Early Easter Day saw the sun rising in a white gold glory; a shining half moon across the sky.
A tall candle lit; the Light of Christ.
They say, bright at seven, rain before eleven.
And so it was.
Our human eyes cannot long sustain that Pure Light.
Which is why we serve in physical ways. Tiny lights then always.
Always and only for Jesus....
*****************************************
Easter was in the world's ways overshadowed.
This news item sums it up.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100405/tuk-archbishop-aims-to-move-on-from-row-6323e80.html
The Anglican Archbishop speaks truth of course. We have heard similar reactions from Church of Ireland ( Anglican) clergy here; not being Irish we hear more.
"Land of saints and scholars! " said in scathing tones.
And utter scorn from a senior clergyman that the Irish Catholic Church's priority was to protect the Church.
And yes, rarely is a clerical collar seen here. We see many priests around and never a sign of who they are - unless you look at the regulation issues baggy black trousers!
Clerical clothing is worn only on official business; part- time priests.
They don't want to be seen and known; and they speak with no- one but each other.. oh and sometimes now to this Nun.
Whose only clothing is the Holy Habit of religion.
As for the habit...Forget it. One or two old ones maybe, who are rarely seen out of doors.
The few Sisters here travel incognito.. for very "sound" reasons.
As we well know of course. There is a price to pay for the witness we bear.
The knee jerk reaction from Martin and other Bishops was even more revealing.
Desperately sadly so. For the iodine of truth surpised into unwary words.
See the last paragraph of this...
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100404/tuk-archbishop-abuse-remarks-regret-6323e80.html
It is all too clear that there is no real regret or penitence. Simply they are claiming there is to protect the Church.
The Church is their priority; not the victims.
Some of the survivors had tea and scones with Brady last week; another empty gesture.
A mere political move, as all these speeches are of course. And note the careful wording of Williams' "apology" : rightly he expresses no apology for what he said! Why should he when it was simply truth?
They have no intention of doing right; which of course means the prosecution of the offenders and their appropriate punishment.
It is the leadership that has offended most; it is they who should pay, as any citizen pays for crimes.
So now they seek to "move forward.." To " draw a line" under the whole matter and pretend it did not happen.
And Jesus wept and weeps still.
And dwells not in houses of shame.
And the Vatican calls the reports of abuse "petty gossip."
Their reactions to the iodine of truth shame the Church more and more.
Irish Catholicism has a flavour and identity all of its own. In times within living memory, every household would be praying the rosary at 6 pm.
So if anyone knocked at the door then? Of course the priest or the nun, calling to collect money.
This was the degree of control they had.
******************************
Collecting money?
We have just put up a large Cross by the gate; and a white mail box clearly labelled "PRAYER REQUESTS"
( There is already a large box at the other side of the gate for ordinary post etc)
Early yesterday, it was time to plant a wee Easter garden at the foot of the Cross.
Small and simple , as we cannot spend on these things. The glory of God is not in elaborate displays or jewelled Crosses, but in tiny lives nurtured and saved.
So the Cross is simply wood we begged; and three plants now. A royal purple pansy, a spray miniature daffodils and a golden primrose.
Royal hues for the Risen Lord of all.
And the Prayer Request box was checked then.
Behold! A large, thick unaddressed white envelope...
Containing?
A demand for weekly money from the local parish Church.... A collector will leave you envelopes and collect one each week.
Apparently the new. ie 25 year old, Church, needs a new roof and many other renovations.
So now every one of the 800 households in the parish is being visited; not with the Good News of Jesus, not to be prayed with and comforted in need - but to ensure that each gives. Every week they will be knocking on every door.
Lay involvement of course.
They suggest E2. Maybe they say some will not be able to afford that - but maybe many will give more.
They need they say around E30,000
Of course we do not involve in the parish and in fact we have never met the priest here.
Our Sacramental link remains with the lcoal Franciscan Friars, as it has been all our years here in Ireland. A constant factor and presence for us.
The move was so sudden and then winter hit.
And there was no neighbourly help in tha hard time; rather the opposite.
So now the priest will be contacted. And as we say to him, if we gave that amount, a child would die.
Such is our fragility and the needs we serve.
And, please! That box is for prayer requests only.
And of course, no one will get past the locked gate of our enclosure.
Catholic Ireland.
A place apart.
The Tale of the Pony /Goat/Donkey is one for another day..
Meanwhile, work here goes on quietly. Still hard frosts, so no planting out yet. Each day that it is possible, all the seed trays are out to harden off, then in at night.
One of the First Communion rosaries sold on the quietest Saturday yet. So when the beads arrive from America, that work will have priority.
And Francisan Crown rosaries are planned.
Seeking also some Connemara marble beads to combine in rosaries.
Many ideas....
For the boys, one idea is the Olive Wood beads from Bethlehem. For the girls, pure white with silver or gold; and one with the tiny white sea shells also.
And yes we have informed the local priest of this work also...
We still see our last parish priest; one of the very few who spoke with us - after we left a gift of jams.
Sweetness takes many forms, does it not? As does love.
Blessings this chilly wet morning.... Blessings and peace
