Congratulations on your new baby

Congratulations on the birth of your child! The Parish Community shares in your joy. We are delighted that you want to have your baby join the family of the Church through Baptism.

To allow for preparation for your child’s baptism, parents are asked to give a few weeks notice to the priest and fill out a short form with the relevant details. 

The normal times for baptisms are Sunday at 12 o clock or on Saturday at 2.30pm. Other times can be arranged it with the priest.

With hugs and kisses, bottles and nappies, smiles and tender words, you convey to your child your love and how lovable your baby really is. We now know how tremendously important these little signs of love are if your child is to grow into a mature and loving adult. To be denied this love has disastrous consequences.

Your heavenly Father shows his love for us in the same way as you do - by signs and gestures. And the ceremony of baptism is full of them. The most important of these signs is the pouring of the water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

By this sign your child is adopted and made a child of God, sharing all the privileges and dignity that comes with that exalted title and also given the right one day to share in the great inheritance won for us by Christ.

In becoming a child of God, your child also gains many brothers and sisters, and this larger family we call the Church. Baptism not only draws us into the life of God, but also into the life of the church.

The committments of parents.

Supposing you had a very rich uncle who agreed that your child would inherit all his property on his death. I am sure that you would make a big effort to see that your child developed a close relationship with that uncle.

Well in baptism God adopts your child, conferring a dignity on your child that even the angels do not have, and confers also on you child the right to inherit the kingdom  of heaven.
All that is expected of you his natural parents is that you help and encourage your child to grow in a relationship of love with his or her Father in heaven.

Baptism Preparation

Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith. Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms. As he or she gets older your child will grow up, too, with your faith. That is why, when you approach the church about having your child baptised, you will be encouraged to think through your own faith and the part it plays in your life.
The very fact that you have asked to have your baby baptised shows that you recognise the importance of God in your life.

Growing in God’s Love

You will be delighted if you are there the day your child takes his or her first step.
You should be certainly there when you child takes their first steps in the journey of faith. It should be at their mother's knee that a child is taught to make the sign of the cross. It should be on their mothers lap that a child first comes to know and love the lovely name of Jesus.  It should be from your lips that the child learns their first prayer. 

The signs and symbolism of Baptism

Sign of the Cross

A sign on something shows its origins or ownership. The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Christ died on the cross. Parents and god-parents trace it on the child’s forehead to show that the baby belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.

Water

Water is an extraordinary element in a multitude of ways and is crucial for life on our planet. Scientists almost equate water with life. This is the symbol God has chosen to confer on us the life of the risen Christ in baptism. Water is also a wonderful cleansing agent and the waterfall of baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the case of adults, every sin committed prior to baptism is washed away.

Oils

Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead and sunbathers use oil to protect themselves from the harmful rays of the sun, we use this to ask that God's enveloping love will protect the baby.
Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally they were priests, prophets, and kings were anointed because they were considered as being special servants of God. 
The anointing with Chrism is an acknowledgement that your child is a priest with a right to offer prayer and praise to God, a prophet, called to live in the world as witness to the goodness of God, and lastly your child is a royalty, belonging to the royal House of God.
The oils are blessed by the bishop around the time of Holy Thursday.

White Garment

In the early Church, baptism was by immersion and coming out from baptism, the newly baptised  put on a new white robe symbolising that they were a new creation. This garment (usually a white shawl)  is often passed from generation to generation, a beautiful symbol of the passing on of the faith.

Candles

These symbolise Christ – the Light of the World. The baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ. The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the child’s life; and its flame symbolises the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.

The readings for Baptism.

The Sacrament of baptism has deep roots in the scriptures. The best way to understand baptism is to read the scriptures.  There are a number of stories in the Old Testament where water is central to the story, these stories have a lot to tell us about baptism. The first story is about Noah and the Ark, how God destroys a sinful world with the waters of the flood but saves Noah and his family by telling them to build an Ark.  Ask your self what does the Ark represent? There is also the big story of how God saves his people by leading them through the waters of the sea of Reeds. It was a pivotal moment for the Jewish people, escaping from slavery to become a free people. Baptism is a pivotal moment for us for the same reasons. There is another story of Moses striking the rock and water coming out of the rock to save the people.  Think about the spring of water on Calvary which flowed from the side of Christ.  See all the connections.  Read the story of Jesus being baptised in the Jordan, this explains perfectly how wonderful a moment baptism is for your child.

