Latest news with #EucharisticProcession
Irish Examiner
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Thousands take part in Cork's Eucharistic Procession amid 'a very uncertain world'
Thousands of people took part in the annual Eucharistic Procession in Cork City on Sunday, with many saying that the world has become such a dangerous place, more people will turn to God in the uncertain days ahead. This was echoed by the Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin before he led the ceremony which got underway at Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne, also known as the North Cathedral. Bishop Gavin said he'd noticed an increase in those attending the event in recent years. A sea of faithful wound their way through the streets of Cork as the 2025 Eucharistic Procession unfolded, continuing a tradition that has united generations of worshippers. Picture: Chani Anderson He told the Irish Examiner that waking up on Sunday morning to news that US president Trump had ordered the US Air Force to bomb nuclear sites in Iran had no doubt made a lot of people feel uneasy. People from parishes across the city and county took part in the 2025 Cork Eucharistic Procession, which made its way from the North Cathedral through the historic streets of Cork to the Grand Parade, where Mass was celebrated in the open air. Picture: Chani Anderson The bishop said ordinary people are seeking out the higher power of God as they are looking for 'security, purpose, and meaning in a very uncertain world". A large proportion of those who took part in the procession were Catholic immigrants to the country. There was also a notable presence of younger Irish-born people. Faithful Catholics gathered in great numbers along the Grand Parade for the concluding Mass of the Cork Eucharistic Procession 2025. Picture: Chani Anderson For Indian-born Sabidha Matha, her husband, Joseph, and their two children, Anlive and Asmin, it was their first time at the procession. Sabidha, a nurse at CUH, said the family moved to Ireland two years ago. She said: More people are looking to God as the world is such an unsafe place now. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel's brutal suppression of Palestinians in Gaza, and now its attacks on Iran being joined by the US are making people pray harder for global peace, people said. 'Everything is so confusing, everything is going wrong with the world with these wars,' said Patricia Campbell from Carrigaline who was attending the event for the third time. Altar servers and clergy from the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne — 'the North Cathedral' — led the way as Bishop Fintan Gavin carried the Eucharist through Cork City towards the altar set up on the Grand Parade. Picture: Chani Anderson George Feeney, 19, from Kinsale was leading the 25-strong 1st Cork Scout Troop in the procession. It was also his third time at the religious ceremony. 'I think there is a resurgence in trust of the church amongst younger people,' he said. Dia Enodio, who is originally from the Philippines, came along with her two children Adiel, eight, and Biel, six. People from parishes across city and county took part in the 2025 Cork Eucharistic Procession. Picture: Chani Anderson Her family came to Ireland two years ago and they live in Tower, near Blarney. She pointed out that the Philippines is one of the world's most Catholic countries and so the transition to Ireland is great for her 'because we have so many churches we can go to here". People from all over Cork city and county wending their way through the streets of Cork for the 2025 Eucharistic Procession. Picture: Chani Anderson Terry McCarthy came down from Farranree to attend the parade. He said he'd been for the past two years after a gap of about 10 years. Prior to that he was a regular at it. He said: The world is now a very frightening place and anything could happen. I imagine a lot of people are turning to God because of this. The procession, led by the Butter Exchange Band, left the cathedral at 3pm making its way down Cathedral Street, Roman Street, through Mulgrave Road, onto Pope's Quay and over the Christy Ring Bridge. The faithful gathered along the Grand Parade in Cork City for the concluding Mass of the Cork Eucharistic Procession 2025, marking one of the city's oldest annual religious events. Picture: Chani Anderson From there it progressed along Academy Street, into Patrick Street and onto Grand Parade, where for the first time in its 99-year history it stopped at a specially constructed altar in front of the National Monument. Many more were waiting there and the participants prayed, listened to the liturgy and benediction, which was celebrated by Bishop Gavin. The annual Eucharistic Procession passing through St Patrick's Street, Cork in 1928. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive Crowd estimates varied from 3,500 to around 4,000. Next year crowds are expected to be even bigger as it will mark the 100th anniversary of the first procession. That took place in 1926 and was designed in the main part to heal divisions brought about by the Civil War. That parade was attended by tens of thousands of people.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Upstate Democrats oppose cow limit for dairy farms
