Fr Tim Barlett told the congregation in Mullingar Cathedral on Sunday
19 February 2017 that the “the World Meeting of Families will be a
global event which we hope Pope Francis will attend”.The Secretary General of the World Meeting of Families was speaking at the launch of the preparations in Mullingar in the Diocese of Meath for the gathering that will take place in Dublin on 22-26 August 2018.
The family theme of the Sunday Mass was introduced by Claire Wallace and Colin Farrell, who will be married in 6 months time.
“Families are important to all of us and families are important to the Church” Claire said, asking parishioners to pray for all families and for couples preparing for marriage.
The offertory gifts in the Mass were presented to the altar by four generations of the Hynes family, including a mother, son, grandmother and great-grandmother.
The Scripture readings were read by a married couple, Jane and Cristoir Fox and teenage twin sisters sang the responsorial psalm.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Michael Smith gave a blessing to several couples who were celebrating significant wedding anniversaries.
For more on the World Meeting of Families see www.worldmeeting2018.ie