As part of the preparations for World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018 – and the anticipated visit of Pope Francis to Ireland – Bishop Brennan has written a letter to the families of the Diocese of Ferns which will be distributed in the Churches of the Diocese of Christmas Day. 

 

The letter welcomes people to Masses on the day, it remembers the many of our own who live abroad, it outlines ‘the gift that family is’, it gives details of the Year of the Family and it contains 10 practical suggestions that families and parishes might consider as we go forward. 

 

Bishop Brennan readily recognizes that ‘families and communities are not perfect’ but in the spirit of Christmas he says that ‘despite their imperfections and flaws this is where God reveals his love and goodness, his compassion and kindness, for every member of the human family.’

 

The people of the Diocese are invited to consider the letter and to discuss it. In the four page colour letter he invites all ‘in the family of Ferns Diocese’ to an openness to what this particular opportunity – World Meeting of Families in Ireland in 2018 – may offer us as a church and as a nation. 

 

In conclusion, Bishop Brennan extends every good wishing and blessing to the people of the Diocese. 

 

Pastoral Letter