celebrating special momentscorkandross.org/upload/1352112523.pdf · on this day you could invite...

Celebrating Special Moments

Diocese of Cork & Ross

Handbook of Ideas for Parishes


Advent ideas

The Advent Wreath Use your parish newsletter to explain the symbolism of the wreath offering prayers and reflections for each of the four Sundays. Encourage families to make an Advent wreath for their home and each Sunday to light the next candle saying together the prayers as they gather for a family meal Advent reflection time Offer suggestions of questions and thoughts to ponder over each week of Advent based on the Sunday Gospel readings through the weekly newsletter Gather a group to spend an hour each week reflecting on the Gospel reading of each of the four Sundays to help people in their preparation for Christmas Make available to buy one or more of the well prepared booklets for Advent, such as Walk with Me… which offers a daily reflection and prayer for the 4 weeks of Advent and over the Christmas season. These are available from Alive Publishing. See www.alivepublishing.co.uk Advent Carol Service Gather to prepare for Christmas with a service of readings and hymns to involve the choirs, musicians, Ministers of the Word as a way of reflecting more fully on the season of Advent as a parish community – an opportunity for people to step aside from the Christmas rush and busyness to take time to reflect and prepare together for coming of Christ into our midst. Resources are available from the Pastoral Development Office You could invite your local Christian churches to join with you for this special service – and offer refreshments afterwards Advent Reconciliation Service Prepare together with your parish clergy for this special communal celebration of the sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas… Involve the choir and musicians, Ministers of the Word and others… Resources are available from the Pastoral Development Office

http://www.alivepublishing.co.uk/


An Ordination in the Parish

An ordination to priesthood in the parish is a powerful moment not least because they are fewer these days and so many people do not get to share in such an experience. It is a unique opportunity for the people of the parish to share in the richness of this moment in the life of one of the members. The weeks leading up to the ordination offer an opportunity for all the parishioners to become involved in the preparations for this special day. Gather a small group – perhaps the faith development group or perhaps a different group might prepare each of the Sundays – to prepare the Sunday liturgies on the four Sundays leading up to the day of the ordination. These four Sundays explore the connections between the liturgy of the Rite of Baptism and the liturgy of the Rite of Ordination. Sunday 1 – Focus on the vesting Today the priest vests publicly before mass explaining the significance of each of the vestments he wears. Invite the people to wear white today as a reminder of the white garment we are clothed in at our baptism. Sunday 2 ‐ Focus on the Litany of Saints Reflect on the saints connected to the parish and diocese. Invite each person to name their personal saint and write their name on a card. These are gathered and left at the altar as we pray for each other in these coming weeks. Invite the cantor/choir to sing the Litany of saints today Sunday 3 – Focus on the anointing Show the oils stocks to the people today. Talk about the oils used in the celebration of the sacraments. Call the members of the congregation forward for anointing with oil and pray together for strength on our journey of faith together. Sunday 4 – Focus on saying Yes and the laying on of hands Reflect today on being a parish community. Invite the one to be ordained share the story of his journey of faith. Emphasise today the praying together of the Our Father – the prayer we can pray because we are the children of God – brothers and sisters in Christ. Gather after mass to share tea/coffee as a community of faith. Now the parish is well prepared for the Ordination…even though there are probably many other plans to focus on for the day itself…


Anointing of the Sick

February 11th each year is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1992 Pope John Paul II instituted this day as the World Day of Prayer for the Sick On this day you could invite the sick, housebound, elderly and those who care for them for a special celebration of Eucharist to include the blessing of the sick or organise a special celebration of this ritual for the blessing of the sick outside of Eucharist. Ask for volunteers to call to these parishioners and invite them to come, arrange transport and assistance and carers/helpers for those who need it. The rite for the blessing is in the Book of Blessings – there is a copy in each parish – if not contact the office for texts. Involve Ministers of the Word, involve family members of those who are receiving the blessing, involve choirs and musicians… Involve servers to assist the priest or lay ministers with the blessing by carrying the oils in large vessels. After the celebration of blessing gather for tea and chat in a local venue…if suitable offer some entertainment and make it a social occasion. Note:

- Priests in parishes have the regular first Friday call list – it is a good place to begin with the list of those to be invited.

