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
Contemplating the Lord’s passion True reverence for the Lord’s passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified and recognising in him our own humanity. The earth – our earthly nature – should tremble at the suffering of its Redeemer. … Continue reading Contemplating the Lord’s passion
In a new series, I am looking at the commemorations of Anglican churches particularly featuring on the lives of Anglican religious. Today we look at the first Superior of the Community of St John the Baptist. Continue reading Mother Harriet Monsell of Clewer
Do not be afraid One of the constant refrains in the Gospels is the admonition of Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ: “Do not be afraid.” When the Lord draws near, it is our natural tendency to be afraid. We can be afraid of his presence. We can be afraid of what he might ask of us. We can be afraid of our limitations in the face of the call to true conversion and holiness of life. We can be afraid of our apparent obstacles along the path of our Christian discipleship. As our confidence in God increases, our fear decreases. … Continue reading Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Particularly during the Covid-19 situation, Christians may find that they want to pray for the hospitals and infirmaries of our land. In the Church of Ireland’s Book of Common Prayer, there is a beautiful prayer to cover this. Continue reading For hospitals and infirmaries
God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself;Strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in … Continue reading Mothering Sunday
Growing up with a mother who grew up in the Church of England, I was always fascinated by the prayer cards and other cards that she used in her Book of Common Prayer as bookmarks. Inspired by these, here’s a … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer
I have been volunteering by looking after the local parish Facebook page in recent months. Every now and then we need an image for the next post. Today is Ash Wednesday so here is the one I created for our Instagram as well as the one for Facebook. Each platform has a slightly different format. But I try to ensure we have similar content. Continue reading Ash Wednesday
This morning, I am playing for the Eucharist in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare at 10 a.m.. The four hymns that I have chosen for the service are: 362 – O God beyond all praising 219 – From heav’n you came, helpless babe 593 – O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end; 199 – The people that in darkness walked They are all from the Church Hymnal, Fifth Edition, published 2000. The service will be Order Two from the Book of Common Prayer, 2004 of the Church of Ireland. Continue reading Third Sunday after Epiphany
That is what I have just said about the service from King’s College this evening. We mourn Sir Stephen Cleobury but if you Forget all that has been. Imagine it is your first Christmas and the first wonder of the … Continue reading Carols from King’s
O Adonaï and Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai gave him your law. Come and with an outstretched arm redeem us. Continue reading O Adonaï
O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reaching from the beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come and teach us the way of prudence. Continue reading O Sapientia
Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun of righteousness that has risen above all the shadows of our lives. But to reach him we also need lights close by – people who shine with his light and so guide us along the way. Continue reading Follow the star…
Be prepared, this story is not the one you are told in Sunday School. Jesus has four ancestral mothers through incest, prostitution, seduction, and infidelity. Continue reading The Gospel of Matthew – an inclusive message
I am proud to be a member of Scouting. I grew up in The Scout Association in the UK and am currently still a member there as well as being a Scouter in Scouting Ireland. Both Associations help young people … Continue reading Scouting #skillsforlife
