Photo was taken yesterday at Carrigrohane, Cork (Irl)

Noel Power from the Cork County Beekeepers Association gives a practical demonstration on checking a beehive and what to look for at this time of year. There has been a huge surge in interest in the craft of beekeeping during the past few years. There is nothing like having a hive of bees at the end of your garden working with nature and supplying you with some honey at the end of the year IF all goes well! Anyone interested in becoming a beekeeper in Cork the address is www.cocorkbka.org
On their website the following lines sum it up well:

“Whatever we choose to do in this life we must be prepared to give it all the time and attention we can if we are to succeed. Keeping Honey bees is no different. Keeping one or two hives in the garden will not make a huge demand on your time, but having said that you must be prepared to do the necessary things in order to keep the honeybees in the best condition and to get the maximum return from them at the end of the season.”

Thought on Sunday – April – 15/04/2012

The following reflection called ‘Shalom’ is by Jane Mellett

We know the end of this story, but for the disciples after Jesus’ death fear was the driving spirit. They were suffering and had locked themselves away to nurse their despair and their fear. The doors were firmly closed.
In this account of the resurrection appearance, notice how John constantly refers to the wounds of Jesus. Even though he has risen he still bears the wounds. His suffering happened and he bears the marks of that suffering. He wants Thomas to literally get in ‘touch’ with his suffering. Thomas is often unfairly referred to as a ‘doubter’ and yet in this text he makes one of the most profound statements of faith: ‘My Lord and my God’.
We can look back on times when we suffered in our lives and perhaps see those resurrection moments that it brought. It is through those moments that Jesus says, ‘Peace be with you’. One minute the disciples are locked away in fear for their lives, the next they are ready to embrace their mission to the world.

‘The Jewish greeting of shalom, that is so much more than a good wish for a quiet evening. Shalom expresses the desire that the person receiving the blessing might be whole in body, mind and spirit.’ ~Margaret Silf