Sunday 22 December 2013

Paris at Christmas

A familiar sight these days is to see many people with cases, bags and all sort of luggage heading home for Christmas. Bon voyage to each! Equally, a lot of people have arrived into Paris to spend time with family and friends. At St Joseph's Church this morning I met people who are visiting from Australia, Africa, U.S.A. and a few other places including Ireland! Great season of the year.      A.T.

Saturday 21 December 2013

A Few Days to Go

Christmas is just around the corner. A lot of people leaving Paris this weekend at this holiday time. Some visitors arriving to be with family living in Paris. Some enjoyable parties these days. A lot of church events lie ahead during next few days. Over past few weeks people often ask us priests will we be going away for Christmas. This not just a Paris thing. It somehow would seem logical to me to assume that all of us will be needed at possibly the busiest time of the year in our line of service. Maybe I'm missing something or just don't get why this question is asked almost everywhere I have ever served. Some wise person may be able to enlighten me.
A Happy Christmas to you and yours.          A.T.

Friday 20 December 2013

Christmas

Today is the last day of school at Marymount where I serve as chaplain. It was great celebrating Mass for the school at 9 a.m. this morning in Eglise St Jacques. The joy and excitment were palpable. Hope all have a safe and happy Christmas.               A.T.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Christmas 2013

19th December 1970 was ordained a priest at St Patrick's Teacher Training College, Dublin. That is 43 years ago. What a changed world and church now. Am gearing up for Christmas.        A.T

Monday 16 December 2013

Happy Christmas 2013

Got the Christmas cards away at the weekend. A great relief to have done. If you don't get a card from me please accept this word of greeting. Will also send a few greetings by email and in person. Great Carol Service at St Joseph's, Paris, yesterday. School Mass tomorrow in Marymount School.
A.T.

Friday 6 December 2013

Nelson Mandela, R.I.P.

The World has lost a great human being. May he now rest in peace.
John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness. So was Nelson Mandela.
Neither could be silenced. My best tribute to Nelson Mandela is to keep on the
long walk to justice and peace where I am able. Voices of true prophets do not
fall silent. They go on echoing down the centuries. John the Baptist was beheaded.
His message of the need to repent is still being heard. God bless all the people of South
Africa at this time of loss and may their and our hope never die.                     AT

Thursday 5 December 2013

Christmas 2013

Putting together a few thoughts for preaching this weekend. It is moving so close to Christmas and at such a rate! Not one Christmas card have I yet sent but I'll start soon. Reading at present  Pope's Exhortation called 'Evangelii Gaudium' in which he sets out his hopes and dreams. It is a good, if long, read. Delighted to have had a few jogs recently. Paris is good Place for jogging - a lot of level streets. Back to sermon writing!                       A.T.

Sunday 1 December 2013

Web site

Good news is that www.stjoeparis website is up and running again.
Many thanks to Bruno Valdes for his great word. I'll be back again soon.
AT