Jun 17, 2013
Tomorrow we’re off along the Camino, beginning the first week of a 500 mile journey that finishes at the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostella. The Camino, or the Way as it is sometimes known, has been walked by pilgrims from around Europe for well over a thousand years. The route we’re taking begins just inside the boarder of France, crosses through a stunningly beautiful pass in the Pyrenees, before heading into the Navarre region of Spain. We’ll wind our way along roadside, forest path and river bank on our way through pilgrim towns like Roncesvalles, Estella and Pamplona.
But the Camino is more concerned with the journey within than without. The beauty and the slowness of the Way invite the pilgrim to clam their soul, move to a different rhythm of life, and listen to still small voice of God. The Camino has become increasingly popular over the years among a wide variety of people. It’s called people of all religious creeds and none. But most importantly it succeeded in engaging many who are looking for something new or seeking something that was lost. It’s a journey of discovery where the way is as important, if not more so, as the destination. It about the times of solitude and silence walking by yourself, taking in all the life around you. It’s also about sharing the Way with others; listening to their stories and offering some of your own.
Over the next week we’ll be posting photos on our Facebook page so keep an eye out and you’ll be able to track our progress as peregrinos del Camino de Santiago de Compostella!
May 27, 2013
A Catholic youth festival! In England! Surely such a thing is a contradiction in terms. It’ll probably be dull. There’ll be Mass on all day. Who’d want to go? It’s a pretty typical response from some people when they hear about the Brightlights Youth Festival – long, boring and preachy. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. (more…)
May 25, 2013
Yesterday was all about engagement. It’s more than just a buzz word. It’s about looking at how we as a Church in general and as vocations directors in particular outreach to young people. Sixty vocations directors from a wide variety of religious congregations gathered in the Emmaus Centre in Dublin to share, brainstorm and realise new and exciting ways of making contact with people considering a call to religious life and the priesthood. (more…)
Apr 5, 2013
A two hour Mass. You can’t be serious! In one respect you are absolutely right. Some of the most wonderful celebrations of the Eucharist are to be found in Lourdes during the annual Irish Pilgrimage Trust / HCPT week in Lourdes. It really about celebrating faith and community in an atmosphere that’s almost impossible to describe. (more…)
Mar 30, 2013
It’s getting nearer and the excitement is building! It’s less than four months to WYD 2013 and we’re all getting ready for our trip to Rio. It was hoped that there would be over 3,000,000 people in attendance, but now it’s going to be at least 3,000,001. Pope Francis gave special emphasis to importance of young people in our Church during his recent Palm Sunday homily. He invited young people from all around the world to stand together, celebrate their faith and grow in love. So far Pope Francis has stressed the role of all young people in building up the future of the Church. He clearest message was made, not with words, but with actions, when he washed the feet of some young people in juvenile detention centre of Casal del Marmo, Rome. This symbolic gesture is a key part of the Holy Thursday celebration, echoing Jesus’ challenge for each of his followers to serve those in need. (more…)
Mar 21, 2013
‘The Africa Bug’
Last weekend saw the first gathering of our lay missionary volunteers in Sacred Heart Community, Western Road. It was an opportunity for the four people who are preparing to journey to South Africa for three months to meet up and get to know one another. As part of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Volunteer Programme ( MSCVP ) they are going to spend the summer working with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and the team in the Holy Family Centre in Ofcolaco. The Centre is home to around seventy children, ranging from babies to teenagers, who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and TB. (more…)
Tomorrow we’re off along the Camino, beginning the first week of a 500 mile journey that finishes at the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostella. The Camino, or the Way as it is sometimes known, has been walked by pilgrims from around Europe for well over a thousand years. The route we’re taking begins just inside the boarder of France, crosses through a stunningly beautiful pass in the Pyrenees, before heading into the Navarre region of Spain. We’ll wind our way along roadside, forest path and river bank on our way through pilgrim towns like Roncesvalles, Estella and Pamplona.
But the Camino is more concerned with the journey within than without. The beauty and the slowness of the Way invite the pilgrim to clam their soul, move to a different rhythm of life, and listen to still small voice of God. The Camino has become increasingly popular over the years among a wide variety of people. It’s called people of all religious creeds and none. But most importantly it succeeded in engaging many who are looking for something new or seeking something that was lost. It’s a journey of discovery where the way is as important, if not more so, as the destination. It about the times of solitude and silence walking by yourself, taking in all the life around you. It’s also about sharing the Way with others; listening to their stories and offering some of your own.
