Pope’s April Prayer Intention
Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholics across the globe to join him in April in praying for priests in crisis. He released the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video on Tuesday. In his prayer, the Pope entrusted all priests into the Father’s hands, especially those going through moments of crisis, “when loneliness weighs heavily, when doubt clouds their hearts, and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope”.
Vocations Sunday – 26-Apr-26
Good Shepherd Sunday – Vocations Sunday, 26 April 2026
“Every vocation is an immeasurable gift for the Church and for those who receive it with joy.” – Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2026
In his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that vocation is an “interior discovery” of God’s gift, planted deep within our hearts and nurtured through prayer, listening, and trust. He encourages all of us to create a spirit of faith, prayer, and support, so that God’s call may be heard and generously embraced.
We give thanks that, in the Archdiocese of Dublin, there are currently three seminarians, along with others discerning a call to the priesthood this year. Their generous “yes” is a powerful sign of hope for our Church and our communities. Let us keep them in our prayers, and also remember all those considering a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, lay ministry, or family life. May they find the courage to pause, listen, and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd.
May this Good Shepherd Sunday be a moment of encouragement and support, where vocations are welcomed, nurtured, and allowed to flourish among us.
See here for the full message of Pope Leo XIV
Upcoming Special Prayer Services/Masses/Pilgrimages in the Archdiocese
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY
Fr Vasyl Kornitsky is Chaplain to the Ukrainian community and curate in Donnycarney Parish. He can be contacted at 086 2359561 or ugccie@gmail.com. Ukrainian Mass (Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Byzantine rite) is held every Sunday at 1pm in Our Lady of Consolation Church, Donnycarney.
FRENCH LANGUAGE MASS
Mass for the French-speaking Catholic community in Dublin resumed on Sunday, September 14, at 12.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Haddington Road and continues on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 12.30pm from September to June.
ITALIAN COMMUNITY
Italian Catholic Community Dublin. Masses in Aughrim Street Church every Saturday at 5.30pm (fourth Sunday of the month followed by community gathering). Other activities: Biblical Catechesis (online); Pre-marriage Catechesis: Rosary (online); Book Club (online). Facebook: https://facebook.com/italiani.cattolici.a.dublino/. Contact: Fr Coriolan Muresan. cattolici.dublin@gmail.com / coryolan26@yahoo.it / 012447995.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK – 25-Apr-26
Sensory Mass Invitation
St Mary’s Parish, Maynooth, warmly invites you to our Sensory Mass on Saturday, April 25, at 5.30pm. This Mass is designed to be inclusive and welcoming for young people and families who may benefit from a quieter and more relaxed worship environment. The short Mass will have gentle lighting and sound, calm atmosphere, space to move around if needed and sensory items to aid regulation. Please join us and invite anyone who might have sensory needs or simply wishes to attend a short and peaceful Mass. Join us in the pastoral centre afterwards for refreshments. Eircode: W23 N663
ST CARLO ACUTIS – SHANKILL
2026 Novena to the Holy Spirit
You are warmly invited to join once again with every parish in the diocese in a Novena to the Holy Spirit – our dedicated period of prayer, reflection and planning for the renewal of the Church in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
The Novena will take place in the nine days from 17th – 25th May beginning on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, through Pentecost and continuing to the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.
On Monday 27th April, in preparation for the Novena, you are invited to gather in the Church of Our Lady Mother of the Church, Castleknock, for prayer drawn from the Novena Prayer Booklet 2026 with music led by the Dublin Diocesan Music Group.
- Event: Come Holy Spirit, Fill Our Hearts Anew! Prayer and reflections drawn from the Novena Prayer Booklet. Music led by the Dublin Diocesan Music Group
- Date: Monday 27th April 2026
- Time: 8pm
- Venue: Church of Our Lady Mother of the Church, Beechpark Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin 15, D15 X277
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, AUGHRIM STREET
Upcoming Retreats/Courses/Talks within the Archdiocese
TheWay.ie is a new digital platform set up by the Irish Bishops’ Conference dedicated to sharing the Good News and the witness of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is intended to help people discover the faith, live the faith and pass on the faith. It is for both seekers and followers. Visit www.theway.ie.
BALALLY PARISH
Living the Rule Together:
DOMINICAN RETREAT CENTRE
PATHWAYS CERTIFICATE IN CATAECHESIS
Pathways and Diocesan Certificate in Catechesis: Anyone who is interested in learning more about either, or both, of these courses is invited to an evening on May 25, St Paul’s Arran Quay, beginning at 7.30pm. There will be an opportunity to hear more about the content and structure of each of these important courses and to ask questions. It would be helpful to know in advance if people are attending via an online registration form using this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/pZZiRiQAns
CAMP VERITAS
Camp Veritas is a Residential Faith & Fun Camp, Supporting Young People 12 – 17 years explore and celebrate their Catholic Faith. Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare, June 23 to 28. Visit www.campveritasireland.org for more.
Pro Terra Sancta Collection, Friday, 03-Apr-26
Following a request from the Holy See, Archbishop Farrell has this year again asked that we take up a collection on Good Friday for the Holy Land, Pro Terra Sancta. This collection takes place in dioceses throughout the world. We are invited to pray and to collect funds for the Catholic community in the Holy Land and for the maintenance of the Holy Places there. The Archbishop asks each parish to decide how it can best facilitate this collection on Good Friday – perhaps at the church door after the ceremonies. Cheques for the amount collected in your parish should be made out to the Diocese of Dublin Charities account and sent to the Finance Secretariat, which will transfer the proceeds of the collection to the Nuncio. See below a letter from Fr Francesco Ielpo OFM, Custos of the Holy Land
Make a Donation to the Parish
