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Friday |
Feb-15 |
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Thought For The Week
'There is such a thing as a prayer place and many people are very aware of that in their lives. It's a place where I can get away from it all.' ~Jack McArdle
We sometimes think that prayer must just be confined to a church. Anywhere else seems out of place. But we can simply pray anywhere that works for us. That can be in our kitchen, a bedroom, a favourite armchair, a favourite walk, artwork, listening to or playing music or time out working in our garden. The choice is endless and it is ours. There is great freedom in finding a place that works for each of us.
We have heard many times about how important prayer is. But we often don't get much guidance on how to begin or what to do.
Muhammad Ali famously said that it wasn't the mountains ahead that wear us out, but it's the pebble in our shoe that does the wearing out. Life can be fragile and difficult at the best of times and those difficult pebbles often end up in our shoes. Prayer could be described as time to stop and take the pebble out or at least doing something with it. Once the pebble is out we are ready for the next step and the next challenge. Our faith does not promise that there won't be pebbles but it does put us in a much better position to deal with them.
Prayer can be described as time to recharge, reconnect, reenergise and start again. Prayer needs time, not lots of it but enough to give it some chance to work. Whatever or wherever your prayer place is, just for you to know it is special to you and it is your sacred place. It's a place where we can simply get away from it all.
It's a place where we can recharge, renew and reflect on the blessings in our own lives. It's a place where we can pray to God and share whatever is going on in our lives. This coming week could be a good time to re-find that place in your life where you can connect with God in the way that works best for you.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Thursday |
Feb-14 |
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'Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.' ~Henry Van Dyke
Some will say Valentine's Day is a load of hype and completely built up into something way too big. Despite the commercial side of the day, it is good to set aside at least one day to genuinely show someone we love and care. Routine and life's daily challenges keep us firmly focussed. But sometimes we forget and take for granted those who really matter. Life is far too short to forget those who really matter to us. Today is a day when we can show someone how much they really mean to us. We thank God for that someone special in our lives. We all fall well short in living up to be the perfect husband, wife, partner, friend, carer or whatever word best sums up our situation. But we make an honest effort in bringing the best out of the person who means the world to us.
Today we say thank you for the great blessings that genuine love can bring. For some today is a sad day because that someone special may have died or may just not be there. We remember them too today. We also remember most importantly how true love always has its roots in God. We celebrate on St Valentine's Day God's unique love for us. We are valuable because God loves us and nothing or no person can ever take that from any of us. |
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Wednesday |
Feb-13 |
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Thought For The Week
'There is such a thing as a prayer place and many people are very aware of that in their lives. It's a place where I can get away from it all.' ~Jack McArdle
We sometimes think that prayer must just be confined to a church. Anywhere else seems out of place. But we can simply pray anywhere that works for us. That can be in our kitchen, a bedroom, a favourite armchair, a favourite walk, artwork, listening to or playing music or time out working in our garden. The choice is endless and it is ours. There is great freedom in finding a place that works for each of us.
We have heard many times about how important prayer is. But we often don't get much guidance on how to begin or what to do.
Muhammad Ali famously said that it wasn't the mountains ahead that wear us out, but it's the pebble in our shoe that does the wearing out. Life can be fragile and difficult at the best of times and those difficult pebbles often end up in our shoes. Prayer could be described as time to stop and take the pebble out or at least doing something with it. Once the pebble is out we are ready for the next step and the next challenge. Our faith does not promise that there won't be pebbles but it does put us in a much better position to deal with them.
Prayer can be described as time to recharge, reconnect, reenergise and start again. Prayer needs time, not lots of it but enough to give it some chance to work. Whatever or wherever your prayer place is, just for you to know it is special to you and it is your sacred place. It's a place where we can simply get away from it all.
