​Pope Francis released a message on Tuesday 14 November ahead of the 38th diocesan World Youth Day, which will be celebrated on 26 November 2023.
In his letter, entitled “Rejoicing in Hope”, Pope Francis says that Christian hope is not “facile optimism” but rather certain knowledge of God’s presence among us, and proposes strategies for maintaining and sharing this positivity in dark times.

Hopelessness
“Rejoice in Hope”, the theme of Pope Francis’ World Youth Day letter, is a quotation from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Reflecting on the saint’s words, the Pope says that “youth is a time full of hopes and dreams, stirred by the many beautiful things that enrich our lives: the splendour of God’s creation, our relationships with friends and loved ones… and so many other things.”
However, he notes, we are living in a period of crisis, of war, when “for many people, including the young, hope seems absent.” Many, he says, “feel as if they are in a dark prison, where the light of the sun cannot enter.”
In such situations, Pope Francis asks, “How can we experience the joy and hope of which Saint Paul speaks? When we think of human tragedies, especially the suffering of the innocent, we too can echo some of the Psalms and ask the Lord, ‘Why?’”

Paths toward hope
In his letter, Pope Francis suggests two ways to maintain Christian hope in such difficult times.
The first of these, he says, is to recognise that hope is not “a product of our human efforts, plans or skills.” It is, rather, “born of an encounter with Christ. Christian joy comes from God himself, from our knowledge of his love for us.”
“Christian hope”, the Pope explains,” is no facile optimism, no placebo for the credulous: it is the certainty, rooted in love and faith, that God never abandons us and remains faithful to his promise: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me’.”
A second method for maintaining hope in the midst of suffering, he says, is to recognise that “we can also be part of God’s answer to the problem.”
“Created by Him in His image and likeness, we can be signs of His love, which gives rise to joy and hope even in situations that appear hopeless,” he says.
​
Hope grows when shared
Having received this joy and hope, Pope Francis says, we cannot keep it to ourselves.
“Nurture the spark that has been kindled in you,” he urges, “but at the same time share it. You will come to realize that it grows by being given away!”
In particular, he asks, “Stay close to your friends who may be smiling on the outside but are weeping within, for lack of hope. Do not let yourselves be infected by indifference and individualism.”
We cannot keep our Christian hope to ourselves, “like a warm feeling”, Pope Francis urges. “It is meant for everyone.”

After a break of a number of years due to pandemic related restrictions, we were once again pleased to have Bishop Larry present the Pope John Paul II Award to nearly 100 young people from across the diocese, on Friday 10th November.

Saint Michael’s Church, Enniskillen hosted the diocese's 13th JPII Award Ceremony, an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our young people in their parishes and in the wider community, the first group of young people from the Dicoese of Clogher received their award in 2009. 

A huge congratulations to all the young people who received their award, and thanks to the Award Leaders in their parishes who facilitate and journey alongside the participants each year.

Our thanks also to the Knights of Saint Columbanus, who continue to support the Pope John Paul II Award in the diocese, and to Supreme Knight, John Murphy for his presence and his assistance in presenting the awards on the night.

Pope Francis designated 8th February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, as the World Day of
Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking.

Name: Saint Josephine Bakhita
Feast Day: 8 February
Birthplace: Darfur, Sudan
Born: 1869 (approximately)
Died: 8 February 1947
Canonised: 1 October 2000 by Pope St John Paul II
Patron saint of Sudan, South Sudan and trafficked people

In the Star Trek franchise, there is a species of alien called the Borg. The Borg are cybernetic organisms that force other species to join their "hive mind" by assimilating them into their collective. They strip away everything that makes a person unique and individual. "Resistance is futile" was the last thing one heard when encountering the Borg.
St. Josephine would have disagreed: resistance is never futile. A native of Sudan, she was kidnapped at age seven, enslaved, abused, sold, and resold. She was finally bought by the Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan, and taken to Italy, where she obtained her freedom. Despite all the indignities she suffered, Josephine's spirit was never broken. She always maintained her dignity as a child of God. Our dignity comes from God: "So God created humankind in his image." (Genesis 1:27) Our value as human beings does not come from what we do or whom we associate with. Our dignity is not based on nationality, religion, or socioeconomic status. Our dignity comes from the simple fact that we are made in God's image. We are made out of love so that we may love. And when we love someone, we respect their individuality and their dignity because they too are an image of God. To strip someone of their dignity - to deny them their human rights - is blasphemy. As I reflect on the life of Saint Josephine, I realise that protecting and advocating for human rights is a sacred act. Advocating for others' freedom is itself liberating - it frees me to love people less fortunate than myself. It is a solemn act of devotion.

So after what was dubbed "The Lentiest of Lents", it's like Groundhog Day and 2021 is going to be more challenging than we had hoped.
So, we're going to put it out there... Lent is a beautiful time, but can feel overwhelming...
and this year there is definitely potential for that!
So please, don't feel pressure to do something 'big' for Lent. Anyways, it's not a time to fall into pride about what you're giving up - Matthew 6:6 says something about this: "But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you." 
Lent is also not about 40 days of being grumpy, again let's turn to Matthew chapter 6, verse 16:  "When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward." 
The central point and reason for Lent is a time to re-orientate, to strip away some of the 'noise' (read: distractions... i.e. social media) and focus on our relationship with God. It doesn't need to be a huge gesture, especially in these days when we are fasting from so many things.
So we offer some options: some things you could give up; and some things you could take up.
Check out our ideas below and some of the content linked at the bottom of the page!!

​What can you give up?

• Social Media, take the 40 days off or limit your time scrolling on Insta
• Words hurt, we should always be mindful of what we say to and about others. Let's make an extra effort for Lent
• Give up the snooze button... what a lesson in personal discipline​

Check out all these links to more great ideas and content to check out for Lent:
FOCUS - Pope Francis' 10 Tips for Lent
Busted Halo - Fast.Pray.Give Calendar
Busted Halo - 25 Great Things You Can Do for Lent (besides giving up chocolate)
Lifeteen - What to Give Up for Lent: 25 Creative Ideas
Lifeteen - 102 Things You Should Really Give Up For Lent
Lifeteen - Into the Desert: How to Live Your Lent with Purpose

Trusting that God has a plan for your life is a central part of faith, but it’s difficult to let go and hand over the reins to God.
This can be even more true in the times we find ourselves... in the middle of a global pandemic, restrictions on what we can do and where we can go, school closed and maybe end of year examinations already cancelled.
This prayer from the Sisters of Life can help.
Find the full prayer here.

Join us on Sunday 6th December for a short Advent Prayer Service @ 7pm.
This service will give you the opportunity to properly enter into the Season of Advent, preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
​Livestreaming on our Facebook Page and IGTV.
The service will be available to watch here, on our website afterwards.
A huge thanks to Fr. Leo, our musicians, and all those who recorded prayers and reflections for this service.

*****Watch the service here*****

Each November we gather as a Christian Community to remember those who have
gone before us and to offer our consolation and support to those among us who
have been recently bereaved. In Ireland death is encased by prayer and rituals
that for generations have become part of the rich heritage of our faith tradition.

Clogher don Óige will be holding a service to remember our dead on Wednesday 18th November at 7pm in Saint Joseph's Church, Monaghan.
Due to current restrictions, this service will be held behind closed doors, but will be available to join online - via the Church webcam and also on the Clogher don Óige Facebook page.

There are a number of ways you can do this:

• ​Email your list to [email protected]
• Check out our Instagram Story Highlights and tag @clogherdonoige or DM us
• Copy and paste your list into the online form below

All received lists will be placed in front of the Altar for our Remembrance Service.