Post Primary Weekly Connect, 5th December, 2022.

Post Primary Weekly Connect, 5th December, 2022.

Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org

5th December, 2022:

Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers,

Date for the Diary 26th January, 2023 – Limerick Diocesan Annual In-Service. Details to follow.

The Pope's Monthly Intentions for December 2022:

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:

‘Sometimes you aren’t meant to fix it but rather walk through it.’

We publish a thought for each day on the diocesan site. See  

https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick

Liturgical Calendar for December:

Liturgical Calendar for December: Once again, Colette O’Doherty, Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry, Diocese of Ferns, has attached for your information the Liturgical Calendar for November which also includes some other Social Justice key dates, etc. There is excellent material therein as it is packed with lesson plans, videos, liturgical resources, etc. and it is hoped that it is a source of support to you during the year.  You will be able to access PDFs, PowerPoints and Videos directly from the attached which should make life a little more convenient.  Just a reminder not to post on a website but emailing to teachers is perfect.

As the calendar is rather large, I will send it in a follow up email.

December 3rd: Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

December 3rd: International Day of People with Disabilities

December 4th:  Second Sunday of Advent / An Dara Domhnach den Aidbhint

December 6th:  St. Nicholas of Myra / Naomh Nioclás as Myra

December 7th:  St. Ambrose / Naomh Ambrose

December 8th:   Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

December 9th: St Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin

December 10th: International Day of Human Rights

December 12th: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 11th: Third Sunday of Advent / An Triú Domhnach den Aidbhint

December 14th: Memorial of St. John of the Cross

December 18th: International Migrants Day

December 19th: Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21st St Peter Canisius

December 24th: Christmas Eve

December 25th: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

December 27th: The Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph.

Advent Opportunities: from Rose O’Connor, Pastoral Implementation Manager, Limerick Diocese offering a number of opportunities for you, to support you on your Advent journey:

27th November to Sunday 18th December: ‘Advent in the Abbey; Beginning Anew’.

A series of Advent talks at Glenstal Abbey.  The talks started on Sunday 27th November and continues on each Sunday leading to Christmas. The talks take place at 4.30pm in the Abbey Library and are followed by refreshments and sung evening prayer. Suggested donation €20. The talks are also live streamed and available as recordings.  For further information, email events@glenstal.com or phone 061 621 005.  See poster attached with the details, Attachment 1.

Saturday 10th December, 10:30am to 5pm: Advent Desert Day in Limerick Diocesan Centre

Step aside from the ordinary into the lovely surroundings of Limerick Diocesan Centre for a one-day Advent Retreat.  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.  Please bring your own packed lunch. Tea/Coffee/Snacks provided.

The retreat will be facilitated by Phyllis Moynihan RSM and Sharon Collopy.  Booking is essential as places are limited. Contact Phyllis at 087 963 6893 or email: moynihanphyllis525@gmail.com.

Donation: €20.  See poster attached with the details, Attachment 2.

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. 

Advent in Two Minutes!: https://youtu.be/eC0FGQLBp7w

Thanks to Brenda in Castletroy for sharing.

More Advent Material on http://jesuitinstitute.org/Pages/Liturgy/Advent.htm

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 3

Attachments –

  1. Advent in the Abbey Poster
  2. Desert Day Poster
  3. Guided One Day Retreat for RE Teachers
  4. 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 …

‘It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

‘It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

‘It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

‘It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

‘It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

‘It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

‘So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.’                                                                 (Allan BoesakAdvent Credo’)

 

 

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