Sacred Texts!
Posted on 20. Apr, 2012 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, Diocesan News, Education, featured, Parish Resources
SACRED TEXTS! A First Century Message with Twenty First Century Technology.
At a time of much debate around the future of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland one might be forgiven for believing that there is not much good news to be heard. However a closer look at the life of the church in Ossory reveals a very different picture. Through the auspices of the Ossory Adult Faith Development Group the local church is communicating the centuries old message of the gospel in new and exciting ways. In response to an innovative outreach project during Lent almost two thousand people right across the diocese signed up to receive a daily text on their mobile phones. The texts consisted of short biblical reflections accompanied by an invitation to reflect during that day. Geraldine Walsh from Killaloe near Callan, who signed up for the service, said that ‘the text service provided a simple and effective method of prayer during Lent even while on the move.’ and ‘the service gave her the sense of sharing something very special with many other people right across the diocese’.
Asked why he thought the text initiative was so successful, the director of Adult Faith Development Fr Dermot Ryan indicated that he believed its success was as a result of it simplicity and accessibility. He noted “already other community groups such as local GAA clubs and indeed our schools are using this technology to great benefit so it is only logical that we should do likewise”.
Owena Grimes from Bennettsbridge parish, a teacher in Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny and a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council remarked that “everyone, young and not so young has access to a mobile phone today and texting is now just part of our lives. People are still very open to receiving the good News of Jesus Christ which continues to offer hope especially in these difficult times”. Bishop Seamus Freeman even got in on the act when he used the diocesan text service to convey Easter Sunday Greetings to the great joy and surprise of many throughout the diocesan community.
The text service will continue to operate in the future conveying details of some upcoming events organised by the Faith Development Group and following on the success of the diocesan initiative Ballycallan Parish has now introduced its own text service. Speaking about this new innovation, parishioner and transition year student Nicholas Dunphy said that “many young people had signed up for the parish text service and thought the idea was brilliant keeping them in touch with all the goings on in the parish during the week”.
With the new text service successfully up and running Ossory Adult Faith Development has said that it will continue to explore new ways of being part of the ‘new evangelisation’ of the church to the contemporary world. In the meantime the Group continues its mission on behalf of the Diocese and Bishop Freeman to prepare people to assume their rightful role in the Church community. Recently in a homily delivered in the Cathedral of Léon, Mexico during his apostolic visit there Pope Benedict XVI urged Church leaders to forge closer bonds of communion between all members of the Church. In particular, he called for greater attention to the formation of lay faithful who must never be considered “second class citizens”. Through resources, formation events, seminars and conferences Ossory Adult Faith Development seeks to provide the people of the diocese with opportunities to grow and mature in faith and to provide them with the necessary skills to become first class citizens of the Church as Pope Benedict indicated. Further information on the activities of the Ossory Adult Faith Development Group is available on the diocesan website: www.ossory.ie
Celebration of the Eucharist
Posted on 06. Apr, 2012 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, featured, News, Parish Resources, Resources, Upcoming Programmes
CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST BOOKLET
Conscious of the now fast approaching International Eucharistic Congress that will take place in Dublin (10th -17th June) and of the centrality of the celebration of the Eucharist to the life of our Church, the Adult Faith Development group has put together a booklet to help explain the celebration of the mass.
This booklet is intended as an opportunity to explore some of the central ideas and basic actions that take place during our celebration of the Eucharist.
If you would like to order some of these please contact Martina at the Adult Faith Development office, Wednesday – Friday at 056-7753624 or at afd@ossory.ie. The cost of the booklet is €1.
Eucharistic Ministers Handbook
Posted on 29. Mar, 2012 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, Faith Resources, featured, Ministers of the Word & Eucharist, Parish Resources, Resources, Scripture Reflection
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS HANDBOOK RESOURCES
Training evenings for those people who will serve in our parishes as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist in the coming years was held recently by the Ossory Adult Faith Development. A great number of people attended throughout the diocese and the evenings were a great success.
