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A soothing summer touch

27 May 2014 in /by

Spring has turned into the summer, with summer showers still watering the flowers that blossomed earlier in the year; there are no more bare trees. Yet summer is not only sunshine, May blossoms and long bright nights, with occasional shooting star. Summer still has shadows too. In some places unlike Ireland the heat can consume […]

Lenten Reflection: A Compassionate Triduum

17 April 2014 in /by

As we embark on these three holy days of Jesus’ betrayal, death & resurrection, we participate in God’s compassion in the most literal sense, “suffering with” Jesus and those who loved him. Tonight, as we join Jesus and his disciples on the evening before his death, we note the tenderness with which Jesus washes our […]

Lenten Reflection: Compassion as Slowing Down

7 April 2014 in /by

Lydia is the Education Advisor for Bishops’ Appeal.  She wrote this piece as a spark piece, effectively ignited by a reflection given by Jessica Stone from the Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland on tapping into God’ infinite reservoir of compassion.  The result has been a joint Lenten reflection series on the theme of Compassion. Research […]

What is blossoming in your life this Spring?

25 March 2014 in /by

Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes, The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries, And daub their natural faces unaware. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning) Everywhere around us flowers are blossoming, trees are blooming, birds are singing, the whole of creation carries a […]

Lenten Reflection: Compassion as De-framing

20 March 2014 in /by

Lydia is the Education Adviser for the Bishops’ Appeal.  She explores the theme of compassion in this the second reflection of the joint Lenten Series between Bishops’ Appeal and the Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland. Knowledge is Power.  This famous saying first attributed to Sir Francis Bacon has been unpacked and analysed from a multitude […]

St. Patrick, a missionary of God’s love

16 March 2014 in /by

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth […]

Tapping into God’s Compassion this Lent

13 March 2014 in /by

Traditional images for Lent often depict desert or wilderness, but this year, the image I’m carrying with me on the journey to Easter morning is this one, which for me has become a reminder of God’s compassion. Thirteenth century theologian Meister Eckhart said, ‘Whatever God does, the first outburst is always compassion.’ We see this […]

Is Christ divided?

21 January 2014 in /by

I used to be really enthusiastic about the Week of prayer for Christian unity (18th-25th January), especially in my twenties, I would almost jump for joy at the thought of it. I would not be a Christian had there not been for both Catholics and Protestants who influenced my journey, nor would I be who […]

Ecumenical Healing Service

14 January 2014 in /by

Join us in an Ecumenical Service of Healing on Sunday, 19th January 2014, as we participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The service will take place at St Ann’s, Dawson Street, at 3.30pm, and all are most warmly welcome to attend. Enquiries about the ecumenical service can be directed to our Ministry Facilitator, […]

Healing is a journey

6 January 2014 in /by

Jesus our Healer, we place in your gentle hands those who are sick. Ease their pain, and heal the damage done to them  in body, mind or spirit. Be present to them through the support of friends and in the care of doctors and nurses, and fill them with the warmth of your love now […]