In the rite of baptism you will be asked to have readers to read readings chosen by you, one from the old and one from the new Testament. It would be lovely to have some song during a baptism.

Baptismal Register

Your baby’s baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead proof of baptism may be obtained in form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s confirmation, marriage or ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.

The Eucharist

The Catecism of the Catholic Church

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life. All the other sacraments are oriented toward it.
For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.
The Eucharist is a communion in the divine life that unites the People of God and keeps the Church in being.

It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to God.
By the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life.
In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith:

The mass, Gathered round God's table

At the family table, children are nourished not just by the food but also by the words spoken.
In the mass God gathers his children to nourish them with His word and with the bread of life.

To assist at mass is a tremendous priviledge, to be invited into God's house, God's presence.

Even our words have such power to build up and tear down, think how truly powerful must God's word be

When we receive the Eucharist we receive God into our hearts, God whom the universe cannot contain.

By going to mass we give encouragement and support to brothers and sisters whose faith is weak.

BREAD AND WINE TRANSFORMED

At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, which by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood.

Faithful to the Lord's command the Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his Passion:

The signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ.

This memorial of Christ's Passover, is also a sacrifice. The sacrificial character of the Eucharist is seen in the words of consecration: "This is my body given up for you" and "This is the cup of my blood poured out for you.

The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.

Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.

Take this all of you and eat

With these words the Lord urges us to receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist:
"Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you."

To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so holy a moment.
St. Paul warns us "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.
For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body brings judgment upon himself."

Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation
before coming to communion.

Who may receive the Eucharist.

The first requirement for receiving the Eucharist is baptism.
The next is to understand that it is Jesus you are receiving,
this means that a certain amount of instruction is necessary,
and also a certain level of faith.

Children normally make their first communion in 3rd class,
The catholic school helps parents to prepare the child for this event,
but the responsibility remains with the parents.
Indeed no one can pass on the faith to a child as parents can.

The priest must ensure that those put forward for first communion,
are adequately prepared.

To Parents who have a child for First Comunion

The year of their first communion is an important year in the life of a child, it is also an important year for their class, their teachers, and also for you the parents/guardians. It is also a special time too for the parish community. Your child’s faith journey began the day you brought your child to the Church to be baptised. And what a special day that was for you and the family. Now, that child has grown, they are about to take another step in their faith journey, as they prepare for First Holy Communion. And we all have a part to play.

Parents are the primary educators of their children, each parent/guardian are expected to take on a special role over the six months preceeding first communion, to journey with your child as they prepare to receive the sacraments. Our teachers do a wonderful job in preparing the children for their special day, but ‘home is where the heart is’. And the home is the domestic Church, where our children are most influenced by what they see hear and experience.

 

Confirmation

Confirmation celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read of the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit.
They had been hiding after the death of Jesus; afraid and uncertain, now
filled with the Holy Spirit and go out to bravely proclaim the good news.

We are made members of God’s family at Baptism. At Confirmation, our Baptism is completed or “sealed” by the Holy Spirit and we are not only called to be witnesses, like the apostles but like the apostles we are given the gifts we shall need to fulfill our mission .

Gifted?

Confirmation is all about being gifted. Ever heard someone referred to as gifted?
Ever sought out someone gifted to do some work for you. Are you gifted?
To follow Jesus in today's world is not easy, it never was, it takes great courage.
Ever felt like Peter; tempted to deny that you are a follower of Christ.

God is aware of our predicament and gives us what it takes. He gifts us by the Holy Spirit."
In Confirmation He gifts us with courage, wisdom, understanding and fear of the Lord.
Gifts we shall need to call upon many times if we are to reach the goal of life's journey.

