Time out⏱☀️🙏🏻

 

9.30AM Holy Mass in the little Church right next door this morning. After Holy Mass lady began to pray Holy Rosary and devout elderly priest who celebrated Holy Mass stayed on and prayed Holy Rosary with us. Truly beautiful 📿. I got to tell him that not alone had he not aged any, since this time last year but that he had undoubtedly gotten younger. ‘That’s great news’, he replied, laughing heartily.

‘But those who wait on The Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint’. (Isaiah 40:31)

I sat on a green bench in the sunshine chatting on phone with my sister Anne. Her husband Mike had a brain-bleed night before their son’s Micheal&Cathy’s Wedding two days ago. What an unforgettable Wedding day - happy and sad, tears go leor, watching and waiting while Mike’s brain surgery took place. Deep relief when glad tidings filtered through that Mike had arrived safely in Recovery room.

Mike and Anne missed out on their son’s Wedding but they are filled with gratitude to God as all of us are. Mike is doing well Thank God. How Great is our God.

Lady who lit ten candles in a glorious radiant line of prayer in Church accepted my prayer. Ross and Chloe, two young Dunnes Stores cashiers accepted joyfully my prayer (at different times). Their eager receptivity delighting my spirit. Two elderly ladies declined.

I love precious time with Diarmuid and Shona in this little picturesque village. Their kindness and caring never ending, balm to my soul. Restorative. 

Ice cream van jingle ground my siesta to an unanticipated halt. Not in many a long day did I witness so much joy in one place as children danced and shouted with unbridled glee outside my window. Such a long time since I heard the Ice cream Van jingle  - I thought they were a thing of the past. Wonderfully reassuring to see that some things never change. 🍦🍦🍦

This evening a visit to beautiful Glendalough. 

‘Think deeply. Speak gently. Love much. Laugh often. Work hard. Give freely. Pray earnestly. Be KIND’. (Source unknown)

Just look what I found in the little corner shop for my grandson Cillian....🥳🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦

The Wedding of Michael and Cathy.💞🎶🎆

“What does the Lord ask of you but to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

(Micah 6:8)

Freely we give.🎁

She walked down the aisle having sat awhile adoring Jesus in Most Holy Sacrament, I thought I might offer her a prayer. Then I quickly dismissed the idea but simultaneously, mechanical almost, I arose from my seat following her to the door. She looked at me, tears streaming down her beautiful face. ‘May I pray with you or something’, I stammered. ‘Ukraine’, was all she said.

I cried too. Possessing no word of English, she held out her phone signalling for me to speak. My words would be automatically translated into her Ukrainian dialect. I relayed Antoine’s wisdom spoken to me a few days ago: ‘Please don’t cry. It is bad for you. Just pray’....adding  ‘Jesus told Sr. Mary of the Holy Trinity - ‘Don’t lose your serenity on account of those who are being tried. Pray for them’. She read every word.

Drying her diamond tears, fragile smile emerging, she accepted my prayer. We hugged warmly and then she walked away. I returned to my seat in Church profoundly moved, wordless. I had no idea she was distraught when I got up from my seat to offer her my prayer - but gentle Jesus did!

As Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament came to a close a lady approached me. ‘You should be wearing a veil and habit and be in the Poor Clares’, she said. ‘I see you in prayer. You have a gift. Not everyone has it you know’. Taken somewhat aback, I thanked her adding that perhaps I am where God wishes me to be right now.

Our gifts are to be used in the service of others, time for action is NOW, dilly-dallying over. These are terrible times in which we live. 

Missionary Disciples - Jesus has no body now on earth but ours. If not us - then WHO!!!

‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’. (Psalm 27: 1-2)

God is always faithful🇺🇦🇮🇪🙏🏻

‘First keep yourself in peace, and then you will be able to pacify others. A peaceable man does more good than a learned one’. (Thomas a Kempis)

Wish I could have recorded wonderful conversation with Desmond this morning. Gentle kindly man residing in our town for now while his homeland Ukraine suffers intolerably. Not in the least gloomy, Desmond’s words flowed from his big beautiful heart. I can but poorly paraphrase.

When I told him that my grandchildren were shocked to hear that I pray for Mr. Putin, that God will change his heart of stone into a heart of flesh, his reply: ‘Why not? God made him, he is our brother. We must pray all the time for his change of heart’.

I asked him how he could remain hopeful and upbeat in the face of such evil, his reply: ‘Evil never wins. God is good all the time. He is faithful. This war should never have come to pass. May God help all those who have assisted in any way to bring about such carnage. Many people are dying every day, many people are dying right now....’

With tear-filled eyes we both promised we would continue to pray for the aggressor as well as the innocent victims. The cruel aggressor’s heart must be heavy as lead inhabiting a murky world of intense interior darkness. All of us know what a significant burden is  ‘Regret’, there are things we would gladly change if only we could. The day will surely come when the dust settles and then for the first time warmongers will see clearly as the scales fall from their eyes. They will realise fully what they have done. On that day they will need much help.

