St. Oliver’s Parish Newsletter – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

PARISH INFORMATION

Priests of the Parish:  Fr. Michael Hegarty I.C.    Fr. James Pollock I.C.

Tel:  6125679     E Mail stoliver@eircom.net

Sister:  Sr. Mary Muckley     Tel: 6125235

Parish Website:www.stoliverspc.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stoliverspc

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helpline 052 – 6123878

Local Safeguarding Representatives:Margaret Waters 086-8917440 Fiona Stanley 087-9340382

Bereavement Support:Tel 6125679

 

Masses for Weekend

Saturday   7.30 p.m.   Tommy Rossiter (Anniv)

Sunday     9.00 a.m.   Shirley & Gerard Dalton (Anniv)

                 12 Noon   Shane Dillon (1st Anniv)

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION  Our Parish Eucharistic Adoration will finish every Monday during Lent at 7.30 p.m.

 

First Friday  Next Friday is the First Friday of the month. Sr. Mary and Fr. Hegarty will bring Holy Communion to the persons who have asked to receive it in their own homes.

 

Trócaire is very grateful to the people of Waterford and Lismore for their annual generosity to the Lenten Appeal. Please bring Trócaire Boxes back to the Church as soon as possible.

 

Holy Places Collection will be taken up on Good Friday. This Collection goes towards the upkeep of the places in the Holy Land associated with the life and death of Jesus.

 

Many Thanks to everyone for their generosity to the appeal last weekend for the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver. Amount received €1,183.15.

 

National Pilgrim Paths Day Walk along part of St. Declan’s Way route. The Melleray to Ardfinnan walk is 18 km long and will take about 4 hours to complete. The walk will commence at 11 a.m. on Saturday 4th April in Mount Mellerary Abbey, Cappoquin. Walkers will assemble at Ardfinnan at 9.30 a.m. from where they will get a bus to Mount Mellerary. Walkers should have appropriate footwear (preferrably walking boots) and waterproof gear. Walk leaders will be on hand on the day. Cost €15.

 

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)  The PPC will meet on Monday 30th March at 8.00 p.m.

 

Anam Cara will hold its monthly Parent Evening on Monday 30th March from 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Thurles. All Anam Cara Services are available free of charge to bereaved parents.

 

Irish Blood Transfusion Service will hold a Blood Donor Clinic in Clonmel Park Hotel on Monday 30th March from 5.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Tuesday 31st March, Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd April from 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. Donor Line 1850-731137.  Please come along and donate blood to help cope with the increasing demand from hospitals and patients in the region.

 

The Mass of Chrism will take place in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Waterford on Holy Thursday morning 2nd April at 10.30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

 

Yoga Classes Student Hatha, Yoga teacher is offering classes for beginners commencing Thursday April 2nd from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. in St. Oliver’s Parish Centre, at half price €5 per class. Six week course, pay as you go. Contact 085 -1919713 for more details.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Monthly Collection will take place after all Masses next weekend Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April.

 

Marian Movement  Regional Cenacle for the Laity in Rockwell College, Cashel on Saturday 11th April from 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. Speaker: Fr. Peter Hoyne. Rosary, Confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Please bring a packed lunch. Everyone welcome. For information Tel 086-2318622.

 

Clonmel Vintage and Classic Car Club Raffle  Tickets for the above event which takes place on Sunday May 3rd in Powerstown Park, Clonmel are available from Jimmy Moloney, Leo Fitzgerald and St. Oliver’s Parish Office. Last year the parish received €5,000 from the event and will also benefit this year. Tickets €5 each or 3 for €10.

 

Collection last weekend

Envelopes  –  €568.50     Notes and Coin  –  €385.50         Thank You

 

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Ever thought of having a prayer space in your home? If not, Holy Week is a great place to start. The crowds in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus by waving palm. Why not use the palm that is blessed today at Mass to welcome Christ into you home? Invite family members to join you for a short prayer when placing the palm in the prayer space. Over the next few months, continue to grow your own personal prayer space by introducing religious items, pictures and symbols into this sacred place in your home.

