Kathleen McAuliffe and Anne McCarthy from Castleisland, Majella Godfrey, Kilgarvan, Maria Elena Traynor, Kilgarvan and Martina O Shea, Kilgarvan attended a choral rehearsal in Killarney at the Church of the Resurrection for the Pope's Mass this August. 
Aileen Murphy RLR
Singers travelled from all corners of the diocese for the first gathering of the diocesan choir on June 7 to prepare for the Papal Mass being held at the end of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) festival this August.
They travelled from the Beara Peninsula, Corca Dhuibhne, from North Kerry and Kenmare and choirs from parishes at the heart of the diocese were also well represented. It was impressive to hear a four-part harmony after just a short time together. For me, this expresses the spirit of the WMOF: excitement at being involved in the experience, a thirst for a deeper Faith, and a wonderful discovery of joy in the midst of difference.
The gathering included an assortment of ages, with several generations of family members in some of the choirs. We come from diverse places geographically, and from a range of different backgrounds, from working the land, to working the sea, from rural dwellers to relatively urban dwellers. On the warm summer’s evening, it is a real pleasure to be meeting new people and learning new hymns that will be heard long after the Papal Mass is over.
Bishop Ray Browne dropped in to the rehearsal to show his interest and offer his appreciation to the singing volunteers. These singers enhance the liturgical experience in many of the 53 parishes of the diocese every weekend. They bring song and life to the weekend Masses. They are now engaged in a series of choral rehearsals leading up to the Pope’s Mass in Dublin.
Preparations for the WMOF have provided us with a worthy theme all year, a theme which had been highlighted in the Diocese of Kerry by our Listening Process conducted during the development of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2016–2020. The family theme was launched at the 300-strong Diocesan Assembly Parish Supporting Family Life, last October, where a variety of workshops offered practical resources and ideas for implementation at parish level.
The theme related to supporting families in crisis, family prayer, youth-friendly parishes, family and caring for the earth, parish faith development programmes, celebrating family liturgies in the parish and the WMOF which will be held in Dublin.
The diocesan assembly was composed of clergy, members of parish pastoral councils, liturgy groups, youth ministers, parish secretaries and sacristans.
A series of events have marked our journey towards the WMOF including the visit of the Icon of the Holy Family, family was favoured in our pre-sacramental preparation in parishes, our Céad Míle Fáilte to Pope Francis and Random Acts of Kindness for Confirmation, our promotion of Trócaire’s Romero Family Award and finally our Praying for Families programme which is current.
Initiative
‘Praying for Families’ week-by-week, from June to August, is an initiative whereby we invite people to pray for all families in our parish communities, in our country and throughout the world.
Each of us know the particular challenge that face our own family, and something of the struggles and delights of other families. So weekly we are given a theme and invited to pray from the experience of our families and pray for the gift of joy, God’s joy, for all families.
(More details can be found at http://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/2018/05/calling-everyone-lets-pray-for-families/)
At a praying with and for our families morning last month, one grandmother shared how her granddaughter sidled up to her and asked if she preferred sweets and chocolate or Jesus and prayers. Tough question given Granny’s sweet tooth! So granny wisely put the question back to the young girl. She paused for a moment before replying: “I’d choose Jesus and prayers – I love talking to him.”
The primary school pupils of Moyvane and Knockanure are at this moment preparing ‘Just A Thought for Radio Kerry’. In their exploration of family they compiled a list of all that family includes: “they care for us”, “look after us”, “working on the farm together”, “get stuff for us”, “bring us to school”, “playing with my brother”, “sharing my toys”, “laughing” and poignantly: “I miss my grandad.” Included are all generations and pets.
What was described were the ups and downs of ordinary life, the simple joys and heart-breaking sorrows captured through the eyes of children.
The exploration of family and the efforts to support family through parish will continue in the diocese of Kerry long after August 26.
West Belfast families invited to ‘celebrate, pray, play’
St Oliver Plunkett Parish along with the other five parishes of the West Belfast Pastoral Area (St Agnes’, St Michael’s, St Teresa’s, Holy Trinity and Hannahstown) is hosting a Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 24.
There will be a blessing of families at 2pm in St Michael’s followed by amusements and refreshments in St John the Baptist School car park until 7pm.
Fr Aidan Brankin, PP at St Oliver Plunkett Parish, said: “With the World Meeting of Families happening in August, we wanted a day for local families to come together and celebrate, pray, play and just spend time and have fun together.”
“This is the month of the Sacred Heart and the highlight of the day will be the service of blessing of families for everyone in our pastoral area.
“I would like to extend a warm welcome to all families in West Belfast to come along and enjoy the Family Fun Day.”
Glenamaddy celebrates family
Galway parishioners celebrated a weekend of family fun in preparation for the WMOF with Irish dancing and singing.
‘Let’s Celebrate Family’ took place in Glenamaddy parish over the weekend, which included a Mass focusing on the joy of family.
Three parish choirs joined together with local musicians to enhance the Mass along with representatives from their global family who participated in the liturgy.
On Sunday in Collins Park, from 2-5pm, a day of entertainment was enjoyed with free admission to a barbeque. There was Sean Nós dancing and singing with four different groups from the Craobh Tom Morrison voluntary group.
The children were entertained with the playground, face painting and football.
A special thanks was given to Glenamaddy Pastoral Council for their help in making the weekend a success.
