Photo was taken yesterday at Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co.Cork (Irl)

In many secondary schools yesterday, 1st year students had their first day. It is a huge day for them, their families and their school. They have left primary school, it is a whole new beginning, part of the cycle of growing up and a very important transition in their young lives. Every school has a plan set in place to help each student settle in, get used to their new school, make new friends, feel included and take it all one step at a time. We wish all new first years the best of luck and we ask God’s special blessings on you.

Thought on Wednesday – August – 27/08/2014

Thought For The Week

‘God gives every bird its food, but does not throw it into its nest. ~J.G. Holland


As we move into the last week of August we see a lot more wasps. They hang around rubbish bins, around the kitchen door and are so annoying as they fly around you in circles. It looks like we will have to put up with them for another few weeks. It would be a pity though to put the honeybee into the same category. The honeybee will not be found near rubbish bins or around our kitchen doors. Instead it will be busy gathering nectar from the flowers and at this time of year they are busy working heather and fuschia flowers. For every drop of honey they make they have to collect 80 drops of nectar. They have worked it out that to make a jar of honey the bees will have to visit two million flowers! There is an old saying that says ‘There are no results without effort’ and the honeybee knows this only too well.

Jesus in our Gospels also talks about no results without effort. He reminds us that to be a follower of his we will have to take up a cross. We will be exposed to difficulties, setbacks, hurt and disappointments. We can’t avoid these. They are part and parcel of life. Jesus calls them a cross but assures us that whatever our cross, he will be there to help us carry it, whatever it might be.

Thought For The Week is updated each Monday