Fun, friendship and faith on the menu for Kildare and Leighlin diocesan picnic in Punchestown this Sunday

by | 25 Aug, 2017 | News

Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin has invited families in his diocese to a ‘Picnic in Punchestown’ taking place this Sunday 27 August. The picnic is part of diocesan preparations for next year’s World Meeting of Families and is also an attempt to reach out to all families of the diocese and to gather them together for an event filled with fun, friendship and faith!

Families from all 56 parishes in the diocese have been invited to the picnic by Bishop Nulty. They have been asked to bring along their own picnic with a bit of extra food for a sharing table for those who maybe don’t have enough to eat.

A special invitation has been issued to the families living in the two direct provision centres in the diocese, in Newbridge and Portlaoise, and also the refugee centre in Monasterevin. Bishop Nulty said that the diocese will be putting together special baskets for these families.

The family picnic will take place at Punchestown Racecourse this Sunday from 1.00pm until 6.00pm, with the official opening liturgy at 3.00pm. Bishop Nulty will lead a 2km fun walk around the race track and there will be face-painting, pony rides, and lots of children’s activities and games. There will be a display of UN vehicles from the nearby Curragh camp with military personnel on hand to share stories about the Irish contribution to the UN peace-keeping force.

Music for the event is being organised by Margaret Connaughton and Father Liam Lawton and will include local choirs and some special surprise guests.

Admission to the event is free.

Speaking ahead of the event Bishop Nulty said, “We all liked going on a family picnic years ago and I think we don’t do it enough of it now, because we spend more time on phones and on the internet and spend less quality time with one another.

“With this family picnic we want a sense of bringing together of families and a sense that we are a Church out in the field. It’s a bringing together of people.”

You can find out more about the picnic on www.kandle.ie and by following the #picnicinpunchestown hashtag on social media.

ENDS

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