Bishop Denis Nulty invites people to visit the Kildare & Leighlin stand (372) at the Ploughing Championship 23 – 25th September 2014.
Act Justly
The theme for this year is ‘Act Justly’ and the diocese aims to raise awareness of justice issues at home and overseas. It is in this context that we have invited Trocaire to join us on our stand this year. Fr. Peter McVerry SJ, (Peter McVerry Trust), Eamonn Meehan, Director of Trocaire, and Sr. Rita Minehan from APT (Action to Prevent Trafficking) will speak in the tent over the three days. All talks will begin at 3:00p.m and conclude with a few moments of quiet prayer. There will also be prayer at 12 noon each day.
Donations of non-perishable food items will be gladly received for St Clare’s Hospitality – Food Kitchen and this action for justice will be repeated in all the 56 parishes of our diocese from September 20-28 as communities collect food items to feed those who are hungry in Kildare & Leighlin.
The Diocesan Launch of the Irish Bishops’ Pastoral Letter ‘The Cry of the Earth’ on the challenges of climate change will take place on Wednesday 24 at 3:00p.m.
To find out more about the diocese’s Act Justly campaign see www.kandle.ie
Welcome, Music, Gifts
There will be music from Fr. Liam Lawton, the Spirit of Kandle Youth Choir and a very special traditional music event on Wednesday at 2:30 that is guaranteed to delight. Visitors to the stand will be invited to take a moment to write a prayer intention for our Prayer Wall, spend time in our Sacred Space, learn how to make a St Brigid’s Cross, find out a little about the diocese and give their tired feet a well earned rest in our hospitality area. There might even be a cuppa for those in need!
It is traditional at the Ploughing to have gifts to distribute to those who visit. We will be offering a gift of salt blessed by Bishop Denis. This blessed salt can then be spread on the land, used in the feed of animals, around the house and in many other situations to invoke God’s blessing and protection. The use of blessed salt is a part of our Catholic tradition that has been a little neglected and we are delighted to re-introduce it to our farming and parish communities. There will also be gifts of prayer cards and wristbands.