Bishop Fintan Gavin has warmly welcomed the announcement today that US priest Father Mike Schmitz – the well-known digital evangeliser who uses his platform Ascension Presents to spread the Gospel – will be hosting the only European leg of his Parables Tour show in Dublin’s National Stadium on 20 July next. This will be Father Schmitz’s first visit to Ireland.
Bishop Gavin said, “Father Mike is a gifted communicator, and would already be known to many in Ireland for his popular podcast The Bible in a Year. This is a wonderful opportunity for people from across the island to come together, deepen their faith, and to hear the message of the Gospel presented in a novel, energetic and engaging style that speaks into our lives today.
“I am really impressed by Father Mike’s creative approach to evangelising, and his Parables Tour exemplifies this. While all are welcome to experience what will be a memorable and interactive show, no doubt it will be particularly appealing to young people from parishes, ecclesial movements and youth groups.”
Bishop Gavin continued, “For those who travelled from Ireland last year to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, it will be a wonderful opportunity to meet again and reconnect. I encourage young people to take this opportunity to come and experience Father Mike in July, to invite their friends, and be part of something that can truly make a difference to one’s faith, to hear the Gospel opened up and applied in our lives in an inspiring and encouraging way.”
To mark the occasion, and immediately ahead of Father Schmitz’s event, the Irish Bishops’ Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal, will host a special Mass at 5.00pm on 20 July in Saint Teresa’s Church, Donore Avenue, Dublin, at which Father Schmitz will preach.
Father Mike Schmitz’s Parables Tour will appear at the National Stadium on the South Circular Road, Dublin, on 20 July next. Tickets are available HERE.
ENDS
- Bishop Fintan Gavin is Bishop of Cork and Ross, and chair of the Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.