On behalf of everyone associated with the L.E.A.F. NETWORK, I warmly congratulate Deputy Micheál Martin on his election as Taoiseach of our country. This is a special day for Deputy Martin, his wife Mary, his family and his many friends, especially here in Cork.

Deputy Martin assumes the office of Taoiseach at a time of unprecedented challenges for Ireland. The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic have devastated many lives. The work of rebuilding our country will require a great collaborative effort on the part of all sectors of Irish society.

Micheál Martin is deeply rooted in the community here in Cork. This is a city of proud family traditions and enduring values of faith, as well as care and respect for all, especially the most vulnerable.

Micheál’s election as Taoiseach will be a special source of joy to his native parish of Turners Cross and surrounding parishes. He is a proud past pupil of Presentation Brothers schools, having attended both Scoil Chríost Rí (now Bunscoil Chríost Rí) and Coláiste Chríost Rí He has retained a close connection with these school communities and with the Presentation Family over the years.

Cork people and communities are resilient in facing life’s difficulties. We pull together to support each other in a spirit of ‘Ni neart go cur le cheile’! As Taoiseach, Micheál Martin will need to draw on that resilience as he takes on the challenges of his high office.

The L.E.A.F. PROJECT has been working closely with a wide variety of individuals and groups, especially during these last months of the pandemic. Along with other faith communities, we in the Presentation Family, wish to contribute to the renewal and rebuilding of our country. We assure our new Taoiseach of our support for him in his work for the common good. We pray that the Lord grants him the gifts of wisdom and discernment at this time.

Micheál Martin follows in the tradition of another Corkman, the late Jack Lynch, who as Taoiseach, brought distinction to Cork and to Ireland. As a student of history and a former Lord Mayor, Micheál will also be very aware of this special centenary year. May the idealism and spirit of service of patriots such as Tomás Mac Curtain and Terence MacSwiney inspire him now.

At a personal level, I wish Micheál, Mary and Family every blessing and happiness on this special occasion.

Faoi bhrat Mhuire na Toirbhirte go raibh sibh!

Br. Martin Kenneally.

Celebrating the first anniversary of the Presentation Brothers Leaders and Formators Conference, Emmaus Retreat and Conference Centre, Dublin July 2019

The Church in a Post-Pandemic World: Challenges and Opportunities

Speaker: Msgr. Ciarán O’Carroll – Episcopal Vicar for Priests, Archdiocese of Dublin.

TUESDAY 14th JULY 2020 : 7.30pm – 8.45pm

BOOKING

To book a place on this Webinar:

Email: leafprojectpb@gmail.com

Text / WhatsApp Message: Br Martin Kenneally – 087 226 0531

You will receive a confirmation when you have secured a place. A Zoom invitation will be issued to you by email, in advance of the Webinar.

This Webinar is Free!

Presentation Brothers, Members of the Presentation Family and Friends are Welcome!

About Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll

He is author of the widely acclaimed Paul Cardinal Cullen: Portrait of a Practical Nationalist, Veritas Books, 2009.

From 29 June, Churches will begin to hold public Masses again. Parishes and dioceses are putting huge preparations into making sure this can be done safely and in line with public health guidelines.

Public Masses will begin gradually and with smaller numbers at first, in line with social distancing directives.

Most parishes will need help with stewarding, reading, Ministers of the Eucharist, general preparation of the Church and cleaning etc.

In pre-Covid days, much of this work was done, on a voluntary basis, by people who will not now be in a position to do so, due to age or health issues.

The Irish Bishops have asked younger Catholics to volunteer to help with the start up of public Masses (see article below).

This is an appeal to YOUNG ADULTS in the L.E.A.F. network. If you can spare some time, please volunteer to help in your local parish. If your own parish has enough helpers, volunteer in a neighbouring parish.

You don’t have to be a regular Churchgoer to respond to this appeal. All help is welcome! It is an invitation to make a contribution to your local community and to engage with the Church as it seeks to serve the spiritual and material needs of people. You might find that you will also gain a lot yourself from the experience of volunteering!

Parents and/or grandparents in the L.E.A.F. network/Presentation Family, might also consider encouraging their YOUNG ADULT children/grandchildren to volunteer.

Many thanks for your kind consideration of this appeal.

Calls for younger Catholic volunteers to help start Masses in churches again

At a Presentation Brothers Leadership Conference in the Emmaus Centre, Dublin, last year, we started each day with some gentle morning exercises. These sessions were led by Louise Tyrrell of ZenLife Mind Body Health. I recently invited Louise to do a video of these exercises.

Conscious that many people have been in lockdown and/or working under stress, I thought these exercises might be helpful to you at this time.

Louise sent on two videos featured below:

• The first is the full session.
• The second is a session of exercises that can be completed while seated in a chair.

I hope you enjoy these videos and find them useful. Thanks so much, Louise for sharing them with us!

Keep healthy and well!

The Presentation Brothers of the Hain Community, Upper West Region, Ghana, are involved in the education of local people in the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus.

Br. James Debuo-Der (on right) Principal, Presentation Junior High School, Hain, is seen here presenting materials to health workers at Hain Polytechnic.

( ALSO watch and listen to Br. James Debuo-Der MESSAGE OF HOPE featured at our VIDEOs Page )

In collaboration with the health workers, the Brothers have been educating people on the virus in 5 surrounding towns and 13 villages. PPE, sanitising materials and food aid have also been provided to many households.

Thanks to Br. Emmanuel Dassah for supplying photos and information.

God bless all your efforts, Brothers, in educating people and helping prevent the spread of the virus in Ghana.

Click / Tap either image below to OPEN larger PDF version