knights of Saint Columbanus Kerry Ck127

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Bro. Peter Rooney 🎉

At our June meeting, Council CK12 Downpatrick was delighted to present Bro. Peter Rooney with Honorary Life Membership in recognition of over 25 years of dedicated service to the Knights of St Columbanus.

Since joining the Order in November 2000, Peter has served the Council in numerous roles and continues to live out the values of the Order through his service to the Church and community.

The award was presented by Fr Eugene O'Neill, Parish Priest of Downpatrick.

Congratulations Peter on this well-deserved honour.

Downpatrick Family Of Parishes

19/06/2026

A theology lecturer had the great gift of being lucidly clear and wonderfully brief. His classes last exactly fifty minutes and any hand-outs he produced were never longer than one page. He may have borrowed some of his style from our Lord’s sermon in today’s text. Jesus tells us that God knows whatever it is we think we need before we even ask for it. The prayer of petition is not primary for God’s benefit but for our own, so we pray that we might have confidence and belief that we will receive in the best way possible.

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

Friday, June 19

Gospel Reading

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew
(Matthew 6:19–23)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.

If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

The Gospel of the Lord.

19/06/2026

Tomorrow morning, our young people — Ryan, Katylyn, Anna, and Lilly , set off on their journey to Lourdes as youth workers. What a wonderful adventure and opportunity for service lies ahead of them!

They have carefully collected all of the petitions and intentions entrusted to them and have safely packed them for the journey. These prayers will be carried to the Grotto in Lourdes and placed before Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes, where they will be remembered in prayer.

Please keep Ryan, Katylyn, Anna, Lilly and their leader Aoife in your thoughts and prayers as they travel and serve throughout the pilgrimage.

We are incredibly grateful for all the support, encouragement, prayers, petitions, and intentions that have been shared. Thank you for being part of this special journey.

📸 Be sure to keep an eye on this page for updates, photos, and stories from Lourdes throughout the trip.

Safe travels, and may God bless them all on this special pilgrimage. 🙏💙✨

18/06/2026

While the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared often in history, St. Joseph’s apparitions are rarer—yet deeply touching. He comes gently and protectively, always directing us to Jesus and Mary.

Here are some of the most significant ones:

🔸 Cotignac, France – June 7, 1660

The only Church-approved solo apparition of St. Joseph. On a hot day, 22-year-old shepherd Gaspard Ricard was dying of thirst. A tall, noble figure appeared and said:
“I am Joseph. Lift this rock and you will drink.”

Gaspard obeyed, and a miraculous spring flowed! Eight men could hardly move the rock afterward. The spring still flows today, bringing healing and devotion to the Holy Family at this recognized sanctuary.

🔸 Knock, Ireland – August 21, 1879

In heavy rain, 15 witnesses saw a silent heavenly scene on the church gable: Our Lady, St. Joseph (bowing respectfully to her), St. John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God on an altar with angels. No words were spoken—the vision itself brought comfort amid famine and persecution. Fully Church-approved.

🔸 Fatima, Portugal – October 13, 1917

During the Miracle of the Sun witnessed by 70,000 people, St. Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus beside Our Lady. They blessed the world with the Sign of the Cross. Sister Lucia saw it as a strong sign of St. Joseph’s protection for the Church in troubled times.

St. Joseph also appeared alongside Jesus and Mary in the apparitions at Itapiranga, Brazil (1994–1998), promoting devotion to his Most Chaste Heart.

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Why does he appear?

St. Teresa of Ávila, who experienced many visions of him, wrote: “I know by experience that the glorious St. Joseph helps us in all kinds of necessities… To other saints, Our Lord seems to have given the grace to help us in some particular necessity. But this glorious saint helps us in every need.”

He is the model of silent strength, chaste love, and complete trust in God’s Providence.

St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family, Terror of Demons, and Protector of the Universal Church — pray for us!

18/06/2026

The Sinn Féin abortion bill on the life-saving three-day wait has sadly passed second stage just a few moments ago.

We will not give up the fight our work begins today to defeat it at final stage. 💪