The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
BLESSED are those who bring hope is the theme of the November Novena, which begins with 6.30pm mass this Saturday, and which will continue until November 6.
The November Novena had been up and running prior to the pandemic, but this is the first one since 2019.
“It started two years before the pandemic, and this is the first one for three years. We’re delighted to have it back. It’s a novena of hope in honour of the Holy Souls,” said parish priest Father Arnold Rosney.
He said that all are welcome to attend. “There’s an open invitation to everyone. We’d love to see as many as possible attend all the sessions, or at least one. We’d encourage young families to bring primary school children as well, to experience what a novena is. The speakers are vast and varied.”
On the first two days the speaker will be Father Gerard Moloney. He is a member of the Redemptorist Community in Limerick and was Director of Redemptorist Communications for many years.
Monday night’s speaker will be local man James Sexton. A well known DJ and entertainer, he was the founder of the HIYA events company.
He also writes TV shows and is the creator of Ireland’s Fittest Family, which is broadcast on RTE and seven other countries. James is also a judge for the International Emmys.
Bishop Fintan Monahan will be up on Tuesday night. Bishop of Killaloe for the last six years, he has an array of interests such as running with the Clare Crusaders, golf, reading while he has produced publications on St John Henry Newman, in which he has a special interest. He is also known for creating productions of a spiritual nature on social media.
On Wednesday night it will be Amanda Grace. Amanda is a daughter of the late comedian Brendan Grace, while she is also an art teacher and life coach. She runs a five day Creative Freedom Bootcamp, at certain times throughout the year.
Thursday night’s speaker wil be Sister Helen Culhane. She trained as a social worker and spent 13 years in the area of child protection/abuse and child psychiatry.
She then moved to Milford Care Centre where she established a group support and programme for bereaved children.
In 2009 she founded the Children’s Grief Centre which is a free support service for children and young people who have experienced a loss through bereavement, separation or divorce.
It has now supported over 1,500 young people. Sister Helen was named Limerick Person of the Year in 2017.
On Friday November 4 at 12 noon in Mary Immaculate and 7pm in Ss John & Paul Father Pat O’Neill will lead two masses of healing and anointing.
“It’s always a lovely occasion and a lot of our sick enjoy coming to this ceremony and meeting people,” said Father Rosney.
On the evening of Saturday November 5 and at the following morning’s 9am and 10am masses Pradeep Ramnath will speak.
He is originally from India and has been in Shannon for the last 21 years. Pradeep will talk about his own life, what gives him hope, and it will follow from the recent Diwali Festival of Light, which is a sacred celebration for Hinduism.
Finally on the Sunday at 11am and 12.15pm masses Roseanna Ruane will be the speaker. A native of Athenry, her daughter Saoirse appeared on the 2020 Late Late Toy Show.
The family have had to deal with Saoirse having childhood cancer and Roseanna will talk about how her faith gave her hope and courage.
The speakers will be in Ss John & Paul and Mary Immaculate Churches, while the novena can be viewed live on www.shannonparish.ie.
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
