Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly of Cashel & Emly has issued a Pastoral Letter for Ascension Sunday, titled “Let us Go to God’s House” Psalm 122.
In his letter, Archbishop Kieran spoke of the pastoral planning and renewal that has been undertaken across the parishes of Cashel & Emly over the past four years.
Archbishop Kieran said, “In the Archdiocese we began a journey of sharing and listening over four years ago. A journey of searching as to how best we can be alive and serve the presence of the living God in our times. Last year, the journey as it neared the end of the important listening phase was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Now, as we begin to emerge from the weeks and months of restricted living, and above all, the physical absence from each other’s company in our churches and in society, I am pleased to inform you that we are in the final stages of fine tuning the Pastoral Plan titled: Seeds of Hope 2021 -2026. This is the fruit of the work that has been undertaken by you, the people of the Archdiocese, over these years.”
Ahead of Pentecost Sunday, which falls on this Sunday, 23 May, Archbishop Kieran invited the faithful to reflect on the Gospel message. He said, “Next Sunday, as we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and I ask you, when reflecting on the message of the Gospel of both Ascension Sunday and Pentecost, to listen to the call to each one of us to bear witness to the message of hope of the Risen Lord. Please include in your prayers over the coming days and weeks the much-loved prayer to the Holy Spirit: Come Holy Spirit for the success of the next stage of our journey of renewal as we put into action the dreams and hopes we have for the future of our church in the Archdiocese.”
The Thurles-based senior prelate concluded, “I place our journey under the care of Mary our Mother with the prayer taken from the letter of Pope Francis in his letter – the Joy of the Gospel.
“Mary Virgin and Mother, Star of the New Evangelisation, help us to bear radiant witness to communion, service, ardent and generous faith, justice and love of the poor. That the Joy of the Gospel may reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of our world.
Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us.
Amen.”
To read this Pastoral Letter in full, click here.
Ends
