| 29 November 2004 - Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin launches diocesan pastoral campaign "REACH OUT" |
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PRESS RELEASE29TH NOVEMBER 2004DIOCESE OF KILDARE AND LEIGHLIN LAUNCHESDIOCESAN PASTORAL CAMPAIGN"REACH OUT"The official launch of the Kildare and Leighlin Diocesan campaign 'Reach Out' took place earlier today in The Red House, Newbridge, Co Kildare. The campaign was formally launched by the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Most Rev Jim Moriarty. The Reach Out campaign is a response to the issues raised by people in the diocese following publication last year of Together in Christ, the draft guide to the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. The publication of Together in Christ marked the start of a conversation in the diocese about what should be the key priorities for the diocese in the coming years. The strong consensus was that reaching out to youth, to newcomers and to those who do not regularly attend church should be the primary objective for the diocese. The formal launch of Reach Out now sets in place a campaign to address these and other issues, which will begin in parishes throughout the diocese on the Second Sunday of Advent - 5th December 2004 when congregations in all the churches will be invited to bring home a specially designed diocesan candle and leaflet and to drop one or two to neighbours. Everyone will be invited to light their candle in their home on Christmas Eve. A large version of the diocesan candle will be lit in every church at Christmas as a further symbol of welcome and unity. The Reach Out campaign will continue into 2005 supported by the re-launch of the Diocesan website, awareness campaigns, a programme of visitation throughout the diocese, a joint initiative with Trócaire for Lent 2005. The Reach Out campaign will also tie in with the World Youth Day event in Cologne, Germany next August. Commenting on the campaign Bishop Moriarty said, "The sense of sharing the light of Christ is the inspiration behind the new 'Reach Out' campaign in our diocese. The lighting of a candle and the sharing of a prayer around it on Christmas Eve is a beautiful way of expressing the hope, welcome and the unity that Christ brings. "In a society that too often leaves people feeling isolated and excluded, the need to offer a word of encouragement and invitation is now never more important. In every gesture of welcome, every encounter, every act of friendship, we meet the Lord himself. In reaching out to newcomers, to the young and to those who do not have close contact with the church, we are welcoming Christ in a special way into our lives.", Bishop Moriarty said. Further information: Martin Long Director of Communications (086 1727678) Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 2337797) Fr Micheal Murphy Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin (086 8244629) NOTES TO EDITORS: * A photograph of Bishop Moriarty is available on request. * Visuals of the campaign poster/leaflet are also available on request. * 60,000 leaflets and 40,000 candles will be issued by the diocese for the campaign. * The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has: 56 parishes; 110 priests/parish pastoral workers; a Catholic population of approximately 200,000; 117 Catholic Churches; and the Patrons of the Diocese are St Brigid, St Conleth and St Lazerian. * The Diocese includes County Carlow and parts of Counties Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford. |