Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

The annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from June 6th – 11th 2013, ex Cork Airport.  Bookings are now being taken at the Diocesan Pilgrimage Office, St. John’s Pastoral Centre, John’s Hill, Waterford.  Office Number is 051-878900.

To pray for the success of the pilgrimage, Bishop William Lee will celebrate Mass on Saturday 1st June in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford at 6.15pm.  All are welcome to attend.

Focolare “Mariapolis” – Dungarvan

Focolare “Mariapolis”  Dungarvan 1^st -6^th July 2013

The Mariapolis is the Focolare summer gathering where people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths meet to take time out together. It is like a retreat but different because it is lived together with each day having talks, workshops, outings and fun, moments of reflection and discussion. Focolare is an ecclesial movement and it takes its inspiration from Jesus’ prayer: “May they all be one” (Jn. 17:21) and includes Christians of various denominations, followers of the major world religions and people with other beliefs.

Please check www.focolare.org

For more information tel 045 840410

Mariapolis Invitation Dungarvan 2013

Irish Church Music Summer School

Unofficial Twitter Account

It has come to the attention of the Diocese that an unofficial Twitter account has been set up in the name of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. The account has the Twitter handle @WaterfordLismor

It should be noted that whoever is running this account does not have the approval of the diocese and any tweets from this account should be considered to be unofficial and not attributed to the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore.
(Dated:  7th February 2013)

Evening of Reflection – Carrick on Suir – 13/03/2013

For the last two years the Parish Pastoral Council of the Parish of St. Nicholas, Carrick on Suir, has organized a series of reflections on the Wednesday evenings of Lent.  The Youth Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society are asked each year to organize and lead one of these.

This year being the Bi-centenary of the birth of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, founder of the Society, and the year when two of the conference members travel to Wold Youth Day in Brazil, the conference decided to involve the Society in a special way.

The Youth Liturgy Committee helped to draw up a special Society-centred liturgy.  The conference members proclaimed the readings and led the prayers in their own inimitable way: much lighting of candles, raising of outstretched hands and prayerful silences, and walked among the congregation offering a hand-shake of peace.  7.30 on Wednesday, 13^th March, 2013! Someone very important had just, two minutes earlier, appeared on a balcony in Rome.

Not to be beaten by bad timing, one of the conference members was seen at 7. 23 peering, with the presider, Fr. Geoghegan, at an iphone: yes, we really had a new pope, and a name, Pope Francis –Francis? – for whom we prayed in the liturgy.  Just in time!

The congregation was addressed by Geoff Meagher, National President of the Society, reflecting on the work and example of  Blessed Frederic.

Tramore & Carbally Parish pilgrimage to Rome

Historic Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for Tramore & Carbally Parish

