Knock Novena to take place from 14 – 22 August on the theme ‘Merciful like the Father’
The annual novena will take place from 14 to 22 August at Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock on the theme ‘Merciful Like The Father’. Daily ceremonies will be held in the Basilica at 3.00pm and 8.30pm and workshops will take place at 12 noon and 6.00pm. The 2016 novena will begin at the National Marian Shrine on Sunday 14 August with Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, who will preach on the theme ‘Merciful like the Father’. On Saturday 20 August Bishop Philip Boyce, Bishop of Raphoe, will preach on ‘The name of God is mercy’. On Sunday 21 August Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, will preach on ‘The Joy of the Gospel – no easy recipe’ and on the same day Father Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine will preach on ‘Knock, an engagement with mercy’. For more on this year’s novena see www.knockshrine.ie
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin appointed to Vatican Secretariat for Communications
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin as one of 16 members of the newly established Vatican Secretariat for Communications. The body consists of six cardinals, seven bishops and three lay people. Its aim is to oversee coordination and streamlining of the Vatican’s multiple communications outlets.
Bishop Denis Nulty suggests re-imagining of the Pledge
Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, has said that “re-imagining the pledge may be necessary so that young people can be reassured that as cool as they may think it is to drink, it’s also cool, in fact very cool not to imbibe”. Bishop Nulty was speaking at Our Lady’s Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, for the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart Annual Pilgrimage in conjunction with the Annual Matt Talbot Pilgrimage.
News Snippets
Read all these stories in full on www.catholicnews.ie
- ‘Strange Occurrences in a small Irish village’ is the title of a new documentary film about Knock Shrine which is coming to cinemas from Friday 26 August. Father Richard Gibbons, rector of Knock Shrine said, “This film captures in a beautiful way, the untold stories of those that come here and tells of our great hopes for the future of Knock Shrine and village”.
- The Society of African Missions are seeking volunteers to work on the implementation of their Thumb Print Campaign which will highlight the effects of climate change and the need for climate justice for the world’s poorest countries. For more information see sma.ie.
- The 2016 Catholic Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 11 September 2016.
- Congratulations to all those ordained this year to the priesthood for service in dioceses and religious orders. See vocations.ie for more.
Pope Francis Tweet of the Month: “Let us remember the elderly and the sick who in the summer months are often more alone and can be in difficulty.” Follow Pope Francis on Twitter @Pontifex and @news_va.
Produced by the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.
See catholicbishops.ie and catholicnews.ie.
