Fr. Joe’s writings and rumblings.
Have you any wounds? I mean a physical wound. Big or small. Maybe you got your appendix out. Maybe you are a mother and you have the singularly noble wound of a C-Section. I got my appendix out. I also have a little scar on my second smallest finger on my left Read more…
We had a very memorable day on the Feast of St. Matthew, 21st September 2016. We had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9am to 9pm, and various prayer forms during the day, including two beautiful celebrations of the Eucharist. A steady flow of people availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Read more…
Recently I have become very aware of labels. I mean there is a big drive at the moment to have more information available on our food packaging. Part of the government’s plan to combat the nationwide problem with obesity is to write into law that all food, including fast food, will have Read more…
I could not help but notice the huge gap between those who are steeped in GAA and those who hardly knew there was a game on. One thing in particular that stayed with me was a comment amidst all the passion, recrimination and of course intense relief that there is a replay, Read more…
Last Wednesday, September 14th was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It’s a quite a mouthful as far as feast days go and in a way as a title it may not have instant appeal. At some level the Cross may present us with fear if not dread. Read more…
It’s a great phrase ‘Did you get Mass?’ Often its thrown in as a question or sometimes offered as another box ticked in a list of ‘things to do’: ‘ I was in such a flurry, so many things to do, but thankfully I managed to ‘get’ Mass’. It would be silly Read more…
‘Well its back to porridge tomorrow!’ It’s a great phrase, one which I associate with my Dad, though I think it might be one he got from his father. It usually signified the end of a holiday and pointed to the fact that the freedom and fun was over, at least for Read more…
In response to people’s questions about prayer, I would like to say a number of things. I believe we can be taught to pray. My novice-master, Rev. Bro. James Quentin Harney cfc taught me how to pray, and I will always be grateful for that. Perhaps the best book on prayer that Read more…
By the time you read this I shall be back in St. Matthews, but as I write I am in Lourdes. I have been here several times but never on a major Marian feast. Today is 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption. There are huge crowds here today and it is Read more…
My friends as you read this it is almost the great Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. It is a beautiful feast day when we remember with thanks the pivotal role Mary played in our salvation story. This feast is about giving her the honour and dignity that she Read more…