Some 40 members of the parish of Tramore & Carbally as part of the Year of Faith, recently went to Rome and Assisi and arrived in Rome on an historic occasion – hours after the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI, arriving on Friday 1 March. Accompanied by Fr Michael Toomey (cc Tramore)  and Fr Michael Mullins, (PP Ballybricken) and two wonderful guides, Una and Mario, the group experienced many wonderful and historical places. The group stayed literally around the corner from St Peter’s Square, and in the first afternoon, celebrated Mass in the church of Santo Spirito Relics which has the relics of St Faustina and Blessed John Paul II. This church has special devotion to the Divine Mercy, and upon arrival, the choir singing the Stations of the Cross were truly uplifting. The next day, the group went into St Peters Basilica, (jumping the big queue thanks to our guides which is hard to do in Rome!), and we had a 2 hour guided tour, which took in seeing the Pieta, the Altars which have the remains of Blessed John Paul II, and John XXIII, as well as the High Altar with the remains of St Peter himself. Underneath, we were able to pray at the tombs of Popes John Paul I, Pope Paul VI among many others, taking in the spectacular dome from inside St Peters. Later that day, we celebrated Mass in St Mary Majors Basilica, and afterwards, many went for the famous Italian Ice Creams! After which, we visited the famous St John Lateran Basilica.  Mass on Sunday morning was celebrated in  the Irish Pontifical College with the staff and seminarians who are training for the priesthood in dioceses across Ireland. Former president of Ireland Mary McAlese was there and met some of the group afterwards. A presentation of a piece of specially commissioned Waterford Crystal was presented to the staff and students of the college. The college has a long standing connection to Waterford, as Luke Wadding was the inspiration to its founding in 1628. After Mass, we travelled to the Basilica  of St Paul outside the walls and prayed at the tomb of St Paul. Later, a visit to the Catacombs which was fascinating. Later that evening, a specially arranged meal was offered for the group thanks again to Una and Mario, and even our parish curate, Fr Michael Toomey, got into the Italian spirit by serenading the singers who earlier performed for us. On Monday, many of the group went to the famous Sistine Chapel on day before it closed in preparation for the conclave. We were truly in historic times, and to be part of it was very special. Later that day, we toured some of the famous landmarks of Rome including the  Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain. Later on, we celebrated Mass in St Patricks Irish  Augustinian Church with thanks to  Fr Tony Finn for the ‘Irish’ cup of tea which was much appreciated by all!   On Tuesday, we headed to Assisi, and visited the house of St Francis of Assisi and saw where he was imprisoned by his father to stop giving away the family pocto the poor and needy.   In the afternoon, we celebrated mass Basilica of St Mary of the Angels which contains the famous Porziuncola, the chapel of St Francis within the Basilica, and is the place where St Francis died.   The next day, we went to the 13^th Century Basilica of St Francis in Assisi and visited and said Mass at tomb of the saint. Afterwards, we saw the Basilica of St Claire.   Our final day saw us travel around the gorgeous Umbrian mountains to the town of Cascia and celebrated mass at the place where the remains of St Rita, the famous Augustinian nun are resting. After which, we made a trip to Norcia to the place of birth of St Benedict, patron of Europe, and St Scholastica. On Friday we headed home on a long journey, which was filled with very many happy and spiritual memories. Upon the return of the pilgrims, Fr Michael Toomey commented: “This really has been a great group. We have travelled  together and looked out for one another. When I was inspired through my prayers and meditation on Porta Fidei, I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to go and do what was required in the year of faith pilgrimages of the faithful to the see of Peter are to be encouraged to profess faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in unity with him who today is called to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith, and to turn with particular devotion to Mary, model of the church who shines forth to the whole community of the elect as models of virtue. Well we have done that! And then some!” Fr Michael concluded: “We have all gained such wonderful memories in these historic times in the church history and we can say when Rome was bereft with the loss of the pope through abdication, we can say: ‘I was there!’ ”

2013 Parish Lenten Liturgy Resources – Trocaire

This year, Trocaire are celebrating 40 years in working for a just world.  Over the last number of years, they have been providing us with Liturgy Resources that are most helpful to parishes throughout the diocese of Ireland. 

This year, Lent begins on Wednesday 13th February. 

Please click on 2013 Parish Liturgy Resource – Trocaire where you will find suitable resources for your Parish, including Prayer of the Faithful, suitable music suggestions, a penitential service and much more.

Commemorative Plaque at Congress Villas

On the afternoon of New Year’s Eve last, a plaque to commemorate the Eucharistic Congress 2012 was unveiled at Congress Villas by the Mayor of Dungarvan, Cllr. Micheál Cosgrove. Along with the Mayor were Very Rev Wm. Canon Ryan, P.P., Dungarvan, Rev Paul Waldron ADM, former C.C., Dungarvan and Diocesan Co-ordinator for the Eucharistic Congress, Very Rev. M. Cooney, OSA, Sisters from the Mercy, Presentation and Bon Sauveur Communities and many residents from Congress Villas which was built in 1932 and named for the Congress. The houses bear the emblem of the 31st Congress held in Dublin in 1932.

The plaque is to commemorate both the success of the 50th Congress last June and the visit of the Congress Bell which was rung first in that location exactly a year ago.

Canon Ryan welcomed the large gathering which he described as a very pleasant occasion, a time to remember the success of the Congress and to mark the eighty years of the housing estate and remember the people who had resided there in that time.

In unveiling the plaque, the Mayor said that on that day last year, New Year’s Eve, the Eucharistic Congress Bell from its origins in the Dominican Convent at Portstewart, Co Derry made its way to Dungarvan and made its first stop at Congress Villas on its journey to the Parish Church of St. Mary.