A prayer service for the new blessed palm in the home.    In advance, as a family, decide where the palm will be placed (e.g. above the door in each room, or behind the main crucifix in the house).

– Gather, as a family, at home. Ask an adult/teen to read the account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (from the Gospel of Mark 11:1-10. Matthew 21:1-11, John 12:12-16 or Luke 19:28-40).

– Then another adult, with a lighted candle, leads a short procession through all the rooms of the house, while singing an appropriate hymn.

– Place the palm in its new home an invite each person to name one event, relationship or thing for which they are grateful to God.

– Finish with an ‘Our Father’.

 

HOLY WEEK & EASTER CELEBRATIONS 2015

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Masses 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.

 

Wednesday 1st April

Penitential Service/Confessions Friary Church at 7.30 p.m.

 

Holy Thursday 2nd April

The only Mass on Thursday morning will be the Mass with the Blessing of the Holy Oils in the Cathedral Waterford at 10.30 a.m.

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.30 p.m.

(Procession with Holy Oils, participation of Eucharistic Ministers, Holy Communion under both kinds)

Adoration at the Altar of Repose in the Day Chapel to finish at 10.00 p.m.

 

Good Friday 3rd April

12.00 Noon Special Celebration of the Stations of the Cross for Children.  Children need to be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.

3.00 p.m. The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. Liturgy of the Word followed by the Solemn Intercessions; Adoration of the Holy Cross; Holy Communion.

Confessions in the Day Chapel Sacristy 6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.

7.30 p.m. Prayer around the Cross.  We hope you can join us in this reflective time of prayer.

 

Holy Saturday 4th April

Confessions 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. 5.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.

7.30 p.m. Blessing of the Paschal Fire at Old St. Mary’s Church.

8.00 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass in St. Oliver’s  (with participation of Baptismal Team Members)

 

Easter Sunday 5th April

Masses at 9.00 a.m., 12.00 Noon.

Banna Cluain Meala will be present at 12.00 Noon Mass

Easter Week: Mass each morning at 10.00 a.m. 

 Saturday 11th April: Morning Mass at 11.30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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St. Oliver’s Parish Newsletter – 5th Sunday of Lent

PARISH INFORMATION

Priests of the Parish:  Fr. Michael Hegarty I.C.    Fr. James Pollock I.C.

Tel:  6125679    E Mail stoliver@eircom.net

Sister:  Sr. Mary Muckley   Tel: 6125235

Parish Office:  Open Monday – Friday 9.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Parish Website:www.stoliverspc.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stoliverspc

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helpline 052 – 6123878

Local Safeguarding Representatives:  Margaret Waters 086-8917440 Fiona Stanley 087-9340382

Bereavement Support: Tel 6125679

 

Masses for Weekend

Saturday   7.30 p.m.   Patricia O’ Donnell (Anniv)

Sunday     9.00 a.m.

                 12 Noon   Tom Foran (Anniv)

 

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and the beginning of Holy Week. The Blessing of Palms will take place at the Vigil Mass on Saturday Evening and blessed Palm will be available at all the other Masses on Sunday.

 

We pray for: Christina Farrell late of 131 Mountain View, Elm Park, Clonmel who died during the week. May she rest in peace.

 

Eucharistic Ministers Rota for April – June ’15 is now available in the Sacristy in the church.

 

Welcome into our Christian Community Brianna O’ Reilly and Maja Anne Ryniec who were baptised last weekend.

 

Collections last weekend

Sunday 15th March   Envelopes – €785.30   Notes and Coin – €375.70

Tuesday 17th March   Envelopes – €363.62   Notes and Coin – €458.38 

(St. Patrick’s Day)                                                                                    Thank You

 

Whist Drive will take place on Sunday 22nd March in the Bridge Centre, Clonmel at 2.30 p.m. New players welcome. Afternoon tea served.

