Christmas greetings of Dr. Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam – December 2010
A Time to look back
The festive season of Christmas is a time to look back at the events and happenings of the year just gone by and reflect on what has been. We look back, savour and enjoy the good times while acknowledging the difficult times as well.
A Time to look out for others
Christmas is a time that we become aware of those less well-off, less
fortunate than ourselves. Christmas is a time when we do our best to
reach out to others with care, with concern, with Christian love. We
remember in a special way those that have been affected by the economic
down-turn, the elderly, people living on their own, the bereaved, people
that are suffering in any way.
Issues of Concern
Respect for life, unexpected death and serious injury often caused by
motor accidents continue to be a major concern along with the growing
rates of lawlessness, violence, vulgarity and serious crime. My
sympathies go out to those at this time of the year who have been
affected in any way by any of these serious issues.
Substance abuse
I pose the question; is the resort to drugs and alcohol, an expression
of frustration with the emptiness they experience in life? Are we
enabling them as society and Church by giving them interpersonal and
social skills and the necessary faith and hope to be able to cope with
whatever crosses, difficulties and challenges they encounter?
As Christians we believe that the God of hope is most powerfully preent in seasons of hopelessness.
Economic Issues
Economic prosperity in the aftermath of the Celtic Tiger has taken a
severe hammering. Many have lost jobs and security in the financial
downturn. So many citizens have come under severe psychological and
mental strain because of this in an effort to make ends meet.
Those on
the margins of society, travellers, refugees, addicts, single-parent
families, victims of crime and abuse continue to experience difficulty
and hardship. I commend the good work of the many caring groups within
the diocese that look after those with special needs.
Emigrants and Immigrants
At this time of the year our emigrants are very much on our minds. We
welcome home those who have returned to be with us for the holiday
period and our thoughts go out to those who could not come home. I
extend a special word of welcome to those who have come to join us from
other countries and enrich our work-force and culture by settling in
our midst.
Care for the Earth
Care for the environment, protection against pollution, quality of
drinking water, global warming and climate change continues to be a an
on-going issue of concern. This has raised some ethical questions
concerning life-style especially in the wake of the recent variable
weather conditions and the effect this has had on farming, rural life
and tourism. It is an issue that will demand much attention in the
future.
Recreation
2010 has been full of ups and downs, highs and lows on the field of
sport, recreation, music, drama and entertainment, something that
provides us with an ever more necessary light-hearted diversion and
escape from the troubles of life.
Tuam Diocesan Perspective
From the Diocesan point of view many difficulties remain from the
fall-out of rising secularism, materialism along with the recent
troubles in the Church at local, national and international levels.
Rationalisation
With the decline in the numbers of clergy the process of rationalisation
and the clustering of parishes to share resources has accelarated at a
rapid rate. Parishes have been very understanding when it comes to the
realistation that their area may not have a resident priest, but may
have to share and pool facilities and resources.
Vocations Campaign
However, 2010 has brought many hopeful signs also. The Archdiocese
launched a new vocations campaign, www.onelifeonecalloneresponse.com
during the year whick has attracted significant interest.
The vocations
team continue to work hard to promote vocations in schools, through
prayer and at various pilgrim places. At present we have four excellent
candidates for the priesthood and others have expressed an interest and
are workin through a process of discernment.
Diocesan and Pastoral Councils
Sterling work is being done by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and
Pastoral Councils at local level, as well as the council for the laity
who work in close association with a very dedicated and hard working
group of clergy.
Youth Ministry and Liturgy
The Diocesan Youth Council is going from strength to strength and
organise many different events in the course of the year. A large
number of young people have already signed up for World Youth Day in
Madrid in August, 2011.
Great work is being done by the diocesan
liturgical officer and various liturgical groups in celebrating the
great events of our faith throughout the Churches year.
Child Safeguarding
A group of volunteers have worked tirelessly at diocesan and parish
level to strengthen and consolidate an already exisiting Child
Safeguarding Structure.
A new safeguarding policy was launched during
the year, Garda vetting of clergy has been successfully carried through
and the retraining of priests and parish personel has been ongoing
throughout the year.
Apostolic Visitation
At the request of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict in Spring of this year
each of the four Archdioceses have had apostolic visitors to monitor and
review the Church at local level.
The Archbishop of Ottawa, Archbishop
Prendergast and Fr. Conn, S.J., the Professor of Canon Law at the
Gregorian Univeristy have visited the diocese during the year as
ministers of encourgement from the Holy Father.
They met with laity,
religious, clergy, diocesan and parish groups and spent much time
listening to victims of abuse in an effort to help them to experience
some form of healing for the terrible hurt visited upon them.
A
penitential service and prayers for victims of abuse was organised in
the Cathedral in middle of Advent.
We welcome the Apostolic
Visitatation back again in Spring for the next phase of their visit.
During that visit they hope follow the pilgrim, penitential route of St.
Patrick in climbing the Reek with a group of young people from the
diocese.
Diocesan Website
A new diocesan website was launched, courtesy of Sli Nua Communications at the beginning of the year www.tuamarichdiocese.org.
Diocesan Directory
A new diocesan directory was launched in Autumn with more information than ever on diocesan and parish structures.
Pilgrim Places
Numbers of pilgrims going to Knock, Ballintubber, Máméan, Croagh Patrick
continue to rise.
These positive signs, and many other events have
given all of us much hope and encouragement for the future.
I pray that
the Holy Spirit will continue to guide, inspire and lead us in 2011.
A time to look to the future with Hope and Joy
As Christians, we are people of hope and people of joy.
Pope Benedict
XVI frequently returns again and again to the great hope our faith
offers us in a world of indifference and empty materialism. No matter
what happens we carry this hope with us because of the Christ-event, the
coming of Jesus Christ in the incarnation and through the redemption
won for us through the Cross and Resurrection.
Christmas Blessing
At this special time of the year, this time of profound religious
significance I pray that the message of the Christ-Child would be reborn
in our land, in our homes, in our hearts and souls this Christmas
season. Peace, joy, health, happiness, along with many blessings and
graces to all for a joyful and fulfilling new year in 2011.
+ Michael Neary
Archbishop of Tuam
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