Thursday, December 28, 2017

FAMILY

Today was a given opportunity for me to visit family members.
I had promised myself that it would not be a day of stress, trying to meet and connect with everybody.
It would be a day of grace, enjoying the pleasure that comes from human bonding.
While I treated myself to a cup of coffee in Dublin, I met Paddy.  He, like me, was enjoying a cuppa in a warm place on a cold winter day.  We got chatting. It was a pleasure for me to chat away so freely to a stranger who seemed more like a friend.
Later, I availed of the opportunity to visit my brother Thomas in his lovely warm home.
Prayerful music in the background, I enjoyed the visit. We often chat on phone, yet seeing each other and being in the presence of a person means so much more.
My next visit was to my big brother Liam.  He looked well, yet still a little unwell and we chatted over a cup of tea!
My last visit was to Vino and Win in their lovely modernised home.
I reminded myself that there was no need to rush.  Just relax and enjoy my brother's company.
Win came and we shared photos and then it seemed right to make tracks for home.
Bus 39a almost immediately and so to Kildare street to wait with others for 133 bus to come.
Met Nina on bus and walked her to taxi rank in Wicklow, then home for a nice cup of tea!
Yes, it was a good day. 
 I thought of the Holy Family and how it must have been for them, living in a state of grace. always.



Monday, December 25, 2017

Good Company...

Christmas day 25th December 2017 and all is well.
We had a feast on the eve of Christmas, danish style and then highlighted the day with evening Mass.
What a splendid way to welcome the Christ Child; a Church filled to capacity with friends, neighbours and visitors.  
The Choir sang carols and hymns as an introduction to the evening.
Fr. Donal carried the 'Baby image' in procession up to the Altar and placed it in the Crib.  Then the Mass began. The readings told us of the journey of the Holy Family looking for a place to stay, a good reminder of so many displaced people looking for a home.
I had the privilege of being one of the ministers of the Eucharist and was so impressed with all who participated, young and old alike.
Faith in Ireland may be weak at times, yet still alive and wonderful to see in the hearts of all who respond to the call to share in the Birthday of Christ.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

The Mystery of Weakness.

Part of the mystery of Christmas is the coming of Christ as new born Baby, dependent on his loving Mother, Mary and his foster father, Joseph.
Why did He not come in splendour and glory, evident to the world as a Leader, someone to lead His people out of bondage?
When we begin to understand the mystery of weakness, then it will become clear to us that God sent His loving Son to show us the Power and Strength of Love.
'In my weakness, I find my strength...'

Friday, December 15, 2017

Learn from the Master...

At this time of year, coming up to Christmas, we often receive beautiful Christmas cards depicting the Mother and Child painted so many years ago by Masters of Art.
The one I'm looking at now is the image of our Lady, fondly looking at her Infant Child.
There is no mention of the artist's name, yet obviously a work of genius.
As a Christian, a follower of Christ, we are invited to learn from the Master, to imitate His love and His compassion for mankind.
No matter how weak or frail we are, we have it in us to become Christ-like and help to make this wonderful world of ours a more loving place to live in.
Learn from the Master...




Thursday, December 14, 2017

Prepare the Way...

Christmas is such a special time of year, a preparation for the coming Birth of Jesus.
When a mother is expecting a child, it's a great and yet anxious time for all concerned.
Will all go well?
It's the same for each one of us. As a Christian we are preparing for the Redemption of the World!
Christ coming to us as a new born baby is awesome and almost unbelievable.
For God to become Man is in itself a marvel...
To come as a baby, vulnerable and dependent on the good will of people to care for Him and his blessed Mother...  Why so?  
Perhaps the lesson we learn is the amazing and beautiful example of an Infant Child.
There is no room for us to be afraid, just simply to love with all our heart / soul and mind.
The Child Jesus teaches us how to love as a child. 
No fear, only Love!



Saturday, December 2, 2017

Christmas Spirit

Today was a day of activity, plenty to prepare and do for the coming Christmas 2017!
First list was cards and letters, especially to those far away with limited time for postage.
We might ask ourselves, how did we suddenly jump into the month of December?
Has Y2017 truly disappeared so quickly?
However, with a little reflection, we will begin to realise that Time is a gift and is given to us, daily.
The most rewarding attitude to have is to live each day as a special time to prepare for Christmas,
the birth of Christ.
The awareness of being able to do one thing at a time is special.
Perhaps the best way is to simply pray and allow ourselves to be guided by what is best in each present moment.
The secret ingredient is to put LOVE into all we do. 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Truth will set us free...

