PRAY TOGETHER
PRAY TOGETHER
I've very often found that when something falls together well on the night, it's because there was a huge amount of preparation done before the event!
Our Partnership group of Parishes has met on several occasions since the Building Hope initiative began. I'm the 'Newbie' in the partnership.
It makes sense to rotate the location for our gatherings. The location on Thursday 28th was Guardian Angels Pastoral Centre. We decided to have hospitality and prayer.
We never know just how many will attend the gathering. We had decided not to meet in the Church building but use the Pastoral Centre. When we arrived, people had gathered in the Coffee Dock. I thought we might be stuck for space. 'It's better to be close to each other and not miles away.
The pupils of Rockford Manor waited on us well. We gathered at tables of 4-5 and chatted. Our second task was to write a prayer to be used in the prayer service. Having introduced ourselves to each other, we set about writing our prayers for peace.
THEN, we moved from the Coffee Dock into the main hall which was laid out wonderfully the big screen was used along with lovely music (Particularly St Patrick Breast plate), thanks Marie Therese. We lighted candles for Peace, Hope and Love.
All in, it took an hour. It was a wonderful occasion. Well done to all.
Fr Philip (Prayerfully yours.)
BUYING VOTES
We find ourselves in the middle of Auction Election/Politics! I wouldn't be a politician to save my life! The main problem with Democracy is that it requires popularity. The alternative is worse! And don't forget that all these gifts/allowances/tax breaks etc., are paid to us by us (the Taxpayer). However, this is a special time for us to communicate with our politicians/ /Candidates. I'd like to say to them, that:
1. I'm disappointed that the last Referendum (on the family and care) was very significantly rejected by the electorate, there was no reflection or thought as to how all the political groups got it so wrong.
2. The previously rejected Referendum was on the abolition of the Seanad, all sorts of promises followed, it has taken 12 years for the first changes to be even suggested.
3. It seems that there are now 7 Genders recognized by the Dail (Where did that come from) rather late at night with very few TDs there. These 72 Genders will be taught to Primary and Secondary Pupils in S.P.H.E.
4. We're full of respect for different ethnicities but NOT when it comes to doctors who don't agree with directly ending life in the Womb.
5. And Assisted Dying is around the corner despite the very telling escalation of numbers and changes in criteria, as seen changed in Canada. Where "the right to die becomes the duty to die "Let's use the new 'eagerness to listen' of our Politicians/Candidates' to communicate our concerns about society and not just economics.
Fr Philip PP