Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart news update
Lest we forget the season of Easter runs to the feast of Pentecost. Every Sunday is a celebration of Easter. Lots of Faith moments happen in many parishes during the Easter season.
Our Bishop, Alphonsus Cullinan will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in many parishes including this parish. Pray that the prophetic Spirit will give him the words needed at each unique celebration, be it in English or in Irish. The work of our teachers is appreciated as the children for the day are truly focussed and in some way enthusiastic, It will be a standalone celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. It will be taken as a given that parents will participate in Sunday Mass, not as a once off event but as a regular manner of divine worship. No liturgy, however so wonderfully celebrated can carry the Faith of either young or old into the future.
Like all relationships there is the constant sustaining of the Faith experience through moments of joy and sorrow. Here in Lismore and Ballysaggart we will have Confirmation on Wednesday, 26th April at 3pm.It will be a school day so the children will wear their school uniforms. This will cut down on expense for families, later in the day the children may wish to walk out in new finery. The parent generation will be the parish community who will accompany these young people into their teenage years, Confirmation sponsors will be proactive in their support
There are four strands to Christian spirituality that parents may well find helpful. There is personal prayer as well as personal morality. Nurturing conscience takes patience and dialogue. A keen sense of social justice becomes the next layer. Social justice and the common good are one when the dignity of every human being is supported and the care of nature is an integral part of human flourishing.
Added to that is a mildness of spirit that can dare listen to both sides of arguments, yet holding kindly to the truth but seeing truth as much a goal as a destination. Finally a belonging to a community of faith. Private spirituality as opposed to personal spirituality. We are both challenged by the other members in our community and supported. We do well to read the Acts of the Apostles. I hope that this does not sound complicated for myself or for others.
The celebration of daily Mass is at 10am to which you are invited if you are not otherwise busy. Some may be in paid employment while others may be in voluntary work, both are necessary.