Sometimes we can believe that if only people knew the Truth, then the world would be a better and more compassionate place to live in.  
This is true and yet, how does one know what is the Truth?
We all have our point of view and ideas and opinions which may well be tainted by our love for ourselves.
To find out what is the Truth in any given situation will depend on how honest we are, especially to ourselves.
It comes back to our belief system...
Am I christian-minded enough to believe in the words of Christ...
     'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...'
If so, then I know what the Truth is and my job is to live a life that portrays that Truth.
Remember that we are a work-in-progress.  Each day we are invited to begin again.
Choose to live a Truthful life..


Sunday, November 12, 2017

KNOCK

The chance came and I availed of it, a trip to Knock in Co. Mayo.
A friend, with the loan of a car, was interested in coming too, so we set off, breaking our journey in Athlone. My first time to truly visit the city and avail of the wonderful Church buildings and modern shopping centres.
In a way, I enjoyed most the 'old' streets and the Friary Church run by the Franciscans.
The stain glass window depicting St. Anthony shone like a vision behind the main altar.
Somehow I felt at home there and was impressed by the bright-painted interior.
Of course, the river Shannon running through the city is a sight to see and I promised to come again in the summer and avail of a tour-boat along the river.
The sat-nav helped us to find the best way to Knock, through Roscommon and some very narrow and winding roads. Eventually, a sign assured us that we were approaching Knock village.
The Basilica is a wonderful sight to see, a huge white monument with room for thousands of pilgrims with the most artistic wall-sized picture of the vision of Our Lady's visit to Knock.
The original Church is being repaired and will be an extra bonus for visitors to enjoy.
My favourite place became the Reconciliation Chapel, a quiet place for the soul with priests available all day to administer the sacrament of confession.
An added bonus is the Knock House Hotel where we enjoyed a warm bowl of soup and relaxed in a comfortable environment.
So many memories came to mind of previous visits and I so long to return again to this blessed place of prayer and peace.


Friday, November 3, 2017

DISCIPLINE

Being creative, however and whichever way we are inspired is wonderful.
Take writing for an example...
A blank page with nothing on it, yet the desire to write is with us, deep in our creative mind.
Pen to paper, just write. Let the words flow and pay no attention to meaning or grammar, simply write!
Have we a theme or just a word that bounces into our head. Grab hold of it and don't let go.
If we do this with as much sincerity as we can muster up, we will be surprised and delighted by what comes to mind.
An example... the word,  discipline, such an uninspiring word, yet stick with it.
We need discipline to...
To write / to exercise / to develop a friendship / to love.
Now apply the word to a sentence...
I was unable to exercise, just couldn't discipline myself or so I believed... 
Then I joined a walking group,  such crazy people, out walking in all kinds of weather...
It was difficult at first, yet I began to enjoy the banter and laughs as we all suffered together getting soaked and blown around in the wind and rain.
Afterwards we met in the Mountain Inn and oh such a pleasure, the soup was like a taste of heaven!
and so on and so on....
This exercise can be applied to any word / any topic.
The lesson learned is found in delving into our unconscious mind and coming up with 'gems' of imaginative stories.
A little discipline teaches us to stick with the blank page and happily surprise ourselves.
'Wisdom is born of pain.'

Sunday, October 22, 2017

GIFT of FAITH

We live in a strange world where almost anything is possible.
If we have an interest in history / writing / painting, whatever it might be, the information to learn about it is at our finger-tips.
Perhaps, what is most important is the knowledge of learning about ourselves / who we are and what is our purpose is life?
As a Christian and practising Catholic I believe our purpose is to know and love God,  Even more so, to know and realise how much God loves us.
The whole life of Christ is such a mystery and yet, for those who have Faith,  it is an invitation to respond and build a relationship with God.
How could we not love Him who loves us?
The gift of Faith is not handed on to everybody and yet, each one of us can find enough knowledge and reasoning in this amazing world of ours to help us to know and to love God.
It is an open invitation, 'seek and you will find..'

Monday, October 16, 2017

OPHELIA

Such a nice, stylish name and she certainly was that.
She came to visit us on Sunday 15th October 2017 and we will never forget her.
My mind was on other, more creative endeavours at the time so I paid little mind to her until I received the phone calls...
'She's on her way, so you better take care. Do not let her intrude on your home and life...'
Of course, she did make her presence felt in rather a big, rough way.  Then, I began to take notice. 
It was time to find out exactly who she was and why she was coming to Ireland from God knows where...
'RED ALERT / RED ALERT!  Warnings came rushing in as did the hurricane force of her impact on our beautiful, wild atlantic coast.  If that wasn't bad enough, she decided to take on the whole country itself. 
Such boldness and total disregard for us not wanting her to come visiting, at all.
 Good advice was given...  Be prepared for her visit, then as best you can, stay home and ignore her brash and rash behaviour.
She'll get tired of being unwanted and go off with herself, hopefully not to trouble someone else.
Goodbye Ophelia and good riddance!


