CROAGH PATRICK

The Annual National Pilgrimage takes place today to Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo

Croagh Patrick is the Holy mountain of Ireland, situated on the south of Clew bay, near the towns of Westport and Castlebar. If you are into walking up mountains then go for it. A bit of history: The national apostle, St. Patrick, is said to have spent forty days and nights on the summit of Croagh Patrick, fasting and praying for the people of Ireland around the middle of the fifth century. Since early Christian times, a national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick has taken place on the last Sunday in July each year. So why don't you try? But make sure you wear comfortable and appropriate shoes.

Don't forget to offer a prayer for all those who are taking part in the Pilgrimage today! Saint Patrick Pray for us!

RENEWAL OF THE FAITH IN IRELAND

As a group, we are about to undertake a period of prayer for the Renewal of the Catholic Faith in Ireland. This period will last for approximately a year beginning on 21st August 2007, the Feast of Our Lady of Knock, and end on the same date in 2008. We are inviting all those who wish join us spiritually to do so by offering prayers daily for this intention.

There are many ways you can join us on our mission:

Recitation of the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet

Offering Masses

Or just adding a small intention into your daily prayers

As part of this mission we will be praying for a visit by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to our country, hopefully in the near future! It is our hope that a visit from the Holy Father, with his message of the Gospel, would rekindle the faith of the Irish people. The theme of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland in 1979 was 'Ireland - Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful'...May it always be so!

We are entrusting this special year of prayer to our Patron, John Paul II

We will also entrust these prayers to Our Lady of Knock and St Oliver Plunkett.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF YOUR PRAYERS!

IRELAND - ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

LADYWELL DEVOTIONS

The Traditional Mass & Devotions will take place at Ladywell Shrine, Dublin Road, Dundalk on 14th August. The celebrations begin at 10.45pm with Mass followed by Blessing of the Well and Rosary Procession.

The Dundalk John Paul II Prayer Group will make the Pilgrimage on the 14th for the Mass & Procession, and also on the 15th (time to be confirmed!)

Look out for our banner in the procession & say hello!

SEATOWN PATRÚN 2007

The Traditional Mass & Devotions in St Leonard's Garden, Seatown, Dundalk will take place on Wednesday 5th September 2007.

This year is a special celebration as the cemetery is in the middle of a big restoration and the Mass will celebrate the reopening of the cemetery.

List of Events planned:

7.15pm: Rosary

7.30pm: Concelebrated Mass at the Penal Mass Rock

After Mass: Refreshments in local hall.

Everyone is invited to attend this very special occasion for Seatown & Dundalk!

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY 08 TO BE MOVED

The Catholic Church will celebrate the Feast of St Patrick on Saturday 15th March 2008. This is because 17th March is the first day of Holy Week and the celebrations of Holy Week take preference over Saints Feast Days. The last time St Patrick's Day had to be moved was 1940, the next time will be 2160.

The secular celebrations will still take place on 17th March, 2008

CAUSE FOR BEATIFICATION & CANONISATION

HOMEPAGE FOR THE CAUSE OF BEATIFICATION OF
THE SERVANT OF GOD, JOHN PAUL II

http://www.vicariatusurbis.org/beatificazione/English/HomePage.htm

PRAYER FOR THE CANONISATION OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
O Blessed Trinity We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ,and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercyand in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.

PILGRIMAGE TO DROGHEDA

On Sunday 1st July we travelled to Drogheda, Co Louth for the National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Oliver Plunkett in St Peter's Church.


The day started at 2.00pm at St Patrick's in Dundalk with a prayer before we all got on the bus. We arrived at the Lourdes Church in Drogheda for the procession which began at 3.00pm, processing to St Peter's for Mass at 4.00pm.


On our return journey, we stopped at the Papal Cross at Kilineer, just north of Drogheda, to say a prayer for peace & reconcilation. The Cross is in commemoration of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Kilineer in 1979.

JOHN PAUL II PRAYER GROUP DUNDALK

Who we are...
We are a group of Lay Catholics living in Dundalk, Ireland. Our age group ranges from 20 up to 80, from all different backgrounds and professions who all come together for the one purpose.

What we do...
We, inspired by the charisma of the Late Great Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, have formed a group dedicated to praying for his Beatification and Cononisation. We are involved in various ministries within our respective parishes, from Readers to Eucharistic Ministers to Cantors. We formed as a group on 10th June 2007 (Feast of Corpus Christi) to help promote prayer for peace & reconciliation, vocations and various needs of our church and world. June 10th was the 75th Annual Dundalk Corpus Christi Procession and was our first public ceremony.

Want to join us on our mission...
PRAY!

Contact us: jp2dundalk@hotmail.com