 

Passion Accounts  The Passion of our Lord according to the Gospels with Facilitator: Dr. Michael Mullins, D.D. at St. John’s Pastoral Centre, Waterford on Thursday 26th March at 7.30 p.m. Donation €5 including light refreshments.

 

Coffee Morning in aid of The Irish Cancer Society will take place in Elm Tree Community Centre on Friday 27th March, Daffodil Day from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. All are welcome.

 

Holy Week, a journey of Life, Death & Resurrection A morning of reflection through prayer, reflection & music will take place at St. John’s Pastoral Centre, Waterford on Saturday 28th March from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. Facilitator: Antoinette Dilworth rsj.

 

“Personal and Ancestral Healing”  One Day Workshop exploring aspects of personal and ancestral healing as part of our journey towards wholeness will take place at Glencomeragh House of Prayer, Kilsheelan on Saturday 28th March.  Presenter Fr. Jim Cogley (Author of the popular ‘Would You Believe’ series).  For further information contact (052) 6133181 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

 

Clonmel Vintage and Classic Car Club Raffle  Tickets for the above event which takes place on Sunday May 3rd in Powerstown Park, Clonmel are available from Jimmy Moloney, Leo Fitzgerald and St. Oliver’s Parish Office. Last year the parish received €5,000 from the event and will also benefit this year. Tickets €5 each or 3 for €10.

 

Our New Parish Centre

Target:  €130,000.00        Donated so far:   €107,274.52

Thanks for all your generosity

 

A Lay helper of the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver will be in this parish this weekend to appeal on behalf of the missions. Pat will tell us about the work of the Sisters and will be grateful for your financial support. E-mail: claverdublin@eircom.net claver4@hotmail.com  F:www.facebook.com/ClaverianSisters  Web: www.missionarieclaveriane.org Tel 01-4909360  Charity Number: Ch 3462

 

5th Sunday of Lent

In the Gospel today we see the image of the wheat grain that falls on the ground and dies. We are reminded of the progress of death that comes before new life. Each day we are called to die to our selfishness so that we can be renewed and become who we are meant to be in the eyes of our Creator.

Take some time this week to remind yourself of the story of Mahlet, the child on this years Trócaire box by reading the side of your Trócaire box at home. Pray that our lifestyles may be renewed so that young lives like Mahlet’s who are experiencing first-hand the destructive effects of climate change may be eased.

 

Message of Pope Francis for Lent (Continued)

“Make your hearts firm! (James 5:8) – Individual Christians

As individuals too, we are tempted by indifference. Flooded with news reports and troubling images of human suffering, we often feel our complete inability to help. What can we do to avoid being caught up in this spiral of distress and powerlessness?

First, we can pray in communion with the Church on earth and in heaven. Let us not underestimate the power of so many voices united in prayer! (…)

Second, we can help by acts of charity, reaching out to both those near and far through the Church’s many charitable organisations. Lent is a favourable time for showing this concern for others by small yet concrete signs of our belonging to one human family.

Third, the suffering of others is a call to conversion, since their need reminds me of the uncertainty of my own life and my dependence on God and my brothers and sisters. If we humbly implore God’s grace and accept our own limitations, we will trust in the infinite possibilities which God’s love holds out to us. We will also be able to resist the diabolical temptation of thinking that by our own efforts we can save the world and ourselves.

As a way of overcoming indifference and our pretensions to self-sufficiency, I would invite everyone to live this Lent as an opportunity for engaging in what Benedict XV1 called a formation of the heart (cf. Deus Caritas Est, 31). A merciful heart does not mean a weak heart. Anyone who wishes to be merciful must have a strong and steadfast heart, closed to the tempter but open to God. A heart which lets itself be pierced by the Spirit so as to bring love along the roads that lead to our brothers and sisters. And, ultimately, a poor heart, one which realises its own poverty and gives itself freely for others.

