Water’s edge ….

Water’s edge ….

Just a picture really ...

Just a picture really …

I took this a few years ago when leading an Advent Retreat in Howth, Co. Dublin.  I’m not sure why I took it or what caught my eye but think it’s something to do with the certainty of land and the mystery (for me) that is water.  I can’t swim and, to some degree, the water holds a fear for me.  Yet, I love its flow and its presence.

Maybe we live our lives somewhere in the in-between of what we’re at home with and afraid of – what we know and what is mystery ….

Just a thought …

A daisy a day …..

A daisy a day …..

I took this photograph last night on my into a meeting in Urlaur Community Centre.  We were making plans for “The Gathering” that is to take place around the weekend of August 3rd-5th and linking in with the well established Urlaur Pattern. We were also discussing a concert taking place in Urlaur Abbey on Sunday next at 8pm.  It features the Mayo Concert Orchestra and, weather permitting, should be a lovely occasion.  If you’re free to join us, come along!

The daisies are a favourite of mine and remind me of the song “Daisy a Day” which I’ve tried to sing a few times!!

Water’s edge ….

Anniversaries near and far ….

Pat, Kay White and their family in Kilmovee Church today

Pat, Kay White and their family in Kilmovee Church today

Earlier today I met people for the first time.  They’re a family from Richmond, Virginia and friends of my aunt (Mary Margaret) who lives there.  Mary Margaret asked me sometime ago if I’d meet them since they were coming to Ireland to celebrate the parents’ 30th Wedding Anniversary.  Needless to say, I was happy to do so.

Contacted by Kay, the wife and mother, she asked if I’d say a prayer with them on June 14th since that was the day her husband had proposed marriage.  I said I’d be happy to do so, aware that the same date would be my 26th Anniversary of Ordination.  What better way to mark the day than in the living of the ministry and the sharing of a blessing.

It was a simple gathering – just Pat and Kay, with their daughters, son, son-in-law and granddaughter.  We shared a few thoughts, said a prayer, sought a blessing and marked a milestone.  We went to Ballaghaderreen for lunch and that too was very pleasant.

Later I took them to Templeronan Cemetery since they wanted to visit John Shannon’s grave (my uncle and the husband of Mary Margaret).  I was especially happy to go there since it gave me the chance to say a prayer at Mary and Bill’s grave too.  I remember their presence with me twenty-six years ago.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Paul’s Ordination

I put some material on our Diocesan Website (www.achonrydiocese.org) from yesterday’s Ordination Ceremony. It was a lovely and prayerful occasion and so good to see a man so happy in his life choice. Long may he know God’s blessing and peace and the support and prayers of all with whom and for whom he works.

Bishop Brendan preached, drawing inspiration from St Nathy “our father in faith” and his association with the parish in which we gathered and the diocese from which it takes its name.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/Iv1U5Pd6LNM?rel=0]

Thought I might share this poem with you all in honour of Paul’s Ordination.  It’s an old poem by John D Sheridan from “Joe’s no saint” and is called “The Priestin’ of Father John” (I printed the text in an earlier post during last week)

A few dodgy days!!

Have been lying low for a few days.  Picked up a bug along the way and it had its say.  I think it’s gone again!

During the week I missed two funerals that I should have attended, one was Kevin Mannion from home.  A good and kind man who died, like so many, before his time.  May he rest in peace.  The other was Frank Higgins from Culfadda.  I ddin’t know Frank as well though remember him from my childhood days when he and his twin brother John would come to the garage with their father, Jack (RIP).  Frank’s sister lives here in Kilmovee and, for her sake as well as the memories I have of Frank, I’d want to have attended his Funeral Mass but just couldn’t.  I remember them and all who have died and pray God’s rest for their Souls.

On my mind during the week was a promised visit to Shannon Parish.  Fr Tom Ryan, the parish priest there, asked me to preach at a Parish Mission.  Huge effort had gone into preparing for the Mission with “72 Disciples” being commissioned to go door to door in the parish, bringing to each home a copy of St Luke’s Gospel and an invitation to the Parish Mission.  Sr Briege McKenna and Fr Kevin Scallan conducted the first three days of the Mission and I was asked to do the fourth.  Earlier in the week I was afraid that I might not be able to but, as things worked out, I travelled to Shannon on Wednesday night, arriving around 11.30pm, went to bed and woke up to the “moment” on Thursday.  We had Mass at 10am in one of the churches of the Parish (Ss John and Paul) and an Evening Liturgy and Sermon in Mary Immaculate Church that evening.  Thanks be to God, they both went well.  I met many people and they were very welcoming and was happy to meet a few from Sligo and Mayo, as well as a young teacher from Charlestown and a couple from near Urlaur.

I thought I took a lot of photos but there was a man there who put me in the ha’penny place!!  I just looked at the Parish Website (www.shannonparish.ie) and see a number he took yesterday have been uploaded so I copied them – just a a memory

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