Watch this space! The Eucharistic Congress Bell is coming to Galway and Sacred Heart from July 4th to the 10th
The Eucharistic Congress Bell is a key symbol of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. From its origins in the Dominican Convent of Portstewart, Co. Derry the Bell was more recently used to ring in the Jubilee Year 2000 in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.
The Bell will reflect the invitation to faith, to prayer, to reconciliation and to mission which has always been important in our Christian tradition and is no less so today. The pilgrimage of the Bell throughout the Dioceses of Ireland, and beyond, will be a vehicle to:
- Invite people to deepen their communion with Christ and with one another
- Promote the pastoral aims of the Congress
- Invite all Christians to join in giving a common witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an increasingly secular society
- Animate the people of your Diocese to become involved with the Eucharistic Congress both locally and nationally
- Invite people to come to the Congress from June 10th to 17th 2012
Mass Intentions for the Week Ahead
Saturday 25th June
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Stephen Griffin and Mary and Martin Curran
Pray for Ray Rooney at all Masses this weekend.
Sunday 26th June Corpus Christi
9.30 am Peter Cooke and Mickey Sullivan
11.00 am Paddy and Mary Lenihan and Marty Lee
Tom Daly.
12.15 pm Gillian Moloney Bocxe
6.30 pm Gerard Thornton
Monday 27th June
10am Winnie Mongan
Tuesday 28th June
10am For all the Sick and James Lee
Wednesday 29th June Sts Peter and Paul
10am Intention free
Thursday 30th June
10am Intention free
Friday 1st July Feast of the Sacred Heart
10am Fr. Anthony Hoade
Saturday 2nd July Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Nicholas Conneely and Margaret and Anthony Lynch
Sunday 3rd July
9.30 am Intention free
11am Delia Delaney
12.15 pm Kathleen and Edward Diviney
6.30 pm Intention free
TODAY! National Eucharistic Congress in Knock
Our parish bus left at 11:50 AM!
· Thousands expected at major All Ireland Church celebration ahead of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in 2012
All roads lead to Knock this weekend for the National Eucharistic Congress at Knock Shrine. The Catholic Church in Ireland is marking the one-year countdown to next year’s International Congress by hosting a National Eucharistic Congress in Knock on 25 June next. Thousands of people from parishes all over the country will travel to Knock to take part in special events, workshops, celebrations and prayer. The Knock Youth Festival is also running at the same time as the National Eucharistic Congress.
The celebration in Knock is a chance to focus on the local community and the pastoral preparation in Ireland for the International Eucharistic Congress next year. The International Congress is not just a once-off week of events in 2012, but a journey of renewal. This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and to do something together – in communion – as one body.
Catholic bishops, trustees and managers submissions to the Forum on Patronage
and Pluralism in the Primary SectorThe Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was opened today by Mr Ruairi Quinn TD, the Minister for Education and Skills. The forum's public working sessions, which continue until 24 June, are taking place in the Clock Tower conference room in the Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin.
Submission to the Advisory Group by the Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference Introduction
The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector established by the Minister for Education and Skills is a most notable and welcome development. The large number of Catholic primary schools in Ireland amidst a changed social and cultural landscape has given rise to questions about parental choice and has highlighted the need for greater diversity in education provision. As we look to a shared future in our democratic society it is important that all citizens are well served by our education system. We are committed to the common good and this includes the requirement to facilitate parental choice with regard to schools where this is practicable. Schools are among the most essential of all social realities so it is important that all stakeholders be involved in planning their future.
The Church has been engaged for a number of years in ongoing reflection on education in Ireland, having published a policy paper on future provision in 20071, its vision for Catholic education in 20082, and a report on factors influencing parental school choice, also in 20083. In 2010 the Department of Education and Skills produced data on areas for possible divesting of some Catholic schools. The Bishops’ Education Council responded to this by outlining a three step process that the Catholic Schools Partnership would undertake in the period August 2010-September 2011:
• Further qualitative analysis of parental understandings of patronage;
• The publication of a position paper and the invitation to individuals and organisations to respond;
• Internal consultation within the Church with parents, patrons, teachers, priests, pastoral council members, pupils, interview assessors, trustees and managers.
The results of these processes were analysed at four regional assemblies held in June 2011 with representatives from all dioceses. The Catholic Schools Partnership will now begin to draw the various strands of its consultation process together and then present the findings of its research to the broader public.
Read More at
All proceedings from the forum are on the website of the Department of Education and Skills at the following link:
Irish Youth Choir in concert
Irish Youth Choir 2011 comprises 80 of Ireland’s finest young voices, selected through a rigorous national auditioning process. This summer, they will perform a stunning a cappella programme of sacred music together with some well-loved Percy Grainger pieces marking the anniversaries of Ciconia, Victoria, Mahler and Grainger.
Date: Friday 1st July 2011
Time: 8.00pm
Location: Triskel Christchurch, Cork
Date: Saturday 2nd July 2011
Time: 8.00pm
Location: St Mary’s Cathedral, Bridge St., Limerick
Date: Sunday 3rd July 2011
Time: 8.00pm
Location: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Kevin St., Dublin
Further information
Liz Kelly, tel: 061 234823 or email: aoic@ul.ie
Information on Irish Youth Choir & 2011 Season
The Irish Youth Choir was founded in Cork in 1982 to provide an opportunity for young Irish singers to increase their musical skills, to sing together under the direction of professional conductors and tutors, and to perform demanding and rewarding choral works to the highest possible standard.
