Starts: 27th January 2022
Time: 9:30am - 3:15pm
Starts: January 23rd - 29th
Theme: Living Life to the Full...
For the forthcoming 2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Cardinal Mario Grech and Cardinal Kurt Koch invite all Christians to pray for unity and to continue to journey together.
The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer is: “We saw the star in the East, and we come to worship him” (Mt 2:2).
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Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org 10th January, 2022: Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers, ‘Properly viewed, education is to be seen as an investment: it is an investment that is vital for "promoting integral human development." An investment in education is the primary means of promoting integral human development. Seen in this perspective, as an investment and not as an expenditure, education and formation make individuals “more free and responsible, and they are essential for the defence and promotion of peace.” (Pope Francis, Message for World Day of Peace 2022).’ (Archbishop Dermot Farrell) The Pope's Monthly Intentions for January, 2022: For Human Fraternity We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family. https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions To watch the Pope Video - https://youtu.be/aJpxgGQywX8 Thought for the Day: We publish a ‘thought for the day’ every morning at 7am on the Diocesan Facebook page. ‘Look for the hidden blessings everyday.’ https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick Liturgical Calendar 9th January: Baptism of the Lord 15th January: Feast of St. Ita, ‘foster mother of the saints of Ireland’ 18th – 25th January, 2022: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 24th January: St Francis de Sales: Patron saint of writers, editors and journalists 25th January: Conversion of St. Paul 28th January: St Thomas Aquinas 31st January: St John Bosco 1st February: St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron of Ireland https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-09-15 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/our-lady-of-sorrows/ Diocesan In-Service: The annual diocesan in-service will take place on Thursday 27th January, 2022. A decision on whether this will be in real life or virtual will be taken before the publication of the next Weekly Connect The web advertisements for Catholic Schools Week 2022, the posters and flyers will be distributed in the coming days.
Downloadable resources for Catholic Schools Week will be available shortly. Alpha Ireland: Alpha Ireland is really excited about its REFOCUS Alpha Online, starting in January. They are running a central Alpha Online in January for anyone who would like to see what Alpha is like. To register your place or to find out more, please click here: https://alphaireland.org/refocus The Alpha Ireland and Divine Renovation EQUIP Diocesan Network webinar returns next week on Thursday 13th January at 1pm. We're going to be looking at how Alpha - run well - helps to develop leadership pipelines; raising up a new generation of disciples and leaders. The link that you need is here: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82419892334?pwd=U0FraXJnaFpFb3ZNcnNjZEZQdVprZz09 Passcode: 949745 Attachments –
If you are accessing this from the diocese website and would like to have these resources, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org To conclude … Given the situation we find ourselves in at the beginning of the year, now, more than ever, we must keep faith and have hope for ourselves and our students. Thanks to Lily Barry (Marino Institute) for sharing the following … "You can have flaws, be anxious, and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you. Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, and relationships without disappointments. To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny’s author. It is to cross deserts; it is to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life. Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It is to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a ‘no’. It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified. It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us. To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful, and simple. It is to have maturity to be able to say: “I made mistakes”. It is to have the courage to say, “I am sorry”. It is to have the sensitivity to say, “I need you”. It is to have the ability to say, “I love you”. May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness... that in spring may it be a lover of joy, in winter a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start over again. For only then will you be in love with life. You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculpture serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence. Never give up... never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness. For life is an incredible show.
“Palco de vida” (Stages of life), Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935)
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Vocations are born in prayer and from prayer; and only through prayer can they persevere and bear fruits. - Pope Francis
Christmas Eve Homily By Bishop Brendan - 24th December, 2021 at St John Cathedral, Limerick....
Beautiful Christmas message from Bishop Brendan Leahy. Happy Listening and Merry Christmas...
Jackie is the CEO of the Midwest Simon Community.
Final Weekly Connect of the Calendar Year
Tom Flynn is the Manager of Saint Vincent De Paul Drop-In center, Limerick.
Bishop Leahy speaks about his background, call to the priesthood, and the Synodal Pathway.
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Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org 8th November, 2021: Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers, November Resources There is quite an amount of material available but, rather than send out so much to everyone, please let me know if you would like the information. Email to dermotcowhey@limerickdiocese.com
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for November, 2021: For people who suffer from depression We pray that people who suffer from depression and burnout will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
Thought for the Day: We publish a ‘thought for the day’ every morning at 7am on the Diocesan Facebook page.
