Bits and Bobs
Laudate
All are welcome to attend the session on September 21, which will last one hour. You can also join online at www.rednuns.com or view a recording of the event.
Caroline Cutliffe, who conducts the Laudate massed choirs at our Festival on the Northside of the city, will offer helpful hints to choir directors and choir members alike on the first four songs – all suitable for the Season of Creation and Laudato Si celebrations.
This year the repertoire has been reduced to 12 songs in three sections to make the programme more manageable for schools.
The next group of songs will be launched and recorded on Monday, October 19, and the final one on November 23 – same venue, same time and same structure.
Please encourage your local school to participate so that the Laudate Festivals of Music on February 9, 2027, in Our Lady of Victories Church, Ballymun Road, and on February 10, 2027, in the Church of Saint Thérèse, Mount Merrion, will be great celebrations.
A Joint Initiative of the Diocesan Education Secretariat and LitMus
Season of Creation
After this summer in Ireland, we don’t have to imagine burnt earth, dry and cracked soil, desert and depleted resources of water. If we were lukewarm before about ‘Care for our Common Home’ or cynical about ‘Laudato Si’ we have an opportunity to revisit those views by immersing ourselves in the celebration of the Season of Creation in our liturgies and our communities (everything doesn’t happen inside the church building) from September 1 to October 4 (Feast of St Francis of Assisi).
These resources for 2026 were compiled by the ‘Laudato Si’ Working Group of the Irish Bishops’ Conference & Trócaire. The theme is ‘Living Water’ inspired by Ezekiel 47:9,12. They are rich and diverse – on a plate for Celebrants and Liturgy Groups. The Homily Notes are refreshing for each week. Reflections are drawn from a variety of sources and can be used on the Sundays (and daily Masses) or at other liturgies inspired by the Season.
On the weekend of 29/30 August we will pray Psalm 62 – Like the Deer That Yearns.
We can link thirsting for God with the reality of those who are deprived of clean water. Could this be a prelude to alert people about the Season of Creation and encourage them to watch out for notices about events? Invite parishioners to do a ‘leak’ audit during the week and repair where necessary. The Taizé song – Let All Who Are Thirsty Come – would be a great opening chant.
Music
The Laudate 2027 programme for Primary Schools in Dublin Diocese begins with 4 songs for use during the Season of Creation: All the Nations of the Earth (Michael Cockett) – All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cecil F. Alexander) – Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen) – The Splendour of the Earth (Bernard Sexton). Encourage your local school to participate in Laudate!!
Laudate’s older sibling Emmanuel 2027, the music programme for Second Level Schools, includes For the Beauty of the Earth (John Rutter) another creation song.
It is important for adult choirs/cantors to use the music from these programmes to create an inclusive atmosphere in our gatherings for younger people who attend.
Enjoy the Season of Creation from LitMus, Archdiocese of Dublin
The Season of Creation 2026 resources can be found here
Accord recruiting an Executive Director
Accord CLG is the national agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, providing marriage preparation, relationship counselling and relationship education services across 25 counties. For over 60 years, Accord has supported couples, individuals, and families through a nationwide network of Centres, delivering professional, accessible services that promote healthy relationships and family wellbeing.
The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of Accord CLG and is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across the organisation. Reporting to the Board through the Chairperson, the Executive Director will lead the implementation of the Board’s strategic vision, ensuring effective organisational management, strong governance and the delivery of high-quality services that advance Accord’s mission nationally. They will also be responsible for fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement, as well as ensuring Accord remains responsive to evolving needs whilst strengthening its impact, sustainability and long-term success.
The role will champion Accord’s mission and Catholic ethos while ensuring the organisation remains responsive to changing societal needs, delivers high-quality services and continues to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals, couples and families throughout Ireland.
Carmelite Open Day
Marraige Enrichment Weekend
Our Lady Fatima Apostolate
Come and see the Carmelites
Merchants Quay Bookshop
Good News St Paul’s Books and Gifts, Ireland’s leading Catholic publisher and retailer of religious books, gifts, educational materials and parish resources, is open at 4 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Email dublin@stpauls.ie or call 0892793978.