The Light of Faith...

Pope Francis has published the first encyclical of his pontificate.
You can read it on the Vatican website.
The encyclical finishes with a prayer for faith. I think this will be very helpful to anyone discerning their  vocation...

Mother, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise.
Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our faith is called to mature.
Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. And may this light of faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord!

Amen.

A happy day in Killarney

Bishop Bill Murphy (Diocese of Kerry) with Br Andrew Hickey (left), Mr Colm Ó'Súilleabháin (Principal of 'The Mon' primary school and Br Martin Kenneally (right).

Friday was a special day in Killarney as the staff, students, parents, former pupils of 'The Mon' primary school joined several Brothers to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Presentation Brothers in the town.

Bishop Bill Murphy celebrated Mass in the beautiful St Mary's Cathedral. Afterwards there was a ceremony on the school grounds during which a monument was unveiled. The monument reflects the great Christian and monastic tradition of our country. As you can see it takes the shape of the bee hive huts which are to be found on the Skelligs, off the coast of Kerry. There is also the theme of the round tower.

Mr Colm Ó'Súilleabháin speaks to the large crowd gathered at 'The Mon'. On the right is the new monument to mark the 175th anniversary.

Well done to everyone involved in a great day!

The day was not just about history. Today, Killarney is the home of the International Novitiate of the Presentation Brothers. There are six Brothers in the community there and three men from Africa are arriving this weekend.

When a man from Ireland or England joins the Presentation Brothers he spends two years of novitiate formation (training). This takes place in Killarney.

If you'd like further information about the Presentation Brothers please e-mail me at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

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