PRE-CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS, NEW YEAR 2013.

29 DECEMBER 2012 PRE-CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS, NEW YEAR 2013. For me, there has been a sense of wonder and joy in the very ordinary lead-in to Christmas. Having been away from this hustle and bustle for the past three years, I happily revelled in the days that included new and challenging experiences too. The highlight of the pre-Christmas preparations for me and I feel sure for many others, was the superb concert of our friends - "The Priests" at the WATERFRONT on December 22. There was a palpable sense of festive enjoyment and the three priests excelled all our expectations as they gave themselves very generously to the evening, even to adding tinsel and appropriate props for a number of the carols. The more solemn Christmas Carols were delivered with genuine reverence. An added treat was the scheduled appearance of the Schola Cantorum from our Cathedral. This group of about 50 young men delighted the audience and their beautiful melodies. They were fresh from singing at the Vatican where they were acclaimed! As we returned from that Waterfront evening, I felt ready for Christmas. I was delighted with all the pre-Christmas visitors as they enabled me to re-connect with many friends. Our group of Associate Friends attended a Mass and we met for more than an hour after to share some goodies and mulled wine. We almost finalized a workable programme for 2013. We resolved to get this into shape at our first 2013 meeting! I have had a number of contact with Albania - the Sisters and friends, some of whom used SKYPE with great success. I gathered there is not as much snow as last year so it is easier to move about. Also, I enjoyed several photos of Korce and friends there. There is such an amount of contact possible now and it is great to keep in touch. Today, I move down to DUBLIN for a three day New Year visit. I look forward to seeing a grand-niece in reality - her photos show a very lively young lady, rather than a wee baby! I am having some thoughts about continuing with blog entries. I hope to reach a decision about this over the coming day! So, with a greeting for a blessed 2013, with all your hopes and dreams coming alive I will finish. May you have good health, great surprises and special moments to enrich your 2013.

FEAST OF SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS - UPDATE

14 DECEMBER 2012 FEAST OF SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS - UPDATE! "In the evening of Life, we shall be judged on Love" St. John of the Cross. Since my last post, life has been good. Meetings with friends and re-connecting with them is a special joy. I was delighted to be in our Community at Derry for the three day Retreat - my first experience of a Carmelite preacher and I heard so much that was enlightening about Saint Teresa and John of the Cross. The few days was a real experience of a pre-Christmas retreat - very peaceful and silent. Also, the new information throws a special light on todays feast! Today, I have a new beginning, a ministry very close to my heart and also to Good Shepherd. Coinciding with my return, a request came from the Diocese for support with a new ministry and I was asked to consider taking responsibility for it. No further development since until two days ago. Today sees my first involvement in a new field.I can share no further about it just now but I feel the day is most significant as a starting-point! Also, the task I have been asked to do links in with my previous experience of retreat-giving aftercare role and hopefully there will be new and open growth as this takes root. Maybe I can say....WATCH THIS SPACE! Three delightful events of recent days - a beautiful visit to Rostrevor Benedictine monastery - bonus to a request from a friend to help her visit a Nursing home in the area. A special bonus was a glorious day of sunshine and a memorable Liturgy too. At the weekend, I missed a Birthday Party of the Leader of our Divine Healing Ministry, an Anglican Franciscan. I would have met 120 friends that has to be postponed for the present plus a re-connecting with a ministry that I love. To compensate for my missing that wonderful evening, Brother David and I went to share a meal and we really got a Christmas flavour and a Birthday atmosphere as a Plum Pudding portion served with a globe of ice-cream was surmounted with a giant sparkler that cheered even the tables celebrating with Christmas crackers! I may say, this mini-celebration was a great follow-up to a wonderful meal that we both enjoyed. We did not even refer to the significance of us witnessing to both sides of our Belfast community, that necessitated us working our way through ridiculous protests about flags to get to our restaurant venue1 Today, I had accepted a lunch appointment with a friend from my previous street ministry who wanted to introduce me to her husband. This plan was postponed last evening and I am delighted that this frees me to attend a Lunch Party at my previous Diocesan ministry. I really look forward to attending and I feel privileged to be invited to this event each year as it keeps me in touch with former colleagues and even fellow-students sometimes!!! I think this completes my update and I want to wish you a peaceful and even joyful lead-in to Christmas. I have just heard on radio that Sunday will mark a Peace Gathering at our poor City Hall that has been "battered" by so-called "Loyalists" in recent times and all the chaos created has really done us no favours at all - at any level. I PRAY WE CAN BE POSITIVE IN ALL THAT WE SAY TILL NORMALITY RETURNS TO BELFAST!

UPDATE - BELFAST. FEAST OF ST.FRANCIS X.

3 DECEMBER 2012 BELFAST - FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER I have opened the blog and am surprised I have not made an entry since 18 November. 20.11.12 - Travelled to Tirana, so as to be in time to meet Sister Daniela at Rinas! 21.11 - Daniela arrived on time! Amira had arranged the first Mass in our Tirana setting. This included our Renewal of Vows and was celebrated by a French Jesuit 22.11 - Daniela left for Munich. I returned to Korce and Lalini arrived from Angers about two hours later. 23.11. Packing up and many "Goodbyes". All the time, I insisted it may only be "Au revoir". 24.11 Left KORCE for Tirana, accompanied by Lalini, Bea and my little friend Xhoana. Shared a "Farewell" meal with Mirjam and Amira. 25.11. - Journey to Belfast was straightforward. Was surprised by being met on arrival by Sister Rose, who had arrived from Dalgan, for the closure of the Twinbrook house. 26.11 - Community Meeting with Provincial Council. In the afternoon, Sister Noeleen and I attended a Church Service at the Church of Saints Paul and Barnabas. Our friend Denis Moloney joined us as he was doing a commentary on "I Have a Dream*. This was a Depaul event and most interesting as it gave the history of their 10 years in Belfast. 28.11.12 Sister Brigid Keane's sister Nora died and I was asked to go to the funeral. 30.11.12 Sister Brigid and I set off for Knock, settled in and then left for Clonbur for the evening funeral. The Mass on Saturday was close by Maum, in Kilmilken, and was celebrated by Father Miceal McGreal, SJ. who has close links with the family and is a native of the area. Later, we visited Leenane and then had a quiet day in Knock on Sunday, before travelling back to Belfast in the evening. 2.12.12 Word came there is a Retreat in Derry. This will begin on Wednesday afternoon. I hope to travel for these days. Now that my commitment to Albania has ended I finish with a quote from Paulo Coelho - "One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through. Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters - whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished." I am sure I will realize the wisdom of this in due course. Now, I am settling in anew and delighting in the everyday life of the community. A blessed Advent to you.