- Let it be known in the wider community so that a welcome to the blessing is extended to those who are not regular attendees…blessings are a good way of connecting with these people.


Art in Church

Many of our parishes are blessed with a rich variety of artistic gifts among the people why not harness these gifts for the benefit of all the people… Gather a group of artists of a variety of mediums – painters, sculptures, calligraphers, woodworkers, floral artists… At different times during the year invite them to be involved in creating the space for worship on a particular theme…Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Candlemas, Lent, Vocations Sunday, May, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, Saint Finbarr, feasts of Our Lady, October – Mission month, your parish feast day and many more…. They may also be willing to share their giftedness with others and hold classes to develop the gifts of others. It is a great way of handing on their gifts to our younger generation – let them see how their gifts can be used to enhance the celebration of faith and liturgy in their parish.


Blessing of boats Much of our diocese is coastal and many of our people earn their living from the sea or spend their leisure time enjoying sailing, boating, surfing etc… Why not begin the summer with special prayer service on the quay side and celebrate the blessing of the boats. This could be an ecumenical service with involvement from other local Christian communities. You could also link up with your local festival such as Cork Week, sailing festivals…


Blessing of Throats: Saint Blaise: 3rd February The story of saint Blaise is that a mother came to him with a young boy who was choking and near death having swallowed a fish bone – Saint Blaise is believed to have helped the boy and he coughed up the fish bone and was healed. Hence why on this day every year – his feast day – we offer a blessing of throats to all who come after the Closing Prayer of the Mass The two candles are blessed and tied together and used for the Blessing as follows: A priest or deacon touches the throat of each person with the crossed candles and says the prayer of blessing. Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. A lay minister may also give the blessing – the formula used is different = see The Book of Blessings


Celebrating Our Parish Feast Day

Each of our parish churches is named after one of the saints of the church or one of the events in the life of Christ or Our Lady yet often it passes us by with little attention paid to the significance of the day. Why not… - Celebrate the day with a specially organised Eucharist involving all those

engaged in the various parish ministries – inviting all parishioners to come and join the celebrationMark the day with a time of special prayer for the parish – a holy hour, time of adoration, Evening prayer of the church

- Write a drama/dialogue to tell the story of your patron saint or patronal feast day something different to share the story – a great opportunity for developing faith through story and celebrating at the same time!

- Host a social event to gather people of the parish to celebrate the day - Hold a photographic exhibition of parish activities and events to let the wider

community know more about what is happening in the parish

You might have one of these suggested liturgical celebrations followed by the social gathering.


Corpus Christi Procession The annual Corpus Christi Procession in the city leaves the Cathedral at 3:00pm to make its way to Daunt Square where there is a Homily given by an invited speaker and Benediction takes place at which the Bishop presides. Prior to the Procession arriving people gather in the square to await the Procession and prepare by the praying of the Rosary and singing of hymns The local Polish and Indian communities add much colour to our Procession these days… Processions are also held in many local parishes…look at how to increase participation as a local community and make this a real witness to faith in your area.


Day for Life Every year on the first Sunday of October the Bishops of Ireland invite to celebrate and pray for life – life as the precious gift of God… They issue a pastoral letter and prayer card on a different theme each year – make sure these are available, highlighted and distributed in your parish… Raise awareness of the theme through the Prayer of the Faithful For information on the theme each year see: www.catholicbishops.ie

http://www.catholicbishops.ie/


Epiphany: 6th January The day we remember the Wise Men from the east coming to worship Jesus after his birth bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh Why not…

‐ Invite three people, of different nationalities, to bring the figures of the wise Men to the crib today as part of the Opening Procession of the Mass

‐ Invite people from other countries to wear their national dress today ‐ Translate and pray the Prayer of the faithful in other languages today ‐ Invite all present to pray the Our father in their native tongue today ‐ Invite children or a family to bring the offertory gifts in procession today


Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Many families will have or recall previous generations having the Sacred Heart picture and candle on the wall of the family home… You might consider encouraging this tradition of the dedication of the family to the Sacred Heart by

‐ Inviting families to a special Mass and blessing today ‐ Encouraging them to have a picture of the sacred Heart in the home

Your parish may pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart each day up to the feast day for the intentions of the families in the parish community


Harvest Festival Many of our communities are based around farming and many others are beginning to look at growing food for their families in the garden… Why not celebrate all that is good, that is produced from the earth and giving thanks to God for his goodness to us… Resources are available from the office for this prayer service


Knock Novena The National Public Novena in Honour of Our Lady of Knock is held in the Basilica in Knock from 14th to 22nd August every year – twice each day invited speakers give a talk on a particular theme at 3:00pm and 8:30pm. Why not organise a group from your parish/pastoral area to go the Knock Novena for a few days… See: www.knock‐shrine.ie for details of the annual programme


Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a prayerful reading of the scriptures Groups of no more than 15 people gather for a prayerful reading and sharing on the scriptures … The reading centres around four periods of about 15 minutes each…

- Lectio : or reading aloud of the passage from scripture - Meditatio : or a time of meditation on the readings – often including a

reflective sharing by group members of phrases from the selected passage

- Contemplatio : or a contemplation of what the reading is saying to us today - Lectio : a re‐reading of the scripture together

Many parishes begin this type of group for a short period of time ‐ may be during Lent or Advent to offer people a chance to experience this style of prayer. If you want to know more about Lectio or would like some training in the use of this style of prayer, or help in setting up a group for the first time in your parish contact us at the Pastoral Development Office Weekly download of free resources for groups available at http://www.biblesociety.org.uk/lectio


May: the Month of Our Lady Many of our parishes have a grotto in their boundaries – during this month Why not…

‐ have a special evening of prayer at the grotto to ask the intercession of Our Lady for all the intentions of parishioners

‐ gather to pray the Rosary at the Grotto ‐ have a procession from the Church to the Grotto ‐ encourage families to pray the Rosary together ‐ gather to clean up and plant flowers at the Grotto


Mothers’ Day & Fathers’ Day

During the year we are all aware of Mothers’ Day (4th Sunday of Lent) and Fathers’ Day (3rd Sunday of June) and many lament the commercialization of these two special days. These two days offer the Christian community opportunities to mark the role of mothers and fathers as the first teachers of the faith to their children. The Book of Blessings offers special prayers for these two days that could be used as blessings for mothers and fathers at one of the Sunday Eucharistic celebrations. You might invite mothers/fathers to come forward or to stand in the pews for the rite of blessing. Again you might use this as an opportunity to connect with the wider Christian community – send special invitations the parents of children receiving the sacraments this year or post invitations in the local community inviting families to attend. Include a prayer of the faithful for Mothers and fathers on these days You might consider offering a cup of tea as a social gathering after Mass this Sunday. NB. A copy of the Book of Blessings is usually in each parish – if not contact the Pastoral Development Office for copies of texts.


Music in Church The Catholic Church in Ireland has its own association for musicians who are engaged in all aspects of music in our communities. Membership of the Irish Church Music Association is open to all who are involved in this ministry in parish, school or community for an annual fee. For details see: www.irishchurchmusicassociation.com In July each year the association holds its annual summer school in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth with an internationally recognised guest director and a variety of workshops led by professional musicians for organists; cantors; conductors; choir directors; teachers; singers…

http://www.irishchurchmusicassociation.com/


November Garden Create memories for people as you create a November garden in a corner of your church… Include: leaves, cross, candles, memory chair with book/tea cup/knitting wool & needles, pair of glasses, teddy bear, etc… all things that will help others to remember Place your Book of Remembrance near the garden as space for people to pray together during the month of the Holy Souls You could create a space for children to remember as part of the Do this in Memory programme…