As part of this training, to all who participated, a small handbook was given outlining some helpful background, explanation and practical guidelines on the role of an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist in a parish and copies of a suggested format for Communion with someone who is sick.
These booklets might also be helpful for those who are already trained and serving as Ministers of the Eucharist in our parishes. If you would like to order some of these please contact Martina at the Adult Faith Development office, Wednesday – Friday at 056-7753624 or at afd@ossory.ie. The cost of the booklet is €1.
Eucharistic Ministers
Posted on 02. Mar, 2012 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, featured, Ministers of the Word & Eucharist
Course of Preparation 2012
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist in the Diocese of Ossory
As you know, during Lent each year the diocese offers a course of preparation for those who are to be commissioned as extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
Details have been finalised for this year’s programme of preparation. We would, therefore, like to invite all those from your parish who are to begin as ministers and, if they would like to come along, those who are to be recommissioned, to join us for two evenings of preparation.
The evenings are being offered in the three deaneries as follows:
ST. PATRICK’S PARISH CENTRE, KILKENNY, 7.30pm-8.45pm
Monday 5th March – Speaker: Ken Maher
Monday 12th March – Speaker: Owena Grimes
FERRYBANK HALL, 7.30pm-8.45pm
Tuesday 6th March – Speaker: Ken Maher
Tuesday 13th March – Speaker: Owena Grimes
CANON MALONE HALL, BALLYRAGGET, 7.30pm-8.45pm
Wednesday 7th March – Speaker: Ken Maher
Wednesday 14th March – Speaker: Owena Grimes
Ossory Adult Faith Development Tel. 056-7753624 Email: afd@ossory.ie
Eucharistic Congress Information
Posted on 16. Feb, 2012 by afd admin in Diocesan News, featured, Upcoming Programmes
Information for the Eucharistic Congress 2012
All over the world, people are preparing to come to Dublin in June 2012 to participate in the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. By the end of 2011, almost 5,000 people from over 50 countries had already booked their places. Will you join them? International Eucharistic Congresses usually take place every four years. The last two were in Quebec City (Canada) in 2008 and Guadalajara (Mexico) in 2004. The Congress has been described as a Spiritual Olympics, a kind of Spring Show or a World Youth Day for Adults. The daily celebration of the Eucharist is at the very heart of the Congress. The wider programme, including keynote addresses, workshops and cultural events, will help deepen our understanding, enrich our celebration and renew our commitment to the lifestyle of justice and service inspired by the Eucharist. There will be a Youth Space with its own dedicated programme. Our exhibition area will include a special display of memorabilia from the 1932 Congress, some of which has been sent to us by people all over Ireland and even further afield.
The events of the Congress will take place at the RDS. The celebration which concludes the week and launches the next stage of our journey of faith will take place at Croke Park on June 17th.
Please find the following attachments
- Brochure with information about Ossory Day, Tickets for each parish for the Statio Orbis, Croke Park, Special Train arrangements, booking for the Eucharistic Congress etc. To download the brochure click here.
- Expression of Interest forms {applications forms} to apply for our “Diocesan Tickets” requested by IEC Headquarters…..to be complete by the parish and returned to Sr. Ena Kennedy…. To download the Expression of Interest forms click here.
Thank You
Fr. Martin Tobin
Lenten Text
Posted on 09. Feb, 2012 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, featured, News, Upcoming Programmes
A LENTEN TEXT…
Today our phones do so much more than simply make calls. We can use them to keep up to date with emails, the Internet, news, and even sport results… Conscious of this the faith development group are offering a Lenten Text Service.
Each day a short text message, a line of scripture or a thought for the day would be sent to those who have submitted their mobile phone number. This will come at NO cost to you. The text might encourage you to reflect for a moment on something or to pause and say a brief prayer, think of someone, or decide to do something small that day. It is a way that we can journey together during Lent. Doing something for Lent supported and encouraged by others.
