Gemma Mulligan Crowds cause Clonard novena times change
Clonard Monastery in Belfast has changed the session times of its annual Solemn Novena to facilitate the large crowds which are expected to attend.
Each year up to 20,000 people attend the 10 daily sessions during the nine-day ‘festival of faith’ which runs between June 15 and 23 this year.
There had been concerns that the most popular session, held at 8pm, had become overcrowded so the schedule has changed to have one at 7.30pm and another at 9pm. During weekdays, an early afternoon session will be held at 12.45pm and the next will be at 4.30pm.
Ossory appoints pastoral plan coordinator
Bishop Seamus Freeman has announced the appointment of Gemma Mulligan as coordinator of the newly developed pastoral plan for the Diocese of Ossory.
A native of Kilkenny city and now living in Tullaroan, Ms Mulligan previously worked with Catholic Youth Care in the Dublin archdiocese, is a member of the Diocesan Retreat Team and has been Chairperson of the Middle Deanery Pastoral Council for the last three years.
Annual global Rosary relay for priests
Thousands are expected to take part the seventh ‘Annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests’ at over 100 locations in some 50 countries on June 3.
On the stroke of midnight the biggest-ever prayer relay will start in Siberia, continuing all around the world for a full 24 hours to end in Guatemala.
“What makes this year different is the extent of local involvement,” said World Priest founder, Marion Mulhall.
Trend
“There is a significant trend now for things to intensify on a local level, as people find ways to increase participation. In a way you could say that the Annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests goes local.”
For a full list of participating shrines visit www.worldpriest.com
Irish priest appointed bishop in Zimbabwe
At the weekend Pope Francis announced the appointment of Irish Carmelite priest, Fr Paul Horan, as the new Bishop of Mutare in Zimbabwe.
Fr Horan transferred to Zimbabwe as a missionary in 2001, where he has served in a number of roles including director of postulants and subsequently director of novices of the Carmelite Fathers in Rusape, Mutare. He is currently director of the Kriste Mambo Catholic school in Rusape.
Limerick diocese applying for two new schools
The Diocese of Limerick has asked parents to fill out an online survey to ascertain the level of interest in the Catholic Church community becoming patron of two new secondary schools proposed by the Dept. of Education in Mungret and Castletroy, and to provide evidence of that interest to be taken into account in the department’s decision-making process.
To fill in the form click on http://tinyurl.com/Catholic-Patronage-of-Schools
Deadline: Friday June 3.