October: Mission Month

October in the Church calendar is a time to reflect on Mission, as well as to renew our missionary work for today. As a Church in Ireland we must always remember that unless we are engaged with those whose needs are the greatest across our World we cannot fully share in the Christian call to “be missionary”. We also remember that we are all called to be missionaries. The Irish Missionary Union through the Mission Alive programme provides resources for members and supporters of the Irish Missionary Movement. For information and resources see: www.imu.ie Some ideas to think about in your parish… Using the Mission Alive Resource Book encourage a group in your parish, or in your community to explore what it means to be on Mission in the Church today. Highlight for the month of October to the public the variety of experiences of Mission in your parish or community and ways your parish have engaged in Mission. Some suggestions are; - Using the Mission Alive Resources encourage a group in your parish to

explore a themed liturgy for Mission Sunday. Involve newcomers as well as established members of your local Parish Community to create a Special Mission Sunday Liturgy.

- Have any faith based action groups in your community host an ʹopen dayʹ to invite new members into their organisations, and create a sense of outreach from your faith community.

- Have a number of events during October, maybe plan a multicultural evening of cultural exchange of music, song, drama and poetry. What about a good night of craic agus ceoil at a local Ceile? Share some of our Irish steps and music with Newcomers and have them share some of their traditional dance and music with us

- Mission Seminars, maybe you would like to invite various people to talk about Mission today. I am sure IMU members would be happy to support you.

- Create a multi‐lingual welcome for Mission Sunday Mass. Ask members of the various new nationalities to greet the Mass in their language, prepare a welcome table at the back of the Church reflecting the theme of Mission

- Invite members of your local community to write poems based on the theme of ʹdiversity in a global villageʹ and organize an evening when these poems can be shared. Include any returned Lay or Religious missionaries in telling their story of leaving home shores for different lands

http://www.imu.ie/


- Organize a ‘Food from Around the World’ evening. Arrange for a variety of dishes from as many countries as possible to be cooked and shared at a local event.

- Ask former Volunteers, or Lay and Religious Returned Missionaries, in your community to display their photographs at the back of your local Church, for the month of October


Parish Baptism Preparation Teams

What is it? A group of people who visit families in their homes or host meetings in the parish for parents who are requesting Baptism for their child. They are trained in all aspects of preparing families for the celebration and also to answer any questions the parents might have about the ceremony. They usually attend the ceremony and organise readers etc… Training… is provided by the Pastoral Development Office over four sessions – three delivered in common with a number of parishes and the final session in your local parish for your own team. Why? The team plays a significant role in meeting new parents who may be new to the parish or it may be their first time making any connection with the parish. You, as a team member, often become the welcoming face of the parish community ‐ the central element of the rite of Baptism being “The Christian community welcomes you with great joy”. Members of the parish Baptism team bring this phrase to life in the parish as they meet with parents, children and families. If you are interested in setting up such a team in your parish contact Karen at the Pastoral Development Office 021 4537601 or email [email protected]


Parish Pilgrimage

Young people love to go to new places… Pilgrimage offers an opportunity to invite young people to gather and pray and reflect together in place away from home… Lourdes Each year the Bishop leads the diocese to Lourdes in June from 11‐16th staying in a variety of hotels as well as taking the sick from the diocese to the hospital. A full programme of services and participation in the processions each day is organised for you to share in the life of this special place of prayer. For information on Lourdes shrine: www.lourdes‐france.org Young Adults 18‐35 in Lourdes Each year we offer an opportunity for young adults to join the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from 11th to 16th June – a specially organised group who prepare together, stay in a hotel together, pray together and work with the sick in the Acceuil (hospital) together For details contact: Sr Karen in the Pastoral Development Office 021 4537601 [email protected] A great opportunity for parishes to encourage our young people to get involved in this diocesan pilgrimage and be of service to others Other places to consider… Rome and the Vatican In the footsteps of Saint James – Santiago de Compostela, Spain Fatima: for information on shrine www.santuario‐fatima.pt The Holy Land and closer to home… Knock: see www.knock‐shrine.ie Lough Derg: see www.loughderg.org Glendalough: see www.glendalough.ie Croagh Patrick: see www.croagh‐patrick.com A useful website is: www.sacred‐destinations.com Gougane Barra – the last Sunday in September sees the Bishop lead the diocese in prayer in this sacred place where Saint Finbarr, patron saint of our diocese, established his monastic community – why not travel on pilgrimage as a parish group to join this diocesan celebration? Feast day of Saint Finbarr – September 25th

http://www.lourdes-france.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.croagh-patrick.com/

