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Saturday |
Apr-27 |
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'Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of people overcoming it.' ~Helen Keller
There are people in our world and all around us who overcome suffering every day. We all know people who keep smiling and joking through serious illness or misfortune and people who have many problems of their own but are still always available to help others. There are brave folks who, having lost a loved one to illness, go on to dedicate their time to charitable works and fundraising in the hope that others might avoid the same agony. And then there are people who, though themselves in the depths of pain or despair, can help others simply by empathising with their suffering. In different ways, these are all 'Easter people', full of hope and light amidst the darkness. They remind us that even in the darkest of situations, God's light can shine.
Today we celebrate the ultimate victory over suffering and death. We have journeyed this week through the darkness of loneliness, betrayal and abandonment into the light of forgiveness, healing and new life.
In her poem Dawn, the poet Emily Dickinson wrote: 'Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.' Dawn will always emerge from darkness. If we want to be 'Easter people', we need to be open to throwing ourselves into the ups and downs, the sufferings and the joys of life, always open to experiencing resurrection and hope in all their forms. Christ is risen - alleluia! |
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Thursday |
Apr-18 |
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Thought For The Week
"Words matter. Words leave a lasting impression. Are our words positive or negative, do they build up or tear down, do they encourage or destroy? We are formed in some way by what we hear, what we read and what we say, even if we don't really mean it. Words matter." ~Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, speaking at the School Awards Ceremony in Col"iste Pobail Bheanntra" (Bantry Community College) last Thursday
In a touching talk for parents and students, Bishop Tom spoke how words really matter. He affirmed and encouraged everyone present last Thursday evening. He had words of encouragement for those who excelled, for those who had reached their goal, for those who struggled and overcame and especially a word of encouragement for those who continue to do their best. He said: "At the end of the day, we are all different, with different gifts, talents, skills and attributes. We are what God made us. We are all different. All we can do is our best. Words matter so much: 'Congratulations', 'Well done', 'Keep it up' and 'Thank You'."
As we start our journey through Holy Week words also matter. It is a sacred week, a solemn week but also a week to celebrate especially on Easter Sunday. The story of Holy Week is a mix of so many negative and positive words. Negative words such as hate, evil, darkness, bitterness, jealousy, anger and suffering come to mind. Jesus was at the receiving end of these. Positive words such as love, peace, healing, new beginnings, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness come to mind. Jesus was at the heart of all of these.
Our negative and positive words are also in the story of Holy Week. The invitation is to leave as many of the negative words at the cross on Good Friday. Easter is about a collection of many beautiful positive words that are just within our reach. Our world desperately needs them and so do we. I hope they become part of your Easter story too. Happy Easter! |
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Tuesday |
Apr-16 |
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Thought For The Week
"Words matter. Words leave a lasting impression. Are our words positive or negative, do they build up or tear down, do they encourage or destroy? We are formed in some way by what we hear, what we read and what we say, even if we don't really mean it. Words matter." ~Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, speaking at the School Awards Ceremony in Colaiste Pobail Bheanntraí (Bantry Community College) last Thursday
In a touching talk for parents and students, Bishop Tom spoke how words really matter. He affirmed and encouraged everyone present last Thursday evening. He had words of encouragement for those who excelled, for those who had reached their goal, for those who struggled and overcame and especially a word of encouragement for those who continue to do their best. He said: "At the end of the day, we are all different, with different gifts, talents, skills and attributes. We are what God made us. We are all different. All we can do is our best. Words matter so much: 'Congratulations', 'Well done', 'Keep it up' and 'Thank You'."
As we start our journey through Holy Week words also matter. It is a sacred week, a solemn week but also a week to celebrate especially on Easter Sunday. The story of Holy Week is a mix of so many negative and positive words. Negative words such as hate, evil, darkness, bitterness, jealousy, anger and suffering come to mind. Jesus was at the receiving end of these. Positive words such as love, peace, healing, new beginnings, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness come to mind. Jesus was at the heart of all of these.
