Annual Novena in honour of St Gerard Majella 8 – 16 October 2025
The annual novena in honour of St. Gerard Majella takes place in St. Joseph’s Redemptorist Church Dundalk from the 8th to the 16th of October.
There are eight sessions each day: 7am, 9.30am, 11am, 1.10pm, 4.30pm, 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm.
On the 11th of October there will be a special blessing for the sick together with the sacrament of anointing at all sessions.
On the 12th of October there will be a special blessing for families at all sessions.
The theme of the Novena this year is Pilgrims of Hope
St Oliver Plunkett – 50th Anniversary of Canonisation 10 October 2025
To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Canonisation of St Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop Eamon will lead a special SUNG Evening Prayer Service, in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday October 10th beginning at 6:30pm followed by refreshments in the Synod Hall.
All are invited to attend, and members of Choirs are invited to join the singing on the evening and are invited to join at 5:30 pm for a rehearsal. This liturgy will be enriched by the participation of choir members from across the diocese. The celebration will be recorded for the BBC for broadcasting at a later date.
New Life in the Spirit Weekend 11 – 12 October 2025, Benburb Priory
The 12 Lay Evangelisation Team, together with Fr. Gerry Campbell, warmly invite you to a New Life in the Spirit Weekend on Friday 11th & Saturday 12th October in Benburb Priory. This retreat will follow the new, updated format of the Life in the Spirit Seminars developed by CHARIS International. It offers a wonderful opportunity to encounter God’s love in a fresh way, to rediscover the grace of Baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Registration: £20 Please bring a packed lunch – tea/coffee provided. For further information or accommodation enquiries, please contact: Benburb Priory: 028 3754 8241 or Annette: 07887 745981
Pioneer Total Abstinence Association
Presentation Night 24th October 2025
Our Annual Presentation Night of Gold, Silver and Diamond Emblem’s will take place in Ryandale Hotel, Moy, Co Tyrone on Friday 24 October 2025 at 8.00pm, includes light supper. Cost £15, payable at the door. Please note in accordance with our insurance policy no persons under the age of Eighteen to be in attendance.
Trócaire’s Gifts of Change, Christmas Initiative
Could You Help Share the True Spirit of Christmas? Each year, volunteers in parishes across the north of Ireland set up a small stall after Masses to sell Trócaire’s Gifts of Change — meaningful gifts that make a real difference to families living in poverty around the world. We provide everything you need including training and support. All we ask is a little time and a big heart. Last Christmas, 50 parishes took part — and we’d love to grow that number even more this year! If you would like to find out more about how you can help, please email Mark at mark.mcmahon@trocaire.org or call 028 9080 8030
INVITATION TO DIOCESAN THEOLOGY PROGRAMME
Do you want to learn more about your faith? Do you want more confidence to play a role in your parish? If you are interested, why not consider joining our Diocesan Theology Programme. The programme is accredited by St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth. There are no educational entry requirements, and completion of the course is based on submitted work and does not include sitting exams. Our Theology programme will be continuing this year and starting late September.
If you are interested and would like more information contact Milanda on 0(0353 42)9342954 or milanda@parishandfamily.ie (9am – 2pm). All are welcome.
Join St. Vincent de Paul Dundalk as a Home Visitation Volunteer! St. Vincent de Paul is currently looking for compassionate individuals to join our Home Visitation teams. As a volunteer, you’ll receive training and work alongside experienced members to provide support to families in need. Through home visits, you’ll assess unique needs and offer practical or financial assistance to those in need. This meaningful role is ideal for those with life experience and a heart for service. If interested: email: Dundalk.areacouncil@svp.ie or call 1800 677 777 (press 2 for members)
Accord Seeking Marriage Preparation Facilitators
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. If you are supportive of marriage in the Catholic Church and have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team that supports couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage, Accord wants to hear from you
Jubilee Year 2025 – ‘A call to action’
The celebration of Jubilee 2025 has now begun throughout the universal Catholic Church on the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Everyone is invited to participate in the special year of faith. Specifically, Pope Francis is encouraging each of us to be messengers of hope in our very troubled world during this holy year. In our Christian tradition, the Jubilee has a strong family focus on reconciliation and renewal, including reaching out to people on the margins. It is normally celebrated every 25 years, so that more people can experience it at least once in a lifetime. In dioceses and parishes around Ireland people are celebrating specific Jubilee occasions both locally and in Rome. Reflecting the Jubilee Year in the Universal Church, the Irish Synodal Pathway will also focus on hope ahead of the national pre-synodal assembly in Kilkenny on 18 October next. For further information on Jubilee 2025 Year of Hope, see the dedicated page on CatholicBishops.ie for all Jubilee related updates, including a live calendar featuring events happening across the island. To keep the Jubilee page vibrant, we invite you to contribute by sharing videos and photos from events in your diocese to the Catholic Communications Office in Maynooth on info@catholicbishops.ie Your contributions will help showcase and amplify the Jubilee celebrations across Ireland. Scan QR code (attached) to see the dedicated Jubilee 2025 page. Hashtags to use on social media: #Jubilee2025 #PilgrimsofHope @Iubilaeum_25
Vocations – Anyone considering God’s call to Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Armagh is invited to contact Fr Barry Matthews
Vocations – Anyone considering God’s call to Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Armagh is invited to contact Fr Barry Matthews, Vocations Director (www.armaghpriest.com) to arrange a meeting to discuss the process and the programme of formation. This Jubilee Year is an ideal time to consider God’s call for your life. Family members also can do their bit by encouraging a young person to consider a vocation to Priesthood or Religious Life and by praying for Vocations.