Who can receive Confirmation

Any baptised Catholic wishing to move forward in their journey of faith. For young people, this is usually part of the 5th/6th class primary school programme.
For adults who were not confirmed as children, it means taking part in the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

Sponsor

A sponsor is someone who is willing and able to give support to an individual or group trying to achieve some goal.
In Confirmation sponsors undertake to support individual candidate to live out their baptismal promises.
As a sign of their commitment they place their hand on the shoulder of the candidate at the moment of confirmation.
The role of the sponsor is not just for one day, but should continue through the teenage years.

In Ireland their was a tradition of "Anam Chara" or soul friend, wise and caring friend to whom a person could turn when stumped by the perplexities and difficulties of life. A sponsor should be as a soul friend to the young person. assisting them to grow in the fullness faith and helping them fulfill their role in the community of faith. A sponsor should support the young person in going to sunday mass.

A person qualifies as a sponsor by being a reasonably mature adult, who is at least 16 years old, and has already received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) themselves.
The Confirmation sponsor may be one of the people who was a sponsor at Baptism (subject to the notes here).

Choosing a sponsor

Ref. Code of Canon Law §874) To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must: be appointed by the candidate, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister;

To be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
be not less than sixteen years of age, be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received
the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;
The Sponsor should not be either the father or the mother of the candidate.

Confirmation Name

The tradition of taking a new name at Confirmation emphasises the new identity of a Christian being called to witness to their faith. People are encouraged to take the name of a saint or some saint or person from the bible who inspires them in some way.

The Oil

The oil used is called the Oil of Chrism. It is olive oil mixed with balsam that is blessed by the bishop and priests of the diocese in the Cathedral at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday. The Sacrament is conferred with the anointing with this ‘Oil of Chrism’ on the forehead as the Bishop says ‘Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit’.

‘On the evening of that day, the first day of the week’, Jesus showed himself to his apostles, Peace be with you He said then He breathed on them, and said : “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; whose sins you retain, they are retained“.  (Jn 20:19, 22-23)

Sacrament of Reconciliation

These are images so frequently seen on television  these days are a testimony to the presence and horror of war and conflict in our world.
Peace brings such benefits that one might think that war would be unthinkable, unfortunatly wars like forest fires spring up everywhere.
So many conflicts so many relationships gone sour between nations people communities families and induivuiduls often with murderous consequences How terrible needed is some way of healing relationships and bringing reconciliation.

My peace I leave you.

To his followers Jesus did offer one thing peace.so great was the desire of Jesus to bring peace to the world that He died for it on a cross, indeed his death on the cross was the act by which the world is reconciled with God. 
God desires greatly that his children live in peace with each other and so have given us this lovely sacrament of reconciliation that is meant to bring reconcile those torn apart by conflict and through forgiveness turn hate to love

The primary relationship in our lives is with God. He is our Creator He made us we belong to Him On Mount Sinai over three thousand years ago God revealed to Moses what he expected from us his creatures.
You shall love the Lord your God above all things  with your whole heart and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest of the commandments. All our other myriad relationships with others are governed by the command of  Christ to love others as we love ourselves. 

God has revealed himself as a god of love and when we refuse to love or our neighbour, we weaken our relationship  or can even separate ourselves from God.

That relationship we have with God is so important and absolutely vital for us that to the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin which is a break is our relationship with God and nothing has worse consequences for sinners themselves, for the Church and for the whole world.

Conversion.

To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men.  One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.
The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future.  Conversion touches the past and the future, and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Where to begin.

The Act of sorrow begins with the words O my God I thank you for loving me. And that is where we need to begin whenever we decide to approach this sacrament. Think first of the love that God has lavished upon you, and stay with that because it is only when we begin appreciate how much we are loved by God that we can get any inkling  how much our sin offends God. Just as it is the people we love most, that can hurt us most, so with God, He too is hurt by our refusal to return His love.

When my sorrow springs from a real regret for having offended the God who has lavished His loves on me, that is called perfect sorrow and brings immediate forgiveness for our sins although there will remain a need to mention them in confession. When my sorrow spring only from fear of retribution, this is imperfect sorrow but is sufficient for to have ones sins forgiven in confession.

