ACN Ireland ‘bowled over’ by remarkable interest in faith at ploughing
24/09/2024, Author: Clodagh Gallagher
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland has described as “remarkable” the interest that young people expressed in faith and especially prayer at the recent ploughing championships.
For the first time ever, Aid to the Church in Need – which supports over 6,000 struggling communities in 140 countries – had a stand at the National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois. Drawing more than 300,000 people, it is Europe’s largest outdoor event and was held in Ratheniska in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
Michael Kelly, Director of Public Affairs for ACN Ireland said the organisation was “delighted” by the reaction to the stand, particularly from younger people: “We were there with a simple message: we were asking people to pray for those in need throughout the world, and many of the young people shared with us about how they do pray for people who are suffering. We were giving our rosary beads from Bethlehem, and many people were touched by this. The young people often asked for a second pair for a sibling at home, or an elderly relative who is sick and we also assured them of our prayers,” he said.
ACN was highlighting the plight of what is often known as the ‘suffering Church’ where Christians are struggling, usually because they are in a minority situation. The charity was also focusing on the work the charity does to support the last remaining Catholic parish in Gaza, Holy Family where ACN Ireland is currently sponsoring a project to provide heat and light for the parishioners who have taken refuge in the church.
“People were particularly concerned about Gaza,” Mr Kelly said, “but also very interested in our work in Ukraine, Nigeria and many other countries around the world”. He said that the ACN team had been “bowled over by the remarkable interest in the Rosary beads and prayer cards”, with many young people speaking to the team about the importance of prayer in their own lives.
Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin Dr Denis Nulty, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luis Montemayor, and some of ACN Ireland’s staff: Anne Hughes, Davide Barbieri, Harry Casey, and Claire O’Reilly.
“It really was a shot in the arm to us, particularly to see the enthusiasm of the young people and their openness to prayer and spirituality,” Mr Kelly said. “It is a very hopeful sign for the future, and the young people are a great credit to their families and our Catholic schools,” he said.
He thanked Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Dr Denis Nulty for the warm welcome he had extended to ACN at the ploughing, and the many visitors to the stand including Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luis Montemayor and Bishop of Ferns Dr Ger Nash.