Those who would like to receive these texts – at no cost – are asked to:
TEXT their mobile number to the Ossory Faith Development Group at 085-8313100
or EMAIL afd@ossory.ie
or TELEPHONE 056-7753624
(To stop receiving the texts at anytime simply text STOP)
Lent Resources Available
Posted on 09. Feb, 2012 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, featured, Parish Resources, Resources, Scripture Reflection
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The booklet and CD for Lent Scripture Reflection are now available. So as to ensure their distribution, to the various parishes, if those interested could contact the Adult Faith Development office 056-7753624 or email afd@ossory.ie with the quantities needed.
The Lent Scripture Reflection Booklet, is an opportunity for groups or individuals to come together once a week to reflect on the scriptures. The booklets guide people through a simple method of scripture reflection and contain the Sunday Gospels of Lent. The cost of each booklet is €3.
The Lent CD is based on the central characteristics of Lectio Divina. Used alone or with a group this CD will act as a guide in reflecting on the Gospels of Lent. There are four tracks for each of Sunday [(1) the reading of the Gospel, 2) A scriptural exegesis, 3) a reflection on what it is saying to us today, 4) a piece of reflective music and a brief meditation]. It is a double CD set this year and the cost remains at €5.
These resources can be used in a group or by individuals, to encourage and to reflect on the scriptures during Lent.
Eucharistic Bell Itinerary
Posted on 05. Jan, 2012 by afd admin in Diocesan News, featured, News, News, Resources, Upcoming Programmes
Eucharistic Congress Bell
The Eucharistic Congress Bell will be travelling around the Diocese of Ossory from January 8th to 19th. The aim of the Bell travelling around the Diocese and all around the other Irish Dioceses is to call people to prayer and bring them to a greater awareness of the forthcoming International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin next June.
Eucharistic Congress 2012 in the Diocese of Ossory
Eucharistic Bell Itinerary
The Diocese of Ossory will be receiving the Bell on Sunday the 8th of January 2012 from the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore and will pass it on to the Diocese of Ferns on Thursday the 19th of January. It is the responsibility of each Parish what they wish to do with the Bell.
Sunday 8th January
- 2pm – Bishop Freeman is to receive the Bell from the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore on Rice Bridge.
- Bell to travel by boat to Polerone/Mooncoin.
- 8pm – Templeorum.
Monday 9th January
- 9 – 1 – Ferrybank.
- 1.15 – 2 – Kilmacow.
- 2.15 – 5 – Glenmore.
- 5 – 9 – Slieverue. Mass at 7.30pm.
Tuesday 10th January
- 9 – 10 – Mullinavat.
- 10:15 – 12 – Ballyhale.
- 12 – 1:45 – Aghaviller.
- 2 – 6 – Callan.
- C.B.S. 2-3;
- St. Brigids 3-4; Nuns Chapel 4.30;
- Christian Brothers Westcourt 5-6.
- 6 – 9 – Dunamaggin and Windgap.
Wednesday 11th January
- 9 – 10.30 – Ballycallan
- 10.30 – 12 – Tullaroan
- 12 – 2 – Freshford
- 2 – 6 – Urlingford
- 6 – 9 – Johnstown
Thursday 12th January
- 9 – 10 – Galmoy
- 10 – 1 – Durrow and Aghaboe
- 1 – 3 – Rathdowney.
- 3 – 5 – Borris-in-Ossory and Camross
- 5pm – Seir Kieran.
Friday 13th January
- The Bell will be arriving in Kilkenny City at 10am.
- 10 – 2 – Primary Schools.
- St. Johns (10 – 10:30)
- C.B.S. (10:45 – 11:15)
- Presentation (11:30 – 12)
- St. Patricks de la Salle (12:15 – 12:45)
- St.John of God (1 – 1:30)
- 2 – 3 – St. Kieran’s College.
- 3 – 6 – Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Convents etc.
- 6:30pm Arrival – Youth Mass at 8pm in St. Fiacre’s Church – Bishop Freeman and Fr Mark Condon.
Saturday 14th January
- 8 – 10.30 – St Patricks. (9.30 Mass). St. John of God.
- 10.30-11.45 – Black Abbey
- 12 – 1 – Capuchin Friary.
