Thought For Today – October – 23/10/2022

Thought For The Week

‘Without appearing to set out to, Fr John Joe Duffy has done more to restore faith in the power of the personal church than any pope could hope to achieve. He has done it with candour and care, displacing the image of a cold, authoritarian institution with the face of humanity.’ ~Justine McCarthy writing in the Irish Times

We all have watched the funerals in Creeslough and the surrounding communities during the past week. It is so touching to watch the meaningful goodbyes, to watch the care, love and support of the grieving families and to watch the solidarity of the local community. We have also watched the local Parish Priest of Creeslough, Fr. John Joe Duffy, reaching out and he has led the people so movingly in their grief and sadness.

There is nothing more difficult or challenging, when it falls to you to lead your community in a crisis or tragedy. But someone has to do it and Fr. John Joe has done it so touching, so beautifully, so sensitively and from the heart. The Church as an institution can so often come across as cold and aloof. But Fr. John Joe has reminded us beautifully that it is the local church where it all happens. It is among the local community that faith matters. Dogmas, creeds and regulations do not resonate with local people. What matters most is friendship, community, solidarity, support and a beautiful simple faith that holds all together.

Fr. John Joe has said in one of his interviews that on any beach you have rocks and sand. He has said that we are like the sand that is fragile and that we will always need love and support. He has also been the rock for so many people near and far during the past week. As we continue our prayers for all affected by the tragedy, we continue to pray as well for Fr. John Joe. May he also be helped to get through this difficult time. We pray for many priests who are also called to lead their communities during difficult and tragic times. May they also find strength, love and support in their local community.

And finally to say today is a really good day to reach out to those who matter most in your life and say….”I’m thinking of you” or “How are you today?” or “Thank you for all you are doing for me” or simply to say “I love you”.