101 BIRTHDAY, PRIMROSES, POPE FRANCIS!

19 MARCH 2013. FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH. 101 BIRTHDAY, PRIMROSES, POPE FRANCIS. Saint Patrick's Day really began when we went to Lys Marie for Mass. The Chapel had been very simply and beautifully decorated by Sisters Vivienne and Regina. The Sri Lankan touch was very obvious. We began with -"The Deer's Cry" and our Liturgy included a few other Irish touches for the special day! Towards evening we began to prepare for our dear Lelia's 101 Birthday and all was well by the time our Pre-Chapter Facilitator arrived for our first meeting. THE BIRTHDAY began officially at 8.50a.m. Sister Lelia had already received President O'Higgins commemorative Medal and its accompanying personal letter. Then, her dear friend Denis Maloney came to wish her well. He presented her with a beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates and drank a cup of tea with his friend. His earlier than usual visit was due to the fact that he was on his way to our nearby City Airport. With his sister, Maria, he was en route to the inaugural Mass for Pope Francis and so his visit for Sister Lelia's birthday was brief. We had Mass celebrated for her at Lys Marie and again it was a very joyous moment. The rest of our day was a little different as we had three, quite long, Pre-Chapter Sessions. At evening meal, we sang once more and cut the beautiful cake. This had been made and iced in Sister's favourite white, with touches of pale green shamrocks and a pale pink greeting. All enjoyed this very special community event. Very beautiful floral bouquets arrived but the primroses that adorned our garden and parts of the house were a constant reminder of our Birthday Lady as she has always loved them. We were just delighted when our Dublin Newscaster announced that the Inaugural Mass would be broadcast from Rome. Early this morning we were "on-site" and so happy to see the glorious sunshine in Rome for this wonderful event. In fact, the election of Pope Francis has dominated recent times and we have eagerly shared fragments of his family and priestly history as they emerged. However, it has been his own personality, plus his very significant choice of name, that has given us great hope that he will accept the directive given by Christ - "Go and rebuild my Church". This evening we plan to join religious and local people at our Cathedral for our Belfast Celebration to mark Pope Francis taking on his responsibilities. In our own Good Shepherd community, we had a new beginning with the feast, as Sister Cait took up her responsibilities as Leader. We now feel on the last stretch of the journey towards Easter and so let us be united with one another a we pilgrim towards the coming week. Peace and Blessings to each one!