Youth 2000 Festival in Mount St. Josephs Monastery, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

Speakers address hundreds of young Catholics in Roscrea on faith and morals.

Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport in the US will today preside at the closing Mass of the four-day Youth 2000 festival which has been taking place since Thursday at Mount St Joseph’s Abbey in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

The Bishop, who was a speaker at WYD 2013 in Rio de Janeiro and also at WYD 2011 in Madrid, addressed this year’s Youth 2000 festival four times on themes such as, ‘Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist’ and ‘Reconciliation and God’s Mercy’ as well as ‘Mary, Our Mother, a gift from God’ and ‘Lord it is wonderful for us to be here’.

The gathering has seen hundreds of young Catholics between 18-30 listen to a host of speakers and attend workshops as well as Masses celebrated by our Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Browne, and Bishop Kieron O’Reilly of Killaloe between 15-18 August.

Above from and continued here: Catholic Ireland Website - Youth 2000 Festival Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

*There was really a great atmosphere at this great youth gathering in the Monastery and it was wonderful to see so many of the young people in the Monastery Church yesterday evening for Vespers.  I live near the Monastery but was unable to attend any of the Masses celebrated by our Papal Nuncio and the other Bishops who were present but I do hope we will be able to get the homilies online in the not too distant future.  

The Monastery itself is an ideal place for Retreats (Private or Public) and they have a lovely guesthouse (picture above here) and meals are available for the visiting public there also on a daily basis in the Guesthouse dining room.  During the week from Monday to Saturday, Morning Prayer takes place at 8am followed by the Holy Mass at 8.15am.  They also hear Confession on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday from 2.30pm to 4pm.   And of course you can also join in with the Prayers of the Church with the Monks and can check their website for more details at: Mount St. Josephs Abbey Roscrea.  (pic on right is the entrance into the Sacristy) Come and See ! 

On Tuesday next 20th August, Brother Vladimir will make his Solemn Profession and Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10.00am instead of the usual 8.15am.  Picture here on left is of Brother Malachy's Solemn Profession in 2011.   



My own thoughts on the need for follow up and Apostolic activity within our own Parishes after Catholic Retreats/Conferences and Events..

*I hope now that we see things developing from events such as these which gather so many from around the country.  It is important now that something comes from these Catholic gatherings that take place and that all of these events would be a springboard for apostolic action within our own Communities.  We need most especially religious Vocations in our country and perhaps we can now start encouraging the formation of Prayer and Apostolic groups in our own Parishes for the young and for all age groups.  As Catholics we have a duty to evangelise and not to remain immobile or indifferent to others, especially those most in need. Frank Duff the founder of the Legion of Mary wanted an active laity and not a dead one and it was he who said 'An inert laity is one step away from non-practice; and non practice is one step away from non-belief.'  How true that is.