Fr Peter McVerry. Vocations depend on community – bishop
It takes more than a family to help someone discern a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, but also a “whole parish and many more”, Kildare and Leighlin’s bishop has said.
Speaking at the Basilica of Our Lady of Knock on June 23, Dr Denis Nulty said: “Mother Teresa didn’t become Mother Teresa (and later St Teresa) by herself. She had someone who preached the Word of God to her. None of us know who we are influencing, who we are prompting to drill deeper into God’s word, and the profound affect that preaching will have on our world.”
Dr Nulty concluded with a call for prayer for young priests as well as young men in seminary formation.
Faith music school opens doors
Over 100 singers and musicians from around the country are attending the 49th Annual Irish Church Music Association’s Summer School in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth from Wednesday, June 27 to Saturday, June 30.
The theme of this year’s summer school is Faith, Hope and Love and will reflect the events planned for each of the three days of the congress of the upcoming World Meeting of Families in the RDS from August 22 to 24.
Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry will celebrate Mass on Friday evening at 5pm and afterwards will launch a collection of Mass settings in Irish by Irish composers.
Decriminalise drugs in Ireland – priest
Renowned homelessness campaigner Fr Peter McVerry has called for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use “as quickly as possible”. He made the comment at a press conference for the CityWide Drug Crisis Campaign, saying the Government needs “to abolish the distinction between illegal and legal drugs”.
The campaign is urging the public to support the decriminalisation of the possession of drugs for personal use by submitting their views to the Department of Health’s public consultation on the issue. More than 14,000 submissions have already been made to the Department to date, with the deadline for submissions extended to July 13.