The Sacrament of Penance

The Sacrament of Penance is also known as the ‘Sacrament of Reconciliation’ or traditionally called ‘Confession’. It is the rite by which sins are confessed and forgiven.

Absolution

In this sacrament people are forgiven their sins by the words and actions of the priest. We call this ‘Absolution’. The priest represents God and the community who is affected by sin and the priest ministers forgiveness on behalf of God and the community.

Forms Of Celebration

The sacrament can be celebrated in a one-to-one encounter with a priest: this is known as ‘individual confession’. Many parishes also organise ‘Penitential Services’ at special times; e.g. Advent, Lent and Parish Missions. In this form of celebration, which is communal, people prepare as a community and many priests hear the confessions individually and people receive absolution individually.

Penance

Penance is a sign of sorrow and a commitment to try to make amends. It is also a sign of our sincerity to change our lives. This is what is meant by conversion. When the Sacrament is a communal celebration, the penance is said as a community, once all have had the opportunity to confess. When celebrated in the traditional one-to-one form, a penance is given and the person takes on that penance privately.

Who?

Any person who has been baptised and prepared appropriately can celebrate this sacrament.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs6qZd_xP1w

 

Marriage

The decision to marry someone is the most significant decision a person makes in his or her lifetime, far more so than buying a house or choosing job.

Nothing else has such a potential for happiness, as having a the right person to share one's life. Unfortunately when a marriage goes wrong,  it can also be a source of heartache and much grief.

Choosing.

The time of courtship is extremely important because it allows a couple the opportunity to get to know each other at depth and to oberve how this person is with others, especially how they treat members of  their own family, their parents brothers and sisters. Fidelity, being truthful, responsible, persevering, kind and a readiness to put one's self out for others,  are all qualities that will impact greatly on a relationship and if they are not there before marriage, they won't suddenly appear after marriage.

It is also important to ask yourself if this is the person that your Heavenly Father would choose for you.
Always know that God who created you wants your happiness, as any loving Father does.
Ask God guidance in this the most important decision of your whole life. 
It is by doing our own thing and ignoring God, that we frustrate God's loving plans for us.

The nature of marriage.

The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws.... God himself is the author of marriage7  The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, yet some sense of the greatness of the matrimonial union exists in all cultures. "The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life."

A Church Wedding;

There are many reasons that a person might want to have a church wedding; it could be the photographs,
it might be to please a Granny, it might be because well that is where weddings are held. 
But hopefully in your case it is because you want your marriage sealed by God to be joined in the sight of God.
You want God's blessing on your future life together, but perhaps most compelling reason for a church wedding
is that marriage is a vocation, a call by God to work with him in bringing about his plan for mankind and the world.

Requirements for a Church Wedding

While you need only give four months notice of your intention to marry it is common practice for a couple to book the church a long time in advance. So it is important to contact the Parish Office to make sure that the church is available on the day you require. You will also need to look at participating in a marriage preparation course which is a lovely way for you as a couple to take a look at your own relationship. The Civil Authorities also have state requirements which must be fulfilled.

The following information may be helpful

• Go to a priest in the parish of the bride at least THREE MONTHS before the date on which you plan to marry. The meetings of the couple with their priest are a key part of the preparation process. These meetings have taken on a new significance in recent times, because it can no longer be assumed that seeking a Church wedding is an expression of Christian faith on the part of one or both partners. These meetings are an opportunity for a couple to reflect on what Christian marriage asks of them.
  
  
• The priest will also begin the process of filling out Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Forms and advise you about the various documents that you need to collect. You will need to get a Certificate of Baptism from the parish in which you were baptised and a Certificate of Confirmation from the parish in which you were confirmed. These documents should be issued no less than six months prior to the date of marriage.

• If you have lived somewhere else, other than your present parish, since you were sixteen, then you will need to get a Letter of Freedom from each parish in which you lived for more than six months to state that you did not get married while you lived there. Any priest from the parish (or parishes) where you lived will supply you with this document.
  
  
• Freedom to marry: The rules governing freedom to marry in the Catholic church can be complicated. The best advice when one party has been married previously (either in a civil or religious ceremony) is not to make arrangements until the diocesan office has been consulted.
  
