Notice – Novena of Hope 2012
The 23rd Novena of Hope begins at The Graan on the weekend 3rd / 4th of March. Broadcasting legend Gay Byrne, All-Ireland winner Oisin Mc Conville and internationally known campaigners John Longergan and Don Mullan are just some of the outstanding speakers coming to the famous Enniskillen Monastery this year.
The opening service is on Saturday 3rd March (6.30pm) and the Novena will continue until Monday 12th March. Since its inception, the Novena of Hope has pioneered a way for laity to share their faith and opinions with the wider believing community. We have made a special effort this year to bring the essential virtue of hope to people struggling in these difficult times.
Fr Brian will open the Novena at all the Sunday Masses on the weekend 3rd / 4th March.
Fr Brian will also speak at the 12.30 session on Monday 5th March, but at the 8pm service, the All-Ireland winning Armagh and Crossmaglen footballer Oisin Mc Conville will share his experiences of overcoming personal addiction.
Fr P J Madden is the guest speaker on Tuesday for our Penitential Services at 12.30 and 8pm. Fr P J has a fascinating story. He’s variously been a nurse, a husband, a trade union leader, a lobbyist and rescue worker. Now he’s a curate in the village of Graiguecullen. His beloved wife Mary died from cancer in 1999 and six years later he was ordained a priest in New Orleans where he led rescue workers when hurricane Katrina struck. For years he was General Secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, and Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation (IHO). Fr P J is a fascinating man well worth listening to.
On Wednesday the 7th we welcome the legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne who was for 37 years the host of the Late Late Show the world’s longest running chat show. Gabriel Mary Byrne to give him his full title will be present at the 8pm service only. Fr Brian will speak at the morning service on Wednesday which will be at 11am. This is to facilitate the afternoon for the sick at 2.30pm on Wednesday which will also be celebrated by Fr Brian and many priests from the area. The Reverend Arthur Barrett, Rector Rossorry Church of Ireland, will also be present on Wednesday night.
On Thursday the 8th brings John Lonergan. He is a native of Co Tipperary and was appointed Governor of Mountjoy Prison in 1984 and, apart from a four year stint as Governor of Portlaoise prison, he spent the rest of his career at the Dublin inner city prison. He is a compassionate campaigner for the rights of the marginalised. John will speak at both the 12.30 and 8pm services.
On Friday the 9th of March the issue of Women in the Church will be addressed by Donna Doherty, the Derry native, who is Commissioning Editor, for Veritas publications. Donna is a well known speaker who for a time worked with The Passionists on the School Retreat Team. She will speak at both the 12.30 and 8pm services.
The subject of death by suicide was the issue we had most requests to address during the Novena. So on Saturday the 10th March the newly appointed Ambassador for the self-help group Console, Peter Roche from Galway will speak at both the 11am and 6.30pm services. Peter’s son died by suicide recently. Please note that the services on Saturday are at 11am and 6.30pm. On Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm we will have the second Service for the Sick with Fr Brian as celebrant.
On Sunday the author and human rights worker, Don Mullan from Derry, will speak at the 10.30, 12noon and 4pm Masses. Don Mullan’s book “Eyewitness To Bloody Sunday” became a bestseller. He has worked closely with Archbishop Desmond Tutu since 1982. He also met and interviewed Rosa Parkes who by her actions began the Civil Rights Movement in America. Fr Brian will speak at the 9am, Mass only on Sunday.
Monday the 12th March is the final day of the Novena. At the 12.30 service the speaker will be Fr Brian. Archdeacon Cecil Pringle will be present on the last day of the Novena and the blessing of babies will take place after the 12.30pm service.
On Monday night for the closing of the Novena, Fr Steve Gilhooley will fly in from Switzerland to be our preacher. Fr Steve’s book, The Pyjama Parade dealing with the subject of abuse within the Church, has been an influential bestseller. He has a fascinating and sad story to tell us. But he insists it will be a story of hope.
In addition to the usual services there are two special days of healing of the sick on Wednesday 7th and Saturday 10th March at 2.30pm. We welcome all in need of this sacrament to come to those services. To cater for the large congregation attending the Novena, closed circuit television will be available in adjoining rooms in The Graan. We ask you to support our Novena at this most difficult time for people everywhere. We all need hope and our speakers will put us in touch with the God of hope.
In addition to those who attend in the church well over 10,000 people will partake in the Novena from their homes in Ireland and Britain. Everyone, whatever their religion or age, is welcome to attend and take part. If it is not possible to attend every night, you will be most welcome to come to as many services as possible.
The services are Saturday Vigil – 3rd March @ 6.30pm. Sunday 4th – 9am, 10.30am, 12noon and 4pm. Weekdays 12.30 and 8pm except Wednesday when the morning session will be 11am. Saturday 10th – 11am and 6.30pm.
Services for the Sick on Wednesday 7th and Saturday 10th March @ 2.30pm.
Novena leaflets can be obtained by writing to: The Novena of Hope, The Graan, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 5PB. Enclose a self stamped addressed envelope please.
Visit our website at www.thegraan.com.
You can e-mail us at-: thegraan@btconnect.com
Tags:
