"We need to convert the challenge posed by a lack of priests into an opportunity for greater lay involvement.”

The parish priest and team were looking around to see where and how Confirmations could be held, and came up with the idea of the racecourse which was open-air and allowed for social distancing.

Diocese of Limerick will host an online liturgy for Leaving Cert students on the evening of the day their exams were due to start.

“Churches may be closed and the celebration of sacraments postponed but the Church is not closed. It is very much alive” - Dr Brendan Leahy.

Cancellation of Masses and directives on funerals are necessary as the Church puts its shoulder behind the national effort to protect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Essential requirements for the role(s) available include relevant qualification or experience in catechetics, religious education, theology, leadership, pastoral care or youth ministry.

Lent can be a time for giving more of yourself, says Bishop of Limerick.

Any sense that abortion is a progressive step for our country, for what we stand for as a nation, is misplaced, says Bishop Brendan Leahy in end of year reflection.

“We need to promote arrangements that encourage greater co-operation and exchange between parishes” – Bishop Brendan Leahy.

The Irish Church, Bishop Brendan Leahy has suggested, is a Church that has faced the evil within, has worked tirelessly to cast it out and put stringent measures in place to protect against its return.

All church and religious services cancelled as freezing blizzard hits Ireland and whole population is urged to stay indoors.

“Failure to recognise and respond appropriately to the complex issues which abuse presents has, at times, compounded the profound and harmful impact on the lives of many young and vulnerable persons.”

With homelessness at an unprecedented state of crisis today in Ireland, it is almost unjust and unchristian to claim economic success.

One of the biggest challenges facing the Irish Church at the moment is the shortage of candidates coming forward to priesthood and religious life – Bishop of Ferns.

The role of lay people will be of the utmost importance going forward in the Church – Bishop Brendan Leahy.

“Whether on or off the field, Anthony [Foley] displayed the same characteristics of honesty, integrity, loyalty, dignity and more.”

“In times of strength, of weakness and great persecution, we remained steadfast, thanks to the support and generosity of you and your ancestors, the people of Limerick.”

“The Church is at a cross-roads,” he said, “and we could get stuck at the cross-roads unless we decide to respond proactively”.

Fr Tom Mangan would like to live in the parish of Donaghmore but that's not possible due to the poor conditions of the parochial house.

“We are all energised by this process. What it said to us was that the Church here in Limerick knows that there has to be change.”

“Save for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Limerick in 1979, this is probably the most important moment for the Church in this diocese since the last Synod, all of 80 years ago.”

Liturgy will open a week-long series of events, culminating with the official Synod, a gathering of 400 delegates from Friday to Sunday, 8-10 April.

Ceremony can be watched live on EWTN Television or on the Vatican Television livestream from 19.30 Irish time.

“He will be a great loss to the Diocese of Limerick but he will play a huge role in the formation of many future priests”: Bishop Leahy.

Former chaplain at Sarsfield Barracks has served on overseas missions in Kosovo, Chad and the Lebanon.

“It was very moving to hear the councilors speak from the heart of their own personal stories of indebtedness to orders and congregations” - Bishop Brendan Leahy.

Synod is “a spiritual experience of journeying together to renew and deepen our own commitment to our faith" Bishop Leahy explains.

"Without allowing the concerns and realities of the poor to seep into its veins and consciousness, Church attempts at renewal are but organisational changes."

Confirmation often appears like a “pre-fabricated cultural package of Irish heritage we are born into" to be discarded later in life as part of our throwaway culture.

Synod will take place over three days bringing together 400 delegates who will set out a path for renewal for the Church in Limerick.