Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as first North American pope and has taken the name of Pope Leo XIV.

Prevost, 69, has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023 

Pope Leo XIV also deeply reflected on his spiritual roots and pastoral vision: "I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian."

A Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

09 May

God of presence,

You are always doing something new.

In this moment, you give us a new shepherd—

not to control, but to guide;

not to impress, but to serve.

May he lead not from above,

but from within—

where Christ already lives in all of us.

Give him the freedom to be small,

the courage to be honest,

and the grace to hold mystery without needing to resolve it.

May he remind us, again and again,

that the Church is not an institution to be defended,

but a living body to be healed and made whole.

Amen.

(Bread4Today)

The day before the beginning of the Conclave, the twelfth and final General Congregation of Cardinals focuses on various qualities important for a future Pope, including being a shepherd, bridgebuilder, and promoter of reform.

Conclave to elect a new Pope begins on May 7th.  We may know the result by next weekend.

A prayer for conclave 

Heavenly Father,

Look upon your Church with love in these days of discernment.

Send your Holy Spirit to your servants convened in Conclave to guide them in the ways of truth, humility, service, and love for your pilgrims here on earth.

Grant them the grace to discern your will and unite them in a desire to serve you alone.

Through Christ, our Lord,

Amen

The Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025, led by the Bishop of Limerick, Most Reverend Brendan Leahy, will take place from the 19th to the 24th of June.

There are still some vacancies and tour is organised via Joe Walsh Tours.  

Trocaire Lenten Campaign boxes have been received and are now available for collection in the church.  The theme for 2025 is "injustice is not invincible" (Laudete Si',74) The focus country is Guatemala

Trocaire boxes may be handed in to church now.

On this Saturday April 26 we witnessed the beautiful funeral ceremony for Pope Francis who will be very much missed.

He was a compassionate leader of the Catholic Church.

Rest in Peace Pope Francis