During this Lent, then, brothers and sisters, let us all ask the Lord: “Fac cor nostrum secundum cor tuum”: Make our hearts like yours (Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). In this way we will receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalisation of indifference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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St. Oliver’s Parish Newsletter – 4th Sunday of Lent

PARISH INFORMATION

Priests of the Parish:  Fr. Michael Hegarty I.C.    Fr. James Pollock I.C.

Tel:  6125679      E Mail stoliver@eircom.net

Sister:  Sr. Mary Muckley     Tel: 6125235

Parish Office:  Open Monday – Friday 9.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Parish Website:www.stoliverspc.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stoliverspc

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helpline 052 – 6123878

Local Safeguarding Representatives:  Margaret Waters 086-8917440 Fiona Stanley 087-9340382

Bereavement Support:  Tel 6125679

 

Masses for Weekend

Saturday    7.30 p.m.   Brendan Terry (Anniv)

Sunday       9.00 a.m.   Margaret (Peggy) English & John & Mary English (Anniv)

                   12 Noon    Sean Doyle (Anniv)

Masses for St. Patrick’s Day

Monday    7.30 p.m.   Ann Pyke (Months Mind)

Tuesday   9.00 a.m.   Margaret & Patrick O’Sullivan & David & Ellen Clancy (Anniv)

                 12 Noon    Peggy O’ Mahony (Anniv)

 

The Parents Council of the Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel will hold a Church Gate Collection on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March.

 

Passion Accounts  The Passion of our Lord according to the Gospels with Facilitator: Dr. Michael Mullins, D.D. at St. John’s Pastoral Centre, Waterford on Thursday 19th and 26th March at 7.30 p.m. Donation €5 including light refreshments.

 

Ministers of the Eucharist  A meeting will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday 23rd March at 7.30 p.m.

 

Holy Week, a journey of Life, Death & Resurrection  A morning of reflection through prayer, reflection & music will take place at St. John’s Pastoral Centre, Waterford on Saturday 28th March from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. Facilitator: Antoinette Dilworth rsj.

 

Mothers’ Day  We pray for all mothers – living and dead.

 

Welcome into our Christian Community  Aoife Megan Landy who was baptised last weekend.

 

Eucharistic Ministers Rota  for April – June ’15 is now available in the Sacristy in the church.

 

Collection last weekend

Envelopes  –  €688.90     Notes and Coin  –   €474.10           Thank You

 

The Permanent Diaconate

Bishop Lee in introducing the Permanent Diaconate some years ago wrote:

“The Permanent Diaconate is a distinct ministry of service and deacons will work in partnership with priests and those entrusted with lay ministry. The ministry of the deacon is usually exercised on a voluntary part time basis (…) and is not in any way an alternative to priestly ministry or to lay ministry”.

Let us pray for vocations to priesthood, permanent diaconate, religious life, and lay ministry.

 

4th Sunday of Lent

We pause today to reflect on our Lenten journey to date and our connection to the earth and life around us. The Carmina Gadelica is a collection of ancient Celtic prayers collected in the highlands and islands off the coast of Scotland in the last decades of the nineteenth century by Alexander Carmichael. It is believed that the spirituality of these prayers was influenced by the nature and beauty of the great monastic settlement founded by St. Columba on Iona.

There is no plant in the ground, but is full of His virtue,

there is no form in the strand, but is full of His blessing.

 

There is no life in the sea, there is no creature in the river,

there is naught in the firmament, but proclaims His goodness.

 

There is no bird on the wing, there is no star in the sky,

there is nothing beneath the sun, but proclaim his goodness.

 

St. Patrick’s Day – Tuesday 17th March

St. Patrick was born very probably in the early years of the fifth century in the Roman colony of Britain. He was taken captive at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. He tended herds on Slemish Mountain for six years. His captivity had a very positive effect on his spiritual life. He prayed many times each day, his faith growing stronger and his love and reverence for God increasing.

