An interesting few hours was spent this afternoon in the company of Mr John Stocks Powell, an historian with a particular interest in Portarlington and environs. Having met him by chance about a month ago, whilst out for a walk … Continue reading An exploration of some heritage sites around Portarlington and Co. Laois
We were reminded yesterday that September is the month of Our Lady of Sorrows by Fr Sam. In response, here is, newly typeset, The Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows. Continue reading Our Lady of Sorrows
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’ —John 12:24-26 Today’s Gospel is for the Feast of St Laurence, Deacon, Martyr at Rome. St … Continue reading St Laurence, deacon, martyr at Rome
Originally posted on The Urban Monastery:
A meditative prayer by Fr Sam McNally-Cross Memento Mori – Remember, you shall die. Introduction This is quite a personal post for me to write, but it is something that I have been gradually putting together over the past few months, maybe even a year or so. A few Christmases ago I was at the doctors seeking help for a mental health condition of severe health anxiety. Hypochondria, once called, has been reclassified in more recent years as a legitimate mental health condition that can include physical as well as psychosomatic symptoms. Mine manifest… Continue reading The Memento Mori Rosary
Prayer matters most At the beginning of today’s Gospel, St Matthew tells us that Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray. He had just finished a very long day teaching the crowds, healing the sick, and peforming the miracle of the multiplication of the laves. At the beginning of that day he had heard the news about the death of his cousin, St John the Baptist. At the time, he had wanted to go off alone to reflect, to pray, and to mourn the loss of that great prophet, his cousin. But the crowds didn’t let him. … Continue reading A healthy prayer life is what matters most
Every single day, it is important as Christians to stop and have a conversation with God. Real conversations are not one way. Real conversations, between friends, are very much two-way communication. Taking the time to listen to what he says as well as to bombard God with our petitions and thanksgivings is vital to a healthy spiritual life. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is told by a man on the road, I will follow you wherever you go. Luke 9:57-62 The Lord responds that Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has … Continue reading Looking back you cannot see where you are going
Originally posted on All Things Lawful And Honest:
An article appeared on 24th May 2020 in the Sunday Times purporting to be privy to a recent House of Bishops meeting, in which the new Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, was given a national portfolio to look at the future shape of the Church of England, which could result in fewer dioceses and a reduction in the number of Bishops. Whilst it appears that this article is inaccurate and has been refuted by some Bishops (notably Bishop Philip North, Burnley and Bishop Pete Broadbent, Willesden) on social media, it is not… Continue reading For the love of God, don’t sacrifice the poor.
[The Eucharist] is not adiaphora. It is not something extra. It is our identity. We are the people who eat together with God. Lest we somehow miss the carnality of this feast, Jesus said, “This is my body.” It is … Continue reading The Eucharist is not adiaphora. It is not something extra…
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19. Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27. Gospel: St Matthew 13:24-43. Collect Show favour, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith … Continue reading The wheat and the darnel: keeping the faith strong
This time of lockdown has given many people opportunities for some extra study. I am pleased to say that I am one of them. I have just completed a five hour course in Liturgical Theology from The Liturgical Institute of … Continue reading Lockdown gives time to study: Liturgical Theology course from The Liturgical Institute
All religions are not the same It is common in today’s world to run into people who believe that all religions are basically the same. In fact, it is even becoming common to run into Anglicans or Catholics who have … Continue reading Religious freedom is important
Having grown up with the police service in Northern Ireland known almost universally by its abbreviation of RUC, for Royal Ulster Constabulary, it was probably inevitable that its successor the Police Service of Northern Ireland would become known by its … Continue reading Police Service NI – a sensible rebranding
The Holy Spirit works quietly We all like spectacular fireworks. They are exciting, impressive, exhilarating. The Church’s first Pentecost had some spectacular fireworks. The Apostles and other Christians were gathered “all together in one place”. Where that was precisely, we do not know. It was probably somewhere inside or near the Temple in Jerusalem as right after the fireworks, crowds started to gather. It may have been the same large room where our Lord and the Apostles had eaten the last Supper. Nothing is certain. So, they were all in one place, then a thunderous noise like a strong wind, … Continue reading Let’s obey the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit
Gospel of the Day Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about … Continue reading The Ascension of the Lord – 21 May 2020
When I joined St John Ambulance Ireland as a member of staff, one of my first contacts in the organisation was Jason Turner. Throughout all my time working in the Operations Department, he had been there as an adviser to me … Continue reading Jason Turner MStJ RIP
Christ is faithful During these Sundays of Eastertide, the Church takes us back to the Last Supper, giving us a chance to dig deeper into its meaning. We can use our imaginations to picture the scene. Our blessed Lord and … Continue reading Jesus Christ is faithful, let us pledge our allegiance to him
Fr Peter Anthony, Vicar of St Benet’s Kentish Town shares some thoughts about comparing the house churches of the early church with the current practice of Christians worshipping in their homes. Are they the same? Or are they different? Continue reading House churches in the early church
But I say to you, and I say it with all the earnestness that I have, if you are prepared to fight for the right of adoring Jesus in His Blessed Sacrament, then, when you come out from before your … Continue reading Christ in the Sacrament and in the Slum: Frank Weston
Being a Christian means more than being nice Being a Christian means more than just being nice. It means centering our whole lives, every last detail, on a person: our Lord Jesus Christ. Other great religious leaders of history pointed … Continue reading Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper: some thoughts
From an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop Brethren, how fine a thing it is to move from festival to festival, from prayer to prayer, from holy day to holy day. The time is now at hand when we enter … Continue reading The Paschal sacrament brings together in unity of faith those who are far away
