St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry will be holding a novena in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux from May 12 - 20.
On Saturday evening, May 12, the Annual Little Way Novena will begin in St Eugene’s Cathedral at 7.30pm with Mass and the Anointing of the Sick. Rejoice Folk Group will provide the music. The focus of the Novena will be healing. The theme of the Novena is ‘my vocation is love’.
From Monday to Friday there will be Novena Masses at 6.30am and 10.00am. Music at the 10am Mass will be provided by Rosemount Primary School on Monday, St Anne’s Primary School on Tuesday, Nazareth House Primary School on Wednesday, St Thérèse Primary School on Thursday and St Eugene’s Primary School on Friday. Each evening from Monday to Friday at 7.30pm there will be a time of prayer. During this time there will be a guest speaker and also a time for silent prayer in the presence of the Eucharist. The Cantor will be Anne Marie Hickey and the Organist will be Aidan Watkins.
On Sunday evening, May 13, at 6pm, during a time of prayer and devotions, Bishop McKeown will speak.
The speaker on Monday evening, May 14, is Kathleen Chada from Tipperary. Kathleen will speak to us about living with indescribable pain in her life after the murders of her two sons. Music by St Mary’s College.
The speaker on Tuesday evening, May 15, is Fr Dermott Donnelly, a priest from Newcastle in England whose parents are from Co Derry. Fr Dermott is a pioneer in youth ministry in England and has a famous brother, Declan - half of the TV duo, Ant and Dec! Music by The Pink Ladies.
The speaker on Wednesday evening, May 16, is Archdeacon Robert Miller, our neighbour and friend who loves speaking at the Novena! Music by St Eugene’s Cathedral Choir.
The speaker and soloist on Thursday evening, May 17, is Donna Taggart, from Omagh. When Donna recorded the song Jealous of the Angels she received 80 million Facebook views.
The speaker on Friday evening, May 18, is Freddie Pimm, a doctor in the NHS, training as a GP. He is the author of The Selfish Gospel, a book exploring how the church can better transform the world, where we’re going wrong and how we can start to fix it. The McGinley School of Music will provide the music.
On Saturday morning, May 19, the 10am Mass will be celebrated for all those who have died. Music by the Rejoice Folk Group.
The Closing Ceremony for the Novena will take place on Sunday, May 20, at 3pm with the blessing of roses and candles.
The Novena will be an opportunity for people who wish to come to the Cathedral and ask St Thérèse to pray for them and their families. During the Novena there will be a petition box beside the statue of St Thérèse. These petition intentions will be remembered at all the Masses and each evening.
Fr Paul Farren, Administrator of St Eugene’s Cathedral said: "The Little Way Novena has become a very important part of the annual faith life of the Cathedral. It is nine days when faith is celebrated and many people find great joy and healing.
"This year again we are blessed with wonderful people who are willing to share the story of their faith.
"I invite everyone to come to St Eugene’s Cathedral to be part of our faith family joined together in prayer and hope.’
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