Fr Al Reid, a Redemptorist based in Clonard monastery in Belfast, passed away peacefully on Friday 22 November. Fr Reid was a huge player in the peace process in the North of Ireland, bringing together people from opposite ends of the political and religious spectrum in a dialogue that led to the present peace process. The details of the funeral arrangements in Dublin and Belfast can be found here. Events in Clonard may be followed on the live webcam — including the funeral Mass at 12:00 on Wednesday 27 November. There will undoubtedly be full coverage on RTE and BBC Northern Ireland.  RIP.

We now have a wide selection of Mass cards available, and cards for various occasions. If you would like to send a Mass card, you may find one in the display at the back of the church. To have the Mass said, please write down who it is for, what is the occasion (eg. anniversary of death, special intention, someone who is lately dead, get-well etc) and when you would like the Mass said. If the date is important, please also add your contact details. Then give the information to me. You may, if you wish, include an offering, but this is not required. I will sign the card, and celebrate the Mass for that intention. Fr Ed

Advent is almost upon us, which means that Christmas is not far behind! The celebrated vocal ensemble, Intermedi, are performing a concert of music and readings in preparation for Christmas, at 18:00, December 8 in the Konvict Chapel. Entrance is free, and a retiring collection will be taken for Friendship Luxembourg asbl. Full details can be found here.

Pope Francis has called a meeting of bishops from around the world to discuss the present state of family life in relation to Catholic teaching and pastoral practice. He has initiated a worldwide consultation, seeking to discover what Catholics actually think and do in relation to important issues. Each diocese will seek to elicit the information, and forward it to Rome for the end of January.

The Archdiocese of Luxembourg’s questionnaire, responding to the Holy Father’s request for consultation may be found here. The survey in English, along with supporting documentation, on the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales can be found here: Family Life Consultation. The questionnaire is quite detailed, and some parts complex — so advance preparation is recommended. Please, if possible, respond to the Luxembourg consultation. Don’t worry if you find some parts of the questionnaire not relevant to your situation, or difficult to understand — answer the sections you wish to, and are able to, complete.

A consultation exercise on this scale is unprecedented in the Church, and it will be interesting to follow its course. Topics covered in the survey include: living together before marriage; divorced and re-married Catholics; same-sex unions; contraception and adoption.

The archdiocese has forwarded a letter from the archbishop, along with the official Preparation Documents (‘lineaments’) inEnglish and inFrench. There is a letter from the Archbishop, and finally, the questionnaire.

There is a fundraising event next Saturday, 23 November, at Sunflower Montessori crèche from 09:00 until 15:00. Full details can be found here.