Bishop Jim Moriarty launches ‘Reach Out’ Christmas Candle Campaign 2005

04 Dec 2005

PRESS RELEASE

4 DECEMBER 2005

BISHOP JIM MORIARTY LAUNCHES

‘REACH OUT’ CHRISTMAS CANDLE CAMPAIGN 2005

 
Over 50,000 candles will be made available for collection from the
churches in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin next weekend
(Saturday 10th /Sunday 11th December).

The congregations in all churches will be invited to bring home a
specially designed diocesan candle along with an envelope containing
an explanatory leaflet and a card with table prayers for Christmas
Day and New Year.

People will also be encouraged to drop one or two to neighbours as a
Christmas greeting.  

The 2005 Christmas Candle campaign is a further part of a wider diocesan
campaign called ‘REACH OUT’ which began last year.  The ‘REACH OUT’
campaign is a direct response to the main priorities for the diocese
as identified via special parish meetings in 2004.   The strong consensus
was that the diocese needed to do more to connect with youth, with
newcomers and with those who do not regularly attend church. The two
other issues widely mentioned were faith formation and the celebration
of the liturgy, especially the Sunday Mass.  

Everyone who receives the ‘REACH OUT’ candle is invited to light it and
pray the table prayer as they share their meal at Christmas and New Year.

Launching this year’s candle campaign in Carlow Cathedral on Sunday 4th
December, the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Bishop Jim Moriarty said:
“This year’s candle campaign invites us to reflect both on our gathering
at the Lord’s Table in Church and the grace of sharing a meal in our homes.  
At our Christmas Masses we will think of how the same candle will be lit
at tables all across the diocese and give thanks for the wide circle of
faith that unites us.

“I want to thank all who have been part of bringing the candles from the
church to homes all across the diocese.  We hope that everyone will find
a place for the candle and the prayer card on their table.

“By means of this simple gesture, may we all be able to enter a little
more deeply into the mystery of our communion in Christ and carry Christ’s
light into the coming year.”

Ends

Further information:
Brenda Drumm  (087 2337797)
Fr Mícheál Murphy (086 8244629)

NOTES TO EDITORS:
* Further background information on the Reach Out campaign can be found
on the Diocesan website (www.kandle.ie)

* The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has: 56 parishes; 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.