Photo was taken yesterday in the Poor Clares Convent, College Road, Cork

A visit to the Poor Clares Convent yesterday was a unique and special occasion. More in the Thought For Today below

Thought on Wednesday – April – 17/04/2013

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love and I am constant in my affection for you.’ ~Jeremiah 31:3

I had the opportunity yesterday of visiting the Poor Clares monastery with a 5th year class from Col√°iste Choilm. After celebrating Mass we then got a chance to visit the sisters in their parlour. It was such a privilege to get the chance to do so. Such visits are rare and precious and all of us really appreciated the honesty and openness of the sisters. In Cork they are held in such high esteem. So many people, including those who are not overly religious, would say that they would be lost without the Poor Clare Sisters. They are a huge spiritual support to people in any kind of need and to those who call to the convent or write in with a prayer request or petition.

Yesterday they spoke words of encouragement to our young people. They spoke to them about believing in themselves, how precious and special they are, particularly in God’s eyes and that God has a most unique plan for each of them. When we find it difficult to pray or when we have doubts they encouraged us to just say quietly from John’s Gospel that “God is love”. From their experience such a short prayer said slowly can bring great blessings. Even when we can’t pray they said they are praying for us. We might not even know it but haven’t we all said on occasions: “there must have been someone praying for me!” At the heart of their unique ministry is that God loves them and us. As they pray for us we might say a prayer for them too today and ask God to continue to bless them and the great work they do.