Sunday 24 May is the 54th World Day of Social Communications - the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. 

Pope Francis devotes this year's message to the theme of storytelling.


Stories and ideas from across the Diocese of Derry - tell everyone!

The stories below give a flavour of the variety of faith initiatives happening in our urban and rural parishes right across the Diocese. Our message to you is - Tell everyone!


"Go Make Disciples of All Nations"

Bishop McKeown's message on World Communications Day 2020.

Praying at Home with Children

This guide is a help to adults to direct children on how to prepare for and make a space for prayer.
Therese Ferry is the Diocesan Advisor of Religious Education for Primary Schools in the Diocese of Derry. More resources available from www.catecheticalcentre.org


Holy Communion Message - Fr Ciaran Hegarty

A message to pupils of St Safan's National School, Castlefin, Co. Donegal due to make their first Holy Communion on May 2020 but unable to do so due to restrictions.

Rosary and Eucharistic Blessing Walk

Fr Eddie Gallagher, Parish Priest in the Parish of Greencastle, Co. Tyrone tells us about the Rosary and Blessed Sacrament Walks he has undertaken while the parish church is closed due to Coronavirus restrictions.

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Communications Day

 "Human beings are storytellers. From childhood we hunger for stories just as we hunger for food. Stories influence our lives, whether in the form of fairy tales, novels, films, songs, news, even if we do not always realize it. Often we decide what is right or wrong based on characters and stories we have made our own. Stories leave their mark on us; they shape our convictions and our behaviour. They can help us understand and communicate who we are.

...it is not a matter of simply telling stories as such, or of advertising ourselves, but rather of remembering who and what we are in God's eyes, bearing witness to what the Spirit writes in our hearts and revealing to everyone that his or her story contains marvellous things. Read Pope Francis' full message


An Act of Spiritual Communion

Lizzie explains how for various reasons, like during the coronavirus pandemic, we may be prevented from receiving Holy Communion at Mass. Lizzie quotes a suggested prayer of spiritual communion.

Mammy. Where is God?

Follow Thomas as his Mammy explains where God is. Singing along to the song 'Where is God?'.

Faith in Sport - Cáit Glass, Derry Ladies Captain

Cáit Derry GAA Ladies Captain 2017-2019 shares the importance of her Faith to her identity and shares her Top Faith Tips.

This video is part of the Derry Diocesan Youth faith programme for youth.

Nicolle and Áine - Pope John Paul II Award

Nicolle and Áine Simpson share their experience of parish activities and pilgrimages as part of their participation in the Pope John Paul II Award.

This video is part of the Derry Diocesan Youth faith programme for youth.

God in Nature - A Prayer Walk - Noel Bradley, Buncrana

This walk is a way of being present to creation and to God. It is a prayer walk.

Take a moment to be present to yourself and see/feel how you are just now before you begin. (There is no rush, don't jump into it, take your time and slow down)....


A special message from Bishop Donal to pupils preparing to finish their final year in school.


Hollie shares her experience of the Pope John Paul II Award

Hollie tells how participating in the Award has opened opportunities to get involved in her parish and how it has developed her vocation to teach young people the catholic faith through RE teaching.

This video is part of the Derry Diocesan Youth faith programme for youth.

Life To The Full on Radio Maria

Broadcast: Wednesday 27 May 2020

Bishop McKeown joins Tony Brennan on Life To The Full on Radio Maria. They discuss many of the great parish initiatives happening in the Diocese of Derry since the lockdown restrictions were imposed during the Coronavirus Pandemic.


Willy Krause tells the discovery of his faith, his baptism at 17 and his continued faith exploration

Willy came to Derry, Ireland from Leipzig, Germany in 2017 to join the Derry Youth Community (DYC). He tells of his upbringing in Germany, discovering catholicism at 17 and being baptized at 19, his path in continuing to explore his faith and the urge to share his faith with others.

Fr Patrick - Have Courage 

Fr Patrick's advice to anyone considering a life to the priesthood: "Have courage... because the element of risk is part and parcel of the gift of vocation."

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