‘Mr. Putin does not know what he is doing’ whispered Desmond sadly. Prophetic words! At that moment, in unison, we both spoke aloud Jesus beautiful words from His Holy Cross: ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’.(Luke 23:34).

Desmond gladly accepted my prayer as we parted company, both of us looking forward already to our next tete a tete soaked in wisdom and light. Tad late for Holy Mass, I knew in my deepest spirit I was exactly where I was meant to be. Encounter extraordinaire engineered by our forever faithful God, Glory be to Him now and forevermore. Amen

‘Beauty is the heart’s encounter with the Living God’. ( Bill Donaghy)

‘God has given each of us our own work to do. It is for us to pursue our road, that is to say, our vocation.....When God gives us such and such a vocation, He bestows upon us at the same time His Grace to fulfil it’. (St. John Vianney)

This morning (1/7/2022) Antoine and I chatted. When I told him that Ukraine is always in my heart and prayers and sometimes I cry for Ukraine too, Antoine replied gently: ‘Don’t cry. It is bad for you. Just pray’. 🇺🇦😄🙏🏻

‘Do not lose your serenity on account of those who are being tried. Pray for them; offer the sufferings of my Passion and some acts of self-denial. I ask only for Love. So many anxieties and shadows in your heart! Think of me, of me - perfect beauty, splendour, peace, life, truth, holiness - of me, your God who loves you! Give me your heart - your whole heart. Do you not also wish to give me your life? I desire it, I have need of it’. (Jesus to Sr. Mary of the Holy Trinity)

Today☀️

Writing my diary makes tiniest events in my day stand out. Each miraculous moment honoured, nothing goes unnoticed. As a result, my heart is filled to overflowing with gigantic gratitude to God at all times.

Even flat refusals don’t sting like they did before. Two guys on my way to Holy Mass this morning rendered grumpy ‘I’m alright’, almost in unison, when I offered them my prayer. Workmen with lots on their minds I could tell. (One guy hesitated for a split-second....)

Refusals out of the way early, myriad wonderful life-enhancing prayer-sharing encounters ensued. Mary whose daughter is troubled right now. Mary who has just undergone brain-surgery. Marie who just might pray my prayer every morning even though she has ‘given up all that stuff’ but ‘everything happens for a reason’. Three American ladies super happy to accept. As were pleasant couple who dropped into Church on their way through our town to some place else - that a really uplifting sharing.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and my dear friend John got up from his seat and came to sit next to me for no reason at all. We sat together in silence adoring beautiful Jesus. When John does that, then I know for sure in my deepest spirit that I am being comforted by beautiful Jesus. 

Today too an old friend decided to receive Sacrament of Confession after many years. Somehow the topic arose as we strolled in the midday sun. Definitely workings of the Holy Spirit, no other possible explanation. Baffling and downright amazing the way it all came to pass, over the moon for my dear friend.

My friend Dudu from South Africa received word yesterday that she has permission to remain in Ireland having been a refugee in our country for the past two years. We both cried and thanked Almighty God for His immense kindness. Very soon Dudu will return to South Africa for her young child and they will both reside in Ireland, safe and secure. O happy day☀️

Sublime privilege was mine to take Holy Eucharist to my dear lady Sheila in the afternoon. Praying Holy Rosary together better than ‘all the tea in China’ as my dear Mom used to say. I love how our esteemed elders pray Holy Rosary without missing a syllable, proving without a shadow of a doubt that when all else fails Prayer steadfastly endures. I saw it happen with every single person I have had the magnificent privilege of accompanying and I will never tire of bearing witness to that wonderful truth.

                            ‘Beauty is the heart’s encounter with the Living God’. (Bill Donaghy)

              Today is the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, foremost Apostles of Jesus Christ. 

                                             I love my ‘blast from the past’ gift from dear Phil.

                                                                                 🇺🇦 🇮🇪🙏🏻

Beautiful words of wisdom in my heart and on my lips when I awoke this morning: ‘Enjoy ourselves like we are getting paid. The fructive path’. Yes indeed, living the Simple Abundant life is really that easy - Enjoy what we are asked to do by God - like we are getting paid!.☀️🎁🙏🏻 (Because we ARE🎶☀️🎆

Go tell EVERYONE 🎶🙏🏻

‘Did the apostles retreat to their homes so that they could give themselves up to contemplation?’. (Jesus to Gabrielle Bossis/He and I). Words resonating in my deepest heart this morning colouring my day in a most beautiful way.

I got word yesterday that my friend Joan tripped and fell on the hard cold ground as she walked up the steps to Holy Mass. Ambulance escorted her to Tralee General Hospital. How surprised and thrilled I was to see her at Holy Mass this morning. Black and blue, loose front tooth, but not bad overall. 

Afterwards lunch in Petit Delice Cafe. I had planned to attend my much loved Legion of Mary meeting but God’s ways are not our ways - they are far superior in every way. Turns out dear Joan had not eaten anything since before her fall yesterday, twenty four hours ago, too shocked to realise how hungry she was! 

Joan’s sunny soul shines brightly through her twinkling eyes, I love spending time with her. Mostly left to her own devices, folk see only her ‘strange attire’, eccentricity, not sticking around long enough to get to know the ‘Real Joan’. 

