Conclusion of Academic Year 2011-12 with Apostolic Nuncio

 The student brothers pictured with the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland and the Regent of Studies and Master of Students

The current academic year for our brothers in formation has come to a conclusion today, June 2nd, 2012 with the celebration of the Eucharist. The principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass was the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, his excellency Archbishop Charles Brown. In his remarks during the homily, Archbishop Brown thanked the Irish Dominican friars (particularly the prior provincial, the prior of Saint Saviour's and the Regent of Studies for the Irish Dominicans) for the kind invitation to mark the end of the academic year with them. He also noted the many Dominican influences on his life and encouraged the younger brothers of the Irish province in their vocation. He said that the Dominican vocation was essential to the life of the Church. He also asked for the prayers of the brethren gathered at the Mass to pray for him and his ministry in Ireland.

Now that the student brothers have completed their academic year, they will be involved in pastoral engagements throughout the summer months along with some time for holidays. More immediately, they will take part in the assembly of the provincial chapter of the Irish Dominicans which begins next week and then be involved in the 50th Eucharistic Congress which takes place in Dublin in just over a week.

Please continue to pray for all our brothers in formation and for vocations to the Dominican friars in Ireland.

 

Summer Happenings...........

It's hard to believe that it is summertime in Ireland. We have had the most atrocious weather during June, and July has been very wet so far. It makes one think of sunny and warmer climates. But, we Irish are the eternal optimists......so the weather can only get better, can't it?With the admissions process for this year concluded (almost!), it is time to turn thoughts towards the next academic year. While this vocations director will take a break at intervals during the next couple of months, it will also be a busy time. These summer weeks are given over to planning activities for the next twelve months. I hope to arrange:

schedule of visits to third level institutions for vocation promotion purposes.
dates and venues for vocations weekends.
ongoing visits and meetings with the many interested candidates.
meetings with Catholic youth movements.
a new website for Irish Dominican vocations.
visits to Dominican communities throughout Ireland to keep vocation promotion as a priority at local level.

All the above are priority during this summer period. In the meantime, I hope readers of this blog will continue to assist these most important tasks by praying for the success of and the blessing of God on all that we do.