Friday, May 30th, was a truly memorable evening in Cloughoge Parish, Newry, as the community gathered to honor the Sacred Heart in a ceremony that touched the hearts of all who attended
Archbishop Eamon Martin graced the occasion with his presence, highlighting the profound significance of this celebration for Ireland as he prepares for a historic moment—the consecration of the nation at Knock Shrine on June 22nd, marking the first such consecration in over 150 years
A Parish United in Faith
Fr. Richard Naughton and the entire Cloughoge parish community deserve the highest praise for orchestrating such a beautifully coordinated ceremony. The evening was made all the more special by the First Holy Communion children, who appeared resplendent in their ceremonial attire and demonstrated remarkable reverence throughout the proceedings
The musical accompaniment was nothing short of extraordinary, with three talented local choirs blending harmoniously to create an atmosphere that elevated the entire celebration. Their voices united in praise, contributing to what all present agreed was a truly spectacular night dedicated to the Sacred Heart
A Message That Resonates
Archbishop Eamon delivered a sermon that was both powerful and deeply personal, touching the hearts of everyone in attendance. His down-to-earth approach made his message accessible to all, as he invited the community to embrace the tradition of welcoming Sacred Heart images into their homes—particularly those households that may not yet have one
In a moment of profound reflection, the Archbishop shared his belief that the world would know peace if only each person truly understood and believed in God’s love for them. This simple yet profound message resonated deeply with the congregation
An Historic Invitation
The Archbishop expressed his genuine delight at the upcoming opportunity to publicly renew Ireland’s Consecration at Knock Shrine on June 22nd. He extended a heartfelt invitation to all members of the community to participate in this historic event, encouraging everyone to become involved in this significant moment for Irish Catholicism
As the evening concluded, the words that seemed to echo in every heart were: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in You!”
This celebration in Cloughoge Parish serves as a beautiful reminder of the enduring power of faith and community, setting the stage for the momentous consecration ceremony to come at Knock