As Mother Teresa would oftentimes lament: ‘When we judge others we have no time to love them’. 

Pleasant young dad with his two young children seated at the next table chatted with us, wonderful faith/prayer sharing encounter ensued. Joan cheered up immensely, all of us were.

That was only the beginning! Many amazing prayer-sharing encounters all day. Kate, Annette, Ukrainian ladies and beautiful little boy who told me that he will pray my prayer; ‘In Ukrainian for Ukraine and in English for Ireland’. 

Probably most outstanding of all my delightful encounters today was with the young man walking towards me, his ghetto blaster screaming out the loudest angriest music I ever did hear. I asked if he would like a prayer not in the least prepared for his response. Switching blaring music off, he replied ‘Yes please’. When I told him that I’m just a grandmother who dearly wishes that our beautiful young people would know that they do not have to figure it all out for themselves, he smiled: ‘Thank you’. 

I can find no words to convey what I perceived on that young man’s handsome face. I never take my leave without the words ‘God Bless you’ and the grateful young man replied ‘God Bless you too’. Profound moment of grace.

In the shop on way home Pat approached me looking sickly and sad. Unwell, he is unable to eat he told me solemnly. He accepted my prayer promising to pray it every morning. Poor Pat. (Who was it that declared: ‘I would not trade my appetite for a king’s ransom).

Thank you Father God for my life’s mission. Thank you Jesus for your thought-provoking words I read this morning, thank you for walking every step of my life-journey with me. Thank you Holy Spirit, I felt your power go out of me as I asked the young man with the ghetto blaster if he would like a prayer. I could not have done it on my own. Now I have more courage in my heart.

‘We are called to witness to the Good News, and that witnessing is not so much in speech as through being ourselves’. (Catherine Doherty/Madonna House Founder)

Lord take me where You want me to go. Let me meet who you want me to meet. Tell me what you want me to say- and keep me out of Your way. Amen

Tonight I open the Diary of St. Faustina and right there before my eyes the beautiful words of Jesus: ‘Go out into the whole world and teach in My Name’. (1710)

(In my sleep last night: ‘Come to beautiful Holy Mass. He will look at you all the time’. (Mother Mary)

                                                                        Dear Joan.😌

                                         Dear Joan today 7/6/2023. Contented and cared for.☀️🙏🏻

Let it go🎶☀️🙏🏻

‘Unload all your worries on to Him, since He is looking after you’. (1Peter 5:7)

‘Have you lost weight’, enquired Micheal. Phil asked the same question some days later in a more roundabout way: ‘’Are you eating well?’. Both coming from a truly kind hearted place but neither  remotely aware how much their seemingly innocuous query sent me on a downward spiral of apprehension and downright distress.

It all began forty one years ago when Eric and I were going out for a meal and Jennifer offered to babysit our newborn Eric. All dolled up ready to go, Jennifer looked me squarely in the eye and told me laughingly that I looked like: ‘An advertisement for Gorta’. (I had lost a lot of weight). What an insult to everyone and everything Gorta stands for!! My own tiny shred of confidence disappeared without trace too. I could have returned the ‘compliment’  but of course I did not: ‘No one heals themselves by wounding another’. (St. Ambrose)

Her disparaging insult lodged firmly in my deepest heart, raising it’s ugly head many times up and down the long years. Whenever someone would say ‘You look great. Did you lose weight’, I cringed, picking it up as a put-down and definitely not the kindly compliment it was meant to be.

This morning, first time ever by the grace of God, I placed the whole kit and caboodle into Mother Mary’s gentle hands as She stands at the foot of Her beautiful Son Jesus Holy Cross. I spilled it all out to Her. I watched as She graciously handed my deep ‘heart wound’ to Her beautiful Son Jesus. I saw Him accept it joyfully. I saw myself walk away free as a bird bursting with gratitude and peace.

Thank you Thank you Jesus. Thank you Mother Mary. Another little piece of my broken heart is restored. To do your will is my deepest desire.

Our backs are broken from hauling purposeless baggage after us every minute of our short lives, suitcases of rocks. Jesus is longing to set us free. He whispers into our deepest heart in the midst of the mayhem: ‘You can be free if you want to be. Give Me your burden and let us walk this wonderful life-adventure together. I have so much to reveal to you’.

Placing hurtful memories at the foot of Holy Cross with Mother Mary as She presents them to Her Son Jesus, blows them completely out of the water. I can say without question or doubt that never do they return and if they attempt to, they are gone again in a flash. As harrowing memories surface I despatch them at once to that sacred sacrosanct spot, allowing healing and wholeness seep into my life one drop at a time.

Wish someone had imparted this wonderful wisdom to me earlier but perhaps had I not learned the hard way I might not be so willing and impatient to pass it along now to anyone and everyone with ears to hear. 

‘Remember no child was ever as attentive and as ready to please his parent as I am ready to listen to and please you. Let Me help you. I’ll protect your every step’. (Jesus/The book of Margery Kempe)

‘Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and my courage. God has become my salvation’. ( Isaiah 12:2)