Courtney McGrailJohn Paul II Awards presented in Cavan
Ten students from St Aidan’s Comprehensive School in Cootehill were presented with their Pope John Paul II Awards for 2016 at a special ceremony in the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan.
The awards were presented by Fr Ultan McGoohan, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services, assisted by Carina McGinnell, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
A bronze award was presented to Conor McComish. Silver awards were presented to Emer Fitzpatrick, James Quinn, Kelan Smith and Shane Smith. Gold awards were presented to Niamh Cassidy, Conor Deery, Jesse Holland, Rosalynd Lavery and Saidbh O’Grady.
The ceremony was also attended by Mary Ann Smith, the school principal; Gabriel McQuillan, the school chaplain; representatives from the local Knights of St Columbanus; and Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
Jesuit spiritual direction in 2017
In September 2017, Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Dublin is once again offering their well-established Diploma in Spirituality (Spiritual Direction). The course is also offered at the Jesuit Centre of Spirituality and Culture in Galway and Drumalis Retreat & Conference Centre in Larne.
The diploma, which is spread over a period of two years, is steeped in the Gospels and the wisdom of St Ignatius. Ongoing supervision allows participants to develop and deepen their skills and to discern the ways of God.
The course is accredited by St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and the closing date for all applications is April 30. For all further information see www.manresa.ie or contact 01 833 1352.
Pioneers celebrate 21st National Ball in Athlone
The 21st Pioneer National Ball takes place on Saturday, April 8. The event commences with Mass at 6.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Athlone, which will be celebrated by Bishop Francis Duffy. The ball continues with dinner in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel, followed by music and dancing. The guest speaker on the night will be racehorse trainer Jim Bolger.
As this year’s event marks a significant milestone since the first one in 1997, which was organised by the Kilteely/Dromkeen (Limerick) Young Pioneers, it will be a good opportunity for a reunion of Pioneers who have attended the ball over the past 20 years.
Tickets are €30 each and are available by contacting Brenda Lynch 087-6189411 or Dermot Fagan 085-7201646.
Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration national pilgrimage
The Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration invites people from every parish in Ireland to join them in Knock Shrine this year on Sunday, April 30 on the occasion of the National Adoration Pilgrimage.
The Apostolate is an association of lay adorers of the Blessed Sacrament which aims to assist dioceses and parishes to establish and maintain viable weekly adoration in conformity with the teaching of the Church and in obedience to the bishops and priests. Their vision is to have a nucleus of people in every parish formed, by sitting every week at the feet of Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Over 5,000 people attended the pilgrimage last year and details for 2017 are available on www.eucharisticadoration.ie