Feast of St Oliver Plunkett

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Smith at the birthplace of St Oliver,
Loughcrew on Sunday 05 July 2009 at 3:00pm.

Glorious Martyr, St Oliver, who willingly gave your life for your faith, help us also to be strong in faith.

May we be loyal like you to the See of Peter. By your intercession and example may all hatred and bitterness be banished from the hearts of Irishmen and women.

May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts, as it did in your heart, even at the moment of your death.

Pray for us and for Ireland. Amen

Sollúntas Nn. Peadar & Pól, Aspail

"Seo iad na fir a leasaigh an Eaglais lena gcuid fola
nuair a bhíodar beo ar an saol seo. D'óladar cailís an Tiarna
agus rinneadh cairde Dé díobh."

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pope Benedict's Letter to Priests
available here

Feast of Corpus Christi

"Come, adore this wondrous presence!"

Feast of the Holy Trinity

Give praise to the Father Almighty,
to His Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord,
to the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,
both now and forever. Amen!

Statement of Bishop Michael Smith on the Ryan Report

Following the publication of the Commission's Report, we come face to face again with the betrayal of trust and the wounding of many.  Healing these wounds must continue to be at the heart of the mission of the Church.

Nothing can ever make up for the terrible wrongs that have been done.  The best tribute we can offer to those who suffered in childhood and shared their painful memories with the Commission is that we make every possible effort to ensure that no other child should suffer as they did. 

It is important to have established the truth of what happened in the past and to bring healing to all those affected by these crimes.

A sample declaration document available here for download has been prepared by the National Office for Safeguarding Children in Ireland.

Feast of The Ascension of the Lord

"Go teach all nations..." World Day of Communications.

Fifth Week of Easter

"I wish to take the opportunity through this radio and television broadcast to greet all the peoples of these lands. I am eagerly looking forward to being with you and to sharing with you your aspirations and hopes as well as your pains and struggles. I will be coming among you as a pilgrim of peace. My primary intention is to visit the places made holy by the life of Jesus and to pray at them for the gift of peace and unity for your families and all those for whom the Holy Land and the Middle East is home.
 
“Among the many religious and civic gatherings which will take place over the course of the week will be meetings with representatives from the Muslim and Jewish communities with whom great strides have been made in dialogue and cultural exchange.

"In a special way I warmly greet the Catholics of the region and ask you to join me in praying that the visit will bear much fruit for the spiritual and civic life of all who dwell in the Holy Land. May we all praise God for His goodness.  May we all be people of hope. May we all be steadfast in our desire and efforts for peace."

Good Shepherd Sunday
Fourth Sunday of Easter

(poster available for download above)

Third Sunday of Easter

"A little stroll down the road to Emmaus."
click here for the homily of Archbishop Dolan at his Installation

Second Sunday of Easter

An opportunity for Christ to pronounce a new beatitude for Christian communities down through history - "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Easter Blessings to all visitors!

"Let no one draw back from this peaceful battle that has been launched by Christ’s Resurrection. For ... Christ is looking for men and women who will help him to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love."

Urbi et Orbi message 2009 available here

Child Protection Guidelines, Newsletters and Contact Details available here (Sat 13 June)

Administration of Parish Finances (pdf file here)
Guidelines for Parishes (ppt file here)

i) Safeguarding Children - diocesan policy statement.
ii) Diocesan Template here.

iii) National Office link.