Killarney's Anniversary

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Presentation Brothers in Killarney. The Brothers established 'The Mon' primary school in the town.

The anniversary will be marked with a special Mass on Friday 31st May at 12 noon celebrated by the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy. Brother Andrew Hickey will address the congregation.

You can watch the Mass LIVE on a video stream from the cathedral. Take a look at our congregation website for details.

Congratulations to the staff and students of the school for the efforts they are putting into the preparations for the big day!

Killarney is the home of our International Novitiate where young men come in order to prepare to become Presentation Brothers. 

Prayer for exams...

Lord, today I am just really stressed. You know, Lord, that I am having some trouble with the test I am about to take. I know it's probably not the biggest world problem, with people starving, people turning away from you, people in wars, and more. But, Lord, it's what I'm facing right now, and I need you in this time. I know that no problem is too big or too small for you to handle, and I need to turn this stress over to you to help me with.

Lord, I just need to be able to focus. I need your help to look at this information so I can remember and apply it well on my exam. I need you to help me feel more confident going into the test and relax a bit so I can concentrate. Lord, please help the people around me to understand that I need to focus and study.

Also, Lord, help me when I walk into the exam. Give me the peace, when it is all said and done, to know that I walked in and did my best. I pray, Lord, for your guiding hand as I take the exam, and I ask for your welcome calm when I walk out of the classroom after.

Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have placed in my life. Thank you for being here in this time when I feel a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for always being there and allowing me to rely on you. Praise your name. Amen.

What is Pentecost?

Great 2 minute video on the meaning of today's great feast, the Feast of Pentecost...

Mondays at the Monastery

The Presentation Brothers in Glasthule, Co. Dublin

The Presentation Brothers are hosting a new series of talks to mark the Year of Faith beginning with... “Renewing the Church in Ireland” Michael Kelly, Editor The Irish Catholic Michael will speak from his unique perspective as editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper and regular media commentator. 7.30pm, Monday 13th May Presentation Brothers, Glasthule, Co. Dublin

                  (directly across the road from St Joseph’s Parish Church, Glasthule)

Admission free. Refreshments served.   ww.PresentationBrothers.org

 

Be patient...

I love the readings at Mass during this Easter season. Aside from the beautiful Gospel readings on Sundays there are other very interesting passages. They are very relevant to those of us who live in the Western World where the Church faces many pressures.

The Acts of the Apostles reminds us that times were difficult also for the first Christians. The early Church faced challenges from within and without. Challenges from within were of hypocrisy (Acts 5: 1–3); murmuring (Acts 6 – 1) and doctrinal questions (Acts 15: 1). The major external challenge was one of persecution (Acts: 4: 1-3; 5: 17–18). The challenges that face us as we follow Christ are both internal and external.

In reflecting on the readings of these weeks I also think of the question,“Who will roll away the stone?” posed by the women on their way to the tomb. I find an answer from St. Paul when he reflects on the struggle that is part of human life in Romans 7, telling us, “It is the Lord!”

The stone is rolled away and we are opened up to new possibilities, new life and seeing things radically differently. This is accomplished by God. Our task is to allow it to be done.

The strange thing is that on entering the tomb the women learn that Jesus is risen, but at this stage they don’t see or experience the risen Lord. They must wait awhile. For each of us Jesus may be risen but we may have to wait awhile before we come to experience this as a lived reality.

Patience is an important virtue for men and women who are discerning religious life. Maybe, when discerning our future, we too must be patient until we see and experience where the risen Lord may be leading us.

vocation@PresentationBrothers.org