Fr. Joe’s writings and rumblings.
‘They are neither in the Church, nor out of it. Neither fish nor flesh. These are the modern curse of the Church, these a la carte Catholics. They tick the box. They pick and choose. They use us when they need us, and don’t bother with us the rest of the time. Read more…
‘Oh Father, I couldn’t begin to tell you. Where do I start?’ This is not an uncommon line from someone speaking about their family. Often when I hear this comment it makes me smile and think of my own family. I especially think of a few years before my Mum Read more…
‘Oh Father, I couldn’t begin to tell you. Where do I start?’ This is not an uncommon line from someone speaking about their family. Often when I hear this comment it makes me smile and think of my own family. I especially think of a few years before my Mum died and I Read more…
If you don’t remember the hit number one song with this title by The Clash, from 1981, I am sure in these Google days you will be able to get it. Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there Read more…
This morning, Saturday, the day the votes in the referendum are being counted I was in the Phoenix Park. I was feeling pretty heavy hearted. As someone who wrote and preached and indeed voted no, whilst I was not surprised at the outcome, as I had fully expected the Yes campaign to win, Read more…
It’s amazing how often I meet people who say that the Trinity means nothing to them. They say that it’s too vague, too far away from them. Too complicated. They even say that it has no bearing on their life. It goes further. I have people say to me that their Read more…
Weighing it up. I agree, that women’s health has and continues to have an appalling record in this country and we need to deal with this,that no woman should be pregnant and alone, that the ‘hard cases’, of rape / incest are appalling, that women ‘having to travel’ is heartbreaking, and I can understand slogans Read more…
‘Abide with me; fast falls the even tide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.’ This is the first verse of the great and beautiful hymn that we often sing at Night Prayer. The world we Read more…
N.B. Over the next four weeks the ‘rumblings’ will be taken up with the upcoming Referendum. The titles are as follows: Today: ‘Letter to the Women of Ireland’ May 6th: ’10 Questions about the Referendum’ May 13th: ‘Darkness Deepens?’ May 20th: ‘The Polling Booth’ Dear Sisters, I realise from the outset, Read more…
Did you hear the one about the Motley Crew and the Pope? One of my favourite pieces of Gospel text is Matthews going away bash! (Matt 9:9-13) I am sure you remember it, he has just heard the invitation of Jesus, he has found enough in his heart to say some Read more…