The evening began with the celebration of Holy Mass in St Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, where pilgrims gathered in prayer before the start of The Parables Tour with Fr Mike Schmitz. It was a fitting beginning to what proved to be an inspiring and faith-filled evening.

Following Mass, thousands gathered to hear Fr Mike’s reflections on the parables of Jesus. With his characteristic warmth, humour and authenticity, he invited those present to look more deeply at Scripture and to recognise how Christ continues to speak into our lives today. His message encouraged everyone to move beyond simply hearing the Gospel and to respond to it with faith, trust and action.

One of the most memorable aspects of the evening was the atmosphere. People of all ages came together, united by a desire to grow in their relationship with Christ. The joy, prayer and sense of community throughout the evening were a powerful witness to the vitality of the Church and the hunger that exists for authentic preaching and evangelisation.

For me, it was a deeply encouraging experience. Fr Mike’s reflections were both practical and thought-provoking, reminding us that God calls each of us to holiness in our ordinary lives. His message challenged us to trust in God’s plan, to remain faithful in prayer and to live the Gospel with courage and hope.

As the Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois continues to promote opportunities for faith formation and evangelisation, evenings such as this serve as a reminder of the importance of gathering as the people of God, listening to His Word and allowing it to transform our hearts.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this special evening and pray that the seeds planted through Fr Mike’s ministry will continue to bear fruit in the lives of all who attended.

Watch our highlights from the evening on our YouTube channel and across our diocesan social media platforms.

Steven Donohoe