| Official launch of website - Sunday 20th May 2007 |
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 Sunday 20th May 2007 is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. The Church recalls the moment when Jesus bodily ascended to heaven in the presence of his apostles, forty days after the resurrection. Jesus enters triumphantly into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father and to share in His glory. Christ’s Ascension is the pledge of future heavenly glory for his Church. The Apostles witnessed our Lord’s Ascension but the hope and joy also involved the sadness of losing sight of the resurrected Christ. Yet Scripture reminds us that Jesus promised his followers the power of the Holy Spirit to assist them in fulfilling the mission He entrusted to them. This was to manifest itself in the descent of the Holy Spirit which the Church remembers at Pentecost. The Ascension of the Lord this year also coincides with the 41st World Communications Day. Pope Paul VI established this celebration in 1967 and the Church marks it every year as an opportunity to reflect upon social communications and how they can be harnessed to promote the gospel message. The mass media today acts as a source of information and education for many. It has the potential to transform culture. The media can be used to enrich our lives through the transmission of values that enhance truth, beauty and the dignity of the human person. Conversely, it can serve to undermine our awareness of being children of God. As is customary the Holy Father has issued a message to accompany World Communications Day. This year Pope Benedict XVI adopts as his theme: “Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education”. He asks parents to teach their children the practice of using the media in a discerning manner. He also exhorts those in the communications industry not to produce material that lowers moral standards. His Grace, Archbishop Brady has also issued a Pastoral Letter to mark World Communications Day. It addresses the issues of clustering, rationalisation, new parish ministeries and structures across the archdiocese. Parishioners are encouraged to take time to read this important letter. Copies are available in the Churches and an online version can be accessed at the website of the Office of Pastoral Renewal and Family Ministry by clicking here .
It is fitting that the Parish of Drumcree should officially launch its website on this World Communications Day. We hope that it may connect parishioners with the liturgical and sacramental life of the parish. It should also be a valuable method of keeping people informed of Church events and activities. Moreover, it can serve as a witness to the outside world of the Christian hope that we share as a community of faith gathered together in the Church. In this way the website functions as an instrument of evangelisation in bringing the Good News to those who may be both near and far from us. |
