I took this photo last weekend at Altamount Millstreet, Co.Cork
This is a peacock butterfly and it was gathering nectar from the sedum flower. One thing we know from the summer of 2024 is that butterflies have been so scarce. This is the first one I got a chance to get a photo of this year.
A monitoring scheme by our National Biodiversity Data Centre found an overall 35% decline in the butterfly population between 2008 and 2021. One of the main causes is loss of habitat, as is the case with other wildlife. This percentage will have jumped considerably for 2024.
Another factor this year for so few butterflies is cooler temperatures. Met Eireann have told us that in Ireland it has been the coldest summer since 2015. Let’s hope that we see some more butterflies during this month of September.
On This Day
On Sep 5th 1997 Mother Teresa, who was awarded the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize for her charitable work with the poor, died at the age of 87 in Calcutta (Kolkata)
On Sep 5th 2017 Hurricane Irma became the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic with winds of 185mph/280kmh
Birthdays Today
Al Stewart (Singer) is 79
Rose McGowan (Actress) is 51
Phily McMahon (Dublin Footballer) is 37
Saint For Today
Saint for Today September 5th is Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She is the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, she was canonised by Pope Francis and Saint Teresa is celebrated by the Church on September 5th each year.
Significance Of Today
Today September 5th is International Day of Charity. It is a day to increase and enhance social responsibility across the entire world, increasing our support for charitable causes and bringing everyone together in solidarity.
Interesting Quote for Today
“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried but you’ve actually been planted.” ~Christine Caine
Videos🎥
As I am just back from my holidays I will be returning to uploading a new video during the week. Today I share with you two from the archive. The first is called The Dawn Chorus and spiritually it is called ‘God’s Orchestra’. Even a plane passing by could not stop the beautiful sounds of the birds welcoming in a new day!
I really like this video that I took in Glengarrif Woods and it is simply called ‘Be Calm Be Quiet Be Still’.
Thought for Week
‘It doesn’t matter how you pray – with your head bowed in silence, or crying out in grief, or dancing. Churches are good for prayer, but so are garages and cars and mountains and showers and dance floors. Years ago I wrote an essay that began: Some people think that God is in the details, but I have come to believe that God is in the bathroom.’ ~ Anne Lamott
There is a growing awareness today how beneficial prayer can be in our spiritual lives. We sometimes think that prayer is long, complex and boring. We certainly feel it’s beyond our reach. But in many ways it is within our reach and especially when we apply prayer to those everyday events that happen in our daily lives. We can find God present in what we do right now, be it out for a walk, reading a book, working in the garden, getting in some exercise or watching the beauty of nature. The list can never be exhausted.
There is something powerful when you see communities gather together in prayer. We have all seen situations when there is a sudden or unexpected tragedy in a parish, the community gathers in their local church for a planned prayer service. The coming together gives purpose, meaning and hope. Those who attend will always say it brings great peace and comfort. It’s not about finding the right words, but that so many gather together as a show of support and love is so powerful. It is my heartfelt belief that God is also present bringing healing and love.
So if you find prayer difficult right now, just know that there are so many people praying for you right now. Even when all seems lost and gone, there is hope because of the support and prayers of others.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
