PRAYERS FOR PEACE

 

During his general audience last Wednesday, Pope Francis called for a World Day of Prayer for Peace tomorrow, Friday, October 27, inviting all Christians and people of other faiths to join him in prayer. The Holy Father also invited people of no faith, but with a heart for peace, to join him as they see fit. Warning against a humanitarian catastrophe, he said, “War does not solve any problems, it only sows death and destruction. It increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future.”

Inviting local parishes, dioceses and groups to join him by organising a similar hour of prayer on October 27, the Holy Father’s words at the end of his audience were: “Today too, dear brothers and sisters, our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel. The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate. Please, let everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster.

“The possible widening of the conflict is disturbing, while so many war fronts are already open in the world. May weapons fall silent! Let us heed the cry for peace of populations, of the people, of the children! Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problem: it sows only death and destruction, foments hate and proliferates revenge. War cancels out the future. I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not with words – with prayer, with total dedication.

“With this in mind, I have decided to call for a day of fasting and prayer, of penance, on Friday October 27, to which I invite sisters and brothers of the various Christian denominations, those belonging to other religions and all those who have at heart the cause of peace in the world, to join in as they see fit. That evening, at 6pm (5pm Irish time), at St Peter’s, we will spend an hour of prayer, in a spirit of penance, to implore peace in our time, peace in this world. I ask all the particular Churches to participate by arranging similar activities involving the People of God.”

In response to Pope Francis’s request, 5.30pm Vespers in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral tomorrow, Friday, will be for peace.

Click here for the statement by Ireland’s Catholic archbishops on the conflict in the Holy Land.

Inspiring Priests – Past, Present & Future

Tue 31 Oct,  Wed 1st Nov & Thurs 2nd Nov 2023

Fr Billy Swan, the editor of “The Hook of Faith” in conjunction with the National Vocations Office is hosting three Zoom webinars as an initiative for the Year for Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood with the title:

INSPIRING PRIESTS FROM THE PAST,
FOR THE PRESENT
AND THE FUTURE.

These will take place on three consecutive nights: Tuesday 31st October,  Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd November at 8 pm.

Tuesday 31st October – ‘Priests From the Past’

Dr Patrick Kenny will speak about the Priestly Witness and Courage of Fr. Willie Doyle SJ.

Wednesday 1st November – Priests for the Present

‘Hopes of a newly Ordained Priest and the Gratitude of a Jubilarian’ with Fr Shaun Doherty and Fr Billy Swan

Thursday 2nd November – Priests for the Future

‘Priests for the Future’ with Fr. Tomás Surlis, Rector of St. Patrick’s Seminary, Maynooth and Stephen Sherry, a seminarian for the Diocese of Clogher.

The Zoom sessions are free of charge –
to take part, just send an email to:

thehookoffaith@gmail.com

For More Information:    Inspiring Priests – Past, Present & Future | National Vocations Office

 

John Henry Newman’s ‘Campaign in Ireland’ – Hosted by the UCD Newman Centre for the Study of Religions and the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason. All are welcome to attend in person or online. Registration is free; please register at https://forms.gle/9t3Lt3y7AMX656bR9.