10th October, 2022:
Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers,
Ahead COP 27 on climate (Egypt, November 2022) and COP 15 on biodiversity (Canada, December 2022) Pope Francis recalls in his message the importance of “promoting the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement”, as recently ratified by the Holy See, and focussed, in his message, to call on nations to halt the further collapse of the “web of life” – biodiversity – pointing to four principles:
- Building a clear ethical basis for the transformation we need in order to save biodiversity
- Fight biodiversity loss, support its conservation and recovery, and meet people’s needs in a sustainable way
- Promote global solidarity, taking into account that biodiversity is a global common good that requires a shared commitment
- Put people in vulnerable situations at the centre, including those most affected by biodiversity loss, such as indigenous peoples, older people and youth.
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for October, 2022:
A Church Open to Everyone …
We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
To watch the Pope Video - https://youtu.be/aJpxgGQywX8
Thought for the Day:
‘As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be a prisoner.’ (Nelson Mandela)
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
Liturgical Calendar: October, 2022
Please see Attachment 1, the October Liturgical Calendar. There is a lot happening this month with information on World Mental Health Day (Oct 10th), including WMHD Toolkit; World Food Day (Oct 16th); International Day for the Eradication of Poverty; Mission Sunday (Oct 20th) including, once again, a tool kit.
RTÉ to broadcast Mass for World Mission Sunday on 23rd October at 11.00 am
The theme for World Mission Sunday this year, which the Church will celebrate around the world on 23 October next, is ‘You Shall Be My Witnesses’ (Acts 1:8).
We are deeply grateful to Colette O’Doherty, Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry, Diocese of Ferns for generously sharing these resources.
Mary’s Meals: Today, over 64 million primary school-age children miss school because of poverty; working in fields, begging on street corners or scavenging to survive. Millions more attend school so hungry they can’t concentrate or learn. Mary’s Meals is a global movement of people from all walks of life, united by the belief that no child should endure a day without a meal. Every school day we reach more than 2.2 million hungry children across 20 countries, and we see increased enrolment, attendance and academic performance in schools where our meals are served.
Please see Attachment 2 where you will find a six-week lesson plan for your students; short YouTube clips; fundraising opportunities; quizzes; finally, the availability of a speaker to visit your school. All links etc. contained in the attachment.
Senior Cycle RSE course available in Limerick Education Centre
Courses available in relation to RSE which may be of interest. 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.
Diocesan Ministry Training & Reflection: Training for Ministers continues with Ministers of the Eucharist (11th October) and two nights of training for Funeral/Bereavement Teams (18th and 25th October) all in the Diocesan Centre. Further details on the Limerick Diocese website.
Keliher Trust Scholarship: The Keliher Trust Scholarship may be of interest to some of your students. One or more scholarships equivalent in value to Category A Grant, under the Higher Education Grant Scheme, are awarded annually in order of merit to eligible candidates who attain Entrance Scholarships standard in the Leaving Certificate Examination. Recipients who are also holders of Higher Education Grants will receive a Scholarship of €1,710 subject to the rules relating to the renewal of the Scholarship.
Here is the link:
https://www.ucc.ie/en/scholarships/undergrad/arts/arts,-b-l,-sefsksch/
The new closing date is October 21st so hopefully there will be some interest. Please feel free to pass onto your guidance counsellors or, indeed, to any who may find it of interest.
Vocations Retreat. The Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia, Limerick are hosting a ‘Come and See Retreat’ for those who wish to explore religious life. This will run from 14th to 16th October, 2022. For more information and registration details, please see Attachment 3.
Attachments –
- Liturgical Calendar for October
- Attachment with all Mary’s Meals information
- Vocations Retreat poster
- Attachment containing the usual links and resources. If you can add to this list, please forward all information to me. Nothing added since last week.
If you are accessing this from the diocese website and would like to have these resources, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org. Also, if you have not received the September Liturgical Calendar, contact me and I will send it.
To conclude …
As we reflect on the tragedy of Creeslough, Father John Joe Duffy, from the Co Donegal village said “the heart of this village has been broken by a tsunami of grief” following Friday’s fatal explosion – though residents have been comforted by global messages of support including one from Pope Francis …
A ship sails and I stand watching until
She fades in the horizon and someone at my side says
She is gone
Gone where?
Gone from my side, that is all.
She is just as large as when I saw her.
The diminished size and total loss of sight
Is in me and not in her.
She is gone.
There are others who are watching her coming
And other voices take up a glad shout …
Here she comes.
Fós le Buíochas agus Dóchas
Dermot
Dermot Cowhey
Diocesan Advisor (Post Primary)
dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
085 8623904