He escaped back home at the age of twenty-two. It was obvious to him that God was calling him to return to convert the Irish. The voice of the Irish was calling him to come and walk among them once more. He studied probably in France, returned to Ireland as a Bishop c. 457-61, or as early as 432 according to another tradition.

His mission was not immediately greatly successful but eventually he would make a tremendous number of converts. Two writings survive: the Letter to Coroticus, a protest to the soldiers of a British prince who had killed some converts and sold others as slaves, and his Confession, written near the end of his life, showing him as one living by the faith he preached and allowing Christ to direct his whole life. He died in 491, though again other dates have been suggested, 480 or as early as 461.

 

Message of Pope Francis for Lent (Continued)

“Where is your brother?” (Gen 4:9) – Parishes and Communities

“In the second place, every Christian community is called to go out of itself and to be engaged in the life of the greater society of which it is a part, especially with the poor and those who are far away. The Church is missionary by her very nature; she is not self-enclosed but sent out to every nation and people.

Her mission is to bear patient witness to the One who desires to draw all creation and every man and woman to the Father. Her mission is to bring to all a love which cannot remain silent. The Church follows Jesus Christ along the paths that lead to every man and woman, to the very ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). In each of our neighbours, then, we must see a brother and sister for whom Christ died and rose again. What we ourselves have received, we have received for them as well. Similarly, all that our brothers and sisters possess is a gift for the Church and for all humanity.

Dear brothers and sisters, how greatly I desire that all those places where the Church is present, especially our parishes and our communities, may become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference!”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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St. Oliver’s Parish Newsletter – 3rd Sunday of Lent

 

PARISH INFORMATION

Priests of the Parish:  Fr. Michael Hegarty I.C.    Fr. James Pollock I.C.

Tel: 6125679     E Mail stoliver@eircom.net

Sister:  Sr. Mary Muckley   Tel: 6125235

Parish Office:  Open Monday – Friday 9.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Parish Website:www.stoliverspc.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stoliverspc

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helpline 052 – 6123878

Local Safeguarding Representatives:  Margaret Waters 086-8917440 Fiona Stanley 087-9340382

Bereavement Support:  Tel 6125679

 

Masses for Weekend

Saturday   7.30 p.m.   Joe Cremmins (Anniv)

Sunday      9.00 a.m.   Ellen Ryan (Anniv)

                  12 Noon   Mick & Jane Carroll (Anniv)

 

Our new Bishop will be here in St. Oliver’s for 12 Noon mass on Sunday 28th June. During the Mass he will ordain our parishioner Dr. Lazarus Gidolf to the Permanent Diaconate for this Diocese. Meanwhile, let us remember our Bishop-elect and Lazarus in our prayers.

 

Pro-Life Event at Dáil   This very important event takes place outside the Dáil on Wednesday 11th March from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., challenging media bias on the abortion issue. In one fortnight recently, 33 articles appeared in national newspapers pushing for more abortion, with just 1 pro-life article during the same period. Please attend this event. For more information or to help organise a bus, call 087-2668702.

 

Journey through Lent in Faith  Spend some time with the new Irish Catechism for Adults. Discussion will take place on Thursday 12th March at St. Oliver’s Parish Centre at 7.30 p.m. led by trained facilitators.

 

“Bullying in Society Today – Problems, Solutions and Supports” Weekend Workshop suitable for all individuals e.g. parents, teachers, health care professionals etc. will take place at Glencomeragh House of Prayer, Kilsheelan from Friday 13th – Sunday 15th March. Including Councillors and legal representatives who provide remedies and solutions to victims and witnesses of bulling behaviour. Presenter: Terri Ryan (Author of multi-award winning ‘The Bullies Predatory Footprint’ www.Terri-Ryan.com) For further information contact (052) 6133181 from 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

 

Passion Accounts  The Passion of our Lord according to the Gospels with Facilitator: Dr. Michael Mullins, D.D. will take place at St. John’s Pastoral Centre, Waterford on Thursday 19th and 26th March at 7.30 p.m. Donation €5 including light refreshments.

