Fr. Joe’s writings and rumblings.
The notion of prayer and fasting is far from new. In fact, even though I am very interested in the role of both, prayer and fasting, in the life of Jesus, the reality is that both were being practised by others for many years before that. My initial idea of Read more…
(Perhaps in praying this litany, you might feel moved to compose your own). Lord I pray forgiveness on the brother who believed lies about me Lord I pray thanksgiving on the sister who modelled for me unconditional love Lord I pray forgiveness on that sad sick young priest that hurt Read more…
Heavenly Father, help me lament the loss of the aborted little baby but continue to love it’s mother… Lord Jesus, help me to proclaim the beauty of your gift of sexuality and not shun my transgender fellow pilgrim… Holy Spirit, help me to be faithful to my life of faith Read more…
Did you ever consider your un-lived life, or lives? If things had been different what might you be doing? Where might you be living? With whom? It’s an interesting question. Once you start to reflect on your unrealised potential it brings us in touch with all those who formed us Read more…
The Kerry Slug or Kerry Spotted Slug, ( Geomalacus maculosus) is a species of medium sized to large air breathing land slug. An adult Kerry slug generally measures between 7-8 cms ( 2.8- 3.2 ins). The Kerry Slug is on my mind quite a lot these days, and yet I Read more…
There was a time when we all prayed for vocations. It was often billed just like that. ‘Let us pray for vocations’…. sometimes it went further and said ‘Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood’. Indeed now and again we said, ‘Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood Read more…
Bring flow’rs of the rarest,From garden and woodlandAnd hillside and vale…………How truly we love thee,How dark without MaryLife’s journey would be. (Bring Flowers of the Rarest, Mary E. Walsh) Even on some of the more secular of radio stations the first day of May saw the playing of this beautiful Read more…
Recently on a long flight I watched Dr Zhivago. It’s a long film but my goodness how rewarding. Julie Christie, Omar Sharif and all that snow….and what about the music? Not just Lara’s Theme, though his blows me away, but the entire score. I was grateful that my fellow passengers Read more…
Mercy is another name for GodIn the same way that Love is another name for God.When we combine them we get the loving mercy of our God.What does God’s mercy mean?Does it mean he is there for us in the dark days?Well it does, but it’s even better than that.It Read more…
I hope you enjoy your egg, or eggs, I mean your Easter eggs! I am going to try not to eat too many. One would be enough. I hear there is one on the way. I think it is a kit-kat one! For many people Easter is about Easter eggs, Read more…