This Week: St Patricks weekend.
There was a great flurry of activity this weekend. On Saturday we followed
our programme for lent and sowed three plum trees in honour of Pope
Francis’ document “Laudato Si”. The weather gave us just the right ten
minutes to get them into the ground before generously watering them from on
high. Fr Dermot introduced the theme in his homily referring to the “Secret
Life of Trees”.
Over the last few years we have had a theme for lent for our reflection. We
have reflected on Mercy, on the family and this year we have put out some
challenges around the care of the earth as part of our Christian
Commitment. Every day a new quote from the Popes “Laudato Si” is posted on
the website and at the entrance to the Church and every Saturday we do
something practical to contribute practically to the care of the earth.
On Sunday, St Patricks day, our Church was beautifully decorated for the
day. Hidden among the decorations were symbols of our nation (tricolour
candles), our land (bogwood) and our history (slate from a 130 year old
cottage) but above all the Christian dimension of the day was highlighted
through the shamrock and the now famous image of St Patrick.
And of course we had the first communion of Yuto Amamizu, a Japanese
student prepared by Ed and Nuala Burke. He has been coming to our Church
this last year and will now go back to Japan. It was a very happy occasion.
In spite of the bank holiday a big crowd joined Sister Therese for the
Scripture class for lent. Again we got insights into the Gospel that will
be read at next Sunday and we also had time to contemplate the famous
picture the “Light of the World” by William Holman Hunt.
