This weekend we celebrate Vocations Sunday and, in word and prayer, seek to encourage people to consider the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. On Holy Thursday, at our Chrism Mass, I was asked to prepare a Post Communion Reflection so thought I might share here…
Some of my classmates from Maynooth met together this week in Athlone. We’ve managed to meet every year since leaving the Seminary and that’s a bit of an achievement 🙂 There are regular faces each year – some that dip in and out and a few we’ve not seen. It’s…
As you know I was away for a few days last week. When I got back I discovered I had a new neighbour in the field beside my house. There are some horses there from time to time and I spotted a new arrival. Was very happy to see this.…
I just loaded some photos on the computer from yesterday’s Papal Audience. I think they capture a bit of the atmosphere. The newly married couple come from near Washington DC and I met them just as we were leaving. I took their photo and will send it to them at…
Went to St Peter’s Square yesterday for the weekly Papal Audience. I don’t think the Pope knew I was there! If he did, he never let on:) It brought home the universal nature of our church and the enthusiasm that exists among many for Pope Benedict XVI. It also brought…
On Sunday we had the gospel passage that included the meeting between Jesus and Thomas. A week earlier there had been another visit by Jesus to the locked room of apostolic gathering. Thomas was missing. When told Jesus had been there he refused to believe and laid down strict criteria…
I was in a house last week and noticed a book with an interesting picture of an elderly man’s face. The book, I’m told, was written in memory of this man who had made a family feel very much at home when they moved in next door to him. This…
Stopped at the Four Ways when this happened!! True or False????
At a conference on communications. Listening to various speakers through headphones and interpreters. A strange experience but amazing stories from around the world. Certainly puts any sense I might have had of our church being persecuted at home into perspective. Yes, there may be difficulties at home but we should…
Everywhere we look or listen this week, there have been reminders of the Titanic and, more tragically, its sinking one hundred years ago this night (14th April). I just had Mass in Urlaur and, by way of reflection and remembrance, shared a song I like a lot. It was written…
