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Dear friends
My Day Begins If you hope to succeed in whatever you do, place your trust totally in God’s providence. Cooperate with him, then rest secure that whatever happens, will be best for you. Think of a little child walking with her father. One hand clings tightly to his, but with the other she gathers fruit from trees along the way. Imitate the child. With one hand go ahead and gather what you need of the world’s good things, but with the other hold on to your heavenly Father, checking regularly whether or not he approves of what you are doing with your life. Above all, beware of letting go of your Father to free up both your hands to gather more of the world’s goods. You will find that by yourself you will stumble and fall. And when your gathering does not require all your attention, turn your mind to God as often as you can. Like a sailor returning to port, look to the sky and not just to the waves that carry you. God love you Fr Frank
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Dear friends
My Day Begins We are on a journey to a more blessed life. Let us not, along the way, be angry with one another. Instead let us go forward with our fellow travellers, our brothers and sisters, gently, in peace and in love. And whatever happens along the way, however great the provocation, do not let anger into your heart. Take with you the advice of Joseph when he bid his brothers good-bye: “be not angry along the way.” Don’t let anger get the smallest foothold in your heart. Exclude absolutely, as Augustine advises, even its slightest presence, however justified and reasonable it may seem. For once it gets into your heart it is hard to uproot. A mote rapidly becomes a beam. It will stay with you and if you ignore the apostle Paul’s advice, and let the sun go down on your anger, it will harden into hatred. Constantly fed by imaginings and delusions, it will become all but impossible to set yourself free of it. It is best to avoid all anger rather than try to come to terms with it; for if we give anger an inch it will surely take a mile. God love you Fr Frank Dear friends, Today is Mother’s Day and we wish all our Mothers a beautiful day of peace and joy. What a gift is our Mother. No one can replace her. From her we receive everything. From her our human features and our character is formed. From our mother we receive the first taste of true love, unconditional and sacrificial. We place our trust in our mother who is at the beginning of our life “the guardian of our soul”. There can be no higher vocation than that of a mother. The tenderness and constant care of a mother knows no boundaries or obstacles. A mother is always alert and constantly listening to the cry of her child. No more perfect image of God’s love for us as creator and redeemer is found other than a Mother. Jesus himself refers to His love for us as that of a mother who wishes to gather her young ones under her wings. Today, may we remember with deep respect and honour, the gift of our own mother. She is worthy of our high esteem and gratitude. For in her, we hear and feel the tender love of God which has no limits. Happy Mother’s Day to all women in our parish. For in every woman the gift of life and maternal love is found in her voice. “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever”. “No gift to your Mother can ever equal Her gift to you – Life”. God love you Fr Frank Mother’s Day PrayerLoving God, You wrap your arms around your people and show your everlasting love in the same way a mother loves her children. We are grateful for the love you have taught us through the mothers in our lives: our own mother who brought us into this world, the mothers of friends who have welcomed us into their homes and families, our grandmothers who took time for us, and the mothers who have helped us even though we were not their children. Bless all the mothers in the world today. May they know the fullness of love they have shared and be blessed every day of their lives. Amen
Dear friends,
How true it is at times that unexpectedly, or out of the blue, someone comes to our help. Remember the neighbour who brought you over a meal when you had a death in the family. Someone who gave you money when you sorely needed assistance. A kind thought, act of charity or a helping hand. All these times we have seen Jesus without recognising Him. This is what happened to the disciples in today’s Gospel. Then John recognised Him on the shore preparing their breakfast. We can do the same as Jesus. It is in the details of life, like preparing a meal, a visit, a telephone call or card or letter that can make the difference. This is how change comes about in relationships and how love can be renewed. Small acts of love help people see God in us. Like our dear pope, Francis, he told his people in Buenos Aires that “Today the place of Christ is the street, the place for the Christian is the street.....He wants us walking the streets of Buenos Aires and carrying His message.” Pope Francis goes into the prisons, hospitals and parishes of Rome. It is all about awareness. To be aware of the opportunities every day to stop and do an act of kindness. Not forgetting how important it is to pray. Sometimes Jesus opens a door for us to talk with a person we are concerned about. Remember St Monica asked the Bishop Ambrose what to do about her pagan son, he told her “Before you talk to Augustine about God, make sure you talk to God about Augustine.” Let us all rejoice in the good news that Jesus is always there to encourage and make things better and right for us. Leave your worries in His hands and put out for a catch. You will be surprised that whoever places their trust in Jesus is never disappointed and never let down. God love you Fr Frank |
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