Parishioners from St Mochta's Parish photographed earlier this year on the front of the Volunteer brochure for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012.

Volunteers will make the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) happen. Volunteers have been integral to the past Congresses and their success. In 2012, the volunteer programme will be essential to the success of the Congress in Ireland. Between two and three thousand volunteers will be required to assist in organizing the Congress. Volunteers are needed in a wide range of roles. Initially volunteers are required to help plan and organize the programme while others will be needed to recruit, train and manage the volunteer workforce.

Why would you want to volunteer?

One young person who volunteered at a similar event recently said: “The person who asked me was someone who had given me a lot in my life and I wanted to say Yes.” Another said: “Well, I came here to be with all these people as an expression of my faith in Jesus. If I’m here as a volunteer, it’s because I believe that service is an essential part of being a disciple.”

Every Congress volunteer will have the opportunity to reflect on the spiritual themes of the Congress as part of their induction training and preparations. All volunteers will participate in general induction training followed by job specific training. Closer to the week of the Congress, there will be familiarization tours for volunteers assigned to designated venues.

Bethany Bereavement Support Group will be available to meet with anyone experiencing a loss through bereavement or separation of any kind between 8.00pm & 9.00pm on Monday 31stJanuary in the Pastoral Centre. It may not be a recent loss or bereavement. Sometimes there can be an “old” grief that has not been dealt with. It doesn’t matter how old the grief is, all are welcome. This is a strictly confidential service no appointment necessary. One to one support is also available by contacting a member of the group on 086 2479216 or through the Parish Office

Don’t Lose the Head  is a workshop for parents run by Crosscare.

Crosscare is offering workshops for parents who would like to communicate effectively with their children  around drug & alcohol issues. 

It’s free of charge and all participants receive a free book on the subject.  

For more information about forthcoming workshops please visit www.drugs.ie or www.crosscare.ie.

A Bethany Bereavement Support Group has just been set up in St. Mochta’s parish. The name Bethany recalls the visit of Jesus to Mary and Martha on the death of their brother Lazarus.  Although grieving is a natural process which can be helped by the sympathy and understanding of friends, sometimes one may need support to work through it in a positive way. Friends don't always know how to help; they may be embarrassed by one's grief; they may even avoid meeting one in the mistaken belief that a meeting may increase distress. 

Fr Martin Murnaghan has now opened three long awaited schools in N'gentui, Bekibon and Tian, different regions of  the Tenges mission in Kenya.