He was speaking to people who attended meetings in recent days to find out about this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The first Cork and Ross pilgrimage to Lourdes since before Covid will be led by Bishop Fintan Gavin in September. It involves a five-night stay in Lourdes where assisted pilgrims are accommodated in a hospital-like environment but with prefessional medical, nursing and support care provided by people from home. Most other pilgrims stay in hotels in the town of Lourdes within walking distance of the Grotto area.
Daily liturgies are planned by the diocese and these always include a special Mass celebrated at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared. Pilgrims also participate in the daily processions.
“Over the years, I have met some great friends on the pilgrimage, from among the assisted pilgrims and all the helpers,” said David Sheehy, who has been to Lourdes as a helper nine times. It began when he was asked by his brother-in-law Pat Fitzgerald if he’d go and help.
“It’s a great life experience which has shaped my passion for wanting to help others and care for others,” said Andrea Sheehy, who went to Lourdes as a young adult helper. She credits her time in Lourdes with inspiring her to work in childcare and to do a masters degree in special education.
Being a volunteer young adult helper on the pilgrimage was also a life-changing experience for Grace Dineen, she says.
“The days are fairly full and we work flat-out helping. But the day flies and there’s also time for some great craic and social time, too.”
"Those of us who have been to Lourdes have experienced something that draws us back,” (Fr Damian O’Mahony)
“Over the years, I have met some great friends on the pilgrimage, from among the assisted pilgrims and all the helpers,” (David Sheehy)
Lourdes Information Meeting
The first of two information evenings was held in Cork and here is a reminder for the second evening:
Location Map to Clonakilty Parish Centre
In the course of his visit Bishop Fintan met different groups including the Parish Committee members (Pradhinidhiyogam), catechism children and their teachers and the Church Community Kaikars before the celebration of Mass. During his homily at Mass, Bishop Fintan said how the Syro Malabar Church Community enriches the Diocese of Cork and Ross with their passion to share faith with their children. He also spoke of the importance of the Syro Malabar Rite retaining its identity as one of the Eastern Rites within the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
Bishop Fintan with Syro Malabar youth
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Colette Finn planting a crab apple tree in the new wildflower garden in the grounds of the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, Dennehy's Cross, Cork Present were Bishop Fintan Gavin; Fr. Donal Cotter, P.P.; Theresa Lynch, Faith in Action Group; Eamonn Moynihan, chairperson, parish Pastoral Council; student Angela Jaison, Mount Mercy College; Caroline Jaison, Sarah Moynihan and Ria Ashwin of St. Catherine's N.S.
After Mass, there was a tree-planting ceremony in the wildflower garden, followed by a social gathering where parishioners had plenty of opportunity to meet and chat with the Bishop and Deputy Lord Mayor.
The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Colette Finn, was in attendance.
The parish Faith in Action group applied to ECI for recognition as an eco parish in 2015 and became the first Catholic parish in the diocese to receive an Eco Award.
“This coincided with the publication of Laudato Si by Pope Francis, which gave us the stimulus to intensify our promotion of environmental awareness and responsibility for planet Earth, our commitment to social inclusion, and our connection with the developing world,” the Faith in Action Group explained.
In 2021, they successfully applied to ECI for their newly-introduced Gold Award. see full application here
At that time, parishioners were promised a joyous celebration of this wonderful achievement as soon as the pandemic’s waning would permit.
Bishop Fintan Gavin will lead the Cork and Ross Lourdes Pilgrimage this September.
People who want to find our more about what’s involved are invited to attend one of two launch and information evenings.
The two free events are:
Location Map to SMA Community Centre
and
Location Map to Clonakilty Parish Centre
Lourdes Pilgrimage - September 2023
The time has come, I believe, to remove the last remaining covid restrictions.
Wearing of Face Coverings No Longer Necessary
It is no longer required to wear a face covering while distributing Holy Communion for either priests or Ministers of the Eucharist. It is now possible for Ministers of the Eucharist to receive under both species at Mass. You might ensure to let your Ministers of the Eucharist know about this.
Lifting of Last Remaining Covid Restrictions
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