Our negative and positive words are also in the story of Holy Week. The invitation is to leave as many of the negative words at the cross on Good Friday. Easter is about a collection of many beautiful positive words that are just within our reach. Our world desperately needs them and so do we. I hope they become part of your Easter story too. Happy Easter! |
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Monday |
Apr-15 |
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Thought For The Week
"Words matter. Words leave a lasting impression. Are our words positive or negative, do they build up or tear down, do they encourage or destroy? We are formed in some way by what we hear, what we read and what we say, even if we don't really mean it. Words matter." ~Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, speaking at the School Awards Ceremony in Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí (Bantry Community College) last Thursday
In a touching talk for parents and students, Bishop Tom spoke how words really matter. He affirmed and encouraged everyone present last Thursday evening. He had words of encouragement for those who excelled, for those who had reached their goal, for those who struggled and overcame and especially a word of encouragement for those who continue to do their best. He said: "At the end of the day, we are all different, with different gifts, talents, skills and attributes. We are what God made us. We are all different. All we can do is our best. Words matter so much: 'Congratulations', 'Well done', 'Keep it up' and 'Thank You'."
As we start our journey through Holy Week words also matter. It is a sacred week, a solemn week but also a week to celebrate especially on Easter Sunday. The story of Holy Week is a mix of so many negative and positive words. Negative words such as hate, evil, darkness, bitterness, jealousy, anger and suffering come to mind. Jesus was at the receiving end of these. Positive words such as love, peace, healing, new beginnings, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness come to mind. Jesus was at the heart of all of these.
Our negative and positive words are also in the story of Holy Week. The invitation is to leave as many of the negative words at the cross on Good Friday. Easter is about a collection of many beautiful positive words that are just within our reach. Our world desperately needs them and so do we. I hope they become part of your Easter story too. Happy Easter! |
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Sunday |
Apr-14 |
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Thought For Today is by Triona Doherty called 'Towards The Cross'
We know where Jesus is going to end up, and Jesus knows it too. At the beginning of today's Mass, we hear of Jesus' spectacular entry into Jerusalem. The crowds who greet him cry out and praise God - the King has come! It is similar to how victorious army generals were welcomed home. These people have set their hopes on Jesus. They are waiting for a Messiah and King, and have heard so much about this preacher - is he the one they've been waiting for?
But Jesus is not the hero they've been expecting. He has not come to raise up an army or become a great political leader. Quite the opposite: Jesus has come to Jerusalem to die. The story takes a dark and dramatic turn, and we are plunged into a tale of arrest, trial, torture and death. Before long, the crowds are shouting 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' and taunting him on the cross to 'save himself if he is the Christ of God'. Jesus' triumphant entrance into the city is also his entry into his betrayal, suffering, and death.
We play our part in the unfolding drama today, as we first hold up our palm branches and later join the crowds condemning Jesus. In his Palm Sunday homily to young people last year, Pope Francis said the changing reactions of the crowds 'expresses the contradictory feelings that we too, the men and women of today, experience: the capacity for great love, but also for great hatred; the capacity for courageous self-sacrifice, but also the ability to 'wash our hands'.'
Today we place ourselves in the Passion of Jesus, and we look to the Cross as our consolation and our challenge. |
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Saturday |
Apr-13 |
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Thought For The Week
'Gratefulness is much more than an act, it is a mood that saturates my entire being. My deepest desire is to live every moment in this mood of gratefulness, handing back my whole life in thankfulness to the One who has given me that life.' ~Author unknown
Certain people seem to have this natural inclination of gratefulness. You know it from their body language. They seem at ease with the swings of life, at ease with their contribution to life and seem less inclined to stress when things don't go their way. Getting in touch with a sense of gratefulness is at the heart of nearly every religion. When we give thanks for the blessings we receive in life, we are in a much better position to reach our full potential.
We begin to understand that we are merely pilgrims on our journey through life. We begin to appreciate that nearly everything in life is a gift, to be enjoyed and shared. These gifts can never be hoarded or can never become exclusively ours. When they do we are out of touch with the One who has given us the gift. When we have a sense of gratefulness we are indeed in a healthy place both physically and spiritually. Even when life is difficult we still try and keep a sense of gratefulness for even the tiniest of blessings.
As we move into final part of our journey through Lent, we can use the next two weeks to set aside time to be grateful. Sarah Breathnach puts it so well, "Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart." We give thanks to God for blessings received and about to receive: today and throughout the coming week.
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Thursday |
Apr-11 |
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Thought For The Week
'Gratefulness is much more than an act, it is a mood that saturates my entire being. My deepest desire is to live every moment in this mood of gratefulness, handing back my whole life in thankfulness to the One who has given me that life.' ~Author unknown
Certain people seem to have this natural inclination of gratefulness. You know it from their body language. They seem at ease with the swings of life, at ease with their contribution to life and seem less inclined to stress when things don't go their way. Getting in touch with a sense of gratefulness is at the heart of nearly every religion. When we give thanks for the blessings we receive in life, we are in a much better position to reach our full potential.