  
• Mixed Marriages: Special permissions are required for full church recognition of marriages between a Roman Catholic and a baptised non-RC or someone unbaptised. Applications are handled by the diocesan office once the priest of the catholic party has forwarded the standard paperwork.
  
  
• It is expected that all couples who are getting married  attend a Pre-Marriage Course .  Accord run marriage courses all over the country. If you look at the Accord website you will find the times and dates of courses in your locality.  The earlier you attend the course, the more value you will derive from it.
  
  
• The marriage ceremony should normally take place in a church in the bride’s parish. If the couple have a good reason for getting married elsewhere, the bride should seek a Letter of Permission from the priest in her parish  to get married outside the parish. Obviously, in this case, the couple will need to make arrangements for the use of the church in the parish where they intend to get married.
  
  
• Normally a priest from the bride’s parish officiates at the marriage ceremony, assuming that the ceremony takes place in the bride’s parish. If you wish to have some other priest (e.g. a relative or friend) officiate, inform the priest in the parish where the ceremony is to take place and he will give the necessary authorisation. In Civil Law, it is now a legal requirement for the solemniser (the priest who officiates at the marriage) to be on the ‘List of Solemnisers’ submitted by each local Bishop to the Registrar-General.
  
  
• Celebrants From Overseas: . In order for a priest from oversees to officiate at a wedding he must first be placed on this list of Solemnisers. This will be done when he forwards his details to the Ferns Diocesan Office.
  
  
• Ask the priest who is to officiate at your wedding to help you with the task of creating your marriage ceremony. There are a variety of prayers, blessings, readings, etc. Read through these together and choose the ones you prefer. Choose the person(s) who will read at Mass, person(s) to read the Prayers of the Faithful and the people to bring up the gifts at the Offertory. Rehearse the ceremony in church with the priest before the wedding day.
  
  
• To celebrate the sacrament of Marriage does not require the celebration of Eucharist (Mass). While it has been generally the custom, it may not always be appropriate for example in a “mixed” marriage or when a couple are not regularly practising. Some couples today find the celebration of Marriage without the Eucharist, to be more appropriate for them.
  
  
• Marriages on Sundays, Holydays and some special Church celebrations (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St.Patrick’s Day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Feast of All Souls) are not permitted in this Diocese.

If you have any further queries regarding your Church Ceremony, please contact the Parish Office. You may also find the following links helpful www.together.ie and http://www.gettingmarried.ie/.

All couples intending to marry are expected to participate in a marriage preparation course. The courses are prepared and presented by married couples and are a lovely way for you as a couple to take a look at your own relationship. This is time for yourselves, and time that will be really well spent.

For further information about Accord Pre-Marriage Courses in the Nenagh area, please ring Accord at 065 682 4297, or book online on the Accord website.

You may also find the following links helpful www.together.ie and http://www.gettingmarried.ie/

Requirements for Civil Registration

When the couple have chosen the date, church and priest for their marriage (and confirmed these matters with the relevant priest or priests), they will then need to make an appointment to meet with any civil registrar in person to give notice of their intention to marry. This meeting with the registrar must take place at least three months before the wedding in order to comply with the civil requirement. The couple will be required to bring the following documentation to the registrar’s office:

• photo identity (preferably a passport or driving license)
• names and dates of birth of witnesses
• name of the church where they wish to be married
• name of the priest who will officiate at the marriage; this presumes that the celebrant is a registered solemniser and that he has agreed to officiate at the marriage.
• if either party has been previously married, they must provide the civil registrar with an original divorce decree or a death certificate if widowed.

When all the civil requirements have been completed satisfactorily the couple will receive, from the registrar, a Marriage Registration Form (MRF). This document will replace the current form. Without this form the couple cannot get married nor may the solemniser proceed with the marriage ceremony.

Both the solemniser and the parish priest of the place of marriage will receive notification from the civil registrar’s office concerning the marriage due to take place.

The couple must present the MRF to the solemniser before the wedding so that he can check that the details are correct before marriage takes place. This should be done as early as is convenient.

