Events organized by the Irish bishops to commemorate John Paul II, a year after his death, include an intention during masses on 2nd April and a particular celebration on the following day, with special attention to the sizeable Polish community that lives in the island. A special prayer in memory of John Paul II has been commissioned by the Irish bishops and is available in English, Irish and Polish on the website of the Irish Bishops’ Conference (l www.catholiccommunications.ie lnone ), while a special liturgy in his memory will be broadcast live on TV (at 11.15 am on 2 April on the RTÉ 1 channel). There will also be a special link with the Polish community (some 1000 strong) in Cork at 9.37 pm on 2nd April, the precise time of John Paul II’s death. “It is almost one year since the late Pope gave to the world a marvellous example of how to face death peacefully and courageously… Now, one year later, as we prepare to celebrate the first anniversary of John Paul’s death we are also preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the death of Christ. Pope John Paul II bore his suffering with great patience and so gave hope to all who suffer at this time”, declared the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Dr. Sean Brady. Similar initiatives are planned at Cloyne, Down and Connor, Killala, Kildare, Limerick and Lismore.