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/


Or look around your own parish – do you know of a local Mass rock, holy well or is there a ruin of an ancient place of prayer… Some parishes gather annually in such places to give thanks for faith handed down and to pray for the future of the church in our time…


Pentecost Sunday Pentecost is the day when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the Upper Room… Why not…

Invite the children who received the sacrament of Confirmation this year to join with the parishioners to celebrate this special day – they could be invited to be part of the Opening Procession of the Mass today See the children and families section for more ideas…

Pentecost is also the day when all people heard the Lord speak in their own language… Why not…

‐ Invite immigrants who are members of your faith community to read different verses of the sequence given for today in their own language

‐ Invite all the people at Mass today to pray the Our Father in their native tongue – creating a cacophony of prayer

‐ Invite people from other countries to come today wearing their national dress – celebrate the universality of the Church


Praying the Angelus Each day at 12noon and 6:00pm the bells of the Angelus are rung in many of our Churches and RTE pauses on radio and television for one minute to reflect and pray… Encourage parishioners to remember to stop, pause in their daily activities and to say this prayer… Why not prepare and distribute a prayer card with the prayer on it in your parish – a good starting place might be families preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Marriage


Priesthood Sunday A day to celebrate the vocation to Priesthood is celebrated on the last Sunday of September Why not…

‐ Offer a special word of thanks to your parish clergy today ‐ Remind parishioners to pray for their priests ‐ Pray for vocations to the priesthood today ‐ Celebrate all those from your parish who have given their lives as priests


Promoting Vocations in Your Parish

We are all acutely aware of the lower numbers of men and women choosing to follow the call to priesthood and religious life. Many young people today will tell you “but I don’t really know anyone who has chosen to be a priest, sister or brother” and many will also say “I cannot consider it if no one asks me to do so” So what can we do…Why not? Have a Vocation weekend in you parish…How? Many religious and diocese have full time or part time people engaged in the ministry of vocation promotion and are most willing to come to a parish for the weekend they will bring stands, promotion leaflets and be willing to speak to people individually and during the Sunday Eucharist about their vocation. You can create a festival atmosphere in your church with the colourful stands and perhaps include displays of photos and stories of local people who have chosen this way of life. Invite a guest speaker to tell his or her own personal vocation story at weekend masses. Include a feature on your parish’s website or the parish newsletter. Every year the church celebrates and highlights vocation on the 4th Sunday of Easter but we are not confined to this day. Choose your weekend…make some contacts…start talking about the idea to other parish groups – involve the liturgy group, the choir, the youth group, the St Joseph’s Young Priests Society, the local religious communities Helpful websites: www.vocations.ie and www.vocationsireland.com You might also consider an Evening Prayer for vocations on the same weekend or perhaps another time during the year to keep the parish focused on prayer for Vocations! Resources are available from the Pastoral Development Office.

http://www.vocationsireland.com/


Remembering Our Loved Ones

During the month of November the church offers special prayers for our loved ones who have died. The death of a loved one is time when families, relations and friends connect with the parish community at the time of the removal and funeral. November offers an opportunity to reconnect with families who have been bereaved. Why not…

- Offer one of your masses on the first weekend of November as a memorial to those who have lost a loved one during the year – sending these families a special invitation to come

- You might invite them to light special candles in memory of their loved one during this Mass

- Create a book of memories as the year progresses inviting families to bring a photograph of their loved one to the church to be included in the book for the year keeping the book open in special place in the church all year as this will often encourage families and friends to call into the church to pray

- Create a “memory tree” …in a place in the church place a large tree (without leaves) at each funeral that takes place in your church invite a member of the family to add the name of their loved one to the tree on special cards. At the end of each year gather the cards together and place them on one branch ready to begin with the new cards for the next year

- Many parishes have prayers in the graveyards in November – you might like to send out notices to other local parishes telling of the day and time

- You may choose to prepare a special hour of prayer in November to remember all who died in the past year as well as to pray for all our family members, friends and parishioners

- A cup of tea serves as a good way to reconnect with families at this time.


