Responding to the great concern expressed by many people in the parishes and Dioceses of Ireland, the Irish Bishops Conference have decided to offer people an opportunity to financially support the families and children of Ukraine who have had to flee their homeland because of the war.
The Bishops said, “Already millions of people have been forced to flee their homes as refugees. It is a source of inspiration that people all over Ireland are responding with customary generosity to support humanitarian efforts in this crisis. Many parish communities have already established links with charitable projects to support refugees and those remaining in Ukraine. Recognising these urgent needs, the bishops are asking that a special collection be taken up at all Masses this weekend – Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th March.”
The proceeds of this Special Collection will be directed to Caritas Internationalis which is the helping hand of the Church on the ground in the Ukraine and surrounding areas. Caritas is the international equivalent of Trócaire, our own Catholic development agency.
Prayer for Peace:
Those wishing to find the full text of the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary prayed in our Church last Friday at 4pm at the request of Pope Francis can find it here: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/prayers.index.html#prayers