“Everybody is used to the sound of a bell,” he said, “and across the world bells are rung to call people of all faiths to prayer. We are all familiar with the ring of a bell from our school days. A Bell is really a strong symbol and a wake up call.”

“We are also here to commemorate the previous time the Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in June 1932 over 80 years ago,” he continued. “Thankfully, we still have some people alive who have fond memories of the 1932 Congress. The Ireland and indeed Dungarvan of 1932 was a much different place to now and in spite of the absence of communication media we are now familiar with, the 1932 Eucharistic Congress was wider known as an important event in Ireland.”

In 1932, our Independent Nation was still in its infancy, after many years of conflict. This Estate of Houses around us was one of the first Local Authority Construction Schemes in Dungarvan. At the time it was a major step up in the standard of housing accommodation from that which came before. Running Water and a Toilet were standard features of the houses. Prior to this the common practice was to name Housing Estates or Streets in honour of ‘ people who had fought bravely for our Irish Independence or were well known in the locality or perhaps a Saint. For the naming of this estate was a new Departure.

“This Estate as we all know was named Congress Villas in honour of the 1932 Eucharistic Congress which was held in June” 1932. This is a group of 86 Houses, 86 homes, each I’m sure with their own collections of stories, happy and sad and Congress Villas has given Dungarvan some very fine men and women.”

“Finally we will shortly be unveiling and blessing our commemorative Plaque.

As we unveil this plaque, it is also timely that our Pope Benedict XVI has designated the period from Oct 2012 to Nov 2013 as a Special Year of Faith, and everybody is encouraged to examine or re-examine their Faith and what their Faith means to them. Pope Benedict says “The Door of Faith is always open”. So perhaps in the weeks, months and years ahead as we pass this plaque we will remember the significance and the arrival of the Congress Bell as a wakeup call from the normal day to day activities.”

Fr. Paul Waldron then blessed the new plaque and said he hoped that it would serve as a lasting reminder of a very significant series of events in Ireland.

Learn to play the Organ

A unique ten-week introductory programme for musicians who would like to learn to play the pipe organ is now available.  The programme offers individual lessons, group workshops, technique and repertoire.

The programme can be tailored for those who are new to the organ (for those who have intermediate piano, playing experience and who would like to take up the organ). It  is also good for those who are ‘refresher organists’ (those who have experience of organ playing and would like to refresh and build on their skills).  If you are a complete beginner and playing with basic piano skills, it is also suitable for you.

There are three tuition locations avialable:  Carlow, Kilkenny & Waterford.

Dates and times may be arranged that are convenient to both tutors and participants.  Group workshops are 1.5 hours, and individual tuition is 30 mins per week.  The cost is  €270 for a 10 week programme. 

For further information please apply to:
Director of Adult Education at Carlow Institute of further education or call 087-9241056.
You may also email adulted@carlowife.ie for an application form.

Mass of all Nations

St. Nicholas’s Church, Carrick on Suir.

Our annual Mass of the Nations was its usual prayerful, dignified and cross-national success.  Readings in English, Polish and Irish; prayers in Mandarin, Swahili, Igbo, Kirundi and English;  Eucharistic Prayer in Polish, French and English; seasonal hymns a plenty from the Suir Valley Choir; three wise ‘people’ bearing gifts of gold (not exactly!) frankincense(floating to the ceiling) and myrrh (not exactly either!); a United Nations of prayer readers; a swirl of native African dress, a bemused Chinese boy, and two candle bearers gone astray in a flurry of flags; two presiders, our parish priest Canon Cullinan and the diocesan Polish Chaplain, Fr. Emile Adler,  immaculate in cloth of gold vestments.

 A special word of thanks to the youth liturgy group – this is their seventh Mass of the Nations – for giving up their holiday time to lead the parishioners in prayer with such dignity and seriousness;  and, oh, yes, to the few bemused bystanders who were press-ganged into service at the last minute.

 Afterwards, all were invited to a feast of tea, coffee and nibbles. Not exactly on a par with the sumptuous offerings of the Wise Men, but enjoyed by all nevertheless.