A Day of Atonement and Reparation for Ireland is being held at Clonfert on Sunday (October 10). With a theme of A Call To Holiness, the day includes people’s testimonies on forgiveness, a holy hour, live music, mass, and the sacrament of reconciliation.
Fr Danko Perutina, Pastor of Medjugorje, is also present on the day.
The event is being organised by a group of lay people involved in Our Lady's Pastoral Centre, Ardee. They undertake pastoral work in co-operation with the local parish and bishop and
their Tuesday prayer group attracts anything up to 100 people.
“We felt we need a day of reparation and atonement, a day to come together and pray for the church in Ireland, pray for the victims and that is part of it. The other part is the hope. We are all called to holiness, we should be using our baptismal vows and be going out more than ever, being with people, reaching out to others and trying to live our faith more,” said Pat Butterly, PRO for the group.
The event includes the Pope’s prayer for Ireland and Fr Danko officiates at the holy hour. He has organised youth festivals at Medjugorje with congregations of up to 80,000. Several other priests are available for the sacrament of reconciliation.
Mark Lenehan from Belfast who was in prison for 15 years speaks of his call to repent and how he is now a religion teacher. Eddie Stone speaks on reconciliation, as do other speakers who give personal testimonies on the day.
Pat and colleagues believe the testimonies and personal experiences of speakers will be powerful and they are looking forward to the day. Already they have word that people are travelling from various parts of Ireland, and some are filling buses.
All are welcome to the event (with a packed lunch), from 10:30am to – 6:00pm, at Emmanuel House of Providence, Clonfert, Co Galway.
Donations on the day will go to Mothers Village Orphanage (Medjugorje).
SIC: CIN/IE