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The message of Jesus, proclaimed in a simple, enthusiastic way

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A Vocation of Service – Gillian McGrath

Published: October 18, 2021

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. (Mark10) Five years ago this November, my mother, Ita Quinn, passed away after a long eighteen-year journey through the many stages of Alzheimer’s disease. I held her tiny body, ravaged...

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes- Deirdre McElholm

Published: October 11, 2021

I reminisce back to 2015 when I was attending my first pilgrimage in Taizé, France. I had just finished my first year at university and was questioning my career choice, different paths in life and what lay ahead. I jumped at the opportunity to travel to France thinking it would be a relaxing, luxurious holiday....

Actions speak louder than words – Siobhan McIntyre

Published: October 4, 2021

Today on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, I reflect on my first visit to Assisi in 1998 and a quote from Saint Francis, that I read at that time that has always stayed with me. “Start by doing what is necessary, Then what is possible  And suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ...

Our Common Home-A View from the Window-Maura McColgan

Published: September 27, 2021

Oyster trestles barely visible above the rippling waters Undulating hills spread across the horizon Restful animals as they lie content in the grassy fields. Thank you, God Clouds of different shapes float unhurried overhead Outside, the smell of freshly mown grass Moving under the blade of the mower Musical bird song as they gather on...

Strengthening the Bonds that Bind Us – Lizzie Rea

Published: September 20, 2021

When thinking of this time of year, summertime ending and darker nights coming, we tend to think of the outside world as something to fear. Trees become bare, colder nights slowly creep in and the world of ‘nature’ that we looked at and loved over spring and summer slowly begins to fall away. This leads...

Life is a Miracle – Niall McColgan

Published: September 13, 2021

Human life and all of God’s creation are miracles in themselves. God has chosen us to live and it truly is a miracle to be able to live. If we simply look outside and around us, we can see the glory of nature. I believe that the Lockdowns due to Covid 19 actually made me...

Excited and Full of Hope – Lily White

Published: September 6, 2021

I was very excited to come back to school. I am in Primary 7 now so I am the oldest in the school. I will have more responsibility now with setting a good example to younger pupils, more work and homework on the weekends but that just makes it more of an exciting year. I...

The Right to Choose – John O’ Flaherty

Published: August 30, 2021

Possibly the most amazing place that I have ever visited, for a variety of reasons, is Lourdes. Looking at the town as it is now, it would be completely unrecognisable to the rural village of the late 1850s.  To say that this is down to a 14-year-old girl would be a gross simplification.  Bernadette Soubirous...

The Long and Winding Road – Mary Dunnion

Published: August 23, 2021

  This week sees the last few days before many of our children and young people return to school and colleges after the Summer holidays. For some, like little children and their parents/guardians, it is an exciting and new step and an important milestone in their life’s journey as they start out on their first...

‘We had hoped’ – The Road to Emmaus – Janet Forbes

Published: August 16, 2021

Luke’s story of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus is one I have been working with recently and in an era where the Gospel is alien to many this story resonates with people of all ages and convictions. Maybe it speaks because of the lack of recognition of Jesus, or perhaps there is curiosity around...

Magnificent Magnificat – Maire Gormley

Published: August 9, 2021

On 15 August we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. While this is, in Church terms anyway, a recent addition to the liturgical calendar, having been declared an infallible doctrine by Pope Pius XII in 1950, it is a tradition that has been present since the sixth century. In the...

Praying the Daily Examen -Seeing God in all Things

Published: August 2, 2021

“Whatever you are doing, that which makes you feel the most alive…that is where God is.” (Saint Ignatius of Loyola) This year the Society of Jesus, celebrates an Ignatian Year, marking the 500th anniversary of the conversion of Saint Ignatius. Saint Ignatius’ life and spirituality encourages us to see God in all things, to enter...

Doors of Hope – Fr Raymond McCullagh

Published: July 26, 2021

Recent news about the battle for control of the north Ethiopian state of Tigray has filled me with deep sadness because Ethiopia is very dear to my heart. Since 2005 Habitat for Humanity has developed a special partnership that has resulted in the building of many houses for poor families across the country. During our...

My Cup is Overflowing – Cora O Farrell

Published: July 19, 2021

My grandfather was a beautiful man. He lived with my family in Dublin for half of the year and in his native Kerry for the other half. His bottom canine tooth was the only tooth left in his mouth but he had the widest smile and the gentlest face. He walked for miles everyday and...

Where do you see God? – Mary’s Meals

Published: July 12, 2021

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the disciples in pairs and instructs them to take the bare minimum with them saying, ‘take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses.’  If you are like me, the idea of going on a journey unprepared, without the...

“Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.” (Mark 6:31)

Published: July 5, 2021

Welcome the gift of Summer as an opportunity… to reflect on the journey that you have travelled since last Summer, to thank God for his steadfast presence in all that you have experienced, … in your joys, your successes, your dreams fulfilled, … in your struggles, your pain, your sadness, … in moments of clarity...

