Believe it or not there are people who love talking about the devil. The seldom time I speak publicly about the devil there is a small group who are delighted and will implore me to do this more often. I, for my part, refrain from speaking on such a theme unless prompted by the gospel of the day. Generally speaking this group of ‘devilish deliberators’ love bad news. They are on the lookout for the Read more…
Recently I have heard people commenting on how hard it is to be a Catholic today and then following on from that some of them actually asked me for any advice I might have in that regard. In one way I am loath to offer advice as I feel it is easy to be seen as some sort of guru, which I am certainly not. Having said that perhaps it is important as a priest, Read more…
I have been asked a few times to say a little bit about my practice of contemplative prayer. These are just a few private notes or observations on what I have tried to talk about. Let me say I am no expert in the area, if such a thing exists. It’s nearly forty years ago that my then novice master, Brother Quentin Harney, convinced me of the value of contemplation. In his convincing me of Read more…
(These are ten snakes that are alive and well in the Ireland of today. Clearly they must have given St. Patrick the slip. They are particularly evident in the Irish Church). fideitepidis (literally tepid or lukewarm about faith) probably one of the most common of today’s snakes. People are often unaware they have even been bitten and the venom is slow acting. There is generally an increase in negativity and cynicism and an accompanying decrease Read more…
I think I’ll give up apples for Lent! I guess to most people this immediately sounds a bit wacky. I mean if I loved apples such a statement might have some merit. The truth of the matter is I rarely eat an apple. I know I should. I mean we all know, myself included, eating apples would be a lot more healthy than eating…say… pancakes. A lot less fun. More healthy, but less fun. Yes Read more…
On Monday, yes this Monday, March 4th, something is happening here in St. Matthew’s which I genuinely believe you will regret missing. That is, if you do, and I hope you won’t. Hence this message. That’s why I want to alert you to it. It’s one of those things that you will hear people talking about and no doubt find yourself saying ‘I should have’ or ‘why did nobody tell me about it?’ I am Read more…
As the Papal Commission on Clerical Abuse meets this week in Rome my thoughts have drifted back to my appointment with Pope Francis at the end of August last year on the Navan Road. Let’s pray for the important work going on this week, that the Lord will bless it and give healing to all involved. PAPAL APPOINTMENT Unsought, unexpected invitation crashed into afternoon walk, eight tickets forged in sadness. Stuttering acceptance, privilege vying with Read more…
What a strange title? Indeed what a strange title for a column written by a Parish Priest in a Parish Newsletter. I agree it is a bit unusual as far as titles go and yet here in the Bunker I hope we can address topics that are of interest and relevance to us as pilgrims on the journey. That said, it is with some sadness that I believe there is a growing need to discuss Read more…
I have come to realise that inner darkness is quite common. I am not talking about being in grief. I am not talking about having received bad news. In fact one of the core characteristics of the darkness that I am speaking of, is the problem of not really knowing where the feeling has come from. I want to be equally clear I am not speaking of clinical depression. This is a serious condition beyond Read more…
‘Sit there and keep quiet!’ How often did you hear that as a child? Or a variation of it. ‘Children should be seen and not heard’. Sometimes it might have been more specific. ‘You haven’t a note in your head’ or ‘you can’t dance, you have no rhythm’. Most of us have some experience of having been shut up or shut down. It is likely that when it first happened it was an unpleasant experience. Read more…