25th May, 2022:
Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers,
As we approach the end of the academic year, may I wish you well for graduation and in preparing our young people for examinations.
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for May, June 2022:
May: For faith-filled young people …
May: We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generated and the dedication to service.
June: For families …
We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
To watch the Pope Video - https://youtu.be/aJpxgGQywX8
Thought for the Day:
‘The world is charged with the glory of God.’ (G.M. Hopkins)
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
Liturgical Calendar: I sent out the May Liturgical Calendar. If you did not receive it, please let me know and I will resend. As always, we are deeply grateful to Colette O’Doherty, DA Diocese of Ferns, for her generosity in sharing these resources.
The Healing Power of Nature: From Rose O’Connor, Diocesan Implementation Manager … Hello everyone, I hope you are all keeping well.
May 22nd to 29th is Laudato Si’ week, it marks the 7th anniversary since Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ letter on caring for our common home, was published. To mark the week, we are working with the Little Company of Mary sisters and the Salesian Cosmology Group to offer an opportunity of exploring the healing power of nature. You are very welcome to participate in ‘Walking among trees’ on Sunday 29th May at 1:45pm at the new ‘Infinity Woodland Pathway’ which has been created by the Little Company of Mary sisters at Milford Care Centre. The experience will include walking the pathway whilst pausing for reflection moments. Refreshments will be provided after the walk and reflection.
I am attaching a poster for the event along with an image version suitable for sharing on social media. (See Attachments 1,2).
Please feel free to share this invitation with any individuals or groups in your parish or community that would like to participate.
Registration is essential as there are limited place available. You can register at this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/InfinityWoodlandPathway
MA and PhD studies in Applied Spirituality: For the first time in Ireland, MA and PhD studies in Applied Spirituality are being offered in a technological university, through the work of SpIRE, the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education of Ireland founded by Drs Bernadette Flanagan PBVM and Michael O’Sullivan SJ, and the accreditation of such studies by what was the Waterford Institute of Technology.
Day Retreats in Manresa: The summer break might present an opportunity to reenergise! Manresa offers retreats enabling people to step aside from the ordinary into the surroundings of Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Dollymount, Dublin. They take place in an atmosphere of silence and comprises a number of elements: reflections, guided meditations, prayer, an opportunity to meet with a spiritual director, and a celebration of the Eucharist. Click here for Manresa Day Retreats ».
Narrative 4: Please find the link below for Narrative4 Ireland- all about the story exchange. Narrative 4 Ireland was established in 2016 and is a registered Irish charity. The programme centres on stories which have an innate power to create empathy in society. Stories can shatter stereotypes and break down barriers and end hate and prejudices. This programme based on the principles of circle work has been proven to increase wellbeing in the classroom and address issues around bullying and poor youth mental health. Narrative 4 equips educators with the tools to bring empathy education techniques into their work. Worth a look! Thanks to Martina Murphy, Castletroy, for sharing.
The film Fr Stu is in cinemas this week. Mark Wahlberg plays Fr Stuart Long who died in 2016 at the age of 50. He had been a boxer, an actor in Hollywood and a stand-up comedian, when a motor-bike accident led to his religious conversion and becoming a Catholic. In 2010 he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Helena, Oregon. Mel Gibson plays his alcoholic father and there is a star turn by Jacki Weaver as his cynical mother. Thanks to Fr. Gerard Condon, DA Cloyne, for alerting us to this. Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHREzAdyCPs
Attachments –
- The Healing Power of Nature poster #1
- The Healing Power of Nature poster #2
- 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 …
‘Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
‘Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
‘And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
‘I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.’
(’The Road not Taken’ Robert Frost)