Come Follow Me – Mary O Donnell

Published: June 28, 2021

During this month of June, the Church has been celebrating some of the saints whose witness to the faith led to their martyrdom, such as Saints Peter and Paul, whose feast day is on Tuesday, June 29, and the First Martyrs of Rome, Wednesday, June 30. With this great focus on those who were prepared...

A Reflection on the Word-Julia Fitzgerald

Published: June 21, 2021

John, 1, “In the beginning was the Word”. Before anything existed in the world, “In the beginning, was the Word.”   “And the Word became flesh” John goes on to say, This breath-taking power, the Truth, Life and Way, Came to dwell among us and is still here today.   But what is “the Word”?...

Is the Invisible Visible? by Tony Brennan

Published: June 13, 2021

There is something invisible here as you read this. You can’t see it but it is here. It needs to be invisible or else you would not see this to read it. Do you trust me to know that I am telling you the truth? You may not know me. How can you trust me?...

“Those who seek the Lord shall want for no Manner of Good Thing” – Fr Neal Carlin

Published: June 7, 2021

I write this as we approach the great feast day of Columba, 9th June and this year as we prepare to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of his birth. I was baptized in Saint Columb’s Waterside, went to school in Saint Colmcille’s, Newtowncunningham and then on to Saint Eunan’s Letterkenny. (Eunan was the biographer of Columba.)...

Mary’s Magnificat-Lizzie Rea

Published: May 31, 2021

In our Thought for the Week, when we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, Mary’s visit to share her ‘Good News’ with her cousin Elizabeth, Lizzie Rea sings The Magnificat. This is Mary’s beautiful prayer, praising God for the ‘great things he has done for her.’ (Luke: 1:39-56) As you listen to the words Lizzie...

More Haste … Less Speed – Sean Coll

Published: May 24, 2021

The story is told of an explorer who was making an expedition on foot, through the Amazon rainforests of South America, with some native guides. For two days they made excellent progress and covered a large distance, much to the explorer’s satisfaction.  However, on the third morning when it was time to set off again,...

Life Through a Screen-Teresa McMenamin

Published: May 17, 2021

I have lived my life in the countryside, in rural Tyrone. There is no bus service, no shop within walking distance, no street lights, no pub within walking distance! In winter, travel can be particularly difficult, given that the road on which I live is not treated. All these drawbacks may not sound very attractive...

The Transforming Work of God’s Love – Archdeacon Robert Miller

Published: May 10, 2021

One of the things I decided to do, when we were asked to stay at home, was to begin learning a new skill.  I chose to learn how to make and produce linocut prints.  I can remember making one in school many years ago.  The plain flat grey surface of the lino being cut away,...

In the shadows-Sr Anne Lyng

Published: May 3, 2021

There are many sides to working from home.  On the negative side, I have become aware of all the clutter and dust in the house!  On a more positive note, I have noticed, in a whole new way, the quiet, silent ‘army’ of people that keep our estate ticking over. Faithfully, every Wednesday, the bins...

Judgement Versus Compassion-Tommy Canning

Published: April 26, 2021

I have lived the greatest part of my life as someone in recovery from addiction and have spent a large part of my working life with a wonderful Derry based organisation called Northlands. Addiction carries a huge sense of stigma with it and it is most certainly the disease that no one wants to speak...

The Way-Brian McCormick

Published: April 19, 2021

I’ve been walking, over a number of years, the pilgrim path from St Jean-Pied-De-Port in France over the Pyrenees mountains into the North of Spain, ultimately heading to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the burial site of Saint James the apostle. The journey is known as the Camino which means the way or the...

Easter Springs Eternal-Kevin Finan

Published: April 12, 2021

It is no coincidence that Easter in our part of the world, and that in which Jesus lived, comes in spring. Also, that the Nativity is in the depths of winter near the shortest day. The nascent hope of Christmas is fulfilled in the renaissance of Easter. Our supernatural hope is mirrored in the natural...

Taking a Moment to Look Back-Frank Brown

Published: April 5, 2021

After the busyness of Holy Week, I always find this week a good opportunity to take a bit of time to take stock. It’s hard to believe that just over a year ago the only Corona I’d given any consideration to was a fine cigar or a certain pale larger. A lot has happened and...

A Special Place to Be-Briege Lewis

Published: March 29, 2021

We all need special places where we can be freed from the confines of daily chores, from distractions that impinge on our ability to express our inner thoughts freely. I wanted to share with you two such places that have helped my family cope with the difficult restrictions imposed on us since last Easter due...

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Thought For The Week

Rest in God – Reflection for School Staff

Fanning the Flame of the Holy Spirit – Niamh Devlin

June 9th Feast of Saint Columba (Colmcille) Dove of the Church. Abbott and Missionary -Ann McCay

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