Saturday, October 14, 2017

INSPIRATION

To be inspired is the yearning and dream of all creative people.
Is it a special feeling or atmosphere that we step into and so inspiration follows?
Perhaps where we are and how we feel does play a part to how much we are inspired and yet,
I believe true inspiration comes from deep within, the state of our soul.
When I am true to myself and open and willing to allow the real me to be seen, without guile or pretence, then I believe I am in a state of grace and inspiration will follow suit.
Whatever artistic talent we pursue, writing / painting / cooking etc. there is a need to be honest about the efforts we make to allow our talent to grow.
As a writer, do I write each day?  Special time or place?
As a painter, am I mindful of the beauty that surrounds our lovely planet and the people within.
As a cook / chef,  am I scrupulous about the ingredients I use?
Inspirations flow like a river, yet can only be caught by the diligent fisher!

Sunday, October 8, 2017

A Creative Mind...

Having a Creative mind is natural for us.
Just look at children at play and how they use their creative mind to imagine all kinds of things.
A chair can become a truck or a train / a table becomes a house or tent / a large box becomes a hiding place, all depending on how they play in the present moment.
Perhaps as we grew older, yet not necessarily wiser, we can forget the value of creativity, so a simple and easy way to open up the creative mind is to take pen to paper and write down the thoughts that come to us in this given present moment.
No need to ponder or spend time using methods to express our thoughts, simply write them down.
If possible, find a quiet place / a quiet time.
Give our active mind a rest.  Have fun and simply write!



Friday, October 6, 2017

Be healthy / wealthy / wise...

In a world of plenty, we can find ourselves wanting more and more.
Strange...  when we believe ourselves to be poor, we can actually find it easier to be happy.
Perhaps it's all to do with our value system.
If having a big house and beautiful car is regarded as the best one can have, then it's possible we are looking for our happiness in the wrong place.
To be healthy and willing to look after our body is a form of wealth.
No money in the world can compensate for ill health.
To be wealthy depends on our value system.
Having the freedom to cycle out in the country and enjoy the natural pleasures of nature is wealth.
To be wise is a challenge and a willingness on our part to have an objective point of view.
Wisdom is often born of struggle and pain and so, so rewarding.
So what about it... Be healthy / wealthy / wise!

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Keep smiling...

We live in a world of unique and gifted people.
Last night was Culture Night in Wicklow and I guess everywhere in Ireland too.
One of the many performances was in the Dominican Chapel which is blessed with many stained glass windows by Harry Clarke, a genius in his given craft.
Musicians / singers / choirs took part to make it a magical evening for all those who came to listen and enjoy.
This is just a small picture of the wonderfully talented people of Ireland.
We have a lot to smile about, so please, keep smiling!

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Forgiveness...

It's not always easy to forgive, especially when we feel hurt by the words or actions of another person.  It might even feel out of the question to do so.
Why should I forgive?
The answer, if we reflect for a moment in peaceful silence, is because we want to be free!
There is a great freedom given to us when we are able and willing to forgive someone who has hurt us, willingly or unwillingly..  
The hurt could be something great or something small. No matter, what matters most is that we can come away from the hurtful feelings inside and openly forgive the wrong done to us.
Feelings can be deceitful and may even be untrue, yet the truth remains that we 'feel' hurt.
Freedom is the prize that we aim for when we are of a good heart and are willing to forgive.
Perhaps one of the persons we may also need to forgive is ourselves.
The action may be unwarranted, yet the hurt feeling is real.
A forgiving heart heals All! 

Friday, September 15, 2017

Happy am I...

What a wonderful statement to make, ' Happy am I... '
No matter what happens in our lives, we can always put love first and say to ourselves, Happy am I.
When our image of God is that of a loving Father, then we are reassured that we are worthy of love and so we are able to love.
Good days come our way and also days that bring about anxiety and worry.
Never mind, we are called to be saints and yet we can allow ourselves to a 'work in progress'.
Being imperfect and making mistakes does not trouble God,  only us and our opinion of ourselves.
Put anxiety aside and focus on being a happy person.
This is how we show our love for God and each other too.

Monday, September 11, 2017

COMPASSION

Today is a 'sad-memory' day for a lot of people who suffered the loss of loved ones and awakened in the world a huge need for an understanding of evil.
Each one of us has such an ability to love / to care / to share our lives with others.
We also have a dark side where hate can creep in and destroy our lives and the lives of others.
God, who is Love,  created us in His Image and Likeness, to bring a Light into the world.
Whoever we are and wherever we are, this is our calling in life, to ensure that Love is put first in our lives above everything else.
We might ask ourselves, how do we do this?
The answer is so simple, it can be almost overlooked...
It's a question of honesty with ourselves and how we live our lives.
Do I make room others in my life?
Do I love those I live with and ensure they are part of my reason for living.
The Christian-minded person will look to the example of Christ and His teachings,
'Love one another as I have loves you'.  


