Season of Creation

1st September to 4th October

 

River Walk (ecumenical event on ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’)

Sunday 10^th September 3pm to 4:30pm.  Beginning at King John’s Castle, over Thomond Bridge to Treaty Stone & St Munchin’s Church, down Clancy Strand, on to Sarsfield Bridge, on to Arthur’s Quay, finishing at St Mary’s Cathedral. (No charge)

 

*A template will be shared with parishes who would like to organise their own local River Walk.

‘God in a Leaf’ bookclub

Three-week programme with input each night from author Brian Grogan SJ.

• An introductory settling down, stilling, contemplative prayer.
• An input on ‘God in a Leaf’.  Night one on ‘The Mysticism of Laudato Si’, night two on ‘Doors of Perception’ and night three on ‘Repair my House’.
• An open response time, concluding with song/music.

Dates: 7:30pm to 8:45pm, Tuesday 12^th, 19^th & 26^th of September on Zoom. 

Cost: €15.

Blessing of Pets – feast of St Francis of Assisi

Blessing of pets in the garden by St Lelia’s Church, 11am Wednesday 4^th October.

(No charge)

Book of Genesis; ‘God’s creative, transforming presence in our lives’          

with Sr Therese Fitzgerald, Sister of our Lady of Sion.

In the Book of Genesis, we hear stories about key characters who continue to shape our lives today. We will pay particular attention to three figures whose stories inform the narratives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As we engage with how Abraham, Sarah and Hagar relate with one another, we will reflect on ways in which their stories might support us in our personal response to others. In all of this, we will explore how God’s creative presence continues to transform our lives, as it did theirs.

During this programme, there will also be an opportunity to learn some ways in which to approach Biblical texts. Our guiding principle in this will be fine tuning our capacity to hear God’s Word and keep it (Luke 11:28). 

Two half-day face-to-face workshops (opening & closing) in Limerick Diocesan Centre, with 6 weekly Zoom sessions.

• Opening session: Saturday 9th September, 10am to 1pm
• 6 evening sessions on Zoom: Mondays 18th, 25th September & 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd October, 7:30-9pm. 
• Closing session: Saturday 4th November, 10am to 1pm.  Cost: €60

Eucharistic Adoration Open Meeting

Limerick Diocesan Adoration Committee is taking on new members to further the practice of Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese. You are welcome to attend a preliminary meeting in St. Nessan's Parish Centre, Raheen, V94 ED2C on Saturday 16^th September starting with Mass at 10AM. Refreshments served. Please contact Tommie MacNamara (Lay Pastoral Minister) on 086-0401789 or Maureen on 087-6497382 to book a place.  (No charge)

 

Diocesan Assembly 10am-3pm, Saturday 23^rd September, Rathkeale House Hotel

• Launch of Diocesan Report
• Review of Team Ministry; Administrative / Institutional Dimension, Revisit Guidelines
• Living Synodality; Instrumentum Laboris and the characteristics of synodality
  • Sharing of practical experiences from parishes (No charge)

Godly Play Core Training with Godly Play Ireland

Godly Play is a form of spiritual accompaniment for children. It uses a unique method of STORYTELLING which allows children to explore their own spirituality. Godly Play invites children to wonder about the mysterious presence of God in their lives. The children connect with Parables, Sacred Stories and Liturgical action through story, play and silence. The Godly Play 3-Day Core Training Programme will run in Limerick Diocesan Centre; on 3 Saturdays: September 23rd, October 14^th, and November 18^th. Cost: €300.  Learn more: www.godlyplayireland.com. 

Workshop on Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing

‘Living a happy and contented life’; getting the conversation going on positive mental health and wellbeing with Grow & JIGSAW. 

 

A workshop for parents, people in ministry, community leaders and others to start the conversation on the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing in the family, the parish, and the wider community.  Details of resources and supports available to families, parishes and community groups will be shared. 

Date: Tuesday 10^th October, 7:30-9pm in Limerick Diocesan Centre.  (No charge)

 

 

Diocesan Liturgy Day - Saturday 11^th November in St Munchin’s College

 

The day will begin at 11am and finish with Mass at 5:30pm.  A light lunch will be provided.

