Adult Faith Formation: Bishop William Crean and other Cloyne delegates to attend Knock for reflection – All welcome (Important Update for Attendees)

Important Update for Attendees – Change of Venue:
Due to delayed completion of renovations at Knock Shrine, please note the following changes to the Programme Schedule:
09:00 – 10:00 Adoration of Blessed Sacrament and Morning Prayer – Carmelite Monastery
10:00 – 11:00 Registration of Blessed Sacrament and Morning Prayer – St John’s Rest and Care Centre

Adult Faith Formation in our Diocese:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church Adult Studies will host a Reflection and Renewal Day at Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock on 20th & 21st April 2018 (same programme delivered each day to facilitate attendance for people’s various circumstances) led by Dr Petroc Willey, Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville. The Diocese of Cloyne has been very active in this apostolate which brings many graces and blessings with it.

The Bishop of Cloyne, Bishop William Crean will be present on Saturday April 21st to support the mission of Adult Faith Formation in Ireland today. For more information and booking forms, see upcoming events on the Diocese of Cloyne website. www.cloynediocese.ie Booking required. Cost €25 (Students and Seminarians €15). For any further queries, contact Fr Seán Corkery on (086) 2420240 or at cloynenewevangelisation@nullgmail.com

Letter of Invitation and Information can be downloaded here.

Booking Form can be downloaded here. Please follow instructions to reserve places at the event.

For Parish Newsletters:

Catechism of the Catholic Church Adult Studies will host a Reflection and Renewal Day at Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock on 20th & 21st April 2018 (same programme delivered both days to facilitate attendance for people’s various circumstances) led by Dr Petroc Willey, Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville. The diocese of Cloyne has been very active in this apostolate which brings many graces and blessings with it. The Bishop of Cloyne, Bishop William Crean will be present on Saturday April 21st to support the mission of Adult Faith Formation in Ireland today. For more information and booking forms, see upcoming events on the Diocese of Cloyne website. www.cloynediocese.ie Booking recommended. Cost €25 (Students and Seminarians €15). For any further queries, contact Fr Seán Corkery on (086) 2420240 or at cloynenewevangelisation@nullgmail.com

As you know, Adult Studies of the Catechism has been established in the diocese of Cloyne and several of our priests (from the oldest to the youngest as it happens) have been involved in the work. It can take some courage to get started but they speak highly of the experience. This movement has lead to over 70 people completing the study in May of 2017 and a further group in the Youghal area who are currently concluding their study. Some people shy away from the idea of adult studies and from the idea of catechism, whereas in fact, what is involved is so much more – it is formation in faith with and alongside others. I believe one could even dare to call it a pilgrimage in faith which changes peoples’ lives forevermore. See www.catechism.ie

So many of the participants have become involved in their parishes at various levels because of being formed comprehensively in their faith. The group meets regularly and participants essentially become a family of faith over time. The participants are truly encouraged in their Church and they yearn to become more active in their parish communities. Indeed, there has even been the initiation of discernment by some in priestly and religious vocations because of the study.

In light of the World Meeting of Families on the horizons, I want to put the call out to Priests, Deacons, Parish Pastoral Councils, Teachers, Parish Catechists and all parishioners and interested persons to consider establishing an adult studies group next September. It is surprisingly straightforward to set a group in motion and I am willing and able to help with it.

As a preparation for it, I attach an invitation and booking form to an important event in Knock in April which will give a wonderful overview of what is involved. The same programme of events will be delivered over two dates (a Friday and a Saturday) to afford people the choice that best suits them. Bishop Crean will be present on the Saturday to address the gathering as a sign of his support and patronage of the work of adult faith formation in Ireland today. Please spread the word wide and far. These opportunities don’t come around too often and I respectfully ask you to consider bringing/sending some valued members of your parish to this event on either Friday April 20^th or Saturday April 21^st next. It will be Easter time and the light of the risen Christ will have dawned in our midst.