Checking in
Will get back to this later. Hope all going well. Not the easiest of times for our country now. Lots of questions ….
Donal Walsh – God rest him
Donal Walsh, R.I.P.
So sorry to hear today of the death of Donal Walsh, a young lad from Kerry, who lived with cancer for the past number of years. Aged 16, he recently appealed to all and, in particular young people, to value life and never throw it away through death by suicide. He spoke so movingly and with real passion and conviction. He said he was fighting for months but would take days. Sadly the days have run out but I’ve no doubt his legacy will abide.
We offered Mass for Donal, his family and friends this morning in Kilmovee. We prayed too, that those for whom he prayed and those to whom he wished to speak, may have heard his message and reclaim their peace.
May he rest in peace.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Q076my5KCOI?rel=0]
Mind the Gap!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/7ojomTUt0X4?rel=0]
On Saturday evening, driving to Mass in Urlaur, I heard a short clip of a documentary on RTE Radio 1. It was called “The Green Line” and I’d heard promos for it during the week. The premise seemed to be that the reporter travelled on the Green Line (London Underground) in the hope of meeting Irish emigrants. It worked! A variety of Irish men and women shared views and stories of life in London.
Interlaced throughout the documentary was the well known phrase from the London Underground “MIND THE GAP” It’a timely warning to those getting on and off the train to be careful of the gap between the train and the platform. Presumably in some of the older stations it was a wider gap but the gap has the potential to cause problems. Were someone to get a foot caught, the consequences need not be developed. MIND THE GAP then is a very important part of the commute. It’s likely that the well-seasoned traveller doesn’t hear it anymore but it’s still relevant. The automated voice now replaces someone watching in the past and shouting to the passengers. The method may have changed but the meaning and the urgency of message remain unaltered.
The first time I heard that message was in 1986 when I went to London in the summer months to work as a deacon. I went along with a very good friend of mine, another deacon, to get some experience of parish life. He went to work in Kentish Town and I went to St Gabriel’s Parish on the Holloway Road. It was a lovely time and we shared a lot of days, chatting about life, wandering around London and exploring the Tube. “Archway” was my stop.
All these years later, I have lost, almost totally, contact with that friend. Geographically he’s at a remove now and, though we meet occasionally, the contact is fairly irregular. That said, I am happy to say we’re still friends but “the gap” has had it’s moment.
“MIND THE GAP” – it creeps in easily enough and creates a vacuum, a distance between train and platform, between friend and friend, between church and state, between practice and non-practice. The more the gap is allowed develop the greater the risk of loss.
That’s sort of what I’m thinking today …. we need to be alert to the gap – to “MIND THE GAP” – lest it lead us to a place of distance …
St Patrick’s Day (Ballaghaderreen)
As I’ve done for many years now, I attended the parade in Ballaghaderreen yesteryday. It wasn’t the warmest of days but a great crowd gathered to cheer on the local schools, bands and floats. Well done to all involved. I took some photos (quite a lot actually!!) and decided to put them on YouTube so here are some of them … If you were there and see yourself somewhere in a photo or background, I hope you don’t mind. If you weren’t there and have an interest in things local then maybe they’ll bring you closer ….
[youtube=http://youtu.be/439rNCvYY6w]
[youtube=http://youtu.be/opL4gki2BVQ]
[youtube=http://youtu.be/4Rducjett7k]
Templeronan
Just visited my parents’ grave in Templeronan. Glorious evening and sunset was amazing. Took this photo.
Anniversary
Mary, R.I.P. 21st August 2009
My mother’s 3rd Anniversary takes place this week (August 21st) and we will remember her on that date at Mass in Kilmovee at 10am, R.I.P. Remembering her these days of the Novena in Knock as it was one of her favourite places to be for many years. Remembering all those whose anniversaries occur around this time and praying that they know the fullness of peace. God, grant them all Eternal Rest. Amen!
NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF KNOCK
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Give praise to the Father Almighty,
To His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord,
To the Spirit who lives in our hearts,
Both now and forever. Amen.
Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray with confidence to your divine Son, remembering His promise, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.”
Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely or depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Grant us peace.
ST. JOSEPH,
Chosen by God to be
The Husband of Mary,
The Protector of the Holy Family,
The Guardian of the Church.
Protect all families
In their work and recreation
And Guard us on our journey through life.
(Repeat – Lamb of God, etc.)
ST. JOHN,
Beloved Disciple of the Lord,
Faithful priest.
Teacher of the Word of God.
Help us to hunger for the Word.
To be loyal to the Mass
And to love one another.
(Repeat – Lamb of God, etc.)
Our Lady of Knock Pray for Us
Refuge of Sinners Pray for Us
Queen Assumed into Heaven Pray for Us
Queen of the Rosary Pray for Us
Mother of Nazareth Pray for Us
Queen of Virgins Pray for Us
Help of Christians Pray for Us
Health of the Sick Pray for Us
Queen of Peace Pray for Us
Our Lady, Queen and Mother Pray for Us
Our Lady, Mother of the Church Pray for Us
(Here mention your own special intentions)
With the Angels and Saints let us pray:
Give praise to the Father Almighty,
To His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord,
To the Spirit who lives in our hearts,
Both now and forever. Amen.
