Graduation Mass for the Class of 2012

in St. Caimin’s Community School

on Thursday 24th May

at 7pm

Generations of Irish people have done this over the years in spite of persecution.

In the Church at Kilbaha, three miles from Loop Head in the most westerly parish of our

Diocese of Killaloe, there is a structure, which is unique. It is a large wooden structure of a box, 11″ x 9″ x 8″, not unlike a bathing box in appearance. The roof is timber, covered with tarred canvas. The door, which is missing, was at one time hung on hinges, and was fastened from the outside by a strong piece of wood or iron, the holders for which may still be seen. To the right and left from the door, a few feet away from the ground, there are windows of poor quality, extending the entire length of the structure, and almost to the roof. Inside, at the farthest end from the roof, there is a low altar supporting a statute of the Sacred Heart. At one time this little wooden house was mounted on four large wheels, a small stairs leading to the door.

It is called “The Little Ark”, and it is an eloquent relic and reminder of the 1850’s when the celebration of Mass was prohibited in the Loop Head Peninsula West Clare, where there was no church and when no farmer dared allow the priest to say Sunday Mass in his home or land. From 1852 to 1857 for five years the local priest Fr. Meehan overcame the problem by using an ancient law of the sea. As the law could not apply between high and low watermark he brought the Little Ark to the shore and celebrated Mass each Sunday in the Ark, with the people on the shore. It is now placed inside the church and remains there to this day, housed in a specially built annexe and stands as a testament to the determination of ordinary Irish people to declare their truth faith in God and to celebrate the Eucharist as Jesus requested.

A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of God’s people to bear witness to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will take place in Dublin, from 10–17 June 2012. The theme of the Congress is The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another.

For the past two weekends I have celebrated First Holy Communion with children from our Parish. On First Communion Day the little children of 2nd class look so beautiful, radiant and innocent. We see our children on that day transfigured before us. We see them in a special light, the light of God’s glory. The requirements expected of a child in order to receive Holy Communion are both simple and reasonable:

• Some knowledge of Jesus.

• To be able to distinguish the Eucharist from ordinary bread.

• An expression of a desire to receive Holy Communion.

The Church asks of the child only that of which a child is capable of giving, a child’s faith and a child’s desire.

It is of course parents who know best what sort of faith and desire their children can have. It is hoped that by introducing our children to the Sacrament in this way we are preparing them for a life that will continue to grow strengthened by the love of God.

In 1932, when the 31st International Eucharistic Congress was held in Dublin, there were 3,171,697 Catholics in Ireland and it was one of the largest Eucharist Congresses of the 20th century. The final public mass of the congress was held in the Phoenix Park. Approximately 25% of the population of Ireland attended the mass and afterwards four processions left the Park to O’Connell Street where approximately 500,000 people gathered on O’Connell Bridge for the concluding blessing. According to the 2011 census, there are 3,861,300 Catholics in Ireland.

The Congress is more than just an event in 2012, it is our opportunity once again like the people of Loop Head in the 1850’s, and the Irish people of 1932, to declare our true faith in God and to celebrate the Eucharist as Jesus requested. Our forefathers declared their faith “in spite of dungeon, fire and sword”. Let us now follow them in witnessing our one true God and bear witness to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist “in spite of cynicism, criticism and scandal”.

Confirmation

Currently the Pastoral Council in Shannon is discussing the use of the school uniform for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Some our schools use the uniform, others do not. At the next meeting of the Pastoral Council a decision will be made whether or not to adopt the wearing of school uniform as a Parish Policy for the Celebration of Confirmation. At present the council is seeking the views of parishioners on the matter. If you have an opinion on this matter please forward your thoughts to the Secretary, Shannon Parish Council, c/o The Parish Office, Shannon by Friday 25th May or email office@shannonparish.ie

Lemenagh Cemetery Mass

The Annual Lemenagh Cemetery Mass will take place on Tuesday 29th May at 8pm. Everyone welcome.

The Shannon Bereavement Group Meeting will take place at The Health Centre on Monday 21st May at 7.30pm.