Volunteering opportunity: Can you spare 2/3 hours one morning per week?
Back on Track is a primary schools programme which provides support for children needing additional help in Literacy or Numeracy. The programme is delivered on a voluntary basis by retired teachers, people who have experience working in education and people who simply want to give children that little bit of extra help with their learning. Never before has there been a greater need to support these children. The Back on Track volunteer is required to commit to 2/3 hours one morning per week for 15 weeks but potentially for a full school year. Sessions with the children are done on a 1:1 or small group basis and are done in a space separate to the classroom. Induction and training will be provided.
For further details contact Kate at Sólás Charity NIC100114 on 02890247600 or 07749633243 or email progs@solasbt7.com
Oasis of Peace Retreat Centre
New Catholic Young Adult Group (18-35y). Join us for a relaxed Meet Up, first Sunday of each month @1pm. Mellifont Abbey, Collon Co. Louth
Join us to make new friends, enjoy an Italian coffee & cake. Live Worship music, time to reflect, Fun & Faith, discuss some life issues like, Finding Happiness, Purpose in Life, Is God Real. Contact Daryl or Deacon John Taaffe (089) 615 2568 www.apostlesoflove.ie
Tours of St Patrick’s Cathedral and Museum
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Armagh are delighted to launch a series of tours of St Patrick’s Cathedral & Museum. Parishioners & visitors to Armagh have the unique opportunity to explore the Cathedral & our museum with the help of our expert guides. Places are limited. For information and booking, visit: https://tinyurl.com/CathedralTours2024
Diploma in Church Music
Programme is suitable for those already involved in the ministry of church music in the Christian tradition, whether as organists, singers, or choir directors.
https://sppu.ie/news-events/2024/diploma-in-church-music-final-year-students
Saint Brigid – St Brigid’s Camino for Children
Join the Archdiocese of Armagh in celebrating the 1500th anniversary of St. Brigid’s life and ministry!
To mark this occasion the Archdiocese has created a special Camino to St. Brigid for children, inviting children and their families to visit Churches and holy sites dedicated to St. Brigid across the Archdiocese of Armagh.
Discover more and learn about how to participate in this unique pilgrimage journey at https://www.armaghprays.com/st-brigids-camino
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Services
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Services CLG is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. If you are supportive of marriage in the Catholic Church and have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team that supports couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage – then accord wants to hear from you.
An Accord marriage preparation facilitator is a personally fulfilling leadership role, blending life experience and faith. Successful applicants will receive professional training and be part of the team delivering preparation programmes locally.
Contact Aisling on 01 505 3112 or by email to marriagepreparation@accord.ie and for further information see www.accord.ie
Commemorative Books on Cardinal Ó Fiaich
To mark the centenary of Cardinal Ó Fiaich’s birth a small number of commemorative books have been published and can be purchased from the Cardinal Ó Fiaich Library & Archive. All proceeds will go to the library. For details contact the library on 028 3752 2981.
Totus Tuus Magazine
Totus Tuus Magazine is a Catholic magazine, full of articles from Irish priests and laity, which aims to highlight the beauty and joy of our faith. The magazine is coming into its 7th year of publication and is funded by donations. If you haven’t come across Totus Tuus Magazine and would like a free copy please contact Fiona Kiely on 086 8760058.
Adoptive Parents Needed Urgently
Family Care Adoption Services is an Adoption Agency, and a core part of our work is to place children with new adoptive families. We provide adoption services throughout all Northern Ireland and work with Health and Social Care Trusts to place single children and sibling groups for adoption.
These children are aged from babyhood to approximately 5 years old.
There are currently more children waiting to be adopted in Northern Ireland than families approved to adopt and there is an urgent need for new families to come forward.
All sorts of people from all walks of life can be considered for adoption.
So, wherever you live in Northern Ireland if you think you could offer a child/ren a new life in a family of their own and would like an informal chat to discuss this and to find out more about adoption,
Contact details:
Email:email@familycareadoption.org
Phone: 028 9069 1133
Website: www.familycareadoption.com We are waiting to hear from you!
Archbishop Eamon Martin has asked that the following notice be placed in all parish bulletins and parish websites as soon as possible. It relates to an important independent survey being undertaken by RSM on behalf of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Safeguarding Survey for Survivors of Abuse
The Irish Bishops’ Conference, along with the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland, have commissioned consultants, RSM Ireland, to undertake a review of child safeguarding in the Catholic Church. One part of this review is to engage with survivors and victims of abuse, to seek their views on Church Safeguarding processes. Specifically, RSM would like to hear from survivors who have disclosed abuse within the last twenty years, to see what needs to be improved. For more information please contact: survivor.consultation@rsmireland.ie.
