You, or a representative, are invited to attend the National Eucharistic Congress 2015 which will take place over this weekend from 10.00am on Saturday 26 September, to conclude at 5.00pm on Sunday 27 September, at the National Marian Shrine in Knock, Co Mayo.
Background
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference is hosting the Congress which will be a celebration of faith over two days including prayer, daily celebration of the Eucharist at 3.00pm (Archbishop Eamon Martin will be the chief celebrant on Saturday, and Archbishop Michael Neary will be chief celebrant on Sunday with Archbishop Charles Brown preaching the homily) in the recently refurbished and beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Knock, the opportunity to receive the sacraments, a youth programme, interesting and topical workshops and talks delivered by experts in their field. Please see the full programme.
According to Congress organiser Bishop Kevin Doran, “The theme of the Congress ‘Christ Our Hope’, will continue to allow us to harvest the fruits from the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which took place in Dublin in 2012; serve as spiritual preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu in January; and it offers us as an opportunity to focus, in the light of our Eucharistic communion, on some of the important pastoral questions facing the life of the Church at the current time, especially regarding the need to support marriage and family, and to nurture vocations. All are welcome.”
Media Centre
A wifi equipped media centre will be available for journalists covering the National Eucharistic Congress. It will be located on the second floor of the Basilica. Journalists can be accredited and receive identification at the media centre, where information on the Congress will also be available. Martin Long of the Catholic Communications Office will be in attendance over both days to facilitate media queries and requests for interviews.
Photographs
Opportunities for photographs will be available at Knock Shrine over both days. Photographs of the National Eucharistic Congress, for use by media, can also be obtained by contacting photographer John McElroy on +353 (0) 872416985 and by email [email protected] . John will be in attendance on both days of the Congress.
Photocall
A photocall will take place at midday on Sunday 27 September in front of the main marquee, which will be located behind the Basilica. The photo will include: ‘Couples for Christ’ representatives from the Philippines, Irish pilgrims, the Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Charles Brown; Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam and custodian of the Marian Shrine; and Congress organiser Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
