The six Western Dioceses (the Tuam Province) have planned a new initiative as part of the ongoing response to the pastoral challenge presented by COVID-19. One of the important Gospel stories of these Easter days is the account of how the two disciples met the Risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus and how they asked him: “Stay With Us Lord; it is almost Evening”.

With this in mind, we are inviting you to join us for a short (20 min) reflection, each Sunday evening at 6.30pm between now and Pentecost. Each reflection will be given by a different guest presenter and will be broadcast on webcam from a different location in the West.

The webcam links will be posted each week.

Sunday 3rd May comes from the Diocese of Elphin. Watch online at 6.30pm on churchservices.tv/strandhill

We invite you to take part in two online conversations (via Zoom) with Fr. Dermot Mansfield SJ on the topic of Cardinal Newman.  These will take place as follows: 

Tuesday 19^th May, 8 – 8.50 pm: 
The Life and Spirituality of John Henry Newman

Friday 22nd May, 8 – 8.50 pm: 
Newman’s relevance for our lives today

All the information you require to take part is available here:

https://www.elphindiocese.ie/newman/

We invite you to take part in two online conversations (via Zoom) with Fr. Dermot Mansfield SJ on the topic of Cardinal Newman. These will take place as follows: 

Tuesday 19^th May, 8 – 8.50 pm: 
The Life and Spirituality of John Henry Newman

Friday 22nd May, 8 – 8.50 pm: 
Newman’s relevance for our lives today

All the information you need to take part is available here 

https://www.elphindiocese.ie/newman/

On Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Kevin invites the boys and girls who are preparing for Confirmation, and their families, to join him for Mass online from St Patrick’s Church, Strandhill at 11.00 am. You can watch live at churchservices.tv/strandhill  We hope you can join with us this Sunday morning.

Short weekly online reflections – “Stay With Us Lord; for it is almost Evening”

The six Western Dioceses (the Tuam Province) have planned a new initiative as part of the ongoing response to the pastoral challenge presented by COVID-19. One of the important Gospel stories of these Easter days is the account of how the two disciples met the Risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus and how they asked him: “Stay With Us Lord; it is almost Evening”.

With this in mind, we are inviting you to join us for a short (20 min) reflection, each Sunday evening at 6.30pm between now and Pentecost. Each reflection will be given by a different guest presenter and will be broadcast on webcam from a different location in the West.

The webcam links will be posted each week.

Sunday 31st May will be led by Fr John Kenny from the Archdiocese of Tuam. Watch online at 6.30pm on facebook.com/stmaryswestport

Watch/Listen back to previous reflections: 

Diocese of Achonry with Fr Vincent Sherlock (Video)

Diocese of Clonfert with Sr Áine Barrins rsm (Video)

Diocese of Elphin with Deacon Frank McGuinness (Audio only – link below)

On what would have been the first day of their State Exams, Bishop Kevin invites the Leaving Certificate Class of 2020 to join him for Mass at 7.00pm on Wednesday 3rd June live from Sligo Cathedral.  sligocathedral.ie/live-feed-from-cathedral

Bishop Kevin will be joined by Mr Paul Keogh who will provide the music and 3 students from three of the secondary schools in Sligo Town who will assist with the Liturgy of the Word.

All are welcome to tune in to pray with Bishop Kevin for the intentions and hopes for the future of all our Leaving Certificate students.

Elphin Diocesan Online Conversation:  Care For Our Common Home – Moving From Words To Action?  8 – 9 pm Tues 23rd &  Thurs 25th June.  All welcome to participate. See www.elphindiocese.ie/common-home for more info.

National Grandparents Pilgrimage Knock Basilica, Sunday 13 September 2020

The National Grandparents Pilgrimage takes place in September each year at Knock Shrine. It is one of the busiest, most well-attended pilgrimages of the year. Organised by the Catholic Grandparents Association, the pilgrimage recognises the important role that grandparents play in family life by passing on and nurturing the life-long gift of faith in their grandchildren.

This special day of thanksgiving and celebration brings generations of families together from all over the country.

Since it began in 2002, the pilgrimage has prompted thousands of prayers for grandparents through the Children’s Prayer Appeal, a beautiful collection of prayers for grandparents written by grandchildren. In previous years the prayers would adorn the sanctuary at Knock Basilica, complementing the colourful plaques and flags and that could be seen during the opening procession.

This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions that are currently in place, the National Grandparents Pilgrimage will be held online where all can come together virtually, not only from Ireland but from all around the world.

Grandparents and their families everywhere are invited to take join with us online at 3pm on 13th September to celebrate this special day together.

Catherine Wiley, founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association said “This year, more than ever it is important for us to recognise the invaluable role that grandparents play in family life and in society. This has been an incredibly difficult year for so many grandparents around the world who have been isolated from their families, unable to enjoy the usual family celebrations or everyday contact which we would normally take for granted. The pilgrimage is a wonderful opportunity to make them feel cherished and valued.”

The National Grandparents Pilgrimage will be streamed live on the Knock Shrine website at www.knockshrine.ie/watch as well as on Facebook @KnockShrine