 

Ministers of the Eucharist  A meeting will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday 23rd March at 7.30 p.m.

 

Scripture Prayer/Reflection  Our Scripture Prayer continues on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm. Perhaps you would like to ‘come and see’ for yourself this year. You are MOST WELCOME. Venue: 21 Heywood Heights.

 

Want to play 25s or learn to play the game if you never played before. Come along on Tuesdays at 10.00 a.m. to Place 4 You Café in Morton Street. Bring a friend.

 

Confirmation 2015  Congratulations to the girls and boys who received the Sacrament of Confirmation here last Sunday. Thanks to all who helped: parents, teachers, Liam O’ Shea and the Choir, Elaine and our own staff here. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide these young people and help them to take their full part in the christian community.

 

Free Pre-School Year  If your child will be aged 3 years 2 months or more before September then you are entitled to a free pre-school year. You will receive 3 hours per day Monday – Friday. Clonmel Childcare is now taking bookings for this scheme, for further information or to reserve your child’s place, contact Darren Ryan Tel 6126620 or clonmel@bestcreche.ie

 

Collection last weekend

Envelopes  –  €387.20     Notes and Coin  –  €567.80        Thank You

 

The Pope’s Intentions for March

Universal: Scientists   That those involved in scientific research may serve the well-being of the whole human person.

For Evangelisation: Contribution of Women  That the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church may be recognised always.

 

3rd Sunday of Lent

Would you like to know what Pope Francis thinks about the environment? In one of his first Papal addresses to the 1.2billion Catholics across the world he said:

‘Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!… Whenever human beings fail to live up to this responsibility, whenever we fail to care for creation and for our brothers and sisters, the way is opened up to destruction and our hearts are hardened’.

Let’s live Lent this year and become fully aware of our Christian responsibility towards the earth and our brothers and sisters in the developing world.  See www.Trócaire.org/lent

 

Message of Pope Francis for Lent (Continued)

“Where is your brother?” (Gen 4:9) – Parishes and Communities

“All that we have been saying about the universal Church must now be applied to the life of our parishes and communities. Do these ecclesial structures enable us to experience being part of one body? A body which receives and shares what God wishes to give? A body which acknowledges and cares for its weakest, poorest and most insignificant members? Or do we take refuge in a universal love that would embrace the whole world, while failing to see the Lazarus sitting before our closed doors (Lk 16: 19-31)?

In order to receive what God gives us and to make it bear abundant fruit, we need to press beyond the boundaries of the visible Church in two ways.

In the first place, by uniting ourselves in prayer with the Church in heaven. The prayers of the Church on earth establish a communion of mutual service and goodness which reaches up into the sight of God. Together with the saints who have found their fulfilment in God, we form part of that communion in which indifference is conquered by love. The Church in heaven is not triumphant because she has turned her back on the sufferings of the world and rejoices in splended isolation. Rather, the saints already joyfully contemplate the fact that, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, they have triumphed once and for all over indifference, hardness of heart and hatred. Until this victory of love penetrates the whole world, the saints continue to accompany us on our pilgrim way.

Saint Thrérèse of Lisieux, a Doctor of the Church, expressed her conviction that the joy in heaven for the victory of crucified love remains incomplete as long as there is still a single man or woman on earth who suffers and cries out in pain: “I trust fully that I shall not remain idle in heaven; my desire is to continue to work for the Church and for souls” (Letter 254, July 14, 1897).

We share in the merits and joy of the saints, even as they share in our struggles and our longing for peace and reconciliation. Their joy in the victory of the Risen Christ gives us strength as we strive to overcome our indifference and hardness of heart”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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