A Pastoral letter, or a pastoral, is an open letter addressed by a Bishop to the clergy and/or laity of his diocese. It teaches, offers reflection & may contain instruction, consolation, or directions for behaviour in particular circumstances. In the Catholic Church such letters are also sent out regularly at particular liturgical seasons, particularly at the beginning of Lent and Advent.
Lent 2009
United in Hope
The story in the First Book of Samuel speaks to all of us. The young boy, Samuel, is lying down in
the temple, close to the presence of God in the Ark of the Covenant. He is probably restless. He
hears a voice but he is confused. He does not know who is calling or what he is being asked to do.
Lent 2008
New Life Within Us
The Church in Ireland is living through challenging times. A half a century ago, the great majority of people were convinced and practising Catholics. The older ones among us remember the sense of wonder and anticipation when, in January 1959, Blessed John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council, and expressed his hope for a new Pentecost in the Church. W
Lent 2008
New Life Within Us
In recent years we have tried in many ways to bring new life to parishes and clusters and to involve people more fully in the life of the diocese, through prayer groups, “Seven Steps” and other forms of lectio divina, through the establishment of Parish Pastoral Councils, Cluster Teams and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
April 2007
Never Alone
In one generation Ireland has changed from a society in which it was the norm to be a practicing Catholic to one in which the believer, at least in the area of religious commitments and activities, feels out of step with the mainstream.
March 2006
Keep Your Lamps Lit
A great deal has happened since fireworks and celebrations greeted the arrival of the year 2000 and expectations of a better, more peaceful world. Just over six years later it seems that the tone of the new century may have been set by the destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11th 2001.
March 2005
Thirsting for God
We find it hard to hear the message of Jesus Christ in all its wonder and in all its challenge. One important reason for that is that we do not recognise our own thirst, our own longing for God, our need of Christ the Way and of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life
Holy Thursday 2005
Thirsting for God - The Emptiness That Asks About Meaning
You would imagine it should be impossible to be bored in the twenty-first century. Satellite and cable bring an ever-increasing number of television channels; new mobile and wireless technology promise sound, text, pictures, video and email wherever we are; the endless possibilities of the Internet, now with a broadband connection, are becoming more and more available; music, news, information are constantly on tap. I-Pods and MP3s allow us to carry with us music to fill every silence. The strange thing is that, in the middle of so many options, people are as bored as they ever were.
September 2004
To Live as God's People - Reflections on the Visit of Pope John Paul to Limerick
When he came to Ireland in 1979, Pope John Paul had not completed the first year of his ministry as Pope. This autumn we recall the twenty-fifth anniversary of that memorable visit and we pray that we may have the joy of greeting him once more in our country.
Sept 2004
To Live as Gods People: Reflections on the Pope's Visit
When he came to Ireland in 1979, Pope John Paul had not completed the first year of his ministry as Pope. This autumn we recall the twenty-fifth anniversary of that memorable visit and we pray that we may have the joy of greeting him once more in our country.