Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
5th September, 2022:
Dear Chaplains, Co-ordinators, RE Teachers,
As you begin the new academic year, may I wish you blessings as you begin your work. In the words of John O’Donoghue, may your work ‘awaken in you a meadow of delight’ but ‘when the canvas frays in the currach of thought’ may you be equally inspired by the spirit. The role of the chaplain, department co-ordinator, teacher of religion is becoming increasingly challenging but also more important than ever and, as part of this community, we gain strength and nourishment from each other. As always, if I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Finally, may I welcome the new members to our group and I look forward to meeting with you in the year ahead.
Congratulations to Grainne Delaney, chaplain in Crescent, on her publication of ‘Occasional Prayers for the School Year’. Details of the publication are included below.
When school life begins to settle, I would appreciate if you could inform me of any changes to personnel so that I can update my contact list. If there are changes to department co-ordinators, you might also let me know accordingly.
Diocese of Limerick: Youth Ministry Coordinator
(Three-year fixed-term fulltime contract)
The Diocese is now recruiting a Youth Ministry Coordinator. The successful candidate will work on the delivery of the objectives and actions of the Young People theme in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, the vision of which is: “ to create local opportunities for young people to meet their peers in the Eaglais Óg and replicate at local level, the success of the Youth Ministry at diocesan level and ensure that young people feel connected, involved and active in a multigenerational church whereby grandparents, parents and children minister to each other”.
The role will involve the creation, resourcing, delivery and support of youth ministry programmes and initiatives across the Diocese, including with parishes and schools with a focus on building capacity in the local context. It will also involve engagement with Youth Work and other relevant Organisations (Voluntary and Statutory) both Regionally and Nationally as appropriate.
An Application Pack with Job Description (PDF) can be download from this link. You can download an Application Form (Word) at this link. CVs will not be accepted. Please note that the closing date has been extended to Friday, 16th September 2022.
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for September, 2022:
September: For the abolition of the death penalty …
We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
To watch the Pope Video - https://youtu.be/aJpxgGQywX8
Your Thought for the Day in the Season of Creation:
‘Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as the most important events in their lives.’ Thomas Berry)
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
New Prayer Book: ‘Occasional Prayers for the School Year’
An ideal book for busy teachers, chaplains, or anyone who often seeks a prayer or service for a particular event and finds themselves searching among a variety of sources for just ‘the right piece’. Working in a Jesuit school for over twenty years, where school gatherings are common and always prefaced with a prayer, the author has collated a number of prayers she has written over the years as a ‘go-to’ for those who lead prayers.
Gráinne Delaney received her Bachelor of Religious Science from the Mater Dei Institute of Education. Her role as Chaplain in Crescent College Comprehensive S.J. has fostered her interest in faith Formation. To order …
https://www.messenger.ie/product/occasional-prayers-for-the-school-year/
Full Time Vacancies - Diocese of Cork and Ross: Following on from the recent publication of Bishop Fintan’s pastoral letter Putting out into Deep Waters and the reconfiguration of the parishes of the diocese into families of parishes, two full-time vacancies arise for people to work in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
Applications are now invited for the following posts:
- PARISH LIFE CO-ORDINATOR
A detailed Job Description is available here and Further Information for Candidates is available here.
The Application Form for this post may be downloaded here.
Closing date for receipt of completed Applications for this post is: 12 noon on 12th September, 2022
- FAITH DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR
Scope of Role of Faith Development Co-ordinator:
A detailed Job Description is available here and Further Information for Candidates is available here.
The Application Form for this post may be downloaded here.
Closing date for receipt of completed Applications for this post is: 12 noon on 30th September, 2022
Attachments –
- Liturgical Calendar for September, 2022
- Social Justice Liturgical Calendar for your notice board
- Senior Cycle RE: I am attaching parts of a .ppt from Siobhan O'Donoghue, from Veritas on plans to provide new Senior Cycle RE resources.
- Attachment containing the usual links and resources. If you can add to this list, please forward all information to me.
If you are accessing this from the diocese website and would like to have these resources, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
To conclude …
“Begin”
Begin again to the summoning birds
to the sight of the light at the window,
begin to the roar of morning traffic
all along Pembroke Road.
Every beginning is a promise
born in light and dying in dark
determination and exaltation of springtime
flowering the way to work.
Begin to the pageant of queuing girls
the arrogant loneliness of swans in the canal
bridges linking the past and future
old friends passing though with us still.
Begin to the loneliness that cannot end
since it perhaps is what makes us begin,
begin to wonder at unknown faces
at crying birds in the sudden rain
at branches stark in the willing sunlight
at seagulls foraging for bread
at couples sharing a sunny secret
alone together while making good.
Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that we forever begin.
Looking forward to meeting with you in the year ahead, Fós le Buíochas agus Dóchas,
Dermot
Dermot Cowhey
Diocesan Advisor (Post Primary)
dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
085 8623904