It's a place where we can recharge, renew and reflect on the blessings in our own lives. It's a place where we can pray to God and share whatever is going on in our lives. This coming week could be a good time to re-find that place in your life where you can connect with God in the way that works best for you.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Monday |
Feb-11 |
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Thought For The Week
'There is such a thing as a prayer place and many people are very aware of that in their lives. It's a place where I can get away from it all.' ~Jack McArdle
We sometimes think that prayer must just be confined to a church. Anywhere else seems out of place. But we can simply pray anywhere that works for us. That can be in our kitchen, a bedroom, a favourite armchair, a favourite walk, artwork, listening to or playing music or time out working in our garden. The choice is endless and it is ours. There is great freedom in finding a place that works for each of us.
We have heard many times about how important prayer is. But we often don't get much guidance on how to begin or what to do.
Muhammad Ali famously said that it wasn't the mountains ahead that wear us out, but it's the pebble in our shoe that does the wearing out. Life can be fragile and difficult at the best of times and those difficult pebbles often end up in our shoes. Prayer could be described as time to stop and take the pebble out or at least doing something with it. Once the pebble is out we are ready for the next step and the next challenge. Our faith does not promise that there won't be pebbles but it does put us in a much better position to deal with them.
Prayer can be described as time to recharge, reconnect, reenergise and start again. Prayer needs time, not lots of it but enough to give it some chance to work. Whatever or wherever your prayer place is, just for you to know it is special to you and it is your sacred place. It's a place where we can simply get away from it all.
It's a place where we can recharge, renew and reflect on the blessings in our own lives. It's a place where we can pray to God and share whatever is going on in our lives. This coming week could be a good time to re-find that place in your life where you can connect with God in the way that works best for you.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Sunday |
Feb-10 |
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Thought For Today by Triona Doherty called 'Walking with the Lord'
Last July and August, hundreds of people took part in 'Walk While You Can', a walk from Letterkenny, County Donegal to Ballydehob, County Cork, to raise awareness and funds to support those with Motor Neurone Disease. The event was the brainchild of Fr Tony Coote, a priest of the parishes of Kilmacud and Mount Merrion in Dublin, who made the decision to walk the length of Ireland after himself being diagnosed with MND.
His boundless energy and zest for life, even in the face of terminal illness, struck a chord with many. People were inspired by his faith. Speaking during an interview on The Late Late Show, Fr Tony said: 'I haven't much time left, I know that. But I believe in a loving God; I don't fear death.'
Fr Tony is an example of someone who is following Jesus as a disciple, while also bringing others to Jesus. In his years as a priest he has preached and lived the Gospel, and since this massive change in his health and circumstances he has found a way to spread the Good News in a new way.
His story came to mind as I reflected on today's Gospel, which tells the story of the call of Peter. We are often struck by how the first disciples 'left everything and followed him'. Are we expected to do the same? Only a rare few will literally leave behind home, friends and family. But following Jesus does require us to offer our whole selves, whatever our circumstances. Whatever our position in life, we have something unique and great to offer. |
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Saturday |
Feb-09 |
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Thought For The Week
'A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.' ~Rita Minehan
At last we had a touch of winter during last week. January had been so mild and many lawns got their first cut during the early part of the New Year. This was unheard of before and is another strong hint that climate change is taking a firmer hold. The feast of St Brigid which we celebrated last Friday traditionally marks the arrival of spring. One thing that is certain at this time of year is the very noticeable stretch in the evenings. It is good and a strong reminder that spring is on the way.
The feast of St Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives.
The idea that everything in our universe and life is all connected is a common theme among spiritual writers today. But this wasn't always the case. Spirituality and everyday life were often kept separate in years past. There was no connection between belief in God and what happened in your everyday life. As a result religion tended to be put up on a pedestal which was never a good thing. Brigid was years ahead of her time, in how she connected God with everything.
Her voice and message is still so relevant in our modern world. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything. Like her we do our best to find balance in everything we do each day. We ask her many blessings on us today and during the coming week.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Friday |
Feb-08 |
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Thought For The Week
'A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.' ~Rita Minehan
At last we had a touch of winter during last week. January had been so mild and many lawns got their first cut during the early part of the New Year. This was unheard of before and is another strong hint that climate change is taking a firmer hold. The feast of St Brigid which we celebrated last Friday traditionally marks the arrival of spring. One thing that is certain at this time of year is the very noticeable stretch in the evenings. It is good and a strong reminder that spring is on the way.
