Surrounded as we are with constant devastating news about climate chaos, bio-diversity loss and the ever-growing mountains of pollution it is easy to fall into despair. And yet as people of faith, we have hope – the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not yet see (cf. Hebrews 11:1). In the words of ...

As autumn fast approaches, we do not fail to notice around us how nature is changing; giving up its treasure of leaves and once blooming flowers ceasing to produce such colourful carpets of gold and sparking gems in various shapes and sizes.  But it is time! Everything has to undergo change. “There is a given time for everything and time ...

I remember the song – “All things bright and beautiful . . . the good God made them All.” Every month some calendars attributes a special place for God’s Beauty and Grandeur. So does the month of September. I am always struck with the colours of autumn; coincidently, I was reading an article in the Jesuits spirituality magazine (Thinking Faith, ...

Recently, the people throughout the UK, Ireland and across the world have been shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely death of Dr Michael Mosley, a well-known author, broadcaster on TV and Radio. When asked why we are so sad, it is because he entered into the lives of so many people with his general health, diet, medical and ...

After a morning’s shopping, I went home on the bus. At one of the stops, an elderly lady got on and since there was a vacant seat beside me, I gestured to her to sit there. On leaving her burden down, she gave a great sigh as she eased her body on the seat. “Isn’t it a beautiful day!” she ...

I was struck with the thought of spring has sprung when I saw it on the notice board in St. Anne’s.( see photo) After some thought, I reached a conclusion that the difference is the sense of hope that spring brings; sure, it does bring beauty and joy to our hearts. Hope is such a powerful state of being. It ...

A Life of Prayer is a Life of Love – Sr Yvonne Pepper, RNDM Many years ago I read a message on a fridge magnet, something to the effect of: The extra-ordinary can only be seen in the ordinary. That thought has stayed with me ever since, pondering how it could be and what makes it possible. Now, after many ...

Beware the Ides of March The Month of JOY and GRATITUDE for the blessings of the past and HOPE and EXPECTATION for the future. We are the RNDM EARTH COMMUNITY of Our Lady the Missions. In the mythological past, March/ Martius, the god of war, was so called because the preceding traumatic weather months of winter discouraged intense battles thus ...

Here we are, at the beginning of 2024, hoping for a year of Peace, Happiness and Good Health. As we move on into this New Year, we become conscious that our lives, like a train, are speeding towards their final destination. Having lived at railway stations all my life, I am very aware of the continual movement of trains in ...

St Francis born in Assisi sometime between 1881/82, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant,  left this material wealth to seek the wealth of the Lord. Taking the Gospel as his way of life, he worked for and lived with the poor.  For me, his charisma is his ordinariness, his closeness and accessibility to the ordinary person, his commitment to ...