Over 4,000 people from the 56 parishes of Kildare & Leighlin diocese descended on Punchestown racecourse on Sunday for a Family Picnic Day. Organised as part of the diocesan preparations for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF), the ‘Picnic in Punchestown’ included music, dancing, children’s games, competitions, a petting farm and a 4km fun run…
The latest effort to answer Pope Francis’ call for the Church to “seek people out”, has been hailed a success following a huge crowd at the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin’s ‘Picnic in Punchestown’. In what is believed to be the first Irish diocesan picnic, over 4,000 people attended Punchestown racecourse on Sunday, including a…
Ireland can expect to see more flooding on the devastating scale experienced in Donegal last week as a result of the effects of climate change, according to a well-known ecologist. Fr Sean McDonagh SSC told The Irish Catholic that while the flooding in Donegal, which has displaced 47 families following severe rainfall, can’t be said…
Being a Christian is about more than just being nice to people, it means “loving and trusting a God who we cannot see”, according to the Bishop of Derry. In a homily at the weekend reflecting on the messages of Fatima, Bishop Donal McKeown said following Jesus is not just about “doing the right things…
A woman experienced in communications on a parish, diocesan and national level has been appointed Media and Communications Manager for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF). Ms Brenda Drumm (48), a native of Belturbet, Co. Cavan and based in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, has been seconded from her current role as Communications Officer with the Catholic…
The Catholic and Church of Ireland parishes of Clontarf, Dublin have come together to host a number of events to promote peace in a time of “conflict, war and terrorism”. A peace tree ceremony supported by Dublin City Council in St Anne’s Park, Clontarf on Friday, September 29 will launch a series of church-based peace…
With the one year countdown to the World Meeting of Families in Dublin (WMOF) officially launched on Monday, preparations for the event have now entered phase two according to the Secretary General, Fr Tim Bartlett. Sitting in the sunny WMOF offices in the beautiful grounds of Dublin’s Clonliffe College, Fr Tim explains that the last…
The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock once again attracted over 100,000 pilgrims this year for nine days of reflection and prayer. Fr Richard Gibbons PP, Rector of Knock Shrine, said the novena is “about embracing our spiritual selves and in today’s world it is a valuable thing to take some time alone or…
Thousands of families representing dioceses across Ireland gathered at Knock Shrine on Monday, for the launch of the one-year countdown to the much anticipated World Meeting of Families (WMOF2018) in Dublin. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, WMOF2018 president, led the celebration which launched the preparatory programme for parishes and a new icon of the Holy Family which…
Fr Tim Bartlett, WMOF Secretary General, gives an overview of what to expect at World Meeting of Families in Dublin next year.