Saturday, September 2, 2017

GOD'S ARMY

When visiting Knock, a few days ago, I became aware of the need for 'soldiers' to fight on the good side in the battle against evil.
We may be a person who believes in the Presence of God and also His absence where evil seems to thrive.  Or, we may simply like to move with the flow and happy to believe in a Divine Presence.
In truth, who and whatever we are is of less importance than who we believe God to be.

The Bible tells us about Jesus and how He has redeemed the world by dying on the Cross.
Are we able to believe this or is it a struggle to come to terms with the Gift of our Faith?
I believe there is a battle going on, the force of good versus the force of evil.
How effective we can be will be determined by how strong our belief is in God Almighty..
Confirmation is the Sacrament that empowers us to become a soldier of Christ.

We are told, God can do anything and yet the respect and reverence God has for our freedom of choice curtails His influence on our lives.
God depends on the good will of each person to be true to themselves and their commitment to willingly respond to God's love for us.
The battle is on in the world today.  Evil does exist.
Can we be faithful to our calling to become a soldier of Christ, someone who truly loves God..
Am I willing to be a member of God's Army?
When I recall the people I met and saw in Knock; families with children / religious / older couples / single folk / workers etc.  quietly praying and giving time to God, then I realise that these are truly God's Army!


Friday, September 1, 2017

KNOCK

A recent visit to Knock revived and renewed my faith in God and especially in people.
It makes sense that when Our Lady appeared in Knock, she showed herself to the local people, young and old, people of simple Faith.
Times have changed and the present standard of the world affords us opportunities to gain knowledge and education and better standards of living etc.
This is good, up to a point, yet what a shame if we lose the wisdom and knowledge that comes from having and using our Faith in God's goodness.
My impression of Knock is a place where simplicity and honesty and good-will are fostered and welcomed and helps us to go back to the roots of our beliefs, in knowing that we have a Loving Mother and that God is present in our lives and loves us with all the wonder of a Father's Love.


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

God knows best...

I wonder does God smile down on us at times?
I had great plans for today, yet woke up with tummy bug and limited energy. 
Disappointed as there is so much creativity I wish to do / to learn / to share etc.
Then it occurred to me that God knows best.
If I am unable to do something in one way or other, then I just pass it on to Him.
Perhaps all my plans etc would just be in the way of Divine Inspirations?
So now I will relax and link up with the Mind of God,  Ask / Pray / Relax.
God knows best.



Tuesday, August 8, 2017

LOVE WEAKNESS...

It's such a strange thing to say, Love Weakness, and yet it's so powerful and amazing the results of doing so.
We are weak, simply because we are not perfect and so our imperfections often trip us up.
Of course, we would love to be perfect.
We can spend our lives aiming at perfection and winding up frustrated by our imperfections.  
What a pity.
Our Lord says, 'Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father...'
I believe our Lord advises us to be perfect in Love and this can be achieved even though we might find ourselves full of weakness.
When we love weakness, truly accept how weak we are, we also become aware of the value of being weak.  St Paul is quoted as saying, 'In my weakness I find my strength...'
He understood what Love was all about and how we learn to love when we find our strength in God.
However limited our awareness might be, we can easily see how our very imperfections can be the means of producing Love.
If I believe I am perfect, then I don't need anybody or anything.  How awful that would be.
Often when we are weak, we learn more easily to bond with others.
There are so many proofs of the benefit of loving weakness. It just takes good will to find out.
Love weakness!


Thursday, July 27, 2017

Love always...

There are times when we might feel so full of love that our heart feels ready to burst.
What a wonderful experience, and yet, there are times when we might feel the opposite.
This is a good time then to realise that feelings don't create love...
Love comes about when we are at peace with ourselves and open and willing to reach out to others.
This happens when we allow God to be the centre of our lives.
When God is our mentor and adviser then we know what to do and say and be.
We become a person who is aware of all that is good in life and unafraid of what is not.
Christ tells us, 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...'
As long as we focus on this Truth, then Love is be foremost in our lives and we will love always!

Monday, July 10, 2017

Let God in...

I was reading a lovely piece of advise from St. Therese and found it very encouraging.
"Holiness is much more about self-surrender than of zeal and the practise of virtues."
In a nut shell, Therese was sharing her spirituality of love.
We may think that we are responsible for becoming a saint / gifted with holiness, yet we will be
surprised to find out that we are being carried by God's Love for us.
It doesn't mean that we stop making efforts to love and be a virtuous person.
It simply means that we grow in awareness of just how much God loves us and meets us where we are at, however and wherever that might be.
If I were to bemoan my lack of holiness, then I would be occupied with myself.
This would close the door of my heart to love and caring for others.
Whereas when we reach out and open our hearts to God's Love for us, we let God into our lives.
It seems almost too simple, to simply LET  GOD  IN!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Do not be Afraid...