‘Don’t tell someone get over it. Help them get through it.’ https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
Liturgical Calendar 14th November: St Laurence O’Toole, Bishop 15th November: World Day of the Poor 20th November: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 20th November: Universal Children’s Day 21st November: Presentation of Mary 21st November: World Traffic Victims’ Day 28th November: First Sunday of Advent 29th November: First week of Advent
For more information on special days please see Attachment 2.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-09-15 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/our-lady-of-sorrows/
Catholic Schools and the Month of November The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2022 ‘Living Life to the Full’. Catholic Schools Week runs from 23rd to 30th January, 2022. The annual diocesan in-service will take place on Thursday 27th January, 2022.
Credible Catholic
The only resource I am offering this week is Credible Catholic. Credible Catholic is a Religious Education programme made available for senior cycle non–exam RE by the Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference. It is designed for use in Catholic Voluntary Secondary schools in Ireland. An earlier version was written and produced by Fr Robert Spitzer SJ and the Magis Centre (California, USA) in 2018 and has been almost entirely re-developed for the Irish context, in line with feedback from RE teachers and theological advisors in Ireland. The Council for Catechetics and the Catholic Education Partnership acknowledges the generosity of Fr Spitzer and the Magis Centre in their work with RE teachers, Catechetics Council members, Schools’ Trusts and others in the work of re-developing this programme for Ireland, in particular Ms. Kate Liffey and Dr. Tom Finnegan. Credible Catholic aims to stimulate dialogue, encourage reflection and critical reasoning, foster religious literacy, build community, and nurture faith, and in doing all of these things, to promote student well being. It is an optional resource which will be very helpful to teachers of Religious Education. Material can be accessed through the link below and via a link on the JMB website.
www.catholicschools.ie/crediblecatholic
We are very grateful to the staff of JMB and to Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer Catholic Communications Office for her help and support. In-service for chaplains and RE teachers can be arranged if need be.
Attachments –
If you are accessing this from the diocese website and would like to have these resources, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
To conclude …
As we continue the month of November and remember our dearly departed, we take hope from the following …
Do not stand
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Ciara Moore is actively involved in the Limerick Diocesan Youth Ministry.
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Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org 1st November, 2021: Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers, This week, the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Christian Art, hosted by Patrick van der Vorst, would like to share a video set to the music of John Denver's 'Windsong'. Through paintings by Van Gogh, Michelangelo and other artists, they look at the beauty of our world... a world that has been entrusted into our care. We ask that we may all grow deeper in our respect for God's Creation and take better care of it. The website is free and available at Christian Art info@christian.art November Resources There is quite an amount of material available but, rather than send out so much to everyone, please let me know if you would like the information. Email to dermotcowhey@limerickdiocese.com
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for November, 2021: For people who suffer from depression We pray that people who suffer from depression and burnout will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
Thought for the Day: We publish a ‘thought for the day’ every morning at 7am on the Diocesan Facebook page.
‘The best feeling of happiness is when you’re happy because you’ve made someone happy.’ https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
Liturgical Calendar 1st November – All Saints 2nd November – All Souls 3rd November: St Malachy 5th November: St. Martin de Porres 6th November: All Saints of Ireland 8th November; Remembrance Sunday 14th November: St Laurence O’Toole, Bishop 15th November: World Day of the Poor 20th November: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 20th November: Universal Children’s Day 21st November: Presentation of Mary 21st November: World Traffic Victims’ Day 28th November: First Sunday of Advent 29th November: First week of Advent
For more information on special days please see Attachment 4.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-09-15 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/our-lady-of-sorrows/
Catholic Schools and the Month of November The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2022 ‘Living Life to the Full’. Catholic Schools Week runs from 23rd to 30th January, 2022. The annual diocesan in-service will take place on Thursday 27th January, 2022.
Attachments –
If you are accessing this from the diocese website and would like to have these resources, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
To conclude …
As we begin the month of November and remember our dearly departed, the recently deceased Brendan Kennelly urges the return of hope.
‘Begin’ Brendan Kennelly Begin again to the summoning birds
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Archbishop Kieran is the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly and also the Chair of the Bishops Conference Mission Committee.
Bishop Kenneth Kearon is the bishop of the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe, Church of Ireland.
Weekly Connect From: Dermot Cowhey dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
18th October, 2021:
Dear Chaplains/RE Teachers,
Yesterday the Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said that the first ever truly universal Synod of the Catholic Church will fail unless it begins with a “true listening to people”.
Speaking today at the commencement of the Diocesan phase of the worldwide Synod, Bishop Leahy said that the Synod is taking place at a critical time for the Church and must not be a talk-shop.