(WIVT/WBGH) – Some Upstate Democrats in the New York State Assembly are pushing back on a proposal that would limit the size of dairy farms. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, who is chair of the Agriculture Committee, and three of her Democratic colleagues issued a news release this week in opposition to a proposal by downstate Democrats to end the authorization of dairy farms with more than 700 milking cows. Lupardo says she was disappointed that the bill would be crafted without consulting anyone in the dairy industry. She also says dairy farmers are some of the best stewards of the land that she knows. Lupardo added that she doesn't foresee the bill going anywhere. Eucharistic Procession makes way through Binghamton Celebrate Pride Month with an evening of laughter at Schorr Family Firehouse Stage Roosevelt reflects on the legacy of Principal Dave Chilson Mercy House prepares for $2.1 million expansion Upstate Democrats oppose cow limit for dairy farms Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Rising numbers prompts benediction at Cork's historic Eucharistic Procession to move outdoors
Rising attendance at Cork's historic Eucharistic Procession has prompted a return of the outdoors benediction ceremony this year. The move was announced on Wednesday night as the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, announced details of this year's event next month, a religious event that has been a part of the social fabric of the city for almost a century. 'The Eucharistic Procession is deeply rooted and of huge importance to the people of Cork City and beyond,' Bishop Gavin said. Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross speaking at the launch. Picture: Brian Lougheed 'We are almost 10 decades on since the first procession through the streets of the city. 'Last year, we had a tremendous turnout and this year we are preparing for the ever growing numbers. 'The most notable innovation to this year's procession is the decision to take the final prayer and benediction back out onto the streets to a specially constructed platform at the National Monument on Grand Parade. This will allow for greater participation of the growing numbers participating. 'I'm most grateful for everyone's assistance in continuing — and growing — this long-standing Cork tradition.' The Eucharistic Procession, to mark the feast of Corpus Christi, has been a significant part of the city's religious heritage for 99 years. The idea of taking the procession through the city emerged in the years after the turmoil of the War of Independence and the Civil War as part of wider efforts to close rifts and facilitate healing in a city deeply divided by the conflicts. The first procession took place on June 6, 1926, under the auspices of Bishop Colahan, with tens of thousands of people participating. The Eucharistic Procession on Grand Parade on May 26, 1940. It grew to become the largest Eucharistic Procession in the country, with tens of thousands of people walking annually from their parish churches to the city centre for benediction outdoors on Daunt Square. But against the backdrop of a fall-off in church attendance and a near collapse in vocations, attendance at the procession dwindled over the last two decades to just a few hundred faithful, before covid brought the event to a complete halt. However, in 2023, Bishop Gavin embarked on a mission to rejuvenate and reimagine the event and was blown away by the response when some 4,000 people processed from the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne through the streets to attend benediction at Saints Peter and Paul's Church on Paul St, where he delivered the sermon at his first Eucharistic Procession since his appointment as bishop in 2019. Numbers increased significantly last year, and thousands processed through the streets, before hundreds packed into the church, with hundreds more left standing outside watching the ceremony on big screens. With a larger crowd expected this year, Bishop Gavin has decided to take the final prayers and benediction of the blessed sacrament outside again, with a stage and altar due to be erected on the Grand Parade. Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, with Cllr Tony Fitzgerald and members of Mayfield Community School choir. Picture: Brian Lougheed 'This year's procession will have participants from every continent and many countries,' he said. Cork's Catholic parishes have been welcoming newcomers to Cork for a couple of decades now and they are making a very valuable contribution to the life of our parishes and our diocese as well as working in so many walks of life. "I'd like to invite individuals and groups from across the city and county to be part of the celebration. You cannot have the word 'community' without 'unity'." The Eucharistic Procession will take place on Sunday, June 22, leaving from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne at 3pm.