The Gospel last Sunday was powerful with Our Lord reminding us, NOT TO BE AFRAID!
Perhaps this is a flaw in human nature, a form of weakness that keeps us from doing what God would inspire us to do.
We may not like to think of ourselves as cowardly / someone who is subject to fear, and yet it creeps into all of our lives in almost secret ways that we not even be fully aware of.
Our Positive nature wants us to push forward and discard all and everything that would make us afraid. This is good  and yet  are we ever totally devoid of fear?
The Apostles were in the company of Christ.  They witnessed His miracles and wonderful Powers and yet, they were subject to fear...  Why?
I believe that God has created us with a nature that has yet to meet its fulfilment.
God looks at our good will and loves us, yet will also challenge us to become a better person.
One simple way to respond to God is to overcome our fears.
'DO NOT BE AFRAID.  I AM WITH YOU, ALWAYS.'

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Loving Weakness...

Whenever we are weak, it could be physical / mental / spiritual, we are vulnerable.
Somehow, life becomes more difficult and challenging and our wish could well be to rid ourselves of this state of weakness which seems to be robbing us of our happiness.
This is a natural way to look at weakness, whatever form it takes...  and yet...
The idea of loving weakness is our answer.
When we decide to accept our weak state, to embrace it and love it, then we are free.
A transformation takes place within our heart and mind and soul.
We are then given an inner strength and awareness of how this weakness is really a blessing.
God loves us. He does not burden us.  
Whatever challenge in the form of weakness comes our way is not an affliction.
Our weakness is a Gift.
Our ability to love our weakness will be our saving Grace.
Gratitude for weakness becomes the Gateway to happiness.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

CELEBRATION

Today is special in many ways.
We are hosting a TIME OUT FOR YOURSELF day in our SOL Studio here in Wicklow.
It's a celebration of sorts where people can relax and give  special time to their mind/ body/ spirit.
It's like a Retreat, not in the manner we might know of... 
A Gift for oneself and a recharging of the batteries to help us become a more focused and loving person.
Stress seems to play a big part in people's lives today and it's such a shame that we are not more aware of our need for Peace of Mind and  time out to relax.
Gabrielle will lead us with a Guided Meditation session.
Veronica has planned a Healthy Food Demo and lovely Lunch.
Seamus will invite us to join him in a relaxing Flute Concert, using his own compositions.
In a way, we are sharing our Life style with those interested in coming.

I've great hopes for a Good Day.



Monday, May 29, 2017

The Creative Mind

Perhaps all of us are endowed with a Creative Mind, an ability to discover 'Beauty' and share it with others.
If we are an artist then we will be diligent in putting beauty into our talent whatever it might be.
A trip to the National Art Gallery is a wonderful place to study paintings and marvel at the originality that is displayed there.
My main interest is in Writing and so I often find myself over-awed as I step into our Library and view walls and walls of books by Creative Writers / fiction / non-fiction / poetry / travel books / science fiction / biographies  etc.
There seems to be no end to the creative imagination of writers.  And this is a good thing.
When we find out what our passion is as regards being creative, then we owe it to ourselves to work passionately at what we are passionate about. 
I believe if we are truthful as regards our passions then we can allow God to step into our lives and guide us through whatever gifts He has already given us.
Some writers say that when they are in flow, their creative work seems to almost write itself.
When we know that God is with us then we are free to be guided by His inspirations.
What a wonderful way to expand our Creative Mind.


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Have Faith...

In this strange and yet wonderful world of ours, it's such a gift to have Faith.
To believe that God loves each and every one of us .
No matter what happens in life, this compassionate love of God helps us to deal with pain and suffering of whatever kind that comes our way.
It may not always be easy to simply say, I believe and yet this very belief is what sustains us when we are weak.
To know that God loves us is a powerful strength in time of weakness.
To know that we love God is strength in action.
Have Faith...

Sunday, May 21, 2017

LOVE overcomes ALL

When we decide to live a good life and be of a spiritual mind, then we can know and realise that all and everything in our lives can lead us to God.
People might be confounded by suffering and wonder why?
Why does a Loving God allow us to suffer?
It is a mystery at times and of course we would love to go through life without suffering and yet, perhaps the best times in our lives are brought about by some kind of pain...
i.e. a mother giving birth to her child...
or an accident that causes a person to become more aware of the meaning of life...
Each one of us have a story to tell where suffering added a certain quality to our lives.
We may not want the suffering and yet,  we have a need for the learning that follows our pain.
The best lesson of all is learning the value of Love and knowing there is a price to pay.
Love overcomes ALL!.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Dealing with Weakness...

