The last month has been a very busy time at the Emmanuel School of Mission. Apart from the normal community life of the school we have been engaged with two missions. Some of the students provided the music for the liturgies at a recent conference of the Pontifical Council for the Laity addressed by Pope Benedict XVI; while the entire group have just returned to Rome from Dublin where we were joined by former ESM students, the ESM team and members of the Irish Emmanuel Community in facilitating a city mission there.
Our base for the two weeks was Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in the city centre. While in Dublin we stayed in different parts of the diocese and we received a very warm welcome from those parish communities who hosted us. The mission opened with an Advent Service presided by Bishop Field on November 26th. Each evening there was a Mission Mass and we hosted a number of events including an evening of Reconciliation, a Marian Evening and two evenings for young people. Following each Mass we greeted the people and invited them to the events at the Cathedral. There was a strong focus on the youth. We met young people at Mass and on the streets, inviting them to two Youth Evenings – which included prayer, drama, music, social time and refreshments. We also met with many of those involved in youth ministry and social justice initiatives in the Church such as Crosscare, Catholic Youth Care and Youth 2000. Missionaries also visited schools, colleges and universities to engage with the young people. Other activities included participating in the Soup Run, visiting a drop-in drug rehabilitation centre and the apostolic work of the Legion of Mary.
During the course of the Mission our primary activity was Street Evangelisation in the city centre. Each day we were present in the busy shopping districts of Henry Street and O’Connell Street praising God through our songs and Christmas carols, actively engaging with the people inviting them to the events at the Pro-Cathedral. People stopped just to encounter our joy and message of hope which we wanted to deliver in this Advent season, amid the difficult economic climate and challenging times for many. We had many engaging conversations about our Catholic faith. I saw clearly the great joy that comes from sharing it, and the openness and warmth of the people as we met them on the streets – many who were uplifted just by our presence and witness. I had lots of wonderful encounters with different people of the city including the homeless, marginalised and those who come from many nations. The whole experience has definitely challenged me to be ever more present in my faith and truly live out the theme of IEC2012, The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another.
After a hectic 13 days Mission we concluded with Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th in which Archbishop Martin and the auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese were the main celebrants. The mission was featured in the Irish Catholic and I also had the opportunity to speak to Rónán Johnston on Spirit Radio’s breakfast show along with fellow missionary Rebecca Thomas, and Director of the School Kevin Wagner. (Listen to the interview here). I pray that there will be many fruits from this fortnight the ESM spent in Dublin and look forward to our second visit in June ahead of the Eucharistic Congress.
Back at the school we are back to our busy schedule. There are two upcoming retreats, one here in Rome and a second in Paray le Monial directly after Christmas. We were introduced to Christmas, Italian style at the recent Christmas party hosted by the Centro San Lorenzo. There was a great atmosphere of joy as youth from all around the world celebrated the real meaning for the season; beginning with the International Youth Mass, followed by sampling of the traditional Italian Christmas food and drink, and finally the dramatisation of the Nativity scene with all present taking part! I’m really looking forward to celebrating Christmas in Italy, New Year in France and a short holiday in Ireland. Many thanks for the prayers and support which is greatly appreciated. Ciao for now!
Click below to listen to the podcast of an interview with myself, Rebecca Thomas, and Kevin Wagner of the Emmanuel School of Mission, Rome with Rónán Johnston on Spirit Radio.
