Chai Brady
Young musicians playing at the outdoor family Mass at Drumlane Abbey, Co. Cavan. 
At Sunday Masses throughout the 35 parishes of the north-western diocese of Kilmore, couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries had an opportunity to renew their marriage vows and special blessings were offered to families.
The diocese of Kilmore celebrated all that is best in family life in preparation for the forthcoming World Meeting of Families in August.
Following Mass on June 10 parishes organised a range of family friendly activities. These included gatherings for a parish breakfast, afternoon parish walks, picnics and child-friendly fun outdoor activities that brought families together from all age groups.
To give just two instances, the parish pastoral council in Drumlane parish, near Belturbet, organised an early morning walk to the historic Drumlane Abbey for Sunday Mass, followed by breakfast in Milltown Community Centre. And the parish pastoral council in the parish of Knockninny in Co. Fermanagh held an afternoon parish walk from the local church in Derrylin to St Ninnidh’s Holy Well.
Refreshments
The three-mile walk concluded with refreshments and entertainment in Aughakillymaude Cultural Centre, home of the famous mummers [actor in a traditional folk play].
Preparations for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in Kilmore diocese are being co-ordinated at the diocesan pastoral centre in Cavan.
The man with responsibility for preparations in the diocese is Fr Ultan McGoohan, who said: “Parishes are currently very busy organising for the world meeting. The diocesan pastoral council designated Thursday, August 23, as the day when our diocese will make a concerted effort to be present at the Congress in the RDS. Parishes are currently making buses available to bring parishioners to the congress and to the papal Mass in the Phoenix Park.”
Fr Ultan added: “Because registration to attend the congress is being carried out online, many of our parishes have held registration evenings or made parish offices available to assist people with the registration process, particularly older people and those who don’t have access to the internet.”
The Kilmore Youth Director, Carina McGinnell, is particularly enthused by the interest young people in the diocese are exhibiting towards the world meeting and the visit of Pope Francis.
She told The Irish Catholic that Pope Francis strikes a chord with young people and they admire his authenticity and humble style. Carina said: “60 young people who have participated in the Pope John Paul II Awards have volunteered to participate as Eucharistic Ministers at the papal Mass in the Phoenix Park.
“These young people have received training in the diocese and will receive further training in the summer. It will be a really memorable occasion for them.”
The Director of the Pastoral Centre, Sean Coll, has enlisted 50 choir members from across the diocese to participate in the choir at the congress and at the papal Mass. He said: “I have been delighted with the response and those who have volunteered to participate are very pleased to have been given this special opportunity.”
Kilmore diocese will mark the opening of the WMOF with a celebration of evening prayer, presided over by Bishop Leo O’Reilly in St Aiden’s Church, Butlersbridge on Tuesday, August 21 at 7.30pm, followed by a social gathering. At 7pm that evening church bells will ring simultaneously in every parish in the diocese to welcome the opening of the WMOF. Fr Ultan commented: “For now until August 21 it is all shoulders to the wheel to ensure that the world meeting is not only a successful event, but that it also leaves a lasting positive legacy.”
