Photo was taken yesterday at Gleananarrig, Clondrohid, Co.Cork (Irl)

The weather was so nice yesterday morning it was hard to believe it was the 1st of December. I was gathering holly to make an advent wreath for Col√°iste Choilm and it was lovely to be out and about. It was a lovely surprise to see this rose in full colour on the side of an old farmhouse, particularly in the middle of winter.

Thought on Sunday – December – 02/12/2012

The following reflection is by Triona Doherty called ‘What can this mean?’

We have so many titles for Mary – Blessed Mother, Blessed Virgin, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Queen of Heaven, Star of the Sea…. the list goes on, and each one says something about who Mary is to us.
Today we go back to Mary’s roots – to that first day when she said ‘yes’ to God’s call. It can be easy to forget that the Mother for whose intercession we often ask, is the same young woman who was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the words of the angel Gabriel. Her first response was fear and confusion – What can this mean? How can this come about?

Like the prophets before her, Mary doubted her ability to carry out the task God was setting before her. Yet she showed the greatest leap of faith with her ‘yes’ to God’s plan. ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me’ is her trusting response.
How can we say ‘yes’ to God today? Where can we make space in our lives for God to make his home in us? Nothing is impossible to God. What wonders he can work if we just say yes!