St Patrick’s Charismatic Prayer Group Dungannon
Please use the Zoom link below to join session:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83963157819?pwd=UDQwNTNENGx1SktsNkNoQWFVRS9Pdz09
Marriage and Relationship Counselling with Accord
Let us, help you, support your marriage & relationship. If you feel your relationship is in crisis or need a little guidance and feel that you and your partner could benefit from Marriage & Relationship Counselling, either face to face or online, contact your local Centre. Every year we help thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships.
Call us on 02890 233002 for all N. Ireland centres: N. Ireland Regional Office, Armagh, Ballymena,
Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen, Maghera, Newry & Omagh
Email: info@accordni.com Web: www.accordni.com
Recordings of the Rosary
Recordings of the 20 mysteries of the Rosary, with meditations, by the Dominican Nuns, Monastery of St Catherine of Siena, Drogheda can be downloaded from www.dominicannun.ie
The link to the web page, with the audio files for download is here.
The link to the youtube video is here.
Southern Trust Hospital Chaplain Band 6 Waiting List
A waiting list will be created for future PART-TIME, PERMANENT posts TRUSTWIDE that arise over the next 12 months. Please note there is currently 1 Catholic Chaplain permanent part-time post available as follows:
Hospital Chaplain (Catholic) Band 6 – 7 hours per week – Craigavon Area Hospital and Bluestone.
You can find all the information here: https://jobs.hscni.net/Job/28859/shsct-hospital-chaplain-band-6-waiting-list
ALONE – Provider of Services to Older People
“Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to Older People once a week? ALONE are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested please sign up here: https://alone.ie/volunteers/
For more information, contact Fiona on fiona.boyle@alone.ie or on 086 1366539.”
Choose Healthcare Chaplaincy as a career
For more details please email: informationHCBoard@gmail.com
It’s Cardiac Rehab
‘It’s Cardiac Rehab’ – A podcast series bringing together experts in cardiac rehab and patients who have attended cardiac rehabilitation. Topics included are exercise, medication, healthy eating and the psychological impact of living with heart disease. If you have had a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack, coronary artery stenting or coronary artery bypass surgery – log onto https://irishheart.ie/services-for-you/its-cardiac-rehab-podcast/ for information and support’
A Journey of Faith, Hope and Joy with St Patrick
Come and be refreshed on ancient paths in the cradle of Christianity in Ireland. Poor Clares, Sr Martina Purdy and Sr Elaine Kelly will lead you on an amazing five day pilgrimage that includes guided walks to sites associated with St Patrick in County Down. Stay in Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre, visit with monks along St Patrick’s Way, and capture the joy of the first Christians in Ireland. From £850 all inc meals, transport, activities. Details www.saintpatrickcentre.com or call centre Downpatrick 028 4461 9000
A Prayer by Telephone
The Sisters of Mercy “Bethany” 34 Point Road, Dundalk, welcome any person who may wish to request prayer, especially during these difficult times. All requests are confidential. One of the sisters will be happy to LISTEN & PRAY with you, 9am -9pm daily.ROI 042 933 1602 NI 00353 42 933 1602
EVERYONE WELCOME.
An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the Holy Land
An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the Holy Land is a new book by Michael Kelly, Editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper which explores the places associated with the life of Christ. Michael, who has led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, says he hopes the book can also act as an ‘armchair retreat’ for people who cannot travel to the Holy Land bringing the Gospel to life for them. It is available now from all good bookshops and www.columbabooks.com price €16.99/£14.99
Accord NI
If you feel your relationship is in crisis or you just need a little guidance.
If you and your partner feel you could benefit from Marriage & Relationship Counselling, contact your local ACCORD Centre. Every year we help thousands of couples rebuild and sustain healthy relationships. Protect your most precious investment. Let us, help you, support your marriage.
T: 02890 233002 for an appointment E: info@accordni.com www.accordni.com
Matt Talbot Prayer Society
The Matt Talbot Prayer Society prays daily for those with addictions. You can enrol somebody to be prayed for each day as well as at the monthly Mass which takes place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. The monthly Mass takes place on the First Monday of each month at 7:30pm. For more information, please visit www.matttalbotprayersociety.com where you can also enrol somebody via the online submission.
HSC NI Foster Care
HSC NI Foster Care is urgently appealing for more foster carers and supported lodgings hosts who can provide homes to young refugees who arrive in Northern Ireland without a parent or carer. For more information on becoming a foster carer or supported lodgings host, contact HSC NI Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 or visit www.adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net/young-refugees/
Diploma in Youth Ministry & Spirituality
Diploma in Youth Ministry & Spirituality from Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. The diploma is tailored for those who wish to work in Youth Ministry. For more information please see www.maynoothcollege.ie/courses
Accord
Accord is recruiting interested people to assist in the provision of Marriage Preparation Programmes. Application forms are available by contacting marriagepreparation@accord.ie.
Selections will take place in June of this year with training commencing in September. This year Accord is celebrating 60 years supporting couples and families.
Please contact us for any support you