If changes are necessary – for instance, changing the name of the solemniser – the couple should contact the civil registrar to arrange for the re-issue of the MRF at the earliest possible stage before the ceremony.

After the wedding, the solemniser must ensure that the MRF is signed by the couple, the two witnesses and himself.

After the marriage has been celebrated, it is the responsibility of the couple (not the local priest or solemniser) to return the MRF to any Registrar’s Office. This form must be returned within one month of the marriage.

Legislation requires that the solemniser (the priest who officiates at the marriage) must ask the couple to make a verbal declaration of no civil impediment. It is recommended practice that this declaration be made at the beginning of the wedding, when the bride and groom arrive at the sanctuary.

In order to summarise the above legal requirements for valid civil registration of marriage, please study the following check-list of what the couple must do:

• meet one of the local parish clergy
• book the church where you wish to marry
• meet a civil registrar at least three months before the wedding to give notice of your intention to marry
• receive the Marriage Registration Form (MRF) from the civil registrar
• bring the MRF to the solemniser
• make the verbal declaration of no civil impediment in the presence of each other and before the solemniser and the two witnesses at the beginning of the wedding ceremony (or not more than two days beforehand)
• return the signed MRF to any civil registrar not later than one month after the wedding

If you have any further queries regarding your Church Ceremony, please contact the Parish Office.

Priesthood / Diaconate

If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire.
(St Catherine of Sienna)

.

YOU ARE GIFTED
God has gifted you with the gift of life for many years to come Dream dreams, dream possibilities for your self.You are surrounded by people who want to help you – to be what you dream to be, parents, family friends, school and teachers. Dont’ let anyone say to you – You Can’t, You Won’t

Tell yourself “You Can”

HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR TRUE DESTINY
Today so many voices are competing for YOUR attention --- Radio, television, computer, facebook and people.

DO NOT, HOWEVER, FAIL TO LISTEN TO YOUR OWN VOICE WITHIN
Find silence for yourself. Let your voice surface from within.
Go walk through a field, a seldom used roadway, seaside etc. Find silence .

Remember too that God made you for greatness, His dreams for you like any father are mighty dreams.
Talk to God in your words, express your own feelings and God in His time will respond.
Start planning for your future. Pick someone whom you feel can help you to talk about your dreams.

THE WORLD IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES;
THERE IS NO END TO WHAT IS WAITING FOR YOU OUT THERE
If you do feel God calling you to priesthood, contact V Rev James Finn, PP (053-9159015) 087-2119151
Director and Coordinator of the programme for vocations to the priesthood in the diocese of Ferns.

Anyone seeking information about vocations is invited to contact Fr Finn or any of the priests of the diocese.

DON’T BE AFRAID
God’s call comes from deep within, quietly, silently and directing you. You may not even find the lifestyle attractive, but somewhere there is a persistent call.

God in touch with someone whom you can trust to answer your questions honestly, an adult, a priest or our Vocations Team.

God is always on the look out for people to do his work.

You may contact me through this website www.ferns.ie, Facebook or email frjimfinn@eircom.net    www.fernsvocations.ie    ignaid@hotmail.com

 

GOD CALLS A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE TO BE A PRIEST IN HIS NAME

Take JOHN VIANNEY who was born into a poor family in Ars in rural France in 1786. When he commenced his studies he was in a low grade in school, and the disruptions which took place during the French Revolution further complicated the early beginnings of his life.

HE WANTED TO BE A PRIEST
He entered Seminary for training at the age of twenty six. After six months, the Seminary authorities asked him to leave because of the low grades in examinations.

John Vianney persisted in his studies; he entered another Seminary and was ordained at the age of twenty nine. He went about his work in the village of Ars, after his Ordination, teaching, preaching, and assisting parishioners.

By the time he died, at the age of 73, there were over 100,000 people visiting Ars each year, to hear him preach, received Confession and Holy Communion.

The French government was wondering why so many people were going to Ars. They were travelling on foot, carts and trains. They decided to investigate. A non-believer was deputised by the French government to go and investigate the situation. When he returned he reported, “I saw God living in a man”.

