Photo was taken last Friday at the Mardyke, Cork (Irl)

The striking colours of the graffiti create a lovely contrast with the colours of the wildflowers.

On This Day

On October 18th 2019 the first all female spacewalk by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir took place outside the International Space Station.

Birthdays Today

Martina Navratilova (Former tennis player) is 66
Zac Efron(Actor) is 35
Paddy Reilly (Irish folk singer) is 83

Saint For Today

Today October 18th is the feast day of Saint Luke. He is the writer of the Gospel of Luke, as well as of the Acts of the Apostles. He was trained as a doctor. His gospel is considered the most poetic and beautiful of all. He writes beautifully about the compassion and the forgiveness of Jesus. He had a high regard for the dignity of women for they played an important part of his writings.
He is also the patron of the medical profession. He was reported to be a fine painter and is also patron of artists, painters, sculptors, craft workers and lacemakers. His symbol is the ox.

Significance of Today

Today Oct 18th is World Menopause Day. Menopause has been part of the lives of women since time began. Over time and depending on the culture, a great deal of mystery, confusion and misunderstanding has encircled this season of a woman’s life.
As women’s health changes so significantly in midlife, World Menopause Day seeks to inform and educate about menopause, raising awareness about what women should expect and encouraging them to get the help they need from health care providers and other support workers.

Quote For Today

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ~H Jackson Brown Jr

Did You Know

Did you know Iceland grows 5 centimeters per year because of its moving tectonic plates.

Thought For Today – October – 18/10/2022

Thought For The Week

‘Without appearing to set out to, Fr John Joe Duffy has done more to restore faith in the power of the personal church than any pope could hope to achieve. He has done it with candour and care, displacing the image of a cold, authoritarian institution with the face of humanity.’ ~Justine McCarthy writing in the Irish Times

We all have watched the funerals in Creeslough and the surrounding communities during the past week. It is so touching to watch the meaningful goodbyes, to watch the care, love and support of the grieving families and to watch the solidarity of the local community. We have also watched the local Parish Priest of Creeslough, Fr. John Joe Duffy, reaching out and he has led the people so movingly in their grief and sadness.

There is nothing more difficult or challenging, when it falls to you to lead your community in a crisis or tragedy. But someone has to do it and Fr. John Joe has done it so touching, so beautifully, so sensitively and from the heart. The Church as an institution can so often come across as cold and aloof. But Fr. John Joe has reminded us beautifully that it is the local church where it all happens. It is among the local community that faith matters. Dogmas, creeds and regulations do not resonate with local people. What matters most is friendship, community, solidarity, support and a beautiful simple faith that holds all together.

Fr. John Joe has said in one of his interviews that on any beach you have rocks and sand. He has said that we are like the sand that is fragile and that we will always need love and support. He has also been the rock for so many people near and far during the past week. As we continue our prayers for all affected by the tragedy, we continue to pray as well for Fr. John Joe. May he also be helped to get through this difficult time. We pray for many priests who are also called to lead their communities during difficult and tragic times. May they also find strength, love and support in their local community.

And finally to say today is a really good day to reach out to those who matter most in your life and say….”I’m thinking of you” or “How are you today?” or “Thank you for all you are doing for me” or simply to say “I love you”.