As we journey through Lent it is good to reflect on where the English word Lent comes from: it comes from the Old English word “lencten”, which means “spring” or “springtime”. It refers to the season of the year in the Northern Hemisphere when the days begin to lengthen. The darkness of winter is going…
“Such brave little souls”, my mother said.“No fear in them when the harsh winds blow and the snowlies thick on the rock-hard land.They bow their heads but aren’t defeated. What fear have we if they survive?Stand tall and proud.Take life in your stride.Fear not if the snowdrops can survive.” By Edel Mulligan in memory, of…
St. Brigid’s day falls on the first of February. In Irish it is called Lá Fhéile Bríde. It occurs at the beginning of Spring a time of hope, when Nature is reawakening, lambs are born, green shoots appear from the earth and buds appear on the trees. The promise of growth, renewal and regrowth is…
January arrives quietly. After the noise and brightness of Christmas, the Church invites us into something softer and more honest: the grace of beginning again.The new year often comes with expectations—resolutions to keep, habits to change, hopes we are not quite sure how to carry. Scripture, however, reminds us that God does not ask for…
Traditionally in the season of Advent the liturgy invites us into a period of waiting. The scriptures remind us “to stay awake” The prophet Isaiah repeats the message of empowerment and hope over injustice.I offer you my thoughts on the theme of waiting and staying awake while responding to prophet Isaiah, “Courage! Do not be…
CHRIST IN THE RUBBLE During this special time of advent, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the first coming of Jesus into our world over 2000 years ago. The world that Jesus was born into was not all that different from ours today. Palestine at that time was a conquered land, its population suffering under…