The feast of St Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives.
The idea that everything in our universe and life is all connected is a common theme among spiritual writers today. But this wasn't always the case. Spirituality and everyday life were often kept separate in years past. There was no connection between belief in God and what happened in your everyday life. As a result religion tended to be put up on a pedestal which was never a good thing. Brigid was years ahead of her time, in how she connected God with everything.
Her voice and message is still so relevant in our modern world. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything. Like her we do our best to find balance in everything we do each day. We ask her many blessings on us today and during the coming week.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Wednesday |
Feb-06 |
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Thought For The Week
'A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.' ~Rita Minehan
At last we had a touch of winter during last week. January had been so mild and many lawns got their first cut during the early part of the New Year. This was unheard of before and is another strong hint that climate change is taking a firmer hold. The feast of St Brigid which we celebrated last Friday traditionally marks the arrival of spring. One thing that is certain at this time of year is the very noticeable stretch in the evenings. It is good and a strong reminder that spring is on the way.
The feast of St Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives.
The idea that everything in our universe and life is all connected is a common theme among spiritual writers today. But this wasn't always the case. Spirituality and everyday life were often kept separate in years past. There was no connection between belief in God and what happened in your everyday life. As a result religion tended to be put up on a pedestal which was never a good thing. Brigid was years ahead of her time, in how she connected God with everything.
Her voice and message is still so relevant in our modern world. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything. Like her we do our best to find balance in everything we do each day. We ask her many blessings on us today and during the coming week.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Tuesday |
Feb-05 |
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Thought For The Week
'A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.' ~Rita Minehan
At last we had a touch of winter during last week. January had been so mild and many lawns got their first cut during the early part of the New Year. This was unheard of before and is another strong hint that climate change is taking a firmer hold. The feast of St Brigid which we celebrated last Friday traditionally marks the arrival of spring. One thing that is certain at this time of year is the very noticeable stretch in the evenings. It is good and a strong reminder that spring is on the way.
The feast of St Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives.
The idea that everything in our universe and life is all connected is a common theme among spiritual writers today. But this wasn't always the case. Spirituality and everyday life were often kept separate in years past. There was no connection between belief in God and what happened in your everyday life. As a result religion tended to be put up on a pedestal which was never a good thing. Brigid was years ahead of her time, in how she connected God with everything.
Her voice and message is still so relevant in our modern world. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything. Like her we do our best to find balance in everything we do each day. We ask her many blessings on us today and during the coming week.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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Monday |
Feb-04 |
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Thought For The Week
'A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover and draw inspiration from the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time.' ~Rita Minehan
At last we had a touch of winter during last week. January had been so mild and many lawns got their first cut during the early part of the New Year. This was unheard of before and is another strong hint that climate change is taking a firmer hold. The feast of St Brigid which we celebrated last Friday traditionally marks the arrival of spring. One thing that is certain at this time of year is the very noticeable stretch in the evenings. It is good and a strong reminder that spring is on the way.
The feast of St Brigid is a day to reflect on all our present blessings and all the good around us. She had time for everyone including the poor but above all she inspired people to greater things. Using rushes she wove them all into a cross, to remind us that all the different strands of our lives are connected. They are connected not by chance but by the gentle presence of God in our lives.
The idea that everything in our universe and life is all connected is a common theme among spiritual writers today. But this wasn't always the case. Spirituality and everyday life were often kept separate in years past. There was no connection between belief in God and what happened in your everyday life. As a result religion tended to be put up on a pedestal which was never a good thing. Brigid was years ahead of her time, in how she connected God with everything.
Her voice and message is still so relevant in our modern world. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrows and gladness, of happiness and pain, tears and laughter, kindness and caring, of voluntary groups and organisations, of families, relations and friends, of schools and hospitals, of work, sport and recreation and all the little things we do with faith, hope and love. Brigid weaves them all with loving hands into something richer and more beautiful. For her God is always at the centre of everything. Like her we do our best to find balance in everything we do each day. We ask her many blessings on us today and during the coming week.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
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