Among hundreds of attendees at the Alpha Ireland Conference last weekend were recently ordained Bishop Michael Router, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop Denis Nulty, and the Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson.

Bishop asks people all around the country to choose the prayer they like most, such as the Rosary or the Lord’s Prayer, perhaps a prayer learnt at their mother’s knee or handed down in their family.

“People are already trying to pay back huge energy bills after the ‘Beast from the East’ hit and now, with further hikes on top of that, many simply won’t be able to cope” – Bishop Denis Nulty.

“At present, there are 90 priests ministering in our diocese; 27 of them are over 75. This stark figure reminds us that a radical reappraisal of what a parish community should be, how it should be organised, co-ordinated, funded and ministered, is necessary.”

Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin will open the Novena tonight and will preach a homily on ‘Lord, Have Mercy’.

“This year, the beginning of our Catholic new year will coincide with our preparations for a Jubilee Year of Mercy."