Lighting of Parish Eucharistic Candle

On Saturday 25th June, myself, some parishioners from this parish, together with parishioners from some of our neighbouring parishes, travelled to Knock to attend the National Eucharistic Congress, together with representatives from every parish in Ireland. The National Eucharistic Congress opens a year filled with grace, that will culminate in the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in June 2012.

It was an event that invited us to reach across the boundaries of our own parishes and dioceses to celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ, as one body. As disciples of Jesus we know we are part of something which is bigger than ourselves as individuals. Similarly in 2012 we will celebrate our faith with people from around the world who will gather with us in Dublin for our International Eucharistic Congress.

As part of the celebrations at Knock, a diocesan candle was blessed and lit for the first time, for each diocese. The candle for our diocese was brought back to Dublin and was lit again at a special Mass of celebration in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday 26th June, the feast of Corpus Christi, and will be lit at diocesan celebrations throughout the year. Also blessed at Knock were Eucharistic candles for parishes and we brought back our parish candle which was lit for the first time at the 10.30 celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday 26th June. This candle will be lit at parish celebrations as we go through the year as a reminder of our pilgrim journey towards the International Eucharistic Congress and a reminder of what our goal is as we set out on that journey now- to deepen our understanding of the Eucharist so that our communion with Christ at the celebration of the Mass will be reflected in a very real way in our communion, our relationship, our daily interaction with each other as members of the one body of Christ.

Prayer at lighting of the Parish Eucharistic Candle:

Blessed are you, Lord our God, Father of Light,
You sent your Son into our world,
A light that darkness could not overcome.
Enlighten us, lead us and brighten our world view
as we journey towards the
50th International Eucharistic Congress.

Shine your light in our hearts that we may be renewed,
and come to know the Eucharist as communion with
Christ and with one another.
Blessed are you source of hope, of light and of joy.
Blessed be God forever!

Mary Kirk
Parish Pastoral Worker