Today John Vianney is canonised a saint and has become a role model for parish priests throughout the world, as the Patron Saint of Parish Priests.

 

TAKE THE PRESENT POPE FRANCIS.

He was studying chemistry at the local university. He was 17 years of age. He remembers very clearly what happened on the first day of spring in 1953.

“On my way to the picnic passing by our local church, I decided to have my Confession heard by a priest. During that Confession, something strange happened to me. I cannot say what it was, but it was something that changed my life. I could say that it was as if I had been caught off guard….. From that moment onward, God became for me the one who goes ahead. You do not seek him. He seeks you first.” Strangely, he confided to his sister that he had intended that night proposing marriage to his girlfriend.

There are many way in which God calls us. If you feel called, discuss this with an adult whom you trust or any member of our Vocations Team.    www.fernsvocations.ie 

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CARE OF THE SICK

In confronting illness and suffering man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his mortality.
Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God.

It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is unimportant so that he can turn toward that which is essential. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.
Christ was not indifferent to suffering. He reached out to touch the sick, indeed  makes their miseries His own: "He took on himself our infirmities and bore our diseases. He was a man of sorrow familiar with suffering.
Jesus healed the sick but not all the sick. His healings were signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God. They announced a more radical healing: the victory over sin and death through his Passover.
By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a radical new meaning to suffering: henceforth suffering can have a redemptive value and through our suffering we are privileged to share in the redemptive work of Christ on Calvary.

Christ the Physician

Christ is known as the Divine Physician  During His life on earth, he healed many and showed great compassion for the sick. Jesus however wants to heal the whole man, soul and body; When the paralytic came to him for healing, Jesus first forgave him his sins and then restored to him,  his power to walk. 

So that his followers would not forget or neglect the care of the sick and marginalised Jesus warned us that what we do for our sick,  He shall regard as done to Him personally. "I was sick and you visited me. 

Down through the centuries, conscious of Christ's command, the Church has given very special attention to all those who suffer in body and soul. Many religious-orders of men and women were founded specifically to care for the sick.

Today the care of the sick is often looked after by professionals paid from taxes collected from the community. We see the great contribution that the house visitation teams do for the sick.  Pope Francis however has told us that we cannot completely delegate the care of the sick to others that we also need to look into the eyes  of those we are helping.

Every parish should have a group that promotes the welfare of those who are sick or housebound.

The Sacrament of the Sick.

Jesus often made use of signs to heal: especially the laying on of hands on the sick. The sick also wanted to touch him, "for power came forth from him and healed them all." And so in the sacraments Christ continues to "touch" us in order to heal us.

Many like to receive the sacrament of the sick and it makes them feel strengthened and affirmed. If you would like to receive the sacrament of the sick or know someone who would, please contact me or someone on the parish team.
I attend the sick in the parish and am happy to administer the sacrament of anointing to anyone who has a serious illness.  All major Hospitals have chaplains and very often a chapel. Those who go to hospital or bring loved ones to hospital should inform the ward sister to inform the chaplain of their presence in the hospital.

What Is the Sacrament of the sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is exactly what it says.
It is a prayerful celebration for one or more people who are ill. These
are anointed on the forehead and hands by the priest with Holy Oil.
It is not a magical ritual; the person doesn’t automatically get better immediately after an anointing.
God’s healing and loving presence are called upon that the sick person might be raised up and restored to health.

Symbolism of Oil

The words of blessing over the oil say it all. It is “oil intended to ease the sufferings of your people”. Oil soothes and heals. Oil blessed for the sick is a sign of the Anointed One (Messiah) of God. The person so anointed receives the healing, saving power of the One who saves (Messiah).

The oil that is used is Olive Oil. The Bishop and priests bless it at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday in the Cathedral.The holy oils are then taken each year to each parish and hospital for use throughout the year in the Sacrament of the Sick.

How is one anointed?

A person is anointed on the forehead and the palms of the hands while the priest says: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you by the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who heals you, save you and raise you up.”

Who Can Be Anointed?

Anyone in ‘serious illness’, those who are infirm, in advanced years, or anyone prior to surgery.
(It is not only for when a person is in ‘danger of death’.)