Saint Anthony of Padua: Blessing of Lilies: 13th June An ancient ritual is the blessing of lilies on the Feast of Saint Anthony – many people may remember bringing lilies from their gardens to be blessed and given especially to the sick… Some parishes have reintroduced this old custom – you may like to do so too… The Blessing from the Old Roman Ritual is as follows: Let us pray God, the Creator and preserver of the human race, the lover of holy purity, the giver of supernatural grace, and the dispenser of everlasting salvation; bless + these lilies which we, your humble servants, present to you today as an act of thanksgiving and in honor of St. Anthony, your confessor, and with a request for your blessing. Pour out on them, by the saving sign + of the holy cross, your dew from on high. You in your great kindness have given them to man, and endowed them with a sweet fragrance to lighten the burden of the sick. Therefore, let them be filled with such power that, whether they are used by the sick, or kept in homes or other places, or devoutly carried on oneʹs person, they may serve to drive out evil spirits, safeguard holy chastity, and turn away illness‐‐all this through the prayers of St. Anthony‐‐and finally impart to your servants grace and peace; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Then he sprinkles the lilies with holy water, saying: Sprinkle me with hyssop, Lord, and I shall be clean of sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. P: Pray for us, St. Anthony. All: That we may be worthy of Christʹs promise. Let us pray. We beg you, O Lord, that your people may be helped by the constant and devout intercession of Blessed Anthony, your illustrious confessor. May he assist us to be worthy of your grace in this life, and to attain everlasting joys in the life to come; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. After this the lilies are distributed to the people.


Saint Brigid’s Feast Day: 1st February Celebrate one of Ireland’s Patron Saints by inviting the community to gather and hear the story of Brigid; participate in her traditions and prayers and make Brigid’s crosses together for your homes. Conclude the evening with the Blessing of the crosses which will hang in the homes of the parish for the coming year… A great activity for all ages!


Saint Fachtna Patron saint of Ross diocese… celebrate his feast on 13th August. Fachtna was the founder of a monastery in West Cork

‐ tell his story in your parish newsletter ‐ Celebrate Mass for his feast day in your parish/pastoral area ‐ Create a colouring page for children about Saint Fachtna


Saint Finbarr Saint Finbarr is the Patron saint of Cork and one of the patrons of our diocese. His feast day is celebrated on 25th September. Remember to include prayers today for our diocese, our Bishop, priests and the people who are the Church in Cork and Ross. You might tell the story of Saint Finbarr in the parish newsletter around this time of the feast to remind people of our history. Saint Finbarr is associated with Gougane Barra and on the nearest Sunday to the feast day our Bishop invites us to join him on pilgrimage to the Oratory in Gougane Barra for prayers and Mass. Why not gather a group from your parish to go on pilgrimage to Gougane and join with people from across the diocese today. A great way to celebrate and witness to being the Church in Cork and Ross…


Saint Patrick The Patron saint of Ireland – celebrated on March 17th During Mass today:

- In the opening procession you could bring in procession a statue or picture of Saint Patrick and a bowl of shamrock

- At the beginning of Mass ‐ Bless the shamrock (see prayer below) - Invite your local traditional musicians to play for one of the Masses today - Arrange that in your pastoral area at least one Mass is celebrated in Irish - Tell the story of Saint Patrick in the newsletter the weekend before the feast

day - Have an outline picture of Saint Patrick for children to take home for

colouring - Remember the diaspora in the Prayer of the Faithful today

Today in Ireland we also mark this day as the day of prayer Emigrants – see www.catholicbishops.ie for resources and prayers for today Blessing of Shamrock on Saint Patrick’s Day Heavenly Father, We gather today to celebrate the life and ministry of Patrick your servant. We ask you to bless these plants of shamrock, our national symbol used by Patrick in his ministry to our ancestors, You are truly one God and Three Persons, a Trinity of love and compassion. Through having these blessed symbols in our parish this day may we be reminded that your Most Holy Trinity watches over and blesses our daily lives. And so now as we sprinkle these shamrock plants with holy water may you bless them † in the name of the Father, creator of all, in the name of the Son, your Word made flesh and in the name of the Holy Spirit who consoles us and reminds us of your love for us, one God forever and ever Amen.


