Crannóggy Island

 A very Happy New Year to all commentators and readers. “Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old;  here’s to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold.” From popes down to the homeless, each of us is an individual creation made and loved by God. We are all unique. We will all be judged individually. And, as Christians, we will be held to a higher standard as we proclaim that we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ. No matter how we lived our lives, the common denominator for all of us will be:  How much we loved each other. Here are some points to consider as we focus on loving God and our neighbour in the New Year: Never forget that you are God’s individual creation and a gift He has bestowed on the world. Be humbled because He has you in the palm of His hand. Without Him you are nothing. Be happy with who and what you are. God made you and loves you. If you feel you need to change, you can do it. Just ask for His help...

Pope Francis: Dear Brothers and Sisters,  Merry Christmas! The eyes and the hearts of Christians throughout the world turn to Bethlehem; in these days, it is a place of sorrow and silence, yet it was there that the long-awaited message was first proclaimed: “To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” ( Lk  2:11). Those words spoken by the angel in the heavens above Bethlehem are also spoken to us. We are full of hope and trust as we realize that the Lord has been born for us; that the eternal Word of the Father, the infinite God, has made his home among us. He became flesh; he came “to dwell among us” ( Jn  1:14). This is the good news that changed the course of history! The message of Bethlehem is indeed “good news of great joy” ( Lk  2:10). What kind of joy? Not the passing happiness of this world, not the glee of entertainment but a joy that is “great” because it makes  us  great. For today, all of us, with all our sh...

May you all be blessed With the spirit of the season, which is peace, The gladness of the season, which is hope, And the heart of the season, which is love.                          The light of the Christmas star to you, The warmth of home and hearth to you, The cheer and good will of friends to you, The hope of a childlike heart to you, The joy of a thousand angels to you, The love of the Son, And God’s peace to you.                 

I admit this is a sensitive time for me personally, but witnessing the recent funeral Mass of Shane MacGowan on the day my brother died filled me with anger. It triggered a "Mundabor Moment." I have helped prepare funeral services for my parents, my sister and youngest brother, and am thinking ahead to John's service. The priests have always had the final say over readings, hymns and eulogies, and ensured they stayed centred on the liturgical purpose of the Mass. And that's how it should be.  The Rites for Catholic funeral services are subject to norms - a summary is available  here .  The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. At the funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the de...

                                                                                                                        Peter and John Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen .   John, Peter and James I commend you, my dear brother John, to Almighty God, and entrust you to His care. May you return to Him who formed you from the dust of the earth. May Holy Mary, and all the angels and saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May Christ who was crucified for you bring you freedom and peace. May we three brothers be together once ...

This was helpful for me - I hope you find it inspiring too.