Dioceses across the world begin their Synod journey, with the objective of this phase being the ‘consultation of the People of God’. Each diocese will be asked to consult with the people, with the contributions being sent to their own Episcopal Conference before a synthesis is sent to the General secretariat of the Synod in Rome.
The Pope's Monthly Intentions for October, 2021:
Missionary Disciples
We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.
https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions
Thought for the Day: We publish a ‘thought for the day’ every morning at 7am on the Diocesan Facebook page.
‘I face today with an open mind,
Today I speak with kindness,
I lead with love,
I am gentle with me,
I will act with intention,
I choose to do no harm,
My actions reflect my words.’
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick
Liturgical Calendar
18th October - European Day against Human Trafficking / Lá Eorpach i gCoinne Mangaireachta Dhaonna
18th October - Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist / Féile Naomh Lúcás, Soiscéalaí
22nd October – St. John Paul II / Naomh Eoin Pól 11
24th October - Mission Sunday / Domhnach na Misean
25th October – Mid Term Break begins
29th October - Blessed Chiara Badano / Ciara Badano, Beannaithe
1st November – All Saints
2nd November – All Souls
5th November – St Martin de Porres
For more information on special days please see Attachment 2.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-09-15
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/our-lady-of-sorrows/
Facebook Group Post Primary RE Teachers – Ireland: Check out this outstanding resource with constant updating of material from over 15, 000 practicing teachers. You will have to register to access the material.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/276243297232417/
Other Resources for teaching R.E
An excellent database of resources for religion teachers is available by contacting Marie Murphy at: reclassresources@gmail.com or on: https://www.facebook.com/Teaching-Religious-Education-100466933364337/
Alpha-Youth Ireland
Alpha - Youth is a contemporary exploration of the Christian Faith that is being used by groups all around the world to help young people explore the character and claims of Jesus. Over 8, 9- or 10-weeks Alpha - Youth looks at topics from ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘Why did Jesus die?’ to ‘How & why should I read the Bible?’.
It’s a more informal version of the original Alpha using the same teaching content but adapted in a way to better engage with young people. Alpha - Youth shares the same important elements as any Alpha – food, a film presentation, and small group discussions (except with a lot more fun and many more games!). See also Alpha's Youth Film Series: 12 episodes – approx. 20 min each The Film Series will set the stage for honest and open dialogue. http://www.alphayouth.ie/what-is-alpha-youth. The resource is free and in-service for teachers can be provided.
Faith formation resources from the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore
‘To the Heights’ Weekly Newsletter
Check out their newest weekly resource. Use it in RE classes, with youth groups or in your own home! Check out the suggested activities, questions to reflect on, video and music content, Scripture links and prayer ideas too! Just follow the hyperlinks to access the videos and music!
Celebrating and supporting faith, hope and love! With weekly Gospel reflections, Children's Corner, Carlo Acutis Corner for teens, Prayers and Challenges for families and more. Also wonderfully laid out lesson plans for RE Classes. Download weekly from www.waterfordlismore.ie/resources or subscribe by clicking here.
Catholic Schools and the Month of November
The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2022
‘Living Life to the Full’. Catholic Schools Week runs from 23rd to 30th January, 2022. The annual diocesan in-service will take place on Thursday 27th January, 2022.
Attachments –
If you are accessing this from the diocese website and would like to have these resources, please email dermot.cowhey@limerickdiocese.org
To conclude …
I wish you all a restful, reviving mid-term break and look forward to seeing you in November…
There is a winter in all of our lives,
a chill and darkness that makes us yearn
for days that have gone
or put our hope in days yet to be.
Father God, you created seasons for a purpose.
Spring is full of expectation
buds breaking
frosts abating and an awakening
of creation before the first days of summer.
Now the sun gives warmth
and comfort to our lives
reviving aching joints
bringing colour, new life
and crops to fruiting.
Autumn gives nature space
to lean back, relax and enjoy the fruits of its labour
mellow colours in sky and landscape
as the earth prepares to rest.
Then winter, cold and bare as nature takes stock
rests, unwinds, sleeps until the time is right.
An endless cycle
and yet a perfect model.
We need a winter in our lives
a time of rest, a time to stand still
a time to reacquaint ourselves
with the faith in which we live.
It is only then that we can draw strength
from the one in whom we are rooted
take time to grow and rise through the darkness
into the warm glow of your springtime
to blossom and flourish
bring colour and vitality into this world
your garden.
Thank you Father
for the seasons of our lives.
- Author Unknown
First ever universal Synod reflects the critical crossroads the Church is at – Bishop Leahy
