Last Calls!

We all leave things to the last minute so don't worry if you're still interested in coming to our Time Out vocations weekend this Saturday and Sunday in Dublin.

Just email me at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org and I'll give you more details.

More details on our Congregation website.

Happy Pres Day!

November 21^st, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady - the feast day of the Presentation Brothers and Presentation Sisters. It is an occasion each year when we celebrate our call and mission as religious men and women in the Presentation Congregations. 

The feast recalls a Jewish custom whereby young Jewish men and women went to the Temple of Jerusalem to dedicate their lives to God.

In this feast we remember that Mary PRESENTS her life to God. Mary in turn PRESENTS Jesus to the world. This is the ideal of the Presentation Brothers and Sisters - to do their best to present Jesys Christ in the world today by the example of our lives. 

Christmas ads have already appeared on our televisions. They remind us of a time of year that is fast approaching. Part of Christmas is the giving of gifts. The challenge for those of us as Presentation religious is to present our lives as a gift to others. Each one of us is blessed with many gifts, we may not think so but we are a gift to others.

“Never doubt the power of a small group of committed people to change the world for, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –  Margaret Meade

Today is a day of celebration in Presentation schools and communities all around the world All associated with the Presentation Family, friends, staffs, parents and young people are invited to join with the Presentation Brothers in celebrating this great feast.

For those of you discerning your vocation in life - know that you on this special Feast dedicated to Mary our Mother, know that you are held in our thoughts and prayers.

Year of Faith concert

As part of the Presentation Brothers programme for the Year of Faith, we are hosting a concert on Saturday night (8.15pm) at the Sacred Heart Church on Western Road in Cork city.

Music is provided by an excellent group "Fuaimlaoi".

Full details on the Congregation website. 

Take a listen to some of Fuaimlaoi's music here. 

Friendship with Christ

 

The Year of Faith which we have just begun is not a programme of activities. It is a deeper project than that. It is an invitation to deepen our frienship with Christ. This idea of friendship with Christ is a recurring theme of the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

Jesus Christ is not just a figure of history, somebody who came and went. Because he conquered death by rising to new life he is with us now and for always. If He has simply died like other great men of the past, history might tell us something about him. But that would not help us to really know Him. As St. Augustine says, we come to know a person only through friendship and friendship is possible only with someone who lives. Friendship with Christ, sharing his life and sharing our life with him, is the heart of our Christian faith.

Jesus Christ is a bit like a programme for life. He tells us ‘I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full’ (Jn. 10:10). Jesus Christ is a person and invites us to meet him as a friend.

Many Young people today hear his voice. I have seen them in their thousands at World Youth Days and other youth gatherings. I have seen their enthusiasm and joy. I have experienced it in Africa and now at home in Ireland. You may think Christ would ask too much from you. But a friend who really cares for you is there to help with forgiveness, support and advice, and Jesus Christ is our greatest friend.

This year, the Year of Faith, offers us a unique opportunity to make the necessary adjustments in our lives to develop more deeply our friendship with Christ.