Former Ennis priest heading for Brazil

MORE than 1.5 million people have descended upon Rio de Janeiro for the opportunity to see Pope Francis celebrate World Youth Day this week among them is former Ennis priest Fr John Molloy.

Fr Molloy and a number of youths from his parish in Monte Sinai, Ecuador have travelled to Rio for the gathering of young Catholics from all over the world. They are with a wider group of 223 people from the Arch Diocese of Guayaquil.
At the time of writing the pilgrims were awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis to Rio. Fr Molloy described to us the music and colour of the festivities, which started as soon as they got off the plane last week.

“The welcome that awaited us at Rio International Airport was over-whelming. I did not expect it to be anything like it was.
Cameras, interviews, flags, t-shirts, song and dance. This is where it really got good for me,” he said.

Fr Molloy and his companions James Arellano, Isidro Duerte and Ricardo Ortiz are staying in their host parish of Itaboraí.
“A big bus was laid on to transfer us to our host parish. Sitting and standing on it, packed with volunteers, there was more singing, dancing and photos. Flags of our countries were waved out of the windows and an energy that would drive the bus itself,” he recalled.

There was even more hospitality from their host family, with samba dancing just one of the activities. Fr Molloy said in these early days of the celebrations, he has been reflecting on why people have come to Rio.

“I am asking many this question. A common answer is faith. An answer I got from a young man from Sweden was a little sad I felt. He said there is no where I can go to express my faith like this. I teased the question. After it, I understood. He needs a Church that’s alive and active with full participation and involvement. A young group from Liverpool jumped on stage yesterday to perform lively, active church songs. That is the only way. The Gospel is Good News. Young people are the future they need to be guided and cared for yes but given every encouragement to be involved in local parish as they are the future. We are only passing through.”

While in Rio, Fr Molloy had the chance to celebrate mass in the parish church there. “If I was to go home tomorrow I would be happy. This week past has been a blessing. The organisers of all events and celebrations called this week Mission Week. They are certainly following Pope Francisco’s dream of a more Mission Church.”

While the celebrations are only just beginning in Rio, thoughts are already turning to the next World Youth Day, with Fr Molloy encouraging Clare’s parishes and young people to get more involved.
“Rumour has it that the next gathering in two years time will be in Poland. But, I stress this is only a rumour. On next Sunday the venue will be announced. Lets hope it is in Poland. Maybe we all then can make greater efforts starting from now to get ready for it in our local parishes and encourage our youth that they are the future and we want them to hold onto the great gift of faith we have received.”