Armagh Parish is preparing to celebrate Hope Week in a special event that offers speakers the opportunity to tell their own personal, and often difficult, stories that have been strengthened through a “lived relationship with God”.
The Parish explains that Week of Hope offers an “exciting opportunity to reach out and connect – both with each other and with God”.
The Week of Hope commences on Sunday September 28 at 11am in St Patrick’s Cathedral RC with special speaker, Bishop Michael Router with the theme of the day being ‘Sunday – Our Day of Hope’.
A programme then offers a special mass each day until Sunday October 5 with a Jubilee Celebration of Hope with Archbishop Eamon Martin.
Father Barry of St Patrick’s Cathedral RC Armagh, explained: “The speakers that will join us during our week, each having a special story to tell, have been marked by
events in their lives that, while difficult, have left them with a sense of Hope that only a lived relationship with God can give.
“We live in a broken world where there is so much pain and violence, and often we experience God being excluded. Our Week of Hope is an opportunity to witness to the transforming love of Jesus here and now, to renew within ourselves, our homes, our families and our community the blessings that we have received and together to offer a prayer of thanksgiving.
“All are welcome to join this special week. We welcome especially those who have been away from the practice of the faith, for whatever reason.
“This Jubilee Year is a year of God’s favour and a wonderful opportunity for you to reconnect with your faith community – your family of faith.
“We welcome families and young adults especially to join with us. We have a special place in our parish for families and young adults, and we want you to know that during this week, and always, YOU are what gives us HOPE. You are the future of our Church and our community, and we are truly blessed when you join the faith community.
“My hope for this special week is that we will all find a new understanding of how close God is to us, and a renewed sense of community together. Please come along and invite others, your family members, friends and neighbours. All are welcome.”
