Ms Brenda Drumm has been appointed as Media and Communications Manager for the 9th World Meeting of Families which will take place in Dublin, Ireland, from 21 – 26 August 2018.
Brenda has been seconded from her current role as Communications Officer with the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference to work with WMOF2018 for the next year.
Welcoming the new appointment, Archbishop Eamon Martin, President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Chair of its Council for Communications said, “The breadth of Brenda’s professional communications skills and gifts, as well as her deep commitment to the mission of the Church, highlights the importance of this key appointment with the World Meeting of Families 2018 executive team. As the one-year countdown gets underway, it is a signal to all of us to redouble our preparedness to ensure that this international celebration of faith is a success for the Church in Ireland, and universally. I pray God’s blessings to Brenda in her new role.”
Father Tim Bartlett, Secretary General to the World Meeting of Families, warmly welcomed the appointment saying, ‘We could not be happier about Brenda’s secondment as a senior member of the WMOF 2018 management team. She brings unrivalled skills in so many areas of Church communications, particularly the use of social media and is highly respected by those who work with her both nationally and internationally. Helping people to connect with the preparations for the World Meeting and the event itself will be vital and Brenda is especially well placed to manage this role with energy, creativity and commitment.’
Brenda Drumm (48) is a native of Belturbet, Co Cavan but has been living in Newbridge, Co Kildare with her family since 1995. Brenda is married to Bryan Tobin and they have two children, Emma (20) and Cathal (13). Brenda has been working as Communications Officer with the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference since November 2000.
Brenda produces and presents Faithcast, the Bishops’ Conference weekly faith podcast and she is also the editor of a monthly newsletter for parishes and dioceses called Sharing the Good News. Brenda was part of the team that developed catholicnews.ie, the news source for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Brenda has been instrumental in developing a presence for the Irish Catholic Church on digital media and this Autumn she will have her second book published by Veritas entitled The Digital Parish. Brenda is a regular contributor to religious publications and radio programmes and she writes a monthly ‘Get Connected’ column for Intercom magazine.
In her spare time, Brenda is involved in the parish council of Saint Conleth’s Parish, Newbridge and is a soprano in a local choir. Brenda has been involved with local radio for the past seven years where she produced and presented a weekly religion programme on Kfm. Brenda also enjoys movies, music, documentaries, comedy, books and theatre.
Commenting on her appointment Brenda said, “I am very much looking forward to the challenge of communicating the wonderful event that the World Meeting of Families is going to be. Family is everything to me and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be part of the team organising this important event in the life of the universal Church.”
Notes to editors
Dublin, Ireland, has been chosen by Pope Francis to host the next World Meeting of Families from 21-26 August 2018, guided by the theme “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World”. Held every three years, this major international event brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family as the cornerstone of our lives, of society and of the Church. The President and Host of the 9th World Meeting of Families is Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin.
Whilst WMOF2018 will include exhibitions, cultural events and musical performances, events around the city, gestures of solidarity, it has at its heart the following key moments:
- Firstly, a National Openingof World Meeting of Families will take place simultaneously in the twenty-six dioceses on the island of Ireland;
- Secondly, from 21 to 24 August, a three-day Congresswill entail a joyful and reflective programme of workshops, talks and discussions centred on the theme: “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World”. The Congress will also offer an engaging programme for young people to include faith and fun activities for children;
- Thirdly, a Festival of Familieswhich will be held on Saturday 25 August 2018. This will involve a cultural concert within a prayerful and joyful atmosphere, during which personal stories of faith will be shared by families, each representing the five continents; and,
- Fourthly, Holy Mass for WMOF2018. A solemn Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday 26 August will involve thousands of pilgrims from Ireland and around the world.
The last World Meeting of Families was held in Philadelphia in September 2015 and it was attended by Pope Francis.
See www.worldmeeting2018.ie for more information.
Brenda can be contacted by email at [email protected] and on 087 310 4444.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