A mixed voice choir, IYC is composed of up to 80 of Ireland's finest young singers aged from 18 to 28. Following a rigorous annual audition process, the choir meets for an intensive rehearsal course in the summer under the expert tuition of the Artistic Director, Greg Beardsell, and a team of tutors and vocal coaches. IYC has inspired many young people to enter professional careers as soloists, conductors, teachers and musicians and has allowed others to perform chorally at a national and international level.ONE YEAR COURSE in YOUTH MINISTRY beginning in the Galway Diocesan Pastoral Centre on 24th/25th September 2011.
The Youth Ministry Studies Programme is open to anyone who has ability and an interest in working with and journeying with young people in a parish, school or college setting. Check out Or contact Siobhain Bradley on 091-565066 for an application form
GALWAY SHREDDIES PARKS TENNIS
Join for €25 and receive one hour of coaching (by age) every weekday for four weeks. Registration is at each court on Friday July 1st at 4-6pm. All children welcome.
Tel 528891
RTÉ’s The Genealogy Road show
RTÉ’s The Genealogy Road show is coming to Glenlo Abbey on Sunday June 26th- 12.30pm - 6pm
Do you think you might be related to someone famous or infamous?
Could you be connected to a big event in local history?
Or do you need to solve a family secret?
The Genealogy Roadshow is a brand new series for RTÉ Television presented by Derek Mooney and it is coming to Glenlo Abbey Co. Galway on Sunday June 26th 2011.
If you’re interested in television production there will be a full crew in operation. You’ll see first hand how a television show is made. If history is your thing, then this is your chance to see historians at work with the public. You be able to chat to historians and genealogists and ask questions.
The Road show’s crack historical and genealogical team will help people find extraordinary stories in their family as well as giving free advice on how to track down a family history. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with experts in the field and fill in the blanks revealing the true story of your ancestors.
The Genealogy Road show is looking for people from across Ireland who are interested in finding the missing pieces in their family tree, to be featured in the programme.
If you think you fit the bill, or would just like to attend the Road show, Big Mountain Productions want to hear from you.
You can submit family information by filling in the online form at
Be sure to include your stories, letters, photographs, birth certificates, and details of heirlooms that might be useful.
The series is being produced by Big Mountain productions for RTÉ. Please feel free to contact Kate at 086 237 5499 or
A Message from Barnardos
Here at Barnardos, we are very excited that summer has finally arrived! We have lots of fun summer activities and events for you to get involved in over the coming weeks. Why not join the huge number of pre-schools, primary schools, crèches and families who have signed up for this year’s Danone Big Toddle for Barnardos? Toddles have begun to take place and they will continue all over the country throughout the summer months!
For the older 'toddlers' out there, why not join us for this year's New York marathon in November? Now is the time to get training! Or for a very different kind of racing challenge, why not take part in the Mud Run in Limerick on June 18th!
Celebrate Creation Time!
Churches in Ireland are encouraged to join with Christians throughout the world by celebrating Creation during Creation Time on at least one Sunday, or over the five weeks.
This year's theme is Our Daily Bread - Food in God's Creation and churches are encouraged to focus on the role of food in God’s creation and in our lives.
A wide range of resources, including sermon outlines and intercessory prayers, are free to download from the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website –
Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI), a project of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting’s Church in Society Forum, was involved in preparing these resources, which also include a service with accompanying Power Point, group study notes, harvest festival ideas and background information on food and agriculture.
Creation Time is an opportunity each year for churches to celebrate creation and consider how they care for the earth. It grew out of a resolution adopted by the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) in 1999, which recommended that churches consider and promote the preservation of creation as part of church life at all levels. The rationale behind the initiative was that "Commitment to preservation of the creation is not an issue among many others but an essential dimension of all church life."The Third European Ecumenical Assembly held in Sibiu in 2007 concluded with the recommendation "that the period from 1 September to 4 October be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change".
The World Council of Churches supports these resolutions and promotes the observance of Creation Time throughout the globe. The Irish Catholic Bishops' pastoral reflection, Cry of the Earth, also recommends the observance of Creation Time and encourages all parishes to sign up to an environmental programme, like Eco-Congregation Ireland. ECI encourages churches to adopt an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, community outreach and contact with the developing world. It offers resources and practical suggestions for churches and individual Christians who wish to live out their vocation to care for God’s Creation as part of their Christian faith. For further information see
www.ecocongregationireland.org.Kind regards,
Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Eco-Congregation Ireland. Tel:+353 (0)86 1706923Catherine Brennan SSL, chairperson and Roman Catholic representative ~
catherine.brennan@ecocongregationireland.org
+353 (01) 4928240)
Rev Elaine Murray, Church of Ireland representative ~ emit@eircom.net +353 (0)87 2363100
Joe Furphy, Presbyterian representative ~ joe.furphy@ecocongregationireland.org +44 (0)28 9061 2311Helen Shiel, Methodist representative ~ helen.shiel@ecocongregationireland.org +353 (0)86 3871688
Catherine O'Dea, Religious Society of Friends representative ~ catherine.odea@virgin.net +353 (01) 2967958
