Pope Francis appointed Canon Thomas Deenihan of the Diocese of Cork & Ross as the new Bishop of Meath.  The announcement was made after Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, 18th June 2018.

Address by Bishop Michael Smith
Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar
Monday 18 June 2018

I warmly welcome today’s appointment by the Holy Father Pope Francis of Canon Thomas Deenihan of the Diocese of Cork & Ross as the Bishop of Meath.

I can assure Canon Tom that he will receive a warm welcome in the Diocese of Meath, where it has been my privilege to serve as Bishop among the priests, religious and lay people.

I believe his appointment will greatly benefit the Church in the Diocese of Meath and will also contribute significantly to the work of the Irish Episcopal Conference and its commissions and agencies.

I offer my prayerful good wishes to Canon Tom and to the members of his family.  I pray God’s blessing on him as he takes up this new ministry and I assure him of my prayers.

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Ciara Nichol and Eugene Duff, members of the Parish Pastoral Council, along with Fr. Derek presented a donation of €2,150 to Niall O’ Shea, Head of Financial Development and Brenda Drumm, WMOF Communications Manager who visited the Parish during the week.  Thanks to parishioners who supported a raffle on the Parish Family Day and the recent Clann Ceol 2018 Concert, the parish were able to support the Solidarity Fund of the World Meeting of Families.

First Holy Communion children, their families and parishioners are invited to join together, Wednesday 30th May at 7pm in Ashbourne Church to celebrate May, the month of Mary with a May Procession.  Children will be invited to lead the rosary and the procession will return to the church for Benediction.  Please bring your Rosary beads!  All welcome!

The annual cemetery devotions take place next weekend:

Killegland         Friday 1st June 7.00 pm

Donaghmore     Sunday 3rd June after 10 am Mass

St. Declan’s      Sunday 3rd June at 6.00 pm

Ashbourne        Sunday 3rd June at 7.00 pm

Greenogue        Sunday 3rd June at 8.00 pm

Congratulations to Fergal Cummins who was ordained to the Diaconate by Achbishop Diarmuid Martin, in Maynooth this weekend (27th May 2018).  We wish him every blessing as he begins his ministry in the diocese.  During his homily, archbishop Martin encouraged those ordained by remarking,

‘The challenge of witnessing to Jesus Christ in today’s world is not an easy one.  Many will see the results of Friday’s referendum as an indication that the Catholic Church in Ireland is regarded today by many with indifference and has having a marginal role in the formation of Irish culture.   The Church that is called to make present the Jesus who is full of mercy and compassion is seen by many as somehow weak in compassion.

The Church in its beginnings had its distinctive characteristics as we read in the Acts of the Apostles.  It was marked by harmony, by prayerfulness, by generosity and care.  The Acts of the Apostles note that the new Christian community was then held in high regard by all and grew in believers day by day.

Harmony, prayerfulness, generosity and care must be the marks of those who preach the word of God.  The Irish Church after the Referendum must renew its commitment to support life.  The Church is called to be pro-life however not just in words and statements and manifestoes but to be pro-life in deeds, by being a Church which reflects the loving care of Jesus for human life at any stage. That loving care includes support to help those women who face enormous challenges and who grapple with very difficult decisions to choose life.’

Preparations for the World Meeting of Families are well under way.   Over the days of the WMOF, a chosen theme will reflect “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World” and will include an enriching programme for adults of keynote speakers, workshops, talks, testimonies and discussions.  An engaging and exciting programme for young people as well as fun activities will be provided for children.  The schedules for the ceremonies, exhibitions, cultural events and musical performances are available on www.worldmeeting2018.ie/programme.  The WMOF dates for your Parish Diary are attached below.

DIOCESAN DAY AT THE CONGRESS!

Wednesday 22 August is the day of the congress on which parishioners from around the diocese of Meath are invited to join with parishes through the provinces of Armagh and Dublin.  The programme will commence at 9am with Morning Prayer and will conclude with Mass in the RDS Arena at 4pm.

Attendance at the RDS Congress on Wednesday guarantees a ticket per person to the Festival of Families with Pope Francis in Croke Park on Saturday 25th August.

and

to the Papal Mass in The Phoenix Park on Sunday 26th August.  Parishioners can register individually on line or can complete a registration form in the Parish Office with payment of €38.  If there are sufficient numbers, the Parish will register as a group and organise a coach for one or all of the three events and will advise of the cost in due course.

ICON OF THE HOLY FAMILY VISITS THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

The official icon of the Holy Family visits the diocese on the dates below.  This initiative encourages prayer and reflection as part of the journey towards WMOF 2018.  Families around Ireland will have the opportunity to write their petitions for inclusion at the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park.

26-28 June  St. Mary’s Church, Navan

29June-1 July  Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar

VOLUNTEERS, HOST FAMILIES & SINGERS WELCOME

Up to 10,000 volunteers are required to help with various elements of the WMOF and the Papal Visit.  So far, over 3,000 volunteers have signed up.  152 singers from parishes around the diocese have offered to be part of the 5,000 voice choir for the Papal Mass.  Registration can take place on www.dioceseofmeath.ie/wmof2018 Families in a position to welcome visiting families to Ireland by hosting a person, a couple, or a family should contact: hostingteam@worldmeeting2018.ie or call 01 5676800.

WMOF_parish_diary

Some of our Altar Servers attended the Altar Servers’ Tour this week as a token of appreciation for their commitment to our Parish all year round.  Thank you to our Altar Servers’ Team who care for, and support our servers with great pastoral care and encouragement throughout the year.  Our thanks to those who coordinated the tour and the volunteers who assisted on the day with the outing.

Final comment by Bishop Michael Smith

“With less than a week to go to the referendum, there remains a lot of confusion among the electorate about what the proposal entails.

We are not voting on a solution to the complex cases that have touched the hearts and minds of many people.

We are voting on whether to take away the only legal protection in the Constitution for all unborn children – healthy babies in the womb as well as babies who may have a life-limiting disability.

Our faith requires us to be compassionate but let me be clear – there is no semblance of compassion involved in ending the life of any child in the womb.

I urge you to cast your vote for a society that cherishes the equal right to life of every person.  You can do this by voting NO on Friday.”