Thousands of worshipper’s are preparing to flock to west Belfast next week for the annual Clonard Novena.
The theme of this year’s event, which runs from next Wednesday, June 19 to June 27, is ‘Creating a Culture of Care’.
Speaking ahead of the opening service, Fr Brendan Kelly, the Rector at Clonard said: “We are living in an era where we face new and complex challenges on how we understand life and human nature.
“In the light of this, we must ask ourselves: ‘What does our faith say to us in the face of so much change and upheaval?’ We hope over the nine days; by focusing on some of the burning issues faced by our society today, we can find ways of discovering the presence and voice of God amid so much confusion and anxiety.”
Meanwhile Pope Francis has appealed to the international community and every individual to foster a culture of care by advancing on the ‘path of fraternity, justice and peace between individuals, communities, peoples and nations’ adding that there can be no peace without a culture of care.
The popular Inter Church Day will take place on Monday June 24 and there will be a special Blessing of the Families at the 11.30am and 1.30pm Sessions on Saturday June 22 and the celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick the following day at the 11.30am and 1.30pm sessions. Also on Sunday there will be session dedicated to Young People at 8.00pm.
Novena Times
Mon to Fri: 6.45am, 9.30am,11.30am, 4.00pm, 6.00pm & 8.00pm Sat & Sun: 6.45am, 9.30am,11.30am, 1.30pm, 4.00pm, 6.00pm & 8.00pm
You can also watch live on webcam: www.clonard.com or on social media
