Year of Prayer
Year of Reflection and Prayer Extended until the end of June 2021.
As the Diocesan Pastoral Plan in the Archdiocese of Armagh for the period 2015 to 2020, drew to a close, the Archdiocese launched a Year of Reflection and Prayer in January 2020 so that it could begin making preparations for a new Pastoral Plan in a new decade!
The purpose of the year was to encourage reflection and seek the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning the way forward for the diocese in the years ahead. No one could have foreseen the arrival of a worldwide pandemic in 2020, nor the immense changes and challenges that it heralds. For this reason, the Archdiocese has decided to extend the year of reflection and prayer until June 2021.
Bishop Michael Router speaks about the Year of Reflection and Prayer, the Covid 19 Pandemic and its extension until June 2021
In the video above Bishop Michael Router and Leah Marron reflect on the year that has passed, acknowledging the difficulties it has presented, and outlining some pastoral initiatives that the Archdiocese has engaged with.
Our Diocesan Pastoral Council believes the process of planning for the future is too important to be rushed. It is essential to give time as well to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past few decades of Pastoral Planning and consider how the past year and the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted each one of us. The extended period of reflection is an opportunity for everyone in the diocese to get involved in the process and to offer their thoughts and insight.
In the video Bishop Michael asks two questions to help in that reflection
He invites you to send your considered responses to these questions to yprarmagh@gmail.com
Covid 19 Resources
Covid 19 Resources
Resources and other resources for use during Covid 19 Pandemic
Reflection & Activities
Resources and activities for use by adults and children.
School & Youth
Resources for Diocesan schools and youth groups
As the Diocesan Pastoral Plan in the Archdiocese of Armagh for the period 2015 to 2020, ‘Share the Joy of the Gospel’, draws to a close, the Archdiocese is making preparations for a new Pastoral Plan for this new decade!
The Diocesan Pastoral Council has set aside the year 2020 as a ‘Year of Reflection and Prayer’ throughout the Archdiocese encouraging reflection and seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning the way forward for the diocese in the years ahead.
The reasons for beginning this process with a year of prayer are linked to the example of Jesus Christ and to the very foundations of the Church itself. Jesus prayed in a quiet place before undertaking each step of his mission, St. Patrick found his calling and direction in life on the quiet slopes of Slemish Mountain and everything worthwhile and lasting in the life of the Church, and in life in general, begins with reflection, prayer and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
Our Diocesan Pastoral Council believes the process of planning for the future is too important to be rushed. It is essential to give time as well to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past few decades of Pastoral Planning and in the last five years in particular. The ‘Year of Reflection and Prayer’ is an opportunity for everyone in the diocese to get involved in the process, including the housebound, our religious congregations and Prayer groups.
Messages for the Year of Reflection and Prayer from Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishop Michael Router
Message for Year of Reflection and Prayer from Archbishop Eamon Martin
Message for Year of reflection and Prayer from Bishop Michael Router
Our prayer cannot be reduced to an hour on Sundays. It is important to have a daily relationship with the Lord.
Pope Francis