Saint Valentine February 14th is a day when we remember in a special way the one we love… Why not invite engaged couples to come this evening for a special blessing of their rings to mark this special day The blessing ceremony can be found in the Book of Blessings


Saint Vincent de Paul The feast of Saint Vincent de Paul is celebrated on the 27th September each year. We are all aware of the work of the saint Vincent de Paul Society so why not…

‐ Offer a special word of thanks to day for all who are members of your local conference

‐ Remember the members in prayer ‐ Invite the members of the society to Mass today, welcome them and say

thank you ‐ Use today as a time to seek new members for the society that their work

may continue


The Gathering 2013 sees the island of Ireland celebrate The Gathering! During this year we are encouraged to invite people to gather – especially those who have moved away from their home land… All over the country groups, communities and families are preparing for this special event – inviting the people to gather in many different ways…as a parish how can you link into this national event – be part of The Gathering… Some ideas… ‐ Invite all those who were Baptised in your parish to our special celebration ‐ Invite all those who were married in your Church to come for a celebration

and blessing – why not link it to Saint Valentine’s Day ‐ Invite all those who received First Holy Communion or Confirmation to

return to a celebration of faith ‐ Research all those from the parish who gave their lives as priests, sisters,

nuns, brothers, missionaries at home and abroad, make a display, invite them to come for a prayerful celebration of vocation – a good time for this is Vocation Sunday (4th Sunday of Eastertide)

‐ Have one special celebration of Parish inviting all families in the parish to

invite family members who have moved away from the parish to return ‐ time for prayer and party!

‐ Link the gathering with the Year of Faith – host a gathering a local monastic

ruin, Holy Well, Mass Rock, old Church…invite religious orders who have been part of your parish history of faith to join you…celebrate the handing on faith through the years


Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated annually from 18th to 25th of January The Christian Churches across the globe are invited to mark in some significant way this annual week of prayer for Unity. This might include: - Including prayers for Christian Unity in the newsletter for the week - Including a Prayer of the Faithful for Christian Unity during this week - Swapping pulpits one day during the week with other local Christian

Ministers - Gathering as local Christians to pray together Each year Churches Together in Britain and Ireland prepare a service of readings, prayers and hymns on a theme and invite communities to gather to mark this special week of prayer by joining together in this celebration of unity. A copy of the service is sent each year to every parish during Advent to allow time for preparation in parishes. Faith Development groups, Liturgy groups, community and unity groups might like to consider leading this celebration of prayer for unity among Christians in parishes and building links with neighbouring Christian communities. For more info see: www.ctbi.org.uk or contact Fr Christy Fitzgerald –Diocesan Director for Ecumenism at the Pastoral Development Office.


World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.

- It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.

- It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration – the first Friday of March – to which all people are welcome.

- It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

Through World Day of Prayer, women around the world:

- affirm their faith in Jesus Christ. - share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and

needs. Through World Day of Prayer, women are encouraged:

- to become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation. - to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and

cultures. - to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them. - to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society. Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. Each year the prayer service for this day is prepared by the women of a different country and you are invited to join with women across the globe by hosting a service in your parish on the first Friday of March. Why not gather your neighbouring Christian communities to pray and celebrate together – becoming part of this world wide celebration of faith from sunrise to sunset? To find out more log onto: www.worlddayofprayer.net or www.worlddayofprayerireland.org To order copies of the service of prayer for this year: www.wwdp‐natcomm.org

http://www.worlddayofprayer.net/

http://www.worlddayofprayerireland.org/

celebrating special momentscorkandross.org/upload/1352112523.pdf · on this day you could invite...

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