What is the World Meeting of Families?

The World Meeting of Families is a major international event, held every three years that brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family as the cornerstone of our lives, of society and of the Church.
Family Mass Easter Sunday
He is Risen Alleluia!
The Risen Lord by Chinese artist He Qi
The children as always helped us to celebrate most meaningfully the high moments of the Liturgical year.
On Holy Thursday, they gathered around the altar with Fr. Harry. Their re-enactment of the Last Supper left us in no doubt about Jesus’ message of Love and Service. The dressing of the altar with a beautiful cloth depicting these scenes, which was made by them, added so much to the occasion. The celebration of this Eucharist was much appreciated by the congregation present.
Good Friday saw all the children back again. They took us through the stations of the cross, acting out each one in a dignified and reflective manner.
On Easter Sunday, we were greeted by a lovely Easter garden they had created which displays new beginnings and nature. We felt the joy of the Resurrection with the heartfelt singing of the Alleluia by all the children as they waved their yellow banners. They dramatized the Gospel highlighting the wonder and awe of the Easter story.
Many thanks to all the children, their parents and to those who helped in any way to prepare them for these ceremonies. Thanks also to Fr. Joe, Fr. Harry, Sr. Irene and all involved in the choir who added so much to the celebrations. After all their hard work everyone had more than earned their Easter Eggs.
Palm Sunday Family Mass
On Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday. We welcomed back the children and their parents who will make their First Communion in May. They joined with the Family Mass group in the blessing of the palms by Fr Harry outside the main door of the church. They all then processed into the Church to celebrate Mass waving their palms with enthusiasm, while singing along with the choir ‘Sing Hosanna.’ Once again the choir were in fine voice and the children were at their best as they led us in prayer. As Mass concluded we asked God our Father to help us to be guided by him with our ‘Acts of Love’ for Jesus as our Lenten journey comes to an end.
Our Prayer this week
Thank you for the chance to begin again. We pray that our acts of Love for you, this Lent will help us to remember that you love us and will always forgive us. May we always follow in your footsteps and guide others in your way too. Amen
Fifth Sunday in Lent 2017
JESUS LISTENED TO HIS FRIENDS
Each week during our Lenten journey, the children have dramatised the Gospel story for the day. They have done so with confidence and dignity. These dramas have enriched the word of God for us, helping us to focus and listen. This week was no different, once again the children were at their best. In our Gospel drama, we heard how Jesus, listened to his friends Martha and Mary who were very upset, because their brother Lazarus had died. Jesus was touched by their sorrow. He prayed and thanked his Father for listening to him. Then Jesus did something amazing. He raised Lazarus from the dead. This story reminds us that Jesus is our friend too, and he listens to us when we turn to him in prayer. So as we all left mass we prayed that our hearts be open to listen to Jesus and that we will reach out, like him, to all in need with love and kindness.
Our Prayer for this week
Thank you, Jesus for being our friend.
Be with us this week, as we continue our journey towards Easter.
Help us, to remember you are our friend.
Help us to listen to others.
Help us to share, and spread joy and happiness as
We follow in your footsteps.
Family Mass update 19th March 2017
Third Sunday of Lent 2017
THE WOMAN AT THE WELL LISTENED TO JESUS. John 4: 4-26
Our Lenten journey continues
This week Fr. Harry welcomed the children who will receive their First Communion in May and their families who had joined us as part of the ‘Do this in Memory’ programme. There was a sense that all listened and prayed respectfully.
The choir sang with hearty voices, even singing in Swahili.
During the word of God we watched and listened to the gospel story from John about the Samaritan woman at a well, who listened to Jesus, as it was eloquently dramatized This story reminds us that God loves all people no matter where they are from. And that God asks us to be like Jesus and to respect and care for all people.
At the end of Mass the children took their ‘acts of love for Jesus’ with enthusiasm and some were quite particular about what they chose. Our ‘acts of love’ not only include listening to Jesus, but random acts of kindness like making your bed each day, not wasting food and giving some pocket money to Trocaire. We all left with the hope that our hearts will be open to listen to Jesus this week and that we will reach out to someone in need.
Family Mass Update 12th March 2017
Second Sunday of Lent 2017
‘THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. LISTEN TO HIM.’
Matthew 17 1-13
This week in our gospel story we heard God the Father asking us to ‘Listen to his son, Jesus. It is not easy to listen. There are many distractions in our everyday lives. But this week at the family Mass we had a wonderful simple and fruitful dramatisation of the bible story ‘The Transfiguration of Jesus’ to help us focus and listen to the Word of God. Listening to the word of God reminds us that Jesus was a good person, someone who loved all and who did many ‘acts of love.’ As we took an act of love for Jesus at the end of Mass and placed a symbol of the fish at the base of the cross we know that he will help us to do our best as we pray this week
to make time to be quiet and to pray.
Help us to really listen this week.
May our act of love help us change
and remember that you love us
and are always there to help us. Amen.
Family Mass update 5th March 2017
First Sunday of Lent 2017
Gospel story; ‘Jesus in the Desert’ Matthew 4: 1-11
We had a very good start to Lent this year. The children were well prepared from the practice on Thursday. They all read clearly and with reverence. The choir were in fine voice and sang their hearts out. Susan spoke from the heart, giving her insights on Lent touching everyone in the congregation, while Orla’s Newsletter captured our aspirations for Lent. It was thoughtfully and beautifully presented. After Mass, children took an ‘act of love for Jesus’ and enthusiastically took on work with the Lenten calender. All went home well nourished on the word of God and ready for the week ahead.
Dear Jesus, Help us to be still and quiet this week
And to take time to listen to what God is saying to us.
Help us when we are tempted
to trust you that we will do the right thing