This Mass was celebrated by Bishop Niall Coll in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on Sunday 29 December. Bishop Coll recalls on the jubilee year and reminds us that our faith in Christ, lights our path and guides us through life:

“Here in the West, we see a rise in anxiety and unhappiness among people, especially the young.  Some scholars explain this in terms of the pervasive use of social media which is having a profound impact on mental health.  Platforms designed for engagement often lead to social comparison, cyberbullying, and a distorted sense of reality.  This is especially harmful to adolescents, who are in a critical period of identity formation.  And parents and teachers are beginning to recognise the profound challenges that Artificial Intelligence is bringing. Add to this the decline in face-to-face interactions: as digital communication replaces in-person interactions, young people are losing crucial opportunities to develop social skills and build meaningful relationships.  This isolation fuels feelings of loneliness and unhappiness.  Families today, we need to acknowledge, as we do on the Feast of the Holy Family, have to deal with complex challenges.”

“In his papal bull read at the beginning of this liturgy, Pope Francis emphasises that hope is not merely a fleeting sentiment but a steadfast anchor for our souls.  He writes, “May the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as ‘our hope.’” Hope looks like forgiving when you want to stay angry.  It looks like being kind to someone who doesn’t deserve it, because you believe they can change. Hope looks like standing up for what is right, even when it costs you, because you believe justice matters. Hope is getting out of bed in the morning when you’re struggling and depressed and uncertain – believing – just maybe – that today might bring something new and so much more.”

“As we journey through this Jubilee Year, I invite both you and those rather weathered friends of mine that I mentioned at the beginning of this homily to embrace the hope that does not disappoint.  Let hope inspire us to deepen our faith, to act with love, and to become beacons of hope in our homes, parishes and wider communities.  In doing so, we fulfil the very essence of our calling as “Pilgrims of Hope,” bringing light to the world and drawing closer to the heart of Christ.  Truly the work of the Lord’s disciples!”