As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis today😢, we know we have lost a truly special person❤️. Pope Francis was some man for one man! He was a true shepherd of the people. He was such a good pope, down to earth with a beautiful, practical and simple faith. He had a practical outlook on everything and had no time for pomp and those who tried to complicate the beautiful message of Jesus.
Like a compass he has guided the church through some very difficult and turbulent times. He will be remembered as a reforming pope and one who brought many good changes to the Catholic Church. He also had such a beautiful smile and one that reflected the beautiful person within. May his gentle soul rest in peace❤️🙏

My Videos🎥

This is my latest and new video called ‘Easter Buckets of Hope’

An Easter Prayer just below is appropriate for today

This video below is simply called ‘Easter made simple in my garden’

If you would like to see a selection of my other videos on YouTube you are welcome to have a look at some of them here: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMcSweeneyFr/videos

Spiritual Thought For The Week

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. You are continually before me.’ ~Isaiah 49:10 

There are many holy wells to be found throughout Cork. One that has frequent visitors is the well of St Gobnait at Ballyvourney in Co.Cork . It is a place of quiet reflection that bubbles with the gentle presence of God. Many do the rounds, by walking and praying. There are rocks everywhere with deep imprints of crosses as people rub the imprint with a sharp stone. It is a quiet ritual that touches something deep within. The same happens in nearby Gougane Barra.

We are told that each of us is carved upon the hands of God. It means that everything we do is somehow connected to God. Our Celtic ancestors sensed this so naturally. God has chosen us, we are loved, special and unique. God will never forget any of us. We will always be in God’s tender loving care.

Even when life throws everything at us, we are not on our own. We will be helped to find balance and calm through everything we have to face each day. Anne Costa puts it so well when she says that with a whisper, God can make us whole. We may be off balance today for different reasons but we pray to God to help us to be open to those whispers of God’s gentle presence all around us.