Easter Sunday

Easter is the biggest surprise of the year. No one expected it the first time. People came to Jesus's tomb looking to anoint  a dead body. Instead, they found an empty tomb - the only empty tomb that ever existed.
Sometimes, children grasp the implications of Easter better than adults. this reminds me of the story of an elementary school teacher talking to her class about the death of Jesus. She asked the children: "What was the last words that Jesus spoke before he died?" One little insightful girl put up her hand and simply said, "I'll be back." What a profound message for Easter. Happy Easter.

Palm Sunday

Today, I celebrated Palm Sunday Mass at home for the first time in 40 years. it was a very low key affair compared to the States. with the reading of the Passion narrative, I  kept to my usual "no homily on Palm Sunday" routine.
In the afternoon, I took my family out to a buffet at a local hotel. we feasted on stuffed broiled chicken, glazed ham and beef stroganoff.
As we embrace Holy Week and Easter at home for the first time since ordination over 40 years ago, it should be interesting. It will also be nice to be part of my extended family for Easter for the first time as a priest.

Springtime has sprung



St. Patrick's Day
Seeing that I am spending my first St. Patrick's Day in Ireland in over 40 years, it seems appropriate to reflect on St. Patrick's Breastplate which captures his deep faith which he passed on to countless generations.  Shortened version)

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.


Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Home from the Funeral
My sister, Eileen, was buried in Bulkington, England on Saturday, following concelebrated Mass at 11 a.m. A large crowd attended because she was so well known in the community and totally involved in her parish. People attended form her home parish in Ireland as well as Belfast, Dublin, Galway, and Belfast and Maguires Bridge in Northern Ireland. Also, mourners attended from Germany.
The main celebrant was yours truly, her older brother. a reception followed the funeral in the local hotel. Most people returned home on Sunday afternoon.
Some had their flight diverted to Dublin because of a technical problem with the plane. the fault was fixed and the plane continued on to its final destination of Knock, Ireland.
The funeral was a tough experience for the family but the presence and support of so many people helped.

Eileen's gone home

My sister, Eileen, died in  England early this morning after battling cancer for the past nine months. She fought bravely and with faith through the whole ordeal. There was no bitterness, no "why me" but an acceptance of the "cross" that she carried courageously.  She inspired so many; always looked out for the "least" of his brethren; always welcomed into her heart and home the lost and forsaken.
Funeral will be later in England.

Feeding Time

I went for my usual early morning walk in the countryside this morning. on Saturday morning, most people were still in bed after a long work week. as I strolled along, I watched the sheep to  see if I could see any new spring lamb born during  the night. then I heard a new mother's voice calling in her distinctive chant. Immediately, I heard her new born twins respond in their special, recognizable cadence. Mother was calling out, "It is breakfast time." And her children responded. they rushed  to her side and began to suck her warm milk.

The experience, not only reminded me of the beauty and instinctive nature of the animal world, but, on a much deeper level, of the invitation from God to come and suck at the breasts  of his divine love.