 

Keynote Address: Synodality as a Fundamental Aspect of Christian Liturgy by Prof Thomas O’Loughlin 

 

Thomas O'Loughlin is Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology at the University of Nottingham and Director of Studia Traditionis Theologiae and Brepols Library of Christian Sources.

 

Tom was born in Dublin and undertook his third-level studies in UCD, Maynooth, Mater Dei, All Hallows and Bangor.  He has taught in Ireland in UCD and the Milltown Institute and the University of Lampeter in Wales. He is a priest of the Catholic diocese of Arundel and Brighton.

 

Among his many publications are:

• Discipleship and Society in the Early Churches (James Clark and Co., Cambridge 2022).
• In Christ now meet both East and West: On Catholic Eucharistic Action (Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN 2023).
• Shaping the Assembly: How our buildings form us in worship (Messenger Publications, Dublin 2023).

 

Four Parallel Workshops (each workshop will run twice so everyone can attend two workshops; parishes may wish to send a number of parishioners so all workshops can be availed of).

 

(i) ‘A Time to be Creative; Liturgy and the Recovery of a Sacred Playfulness’ Workshop led by Mossy Hynan, Lay Pastoral Minister.

An exploration of the role Liturgy plays in the Christian community, with a particular focus on the seasons of Advent and Christmas. The emphasis will be on practical things parishes can do to make the Advent and Christmas seasons as spiritually and pastorally meaningful as possible.

 

ii) Revitalising liturgical music in our parishes Workshop

led by Ríona Ní Churtáin, musician, teacher, and performer.

 In this workshop, participants will discuss some strategies to foster and develop liturgical music in their home parishes, especially amongst young people. Repertoire ideas will be explored together, with particular emphasis on Irish composers.

 (iii) ‘Children’s Liturgy through Godly Play’ led by Sharon Collopy, Lay Pastoral Minister & trained Godly Play Storyteller

The Godly Play method is an approach which helps children explore their faith through story, to gain religious language, and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play.  Come learn about the key elements of the Godly Play method, where Sharon will demonstrate two stories, one on the Season of Advent, and the other on the Mystery of Christmas.

 

(iv) ‘Praying with Young People Workshop’ led by Gráinne Delaney, Catechist, Crescent College Chaplain & Deputy Principal, author of ’Occasional Prayers for the School Year’.

Are we brave enough to pray with our young people? This workshop will explore prayer and liturgy through the year; creating a sacred space for prayer; identifying moments when prayer is especially needed; Morning Prayer and the Examen.

Cost for the day: €25 including lunch and materials.

 

Retreat Days / Days of Recollection

 

November & Advent Desert Days, in Limerick Diocesan Centre with Sr Phyllis Moynihan RSM, Bernadette Murphy (November), and Ann Mulcahy (Advent).

 

Saturday November 4^th, 10:30am to 5pm:  Step aside from the ordinary for a one-day silent retreat at Limerick Diocesan Centre. The focus of the day will be to remember our loved ones who have died. The retreat includes prayer, meditation, reflection, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Celebration of the Eucharist.  €20 contribution requested.

 

 

Saturday December 2^nd, 10:30am to 5pm: Time Apart with God; a one-day Advent Retreat in Limerick Diocesan Centre. The day takes place in an atmosphere of silence with reflections, guided meditations, prayer, and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The day will conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist.  €20 contribution requested.

 

Advent Retreat – Waiting Transformed in God’s Presence

with Sr Therese Fitzgerald, Sister of Sion

Saturday 2^nd December, 10:30am to 4pm, Glenstal Abbey. 

The Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies (MIC) is offering an Advent Day of Recollection, facilitated by Sr Therese Fitzgerald, in the beautiful surrounds of Glenstal Abbey.  The day will help us slow down and awaken ourselves to God’s treasures in unexpected places, deepening our awareness of God’s presence with us, by being more choiceful in how we wait.  A contribution of €70 is requested for the day, which will include lunch.

*Register for all programme elements at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AutumnProgramme