A fifth national Collection to help defray the costs of the recent World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis will take place in all churches in Ireland this weekend 10 and 11 November. In the Archdiocese of Dublin, this will replace the normal second collection for Share.  Archbishop Martin would be very grateful for your support in promoting this collection.

The overall cost to the Church in Ireland for hosting the World Meeting comes to €19.4m.  To date €15.4m has been raised by way of local church collections and by other donations.  This leaves a deficit of €4m.

Archbishop Martin said “Pope Francis presided over wonderful events in Dublin and in Knock.  We have much to be grateful for to the Holy Father.  In Dublin, the main events were the Festival of Families in Croke Park and the Final Mass in Phoenix Park.  In addition to the huge crowds who attended these events, over one million people watched them on television while so mnay gathered along the streets of Dublin to greet Pope Francis.

Special events in Dublin included the visit to the Capuchin Day Centre, a short call at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Sean McDermott Street and an inspiring event in the Pro-Cathedral with 375 young couples from all over Ireland who were preparing for or who recently celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony.  He also held a meeting with survivors of abuse. Above all, Pope Francis came to encourage the gift and fruits of faith in family life.

Over 11,000 people came to Ireland from overseas and the three days Pastoral Congress in the RDS was an encouraging event for many of our parish communities.”