Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart news update

Hope your life’s journey is meeting some of your expectations.

For us who are preparing to renew our Baptismal vows at Easter we are looking forward to this shared moment. We know that Baptism is a way of life, not a mere ritual event that happened to us at the will of others when we were beginning our life’s journey. We are truly appreciative of those who made this Baptismal decision on our behalf. So much of who we are and what our goals are in life are deeply conditioned by those who loved /neglected us when we were young. Gratitude for those who were good and forgiveness for those whose neglect have not made life easy for us. From what we know, the ability to forgive parents is part of our maturing.

For us, Palm Sunday marks the formal beginning of Holy Week. We will use the symbol of the palm branch. Thanks to Mr John Foley who kindly provides us with the well cut branches. They will be blessed before the great Mass of Palm Sunday. For the sake of those who come to other Masses palm branches will be blessed and available. Many people like to take home their chosen branch and place it in a place of honour in their home. It will serve as a symbol of hope in their home. It will connect them to the Passion of Christ.

The Cross befriends every person and every family. Some fail to see how this Cross is now speaking to their hearts. None of us will seek out suffering, but somehow suffering seeks us out and visits us at the most inconvenient time. He was young, healthy and rushing to work without a though about his health till the body said no while the mind said go. In the cardiac unit of his hospital he handled his friend with a maturity beyond his years or even his learned wisdom.

You might consider a prayerful reading of the Passion of Jesus from the Gospel of St Matthew. This is the Gospel we will use for Palm Sunday. When proclaimed in Church the best we can do is hold some image, some phrase, even a word in our mind and soul. You are kindly invited to participate actively in one of the Masses at the weekend. In spite of our sinfulness we need each other to worship and pledge to make this world a better place. Do your bit for the climate.

We celebrate the feast of St Isodore on 4th April who is the patron saint of the internet. He knew so much and left so many manuscripts.