Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry paid tribute to Accord Catholic Marriage Care counsellors, past and present, at a special Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday 11 June in Saint James’s Church, Charlestown, in the Diocese of Achonry.
Bishop Kelly was joined by priests of the diocese who have been associated with the work of Accord within the diocese over the past four decades.
In his homily Bishop Kelly spoke of the significance of the word – Accord – and its central role in the harmony of the home and family, whose core is marriage. He acknowledged the work done by Accord in preparing couples for marriage, accompanying them through it and, in some cases, offering support in the event of separation or bereavement.
Remembering members of Achonry’s Accord team who have died over the years, there were prayers for the repose of their souls and for God’s reward of the part they played in sustaining the Sacrament of Marriage.
Bishop Kelly said that God is readily identifiable in the living of married life, that God is present in the shared love and journey of married life with all its ups and downs, good days and bad, joys and sorrows.
Quoting from one of the Prefaces of Marriage, Bishop Kelly said, “Love is our origin”, it is our constant calling and our fulfillment in Heaven. He said that Accord, in its work, supports such love and draws strength from this same love for its own journey.
The final words of the Bishop’s homily centered on giving thanks. Bishop Kelly said he wanted all involved with the work of Accord, at present, in the past and into the future to know the gratitude of the Diocese of Achonry for the work so well done, the time so freely given and the ministry fulfilled. He said, “We are grateful to you, we thank you and ask God to continue to bless you in your great work. Amen.”
For more see www.achonrydiocese.org.
ENDS
