Fr. Joe’s writings and rumblings.
In my darkest hour I feel the burden of shame, I am haunted by bad decisions, Those I have hurt come out of the depths. In my darkest hour I become aware of the badness I am capable of, My head is jammed with the cotton wool of guilt, Fists Read more…
Luna is very unsettled this evening. She has looked at me a few times as if to say I’m way too old for hurricanes. I have tried to explain this is Ophelia and that she will come and go but the truth of the matter is I am not sure myself whether Read more…
I was first in Medjugorje in the days between Christmas 2001 and the Feast of the Epiphany 2002. It was very cold and the snow was deep and packed tight on the roads and pathways. Despite the fact that several people have expressed doubt about much snow in the village of Medjugorje Read more…
I first met him when I was very young. I did not know then that he was such a spoilsport and I certainly did not know he was such a robber. As I grew up I began to realise that he was very strong, very powerful. Whilst I do not believe in Read more…
Many years ago when I was teaching, one Friday after school, around five o’clock, I encountered a few senior students sitting in the Common Room talking about things they might do during the summer. They had been discussing travelling around Europe, and at the point I arrived they were debating the importance of Read more…
I was brought up on movies. Actually the movies are in my genes. I have the world of films in my blood. Now before you go wondering what great acting dynasty do I belong to, let me explain. My mother went from school to work in the ticket office in the old Read more…
Do you ever feel fed up? Does the sameness of life get you down? Do you feel sometimes that you have nothing to look forward to? Does this feeling sometimes get worse and it’s like you are dragging yourself along? It’s more drudgery than dance, more enduring than enjoying. I do not mean Read more…
This week in the ‘Rumblings’ I want to share with you a letter I wrote to the veteran broadcaster, Vincent Browne, on his retirement. It was published in The Examiner and featured on ‘It says in the papers’. I have added a few comments for your prayerful consideration at the end of Read more…
I guess most of us know how a long and tedious wait or a monotonous journey can be shortened by good company. Sometimes that good company can be hard to find. Now whilst I have often discussed the importance of sacred silence and the ability to spend time on one’s own, I want Read more…