Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart update

Thanks to all who have responded to the parish appeal on behalf of the Red Cross, providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. What you have given so far as been fast forwarded to the Red Cross and late donations are also most welcome. This War is a disaster.

Like the Covid pandemic this war may have something in common. All our pet theories and plans are truly upturned. Moving from war reports to sports news has to be done but seems almost wrong. Such human suffering caused by the war machine. It is time to ask hard questions about the war industry in every country including our own. If the resources given to weapons of war were directed to human and community and international relationship skills what a different world we could have.

We need strong leaders both in Church and in State. You might notice that many of the saints whose feast day we celebrate were in their day great Church leaders in difficult times. Today we need remember Saint Oscar Romero of ElSalvador who personally laid down his life for his people. In your family prayer keep the needs for leadership and for who are now leaders both at parish and diocese level in your love and in your prayer.

Our own pastoral council is in the process of discernment with both existing and new possible members. The work of the Council is not too time consuming as good leaders engage others in doing the work. We need a thinking prophetic leadership team who can dream big and dream into the future. Remember change comes not from those who do but from those who think. Someone wisely said; beware of the thinkers. I like to remind people who come to celebrate Sacraments and especially Baptism that the Church is not the grand building they are now in. Those gathered here is the Church and that each of them have a divine gift to care for the living Church. Maybe the absence of a priest in a parish for a time may be very good. It would need care and a moment of Faith growth that would joyfully lead casual Catholics in a new mindset and a new personal Faith awareness.

A gentle reminder to sanitise your hands as you enter and leave the Church and wearing that face mask for love of others. We continue to sanitise the pews with the electric foggier. This machine has taken away the toil that a few would have to do otherwise. It is important that in any activity we engage in that we find ways of making it easier to do as getting old is not an option

As families it is good to see you return to Sunday Mass, not out of obligation but out of a spirit of living Faith. Keep in touch with your Trocaire Family fast box.