Mags GarganBishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor celebrated the annual pilgrimage to Slieve Patrick, the national monument to St Patrick in Saul, Co. Down.
A large crowd attended the celebrations including local children who had recently made their first Holy Communion, Knights of St Columbanus and a local Scout group.
In his homily Bishop Treanor suggested that we might “… consider how we introduce our children and especially our teenagers to an understanding and an appreciation of faith in Christ and our great Christian heritage”.
He commended the “great work” done by the Diocesan Youth Commission and Living Youth, by the GIFT programme and other initiatives. He reinforced that they
will require “support, interest and involvement” from parishes, parents and grandparents.