Monday 14th March & Monday 21st March at 7:30pm, Holy Trinity Donaghmede

Parishes: Donaghmede, St. Benedict’s and St. Monica’s – You are invited

As you may have heard, the Holy Father Pope Francis has asked that everyone be given an opportunity to voice their feelings, opinions, their wishes and aspirations on how best we, as the church founded by Jesus Christ, might live and spread the Gospel in our world today.

Over the past few months, a huge amount of work and preparation has gone into making that happen. Each parish or group of parishes will hold meetings during which people might express themselves in response to four specific questions. The questions concern our thinking and feeling and our opinions about the Church.

What is of most importance is that we listen to one another. The gatherings are primarily listening exercises. They give us an opportunity to listen carefully and respectfully to our neighbour.

The responses will be gathered and forwarded to Archbishop Farrell.

We look forward to seeing you there on the 14th and the 21st.

Pope Francis has proclaimed a ‘World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly’ which will take place for the first time this year on Sunday 25th July 2021.

“Grandparents and the elderly are often overlooked but this new day in the Universal Church calendar is a momentous achievement for grandparents and the elderly and will hopefully reassure them that they are loved and that they are needed. It is refreshing also to note the renewed commitment by the Church for the Pastoral Care of the elderly, a group of people who have suffered greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic due to being isolated from family, from their faith and from many of their daily supports.”

“I firmly believe that grandparents and the elderly are needed now more than ever, not just as teachers of the faith, but as fountains of wisdom and sensibility – qualities which our world needs these days.” (Pope Francis)

Prayer for Grandparents

Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary,
the daughter of Sts. Joachim and Anne.
Look with love on grandparents the world over.
Protect them! They are a source of enrichment for families,
for the Church and for all of society.
Support them! As they grow older,
may they continue to be for their families
strong pillars of Gospel faith,
guardians of noble domestic ideals,
living treasuries of sound religious traditions.
Make them teachers of wisdom and courage,
that they may pass on to future generations
the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience.
AMEN