The annual diocesan celebration of Religious Life took place on Tuesday, February 2nd in the Chapel of St. Columbanus, NUI, Galway. Over one hundred and forty religious women and men heard the Bishop affirm their ministry and seek their input on how religious life in Ireland can be renewed in the light of the dreadful drift made by some from the call of Jesus Christ, as detailed in the Dublin and other recent reports.
Cathedral Novena
Monday 8 February -
to Tuesday 16 February 2010
"Lord that I may see!
Seeking a vision for our day"
is the overall theme of this year's novena. An invitation is extended to reflect together on the Word of God and try to find a new way of living so as to find more meaning in our lives and especially in relationships.
Six sessions daily: 07:45, 11:00, 13:10, 15:30, 19:30, 21:30
Sunday: 09:00, 10:00, 12:30, 16:30, 18:30, 20:15
Vocations Workshop
A Vocations Workshop will take place from February 19th to 21st.
This workshop is designed to offer information, advice and support to those who may be considering diocesan priesthood in the West of Ireland.
The event is organized by the Diocese of Galway, the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Clonfert.
Further details are available from the Diocesan Vocations Director -
“Dear friends, as this significant event in the life of the Church draws to a conclusion, I invite you all to join with me in praying for the success of the next International Eucharistic Congress, which will take place in 2012 in the city of Dublin! I take the opportunity to greet warmly the people of Ireland as they prepare to host this ecclesial gathering. I am confident that they, together with all the participants at the next Congress, will find it a source of lasting spiritual renewal.”
Pope Benedict XVI, Quebec, 22 June 2008
In the coming months the diocesan preparations for the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin will begin. As a diocese we will seek to grow in our relationship with Christ and each other as we prepare for the Congress. How exactly that happens depends on each person of the diocese. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please email our diocesan delegate to the National Eucharistic Congress Committee,
At the invitation of Bishop Drennan, Cardinal Sean Brady made a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora on October 10th and 11th.
As principal celebrant at Masses in Ennistymon, Gort and in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas and Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, the Cardinal spoke of the grace and gift of hope in a changing world.
In each place he visited the Cardinal was greeted by large congregations and he repeatedly expressed delight at the quality of the liturgy, the warmth of the welcome and the wide ranging organization and participation involved in preparing for his visit.
On Saturday evening Cardinal Brady was guest of honour at a Mayoral Reception in the City Hall.
On Sunday afternoon he addressed a large gathering of the clergy and religious of the diocese following lunch hosted by the NUI, Galway Chaplaincy. His well received words were followed by Evening prayer.
While visiting the University the Cardinal paid a courtesy call to the president, Professor James Brown and dedicated the new Chaplaincy Garden - An Gairdin Sosa, adjacent to the Chapel of St. Columbanus.
Bishop Drennan expressed appreciation and gratitude to Cardinal Brady on his own behalf and on behalf of the faithful for the all too brief visit and late on Sunday evening the Cardinal set off back to Armagh to prepare for a meeting with Ms. Hillary Clinton, the American Secretary of State, in Stormont on the following morning.
Year for Priests
The Year for Priests was opened by Pope Benedict XVI on June 19th 2009, the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney.
The Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora consists thirty-nine parishes and five deaneries which serve communities living in parts of the counties of Galway, Clare and Mayo.