- 2 – 4 – Town Hall and High Street.
- 4 – 6 – MacDonagh Junction.
- 6 – 7.15 – St Johns. (6.30pm Mass)
- 7.30 – Meet the Mayor and Borough Councillors at Town Hall for procession to the Cathedral.
- 8 – Mass in St. Marys Cathedral. – Bishop Freeman.
Sunday 15th January
- 9.30am – Mass in Jenkinstown Church
- 11am – Confirmation in Conahy.
- 2 – 6 – Muckalee.
- 6 – 9 – Ballyragget. Mass at 7pm.
- 9 – Aislinn.
Monday 16th January
- 8.30 – 12 Lisdowney.
- 1 – 5 – Castlecomer.
- 5pm – Clogh.
Tuesday 17th January
- 10 – 12 – Inistioge
- 12 – 4 – Thomastown.
- 4 – 6 – Tullaherin.
- 6pm – Gowran.
Wednesday 18th January
- 9 – 10.45 – Clara.
- 11 – 1 – Danesfort.
- 1pm – St. Canice’s Parish – St. Canice’s Cathedral and Kenny’s Well.
Thursday 19th January
- 8.30 – Arrival in Rosbercon
- 9.30am – Mass in Church of the Assumption Rosbercon.
- 12.30pm – Rosbercon – Bishop Freeman to hand the Bell over to Bishop Brennan of Ferns.
The following information and resources may be of some assistant to prepare for the Congress Bell’s visit! Click on the name of the particular resource below to view or download the documents:
- EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS BELL ITINERARY
- BELL VISIT RESOURCES
- PASTORAL FORMATION AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- FOR FURTHER RESOURCES YOU MAY GO TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Public Speaking winners
Posted on 15. Dec, 2011 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, featured
Students debate passionately about the Church
Loreto students Anne-Marie Byrne, Chloe Power, Ruth Corr; Colaiste Pobail Osrai students Keire Ni Mhurchu, Rachel Ni Bhriain and Cait Ni Mhaolmhuaidh with the adjudicators from Ossory Adult Faith Development, Michael Hogan, Chris Kelly and Fr. Oliver Maher.
THE issues surrounding young people and the church are expressed in many different ways Some will look to the fact that there doesn’t seems to be many at Mass on Sunday; others will, no doubt, point out that there isn’t much happening for them in many of our parishes; others still will suggest that they are a lost generation.
Such opinions paint a fairly gloomy picture and they ignore the fact that there are many good things happening.
Over the past number of weeks Ossory Adult faith Development has given young people from the secondary schools in Kilkenny a very public forum, in the form of a public speaking competition, to discuss matters of faith and practice.
The topics varied, and on the first night “Young people in the church an example to believers” was defined, discussed, and defended very passionately by students from the Loreto and CBS secondary schools. Pupils from St Brigid’s Callan, St Kieran’s College and Colasite Pobail Osraí explored the topic “Young people: Twenty-first century saints; an old mans dream or an recipe for a radical life” on the second night. Once again those in attendance were given a wonderful insight into the ever questioning, life filled and always evolving faith of these young people.
On the final night two teams were left: Loreto Secondary School and Colaiste Pobail Osraí. Their topic was “Church: we are the present and the future”. Exploring this topic the students not only presented a vision of a wonderful and hope-filled church but also, in doing so, asked some tough questions of the church today.
While Colaiste Pobail Osraí were the winners in a closely contested competition, the ultimate winners were those in attendance who, over the course of the few weeks, were given an insight into how much this generation has to offer us.
Advent Resources
Posted on 25. Nov, 2011 by afd admin in Adult Faith Development, featured
For Advent
Scripture Booklet and CD
To order the Advent Scripture Booklets
or the Advent CDs
contact Ossory Adult Faith Development
056-7753624 or email afd@ossory.ie
This text of the Advent Scripture Booklet
is also available in audio format
on the Ossory Adult Faith Development Advent CD
Advent Scripture Booklets
€3 each
*****************
Advent CD €5 each