Photo was taken at Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, (Bantry Community College) last Friday, West Cork (Irl)

There was great excitement at our school when the Irish Community Air Ambulance flew in for a promotional visit. The weather was perfect on the day and the arrival of the helicopter was the only news story in school all day Friday!

The fully equipped helicopter is crewed by a pilot, a paramedic and a consultant in emergency medicine. A journey of 100km on Irish rural roads for an ambulance could take well over an hour, but with a helicopter that can be reduced to 15/20 minutes. At the moment a major fundraising drive is underway to raise funds. 1 million Euros will be needed to get the project going and a further 2 million a year to keep it going. The response to the fundraising drive has been described as phenomenal, showing how much people appreciate the benefits that this air ambulance can bring.

Thought on Monday – January – 30/01/2017

‘Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning and purpose to our lives.’ ~Bren√© Brown

This coming Wednesday we move into February. Already we notice a stretch in daylight and there is a hint of spring in the air. But we do not get carried away just yet. The feast of St Brigid is always celebrated on Feb 1st. Traditionally it marks the arrival of spring. 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 be themselves. She encouraged them to be proud of who they were, to be proud of their roots, to be proud of their gifts and talents and to be proud of their faith.

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. Brigid gathers our rushes of sorrow and blessings, 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 we do, not just the good parts but simply everything. We ask her many blessings on us as we approach a new month this coming Wednesday.