Dealing with Weakness is not easy, perhaps because it's not easy to love to be weak.
However, the positive side to weakness is found in St. Paul's writing...
'When I am weak, then I am strong...'
How could this be?  Surely when we are weak, that's it, and yet there is a lesson to be learned through the experience of weakness.
Weakness teaches us how to have a good look at ourselves, which we may not like at first.
Then, our love for Truth will help us to see that when we are weak it's because we want to be strong.
Is that a bad thing?  No, not bad yet may not be honest.
The Spiritual mind will realise that Weakness is a blessing in disguise, teaching us the Truth about
ourselves and so we are made strong in a positive and truthful way.
We realise that God is our strength and so when we rely on God we allow Him to become our Strength.
Dealing with Weakness positively will lead us to God's Love for us.

Monday, May 15, 2017

ANGER...

There is a story about Christ and how He became angry in the Temple with the money-changers and how they had turned the House of God into a market place...
We are told NOT to be angry and yet I understand how Christ was protecting God's House of Prayer.
For myself, anger comes when I feel a situation is unjust.  
This would be my opinion which may not be totally aware of the truth in a situation, so I can be wrong in my judgement of whatever is happening.
Of course, I could be right too and yet, I realise now that what is most important is kindness and patience and love.
To the Just person, God will be Just.
To the Loving person, God will be Love.
We choose.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Beautiful Ireland

Today, Sunday 7th May 2017, we are presented with a beautiful, sunny day and can easily understand why so many people love to visit Ireland.
Living here in Wicklow town, with the pier just minutes away and the Murrough affording us walks or cycles along the seashore makes me realise what a gem of beauty is the place I call home.
Perhaps what may seem sad that Wicklow is not as developed as other places becomes a treasure when the sun shines as it does today.
We are surrounded by so many lovely walking areas, in particular the River walk. Here we can stroll at our leisure away from traffic of any kind.
Yes, it just takes a bit of sunshine to show off just how beautiful Ireland can be.
God bless this wonder, beautiful country of ours!

Monday, May 1, 2017

May Day

Today is the first of May, our Lady's month, and we celebrate the day by renewing 
our True Devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.
We believe that Mary is the door to the Heart of Jesus. I can't imagine God refusing her anything.
So, what better way to pray and ask for guidance than through the heart of Mary.
It's such a good thing to remember that Mary is our mother too and as a mother she will always
look out for us and help us to find our way to God.
I believe that Mary is a pathway that God has chosen to make it easy for us to follow Him.
We live in a wonderful and yet troubled world and so we can easily go astray.
When we choose Mary as our guide, then we are protected/ encouraged and enlightened.
It ought to be easy to love God.  Mary is the key.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

FRIENDSHIP

It could be said that FRIENDSHIP is the most important asset to a happy life.
For most of us, a good friend is someone we value and cherish
It's good to realise too that friendship needs to be fostered and developed by spending time with one another and being genuinely interested in the other person.
I believe God makes it easy for us to have good friends by 'touching' our heart towards another person.  We like to be with them / interested in them / sharing with them etc.
A true friendship will grow when two people have the willingness to respond to their heart and show their love for one another. 
Time is precious.  Let's spend it wisely and give quality time to our friends and loved ones.

Monday, April 17, 2017

EASTER

Easter is such a special time; a time when we are made aware of just how much God loves us.
At Mass we renewed our Baptismal vows...
Do I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?            I Do!
Do I renounce Satan and all his works?                                                               I Do! 
Do I believe in Jesus Christ, his Holy Son Our Lord, born of the Virgin Mary?  I Do!
Do I believe He suffered death, and rose again?                                                  I Do!
Do I believe in the Holy Catholic Church?                                                          I Do!
( Priest asked us to shout out our responses as we would at a match!)
This was very special for me. As a  practising Catholic I realise how important it is to speak out
and let the world know who I am and what my beliefs are.
Our commitments move us forward and help us to be a happy and loving person.



Friday, April 14, 2017

Good Friday

At 12 noon today we were invited to the 'Stations of the Cross', presented by the young people of the Parish.  It was a wonderful production and one could see a lot of work was put into it.
Each Station was dramatised by these young people with great sincerity and dedication.
What made a great impression on me was the Station of the Cross when Christ met his loving Mother.
The young actor paused, looked at his 'mother' and placed his hand on her shoulder.  It was very moving. Also, the tiny young girl who represented Veronica as she offered up the veil and wiped the face of 'Jesus'.
I must congratulate Fr. Donal for his part in this moving production and all the young people and singers and of course the core of the family group who help to make this happen.
Often Good Friday can be a sad day of penance, but not today, God bless them all!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Focus on Love

Now that we have stepped into Holy Week and already had the readings for Passion Sunday, life can become troublesome...
We are invited into the Life of Christ and His Passion and Death and the reality of how His suffering has saved our lives. By believing in Christ's love for us we can be filled with wonder and gratitude.
This is as it should be and yet...
Focusing on the Love of Christ leaves me with a dilemma of sorts.  Is the emphasis on suffering more important that love?
Perhaps a strange way to look at the Passion of Christ and yet I am moved more when reminded of Christ's love for us, willing to give His life so we might be free.
 Free to be selfish and do what we like?  No, this wonderful gift of freedom teaches us how to love and hopefully love greatly.
There is a book called The Imitation of Christ which is a guide as to how we may and can love with all that we have and are.
I must admit, the invitation to love draws me much more than than suffering.
Of course we know there is suffering involved in loving, yet let's focus on Love!