We begin to understand that we are merely pilgrims on our journey through life. We begin to appreciate that nearly everything in life is a gift, to be enjoyed and shared. These gifts can never be hoarded or can never become exclusively ours. When they do we are out of touch with the One who has given us the gift. When we have a sense of gratefulness we are indeed in a healthy place both physically and spiritually. Even when life is difficult we still try and keep a sense of gratefulness for even the tiniest of blessings.
As we move into final part of our journey through Lent, we can use the next two weeks to set aside time to be grateful. Sarah Breathnach puts it so well, "Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart." We give thanks to God for blessings received and about to receive: today and throughout the coming week.
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Wednesday |
Apr-10 |
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Thought For The Week
'Gratefulness is much more than an act, it is a mood that saturates my entire being. My deepest desire is to live every moment in this mood of gratefulness, handing back my whole life in thankfulness to the One who has given me that life.' ~Author unknown
Certain people seem to have this natural inclination of gratefulness. You know it from their body language. They seem at ease with the swings of life, at ease with their contribution to life and seem less inclined to stress when things don't go their way. Getting in touch with a sense of gratefulness is at the heart of nearly every religion. When we give thanks for the blessings we receive in life, we are in a much better position to reach our full potential.
We begin to understand that we are merely pilgrims on our journey through life. We begin to appreciate that nearly everything in life is a gift, to be enjoyed and shared. These gifts can never be hoarded or can never become exclusively ours. When they do we are out of touch with the One who has given us the gift. When we have a sense of gratefulness we are indeed in a healthy place both physically and spiritually. Even when life is difficult we still try and keep a sense of gratefulness for even the tiniest of blessings.
As we move into final part of our journey through Lent, we can use the next two weeks to set aside time to be grateful. Sarah Breathnach puts it so well, "Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart." We give thanks to God for blessings received and about to receive: today and throughout the coming week.
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Tuesday |
Apr-09 |
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Thought For The Week
'Gratefulness is much more than an act, it is a mood that saturates my entire being. My deepest desire is to live every moment in this mood of gratefulness, handing back my whole life in thankfulness to the One who has given me that life.' ~Author unknown
Certain people seem to have this natural inclination of gratefulness. You know it from their body language. They seem at ease with the swings of life, at ease with their contribution to life and seem less inclined to stress when things don't go their way. Getting in touch with a sense of gratefulness is at the heart of nearly every religion. When we give thanks for the blessings we receive in life, we are in a much better position to reach our full potential.
We begin to understand that we are merely pilgrims on our journey through life. We begin to appreciate that nearly everything in life is a gift, to be enjoyed and shared. These gifts can never be hoarded or can never become exclusively ours. When they do we are out of touch with the One who has given us the gift. When we have a sense of gratefulness we are indeed in a healthy place both physically and spiritually. Even when life is difficult we still try and keep a sense of gratefulness for even the tiniest of blessings.
As we move into final part of our journey through Lent, we can use the next two weeks to set aside time to be grateful. Sarah Breathnach puts it so well, "Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart." We give thanks to God for blessings received and about to receive: today and throughout the coming week.
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Monday |
Apr-08 |
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Thought For The Week
'Gratefulness is much more than an act, it is a mood that saturates my entire being. My deepest desire is to live every moment in this mood of gratefulness, handing back my whole life in thankfulness to the One who has given me that life.' ~Author unknown
Certain people seem to have this natural inclination of gratefulness. You know it from their body language. They seem at ease with the swings of life, at ease with their contribution to life and seem less inclined to stress when things don't go their way. Getting in touch with a sense of gratefulness is at the heart of nearly every religion. When we give thanks for the blessings we receive in life, we are in a much better position to reach our full potential.
We begin to understand that we are merely pilgrims on our journey through life. We begin to appreciate that nearly everything in life is a gift, to be enjoyed and shared. These gifts can never be hoarded or can never become exclusively ours. When they do we are out of touch with the One who has given us the gift. When we have a sense of gratefulness we are indeed in a healthy place both physically and spiritually. Even when life is difficult we still try and keep a sense of gratefulness for even the tiniest of blessings.
As we move into final part of our journey through Lent, we can use the next two weeks to set aside time to be grateful. Sarah Breathnach puts it so well, "Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart." We give thanks to God for blessings received and about to receive: today and throughout the coming week.
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