by Vincent | Mar 12, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
The idea of going on “pilgrimage” to Ballaghaderreen is not something we’d normally speak about!
We associate pilgrimage with Religious sites like Knock, Croagh Patrick or Lough Derg. Maybe even more-so with The Holy Land, Lourdes etc. The word “pilgrimage” is accurate in the setting of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In the past when Holy Years were called people were invited to make “pilgrimage” to Rome and enter the Holy Door at St Peter’s or perhaps another Basilica in Rome.
Pope Francis however, believed such journeys unnecessary and though people are welcome to go to Rome, he decided that every diocese should have its own “HOLY DOOR” for the Jubilee of Mercy. With that in mind, one of the doors in our Cathedral has been so designated and there’s an invitation to us all to visit and pray around this Holy Door.
As a diocese we are invited to do this on Sunday. People can of course visit any time they want but there’s a special effort being made to do so as “diocese” on this Sunday. The time set aside is 3pm-7pm and our own Parish Cluster (Bohola, Carracastle, Charlestown, Kilmovee, Kiltimagh and Swinford) are especially invited during the final hour, 6pm-7pm.
Ten “STATIONS” have been identified, each with a call to prayer and a bit of reflection. A booklet will be made available for use during the time and the hope is that as many as possible will attend. Stations of The Cross will be prayed and reflected upon during the final half hour. Please consider making the “pilgrimage” on Sunday. It would be great to see many people, families too, from our parish gather at the “HOLY DOOR OF MERCY”. Priests of the diocese will be available throughout the afternoon to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Further details on www.achonrydiocese.org
by Vincent | Mar 11, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
“Well Tony?” I think that’s as much as I said to him.
It was last Monday, just after the funeral of Jack Roddy (mentioned in another daily thought) and I was walking back to the sacristy. Tony was walking towards his car, having prayed with me and many others for Jack’s Soul. He nodded to me and I spoke briefly as I went past.
A few months ago Tony came to see me to arrange his wife’s Anniversary Mass. As he often did, he came in and sat down for a while. He chatted about the Mass and then wondered if he could ask a favour. I assured him he could.
“You like to sing”, he told me “and I love to listen to you. Now at Bernie’s Mass, would you do something for me?” Preparing myself I wondered what song (from my all too limited repertoire he might want) and wondered if the song would be a song or a hymn. Would it be appropriate? I knew, were it possible, I’d not say no to anything he might have asked.
“Your friend, Fr McDonagh, he does a mighty job on the Waves of Kilkee. Could you play that on a CD for me?” Alas, my repertoire would not be required after all:)
I told that story the night of the Mass and gave McDonagh his moment – well nearly six minutes to be more accurate. Tony was right, he and his accompanying musicians do a fine job on that tune. Tony was happy.
On Tuesday evening I was at a meeting and someone told me Tony was in hospital. I said I hadn’t heard. The news was not good. I called his son and, sure enough, Tony had been given 24 hours. He was dead in less, R.I.P.
I’m glad we played The Waves of Kilkee. I’m glad Tony felt he could ask me that. I’m sorry I didn’t say a bit more to him on Monday last. Had I known it would be the last opportunity, I’m sure I would have done so.
The thought then … when you meet your friends and loved ones, spend time with them, talk to them, waste and pass time with them. Someday it might be too late.
by Vincent | Mar 10, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
Today the 32nd Dáil assembles in Dublin for the first time. A Ceann Comhairle has been elected by secret ballot. His role, a crucial one, seeks to oversee discussions that take place and decisions that will be taken during the lifetime of the Dáil. He is “speaker” or “chairman of the council” and no doubt will have some difficult and tense moments in that role.
We need someone to put shape on things and situations in life. Who do we look to for guidance? Are we truly willing to accept that guidance?
Is Christ the “ceann comhairle”? Is his word final?
As we look at the makeup of the new Dáil we cannot but see the diversity therein. Please God this will be a good thing. We need people of honour and commitment who bring to the table the needs and hopes of those who elected them. It is crucial that our government in its very diversity recognises the diversity of people in the country and not allow its agenda be drawn from any particular geographical or ideological starting point. It’s interesting that it’s the 32nd Dáil in this centenary year.
by Vincent | Mar 9, 2016 | Religion, Lent 2016
“Let sleeping dogs lie”
This is a photo of Alpha – my dog and “good friend”! I’m not sure about him being my best friend but we get on fairly well most of the time. The little caption isn’t really as much to do with the photograph as maybe a bit of advice for the day – sometimes we might do well to let sleeping dogs lie. Digging up, rooting out, dwelling on bad memories or feelings may serve only to hurt us and others in the long run. The sleeping dog has his place.
A second thought around dogs …. It’s not original but heard a man speak once about the Religious Examiner visiting a school. The teacher relied heavily on three girls in the class to answer any questions of a religious nature and knew that any of them would be well able to meet, head on, any issues the priest might care to surface. She wasn’t ready for the priest’s selection though and he turned to a young lad in the class called Tony and asked him to stand up. The teacher feared the worst and remembered Tony, on another occasion, finding “four” Gods in the Trinity. Just as the priest began to speak, Tony made reference to the dog he could see on the front seat of the priest’s car. The story goes that the priest left aside his text book, looked at Tony and asked “Did Jesus have a dog Tony”. “No”, came the reply “because if he had it would have been with him on Calvary”.
We’re told the boy went home with the prize for the best answer. The three girls went home feeling there was “no justice in religion”.
Tony was on the button – the “friend” in the dog would have brought him to Calvary.
The thought for today – how far will we travel for our friends?
by Vincent | Mar 8, 2016 | Reflections, Lent 2016
A common happening! We can be so slow to involve ourselves in events, situations and people’s lives. There is, all too often , the feeling that someone else will do it. Sometimes this is the case. Alas sometimes, not!
We need at times to name names, assign tasks, put the shoulder (maybe even “my” shoulder) to the wheel. This is the only way the task in hand will be tended to. It is the only way the job will be done.
The apostles decided, in the earliest days of Church, that the task was too much for them. The demands were many and varied, the time was pressured and ill-fitted the needs. What did they do? They prayed, they talked, they gathered the believers and they sought help. They named names, assigned tasks and saw to it the work would be done.
It’s a lesson for our time too. We must listen to one another. Hearing what is really being said is crucial. Help is essential and the vital ingredient of help is the helper.
Maybe it’s you. Do you, at times, think somebody else is doing it? Maybe you are right but maybe too, you are wrong. If something needs doing, it should be done and not left to chance.
Looking around the parish, do you see things that need doing? Do you sometimes lament that not more is happening? Do you , in honesty, involve yourself or settle for leaving it to others?