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Courage to Change...

People sometimes say, as one gets older one becomes stuck... unable to change and move forward.
This is a huge fallacy as some of the greatest inventions and achievements in this world have come to us through people who never give up / people with the courage to change.
Change happens, whether we want it to happen or not.  
As long as we have a good heart and are willing to move forward, then we will be able and willing to go forward with whatever changes come into our lives.
Perhaps this is the real secret, to work at always having a good heart / a positive attitude to the invitations that come our way as regards change.
God will invite us, perhaps sometimes give us a little push, yet there is such high regard for our freedom of choice that the responsibility lies with us.
Am I a positive person?  
Am I willing to move forward with the changes that are presented to me?
Good questions to ask myself and to come up with the right answers.
Let's have courage to face the changes that come our way and with a good heart, move forward!

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Accepting Failure

I believe it's in our nature to want to succeed at all we do, or at least give of our best.
However, there are and will be failures.  Our human and imperfect nature will cause us to fail / to make mistakes etc.
If we are aware of our tendency to fail / to perhaps at times try too hard to succeed, then we will not be surprised at our mistakes and shortcomings.
Rather, we will be surprised at how often we succeed.  
This would be a great and positive attitude to have and prevent us from becoming upset or depressed at failure.
God has a plan for each one of us and we often learn more through our failures than our successes.
Pride has a way of sneaking into our best efforts and giving us a sense of inflated importance.
We might then forget to thank God for all the graces and help we receive.
So, next time we feel ( and often it may only be a feeling ) that we have failed, then we can remind ourselves to thank God for this important lesson.
By accepting failure, we learn to accept ourselves just as we are in the sight of God.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

TIMING...

Timing is so important, the right time to speak / to be quiet / to respond to the care of another, or not.
People can be so private and yet what unites us all is love.
No wonder the saints looked on God as the oracle of love / God is Love.
When we open our hearts to loving and caring, then we move and are moved in a way that gives time to what is the right thing to do.
Our understanding may not know and yet our hearts will respond to what is right because we are moved by love.
Was is St. Augustine who said, 'Love and do as you will.'
What a strange thing for a saint to say and yet what wisdom is contained is that very statement.
Perhaps the only condition that is needed in this wonderful and yet suffering world of ours is the ability to respond to Love. 
When love dictates, our timing will be spot on and we will be moved by He who loves us.


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Compassion

To be a compassionate person is not always easy, in fact it can be difficult at times.
What creates  difficulties is our attachment to ourselves / our opinions / our specific way of doing things or saying things which can be so opposite to how others say and do things.
This is not a problem really if we are willing to be open to understanding, yet even more so, open to loving.
Understanding is good enough at times, yet can also be why we are at variance with others.
When we are willing to love we learn to go beyond our understanding and our own opinions. 
We learn to enter into the world of another person.
Such a blessing this is, to be able to come away from ourselves for the sake of love.
When we look at the life of Christ who had perfect understanding and imbued with the Spirit of God, we can see the benefit of going beyond the human and seeking out the soul of another person.
Compassion is the fruit of loving / of caring / of stepping away from ourselves for the sake of Love.


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Gratitude

The person who is able to be grateful, no matter what, is rich indeed.
When we think of the reality of how much we are spoiled / spoiled with good friends / spoiled with health / spoiled with life and more especially, spoiled with the gift of Faith.
How could we not be grateful?
Perhaps there is a blind spot in each of our lives where we only see what we want to see, and so we are like someone who has lost the vision of sight, we are blind.
I can only imagine what it must be like to be unable to see / to be surrounded by darkness and left dependent on the sight of others.  It would indeed be an affliction and yet, often we may find ourselves living in a world of darkness because we don't want to see.  
We may want to fool ourselves and be guided by our selfish pride which is blind to reality.
If this should happen to us, then we can only pray for guidance and have the good will to accept the advise and help  that comes from good friends.
God is the Light of the world.  It's not God's intention that anyone should live in darkness.
The secret of having spiritual vision is based on our ability to be grateful to all that comes our way, even those things that hurt and cause pain.
A good Father will protect His children, yet He will also allow them to experience pain for the sake of Truth so we can be healed.
Gratitude is the key to happiness.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Home coming

My friend, Paul and I will be on our way home from Gran Canaria tomorrow, 14/3/2017.
It has been a long and fruitful trip for me, learning about myself and relationship with others etc.
What is especially of value is my relationship with God.
Had I begun to lose my Faith. Could it be possible for someone who enjoys going to daily Mass to somehow fall away from the core of one's believes?
I realise now that Faith is like a living organ that needs to be exercised a lot.
A living Faith is based on becoming a loving person, willing to respond to God's Will in each day of our lives. Perhaps a good help is to recognise the Presence of God in each and every person we have contact with.
After all, a true relationship is based on love in practise. God is Love!


Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Creative Beauty

Here in Gran Canaria, I am surrounded with Creative Beauty, man-made in many ways yet especially God made. This morning my friend and I climbed up to the Cross, a man-made monument which has become a climbing point for many people, especially tourists.
The climb up via pathway was not difficult, but the short-cut in coming down was hard, very hard for me, yet thank God, without mishap.
I will cherish this memory of standing at the foot of the Cross, remembering Calvary and our blessed Mother looking up at her Son, our Saviour. Oh, what a moving yet loving proof of God's love for us.
I will also cherish the splendid view of Anfi beach on my right and Patalavaca beach to my left.
In a way, the more we are surrounded with beauty, the more able we become in our awareness of God's presence in our lives.


Wednesday, February 15, 2017

The Power of Love...

Yesterday, St. Valentine's day, caused me to think about Love and all the many ways we have to show that we care for each other.
I was amused at the amount of men I caught sight of, walking or rather rushing home with a bouquet of flowers to the one they love. Is it a commercial thing that wives expect husbands to display their love with flowers and chocolates?  Perhaps, and yet it is a wonderful thing to have the courage to show the one we love how much we care for them.
This got me thinking about the Power of Love and how we willingly make sacrifices for those we love. Perhaps our ability to love may be hampered by human weakness and yet, will always have a comforting and positive effect.
No wonder God displays His love for us so often, even when we don't recognise His Loving Hand behind the many good happenings in our lives.
Love, when true, does not need or look for a return.  It's enough for the Lover to love and for the receiver to receive.
If only the world could grasp the Power of Love, then what a magnificent world we would have.




Thursday, February 9, 2017

Spread the Good News...

After Mass this morning, Fr. Donal asked us to pray for young people who will be making their Confirmation, a commitment to their Faith.
He handed out cards with a person's first name on it and the idea is to pray especially for this young person that they will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit in their preparation for Confirmation.
I wonder how it was for myself?
Did I understand the commitment I was making, becoming a 'soldier of Christ' and opening my heart and soul to the Holy Spirit?
Of course the nuns gave us good training, explaining what it was all about and yet, did I truly understand?
I remember the fear I had of not being able to answer the Bishop's question whatever it might be...
And, the interest in receiving new clothes...
Did I dwell on the importance of my commitment or even understand it?  Perhaps in some small way I did. This makes me realise that God never pushes us to do good, yet will inspire and draw by the good we see in others.
We learn from others and hopefully they learn from us.



Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Community Spirit

Living in Community is such a blessing.  
When people live in unity and are bonded by the same high values then it becomes a treasure and must be protected at all times.
The danger can often be found when we put our own interests before the common good.
We can't deny that human nature can be selfish and want to please self and yet we also know the value of love, of caring for another person / persons.
God has instilled in each one of us the ability to love.
This ability needs to be fostered and matured.  This way we are guided by Truth, not feelings.
Each person has an inner voice / a conscience that will guide and protect so that one is not swayed by a temptation to see only one's own interests.
When we live for the common good, we are happy and free to be our true selves.
Community life gives the foundation and opportunities to become a loving person, open to all that is good and especially open to doing God's Will at all times.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

WEAKNESS

Weakness is such a reality and yet often we can pretend that we are not weak. that we are strong.
Why I wonder is it so difficult to be weak, to face the truth that we are not perfect and that we are flawed in many ways, even unbeknown to ourselves.
Perhaps that's why it's such a blessing to become aware of the many ways in which we are imperfect.
Today is a good day for me as regards knowing and facing my weaknesses which are many.
I find it's often when I am physically unwell that this awareness takes place.
I don't want to be unwell and yet may have to accept being so.
The next step is to deal with this knowledge, without fear or trying to justify why etc.
God knows us / He has created each one of us and yet allows us to be in an imperfect state.
Why?  Delving into the answer to this question takes us on a journey of knowledge and truth.
Am I able to accept who I am?
Do I truly know myself and willing to live with this knowledge without shame or justification?
What I've learned so far is the value of weakness.
It's often in our weakest state that we experience love / friendship / a sense of belonging.
When I can admit to being imperfect, I allow another person to be their true and imperfect self.
Now the Wisdom of God comes to the forefront...
Weakness allows us to make room for each other and grow in compassion for whatever weakness we are faced with in another person.
We can even learn to love ourselves and to love others.