Post Primary Weekly Connect 28th November, 2022.
Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
28th November, 2022:
Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers,
As we begin the new liturgical year with the season of Advent, we are reminded that ‘Advent enables us to see the present world as a signpost to a larger reality. Advent gives us a glimpse of hope amidst the ruins in our lives. Advent anticipates and waits for Christ’s return, who pledges a solemn promise to free us from all that corrupts and defaces our personal and collective lives. (from John Cullen, quoted in ‘Sacred Space’ 2023)
Date for the diary 26th January, 2023 – Limerick Diocesan Annual In-Service. Details to follow.
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for November, December 2022:
November: For children who are suffer …
We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection.
December: For volunteer not-for-profit organisations …
We pray that volunteer not-for-profit organisations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
To watch the Pope Video - https://youtu.be/aJpxgGQywX8
Thought for the Day:
‘Be grateful for those who stand with you in all seasons.’ (Sangeeta Rana)
We publish a thought for each day on the diocesan site. See
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
Liturgical Calendar for November:
28th November: First week of Advent
Archbishop Eamon Martin launches the 2022 interactive digital Advent Calendar: Digital Calendar to go live on catholicbishops.ie this 27 November, the First Sunday of Advent
Now in its ninth year, this interactive digital Advent calendar retains a unique and popular online presence. Behind the 28 virtual doors, the calendar offers resources for schools, parishes and the home with short inspirational video messages, some seasonal crafts for children and prayers to help us keep Christ at the centre of our Christmas preparations.
Also, Colette O’Doherty, Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry, Diocese of Ferns, has provided the Liturgical Calendar for November which also includes some other Social Justice key dates, etc. As the attachment is too large to send with this newsletter, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org if you wish to receive it.
Short Advent PowerPoint: Please see Attachment 2 for a short presentation, including a YouTube clip explaining Advent, suitable for junior classes.
Guided Day-Retreat for Religious Education: The Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference, would like to invite you to a Guided Day-Retreat for Religious Education Teachers. This day will be led by the well-known Dominican retreat director Fr Stephen Cummins, OP and Mrs. Hilda Campbell, a member of the Council and Diocesan Advisor for the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
The initiative to organise this retreat arose from discussions at the Council for Catechetics to find ways we can support Religious Education Teachers. The retreat is subsidised but we do ask for a part-contribution to defray costs for the day.
For further details please see Attachment 1
Senior Cycle RSE course available in Limerick Education Centre
Courses available in relation to RSE which may be of interest. Health and Well Being for Post Primary teachers on 8th December. Please see
https://pdst.ie/onlinebooking?combine=&subject=Health+%26+Wellbeing&ec_name=Limerick+EC§or=All
Thanks to Claire Coakley, Chaplain, Kilmallock for alerting us to these.
Advent and Christmas 2022: Kieran O’Mahony OSA has published his very first volume of the Hearers of the Word series which is devoted to the readings for Advent and Christmas in Year A. The book is available online from Messenger Publications. Click on this link. It is also available for Kindle.
Attachments –
- Guided One Day Retreat for RE Teachers
- Advent PowerPoint
- 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 … we enter the Advent season at the beginning of the liturgical year, take a few moments to reflect …
We advent each other in simple steps:
smiles; caring inclusion … polite gestures of reverent affirmation
silently and subtly pointing our way to Bethlehem.
Each journey is singular
a personal mystery, sojourns of paradox within;
yet searching
we pack our bags differently these days.
The travelling itself may seem burden and baggage enough.
The empty crib stands before us
hidden at some distant place (always - in disguise)
patiently awaiting our arrival.
The Saviour within us, and about us
cries out for incarnated birth
once more to be heard
in a land of hopeless hearts.
The desolate winter of our disbelief
can be renewed
in a manger warm with embrace.
So we follow each other’s stars
whether bright or dim
through dark days this December
until suddenly Home
where the angels of our gladness shepherd us gently in
Christmas transforms us
newborn
yet again! (‘Aventing Each Other’ by Susan Spadinger, OSF)