Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart update

Congratulations to all the children who were confirmed by their Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Children, we do hope that you know what we really think of you. May you have only the best players on your team as you grow into your formative teenage years. You are intelligent and will set a high standard for all who dare to love you.

The Bishop has restored the gentle tap on the cheek as part of Confirmation ritual. Being a man of the world he is in no doubt but growing as Christians today calls for strength of character, a strength enhanced by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The world needs strong characters, men and women who are not shy to take their place in Church and in the wider society who are not blown here and there by every ‘ so called expert’ who claims to be an expert on social reconstruction. Christian virtue is such a positive outlook on life and on the world. Honesty coloured by compassion and empathy is a blessing while honesty by itself can be very angry and full of rage.

Building the bridge between the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruits of the Spirit is a bridge we all need to construct in our lives. We are so grateful when others come to our aid as we sometimes very clumsily fail. There is nothing more sad than to hear a parent say of their son or daughter, ‘she / he is so easily led and influenced by others. That is a real put down for the person.

Welcome to the children and families who will gather for First Eucharist. May it be a day each child will remember fondly. We are so grateful to the teachers, Ms Prendergast and Mr Fitzgerald who have sown the seeds of a love for the Eucharist in the souls of these children. As parents when you accompany your child to Mass, don’t be afraid to whisper to your child as to what is happening at any stage of the Mass. It is in teaching another than we grow in our own understanding. That surely includes the priest.

In speaking Faith language we have to be careful that we are not speaking religious tired worn phrases, neither connecting to speaker or to the listener. We will treat this Mass as your Sunday Mass so there will be the normal Sunday Mass collection during the time the children are bringing the bread and wine to the altar. Can you make the obvious connection between the task of the children bringing the gifts to the altar and your giving your gift to the Lord at this time. The collection is an integral part of the Mass, not a kind of distraction. You know the Faith community depends on the freewill offering of the faithful.