Next Sunday the Church in Ireland will celebrate the Ascension of Jesus (other countries hold to the tradition of keeping ‘Ascansion Thursday’, as Catholics in Ireland once did). As the Easter season moves to its second climax at Pentecost, we take heed of the Lord’s final words to his disciples and look forward to the fresh coming of the Holy Spirit, renewing the hearts of believers.

We gather to praise God who raised his Son from the dead. We celebrate this victory over sin and death, and pray for enthusiasm as we try to pass on the Good News.

On the fourth Sunday of Easter each year, we honour the Risen Lord as our Good Shepherd. And we pray that God will give the Church men and women formed in the image of the Good Shepherd, who will be the priests, deacons and Religious of the future.