Cherry Orchard Parish
It's all possible
50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 (IEC2012)is aweek long programme of events, linking faith and culture, with a particular focus on the gathering of people of every nation, language and way of life around the table of the Lord.
A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.
In preparation for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, members of Cherry Orchard Parish travelled to Knock in June 2011 for the National Eucharistic Congress, along with pilgrims from every corner of Ireland, for the blessing of the Eucharistic Candles for each of the twenty-six cathedrals in Ireland along with the Parish Eucharistic Candles. These candles are a reminder of Christ’s presence in each diocesan community and of the communion of the Irish Church.
While they are not so common here in Ireland, Archbishop Martin reminds us that “Eucharistic Congresses are in fact very common in the life of the Church. In Italy this year one of the central events of the programme of evangelisation is a National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Ancona in September. National Eucharistic Congresses have been held in recent times in many other countries, including in the United States, Spain, Brazil and even in Cuba.”
The International Eucharistic Congress normally takes place every four years. The daily celebration of the Eucharist is at the very heart of the Congress. The wider programme of the Congress includes other liturgical events, cultural events, catechesis and testimonies, and workshops during the week of the Congress. The most recent Congress was held in Quebec in 2008 and was a source of encouragement and renewal for the many thousands who took part.
Since preparations began for the International Eucharistic Congress 2012 people from all over Ireland and even further afield have sent the Congress a wide range of memorabilia relating to the 1932 Congress, some of which will be on display at a special exhibition in 2012.
The Congress are looking for between two and three thousand volunteers to help put all the pieces of the congress together. Even if you have just an hour a week to help they would like to talk to you.
We thank St. Laurence's Ladies Club
for sponsoring the Cherry Orchard Parish Eucharistic Candle and Banner for the National Eucharistic Congress
