an admiring throng of thousands enjoyed music from the Queen of Soul, Andrea Bocelli and others at the end of his first day in Philadelphia on his first US tour. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 17

18 Pope Francis looks on as Aretha Franklin performs during the Festival of Families Aretha Franklin led an all-star line up at the Festival of Families, one of the events organised by the Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families, which brought Francis to the city after visits in Washington DC and New York. The festival included song, prayer and testimonials from people from different continents on the joys and challenges of family life, including an Argentine couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. After each family spoke, the Pope greeted and spoke with them, and later addressed the crowd at length about the importance of families, Page 18

19 urging people to take special care of children and grandparents. "In the family, there are difficulties, but those difficulties are overcome with love," he said through an interpreter. "Love is about celebration, love is joy, love is moving forward." Folk singer Marie Miller, American rock band The Fray and Columbian pop star Juanes also performed at an event hosted by actor Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg credited his Catholic faith and a parish priest for turning him around after a rough upbringing in Boston that included cocaine addiction and a series of racially-motivated attacks as a teenager. "I attribute all of my success to my Catholic faith," he told the crowd. "My faith has given me the ability to be a good father, a good husband and most importantly a good person." Franklin, 73, best known for her hit Respect, performed Amazing Grace. She had said earlier she planned to present Francis with a gift: a box set of sermons by her father, civil rights activist and preacher CL Franklin. churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 19

20 She later came out and performed Nessun Dorma from the opera Turandot, which she intended as a surprise, but the Pope had left by the time of her encore. Bocelli, whose rendition of The Lord's Prayer was accompanied by The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, has described Francis as "a blessing given to the world". "This journey represents for the United States a precious opportunity to embrace this giant, a man of God, a gift from heaven, a point of reference and a providential source of hope for our world," he said. Bocelli also performed another piece after the pontiff left. Before Francis' arrival, Sister Sledge performed a special rendition of the hit We Are Family, adding another gender to proclaim, "I've got all my sisters and my brothers with me," and referring to Jesus as "the way, the truth, the light". Comedian Jim Gaffigan also entertained the crowd before the pope's arrival. The 49-year-old Gaffigan attends Mass weekly with his wife and five children and regularly references his churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 20

21 Catholicism in his stand-up and on his TV Land sitcom. Towards the end of the festival, Juanes joined the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and the Keystone State Boychoir in singing both in English and Spanish: "This world needs more love. This world needs more love. This world just needs more love." Media digest Sinn Féin support decreases after McGuigan murder - Irish Times S Exp Article about how the plight of Christian refugees is being ignored by the world despite by pleas from religious leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury. It mentions the Barnabas fund which has been set up by Jewish peer, George Weidenfeld, and aims to rescue Christians from Syria. christian-martyrs-george-weidenfeld-patrick- Sookhdeo-Syria-Barnabus-Fund-relocatecharity churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 21

22 MoS Article about women who have had virgin births after seeking IVF to become pregnant. It says young women who have never had relationships are being treated in clinics. The Bishop of Carlisle is quoted in the article which says religious groups have voiced their concern. article /advent-virgin-births-womennever-relationship-paying pregnant.html? ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=149 0 Sun Times Article about how a plan to stop free school meals for four to seven year olds is a mistake. Ashley Church of England Primary school in Surrey is featured in the story with the headteacher quoted. He says the meals have contributed to better behaviour in the afternoon as the children have all eaten well at lunchtime. newsreview/education/article ece MoS/Guard Continuing coverage of the Pope s visit to the US. The articles report his visit to Philadelphia churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 22

23 and the Festival of the Families. Aretha Franklin performed at the event. article /aretha-franklin-set-say-little- prayer-serenade-pope-francis-arrives-festival- Families-Philadelphia-hundreds-thousandsgather-glimpse-Pontiff.html? ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign= sep/26/pope-francis-visits-philadelphia-us-tourlive pope-francis-family-speech-philadelphia Sun Times Feature about the crime writer, Peter James, whose latest novel was inspired by living in a house he says was haunted. The article mentions Dominic Walker, a retired bishop and diocesan deliverance adviser for the Church of England, who visited the house. homes_and_gardens/my_place/ article ece Guard An article discussing how the media reports different faiths. It says that some Muslim groups feel the peaceful aims of their faith and their churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 23

24 good work is ignored in favour of a narrative about extremism. reader-editor-on-islam-media churchnewsireland@gmail.com Page 24