Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart news
Many of us miss the foreign holiday. It was something to look forward to and that carried us through the routines of each day. So many of our people depended on people coming to our shores for their foreign holidays. We were so glad to see them. Lismore has welcomed so many folk over the years.
We can also speak of our Lenten journey. Together we engage in the ritual of the Lenten Mass. Ritual is so important in our lives. Ritual touches something beyond the word. It shapes our soul. The more we are engaged in our Catholic faith the more our ritual speaks to us. It is equally the same for all Christian churches. It is true of all religions.
Ash Wednesday drew us into the darkness that marks human life. ‘Remember man/woman you are dust and unto dust you shall return,’ echoes in many churches, but sadly not this year. The very hands that are typing up this piece will in a short time return to dust. We have a lot to be humble about.
The first Sunday of Lent drew us into the temptations of Jesus. ‘I would what take’ did you find in whatever online Mass or radio Mass you participated in! We have human freedom and that freedom brings with it, its own loneliness, for our choices must come from the heart.
We will be given some hope next Sunday as we walk with Jesus to the mountain of Transfiguration. Jesus walks with three of his disciples. There they get a glimpse of something they will never forget, something that will only be understood in the glory of Easter. Lent is a journey to Easter.
In our part of the world we do not have many adult baptisms. In other places there are many adults baptised at Easter. We can do well to pray for them and for those who are faith companions with them. We have our Confirmation classes and they need careful accompaniment. Post Confirmation they continue to need ongoing faith support. Confirmation sponsors have a great work to do. It is a great fault that sponsors are not catechised into their privileged missions. Were some to see what they were undertaking may choose not to do that ministry. It would be highly honourable.
In the meantime do practice some form of penance, some form of prayer, some form of almsgiving. We get from life what we put in. Don’t forget to continue to drop in your Sunday envelopes and be sure to put your name of donations in the parish numbered envelopes. We will have a future.
You might consider tuning into knockshrine.ie/ watch-live or on Facebook@knockshrine on Thur evenings at 8.30 for a series of Lenten conversations or on Tuesday evenings at 9pm knockshrine. ie/watch-live where teenagers explore the Word of God. We continue to have our 10am morning Mass on parish radio 103.0fm and on Sundays while on Facebook St Marys Ballysaggart 9.30am Sunday morning Mass.
- Fr Michael Cullinan