Courtney McGrailHundreds participate in the celebration of faith
Myriam Black
A new and dynamic approach to celebrating faith was taken by young people in the Diocese of Killaloe for the first ever diocesan youth mission. Members of the Killaloe Youth Diocesan Council (KYDC) planned and organised this mission, which opened with a celebration of the Eucharist in St Flannan’s College Chapel, Ennis, Co. Clare.
The main celebrant was Fr Donagh O’Meara and the liturgical music was led by Ennis Gospel Choir. The key speaker on the night was Elma Walsh, mother of the late Donal Walsh.
Addressing a congregation of around 250 people, she outlined how her teenage son, especially as a result of a television interview before his death, had inspired and continues to inspire young people to celebrate life. He sent out a message to young people to be full of joy and hope.
He implored them not to consider taking their own lives even when faced with almost insurmountable challenges.
Donal’s deep Christian faith was a key factor in his enthusiasm for life, and his mother explained how his legacy continues through the charity work carried out by his family.
The second event of the mission took place in Templederry church in Co. Tipperary. The liturgy included reflective music, prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. The main speaker was Gerard Hanley, a youth worker and well-known Galway soccer player. He spoke to the congregation about his own personal life story and faith journey. It was evident from the reaction of the young people that they could clearly relate to his story and message.
In Kilrush church, Joanne O’Riordan, who lives with a rare physical condition known as Total Amelia and is famous for the No Limbs No Limits documentary, challenged the huge crowd to reach their true potential in life.
Despite experiencing huge challenges on a daily basis, Joanne’s many achievements include a scholarship to UCC, where she is currently studying. She is a constant reminder to all of us that with great determination we can achieve our goals in life. Her presentation formed a key part of the liturgy in Kilrush which also included Taizé prayer and music led by Fr Jerry Carey and the Taizé Diocesan Prayer Group.
Mission
The culmination of the mission took place on Holy Island with the celebration of Mass on a beautiful autumn day, which involved a congregation of about 350 people. Bishop Kieran O’Reilly was the main celebrant and the liturgical music was led by Elation Ministries. In his homily, Bishop Kieran gave an insight into how this sacred island has been a special place of prayer and reflection for generations of Christians in the diocese.
Linking the faith of previous generations and the faith of people today, he encouraged the congregation to continue to spread the Gospel by participation in the Christian faith community and by being witnesses to their faith.
An important element in the success of the youth mission was the hospitality provided by the priests who minister in the parishes in which it took place and the huge assistance given to them by volunteers from each of the four parishes.
The large groups who participated in each part of the mission is testament to the fact that the young and not so young embraced the opportunity to explore, reflect upon and celebrate their faith.
*Myriam Black is a KYDC Adult Leader/Co-ordinator, and works in the RE Department in St Flannan’s College, Ennis, Co. Clare.