Saturday 28 June 2014

7 Priests Ordained Paris

Was at ordinations in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. Seven ordained by Cardinal Vingt-Trois. Pity it rained as many of us got soaked on the parvis of Notre Dame. But it was worth it.     A T

James Joyce

No not the Paris Irish pub of that name! Friday night was at a truly great performance of 'Portrait of an artist as a young man'. Richard Ryan promotion and directed by Jimmy Fay. It was staged at Irish Cultural Centre Paris. Great performance applauded by standing ovation. I loved it!       A T

Saturday 14 June 2014

Trinity Sunday

A week after the great events of last weekend - First Communions, Adult Confirmations at Notre Dame and Confirmations at St Joseph's Church - we have Trinity Sunday. Next weekend we will have Corpus Christi. Good times in good weather.             A  T

Friday 13 June 2014

Summer in sight!

Great weekend just passed. First Communion on Saturday, Adult Confirmations at Notre Dame Paris on Saturday night and Young People received Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday afternoon. Monday was a public holiday but emails about a new church project, booking an event, passport application to be witnessed and a rather abrupt hotel enquiry as to why there was only one Mass at 8.30 a.m. that morning. Some guest(s) wanted an evening Mass. It is true - there is no rest for the.......
In Dublin for the day on Tuesday for a Passionist meeting in Mount Argus, Dublin. Good to meet some of the people there. A funeral on Wednesday morning in Neuilly sur Seine. Chaplaincy duties at Marymount on Thursday and Friday. Have taken to cycling to and from school. In this beautiful weather it is a great way to travel. Thank God for the health to do even these few things with people. My own dear Mother was dead by 50 years of age and here am I in late 60's still on the go!     A

Thursday 5 June 2014

D-Day

Was invited to Garden Party in British Embassy, Paris, during the Queen's state visit to France. Met the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and spoke with both.
Glorious sunny evening in a lovely garden in heart of Paris. Walking back to St Joseph's Church, saw President Obama going to dinner in a Paris restaurant. Didn't spot President Putin who is also in Paris this evening but was not dining this time with the American President. It meant that President Hollande had to have two dinners to keep the two Presidents apart and both happy! Busy time in Paris but interesting.               A T

Pentecost 2014

A few great days ahead. On Saturday, 7 June at 11 a.m. 32 young people will receive First Communion. Already grandparents, aunts, uncles , etc. are arriving for a great family as well as parish celebration.
One feature of that day that I like is the simplicity and lack of show in the clothes the children wear.
There are no tanning sessions ahead of the Communion day, no stretch limos or anything other than
simply well turned out children. This puts the focus on the core meaning of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This does not occur because I as parish priest said something about how to prepare and dress. It is the family that makes these decisions. One thing I have worked on and seem to be making progress - no photographs during the First Communion Mass. There is no limit to photographs in the church before and after the Mass. This has restored a sense of mystery without losing a photographic record of the children's great day.

The next day, Pentecost Sunday, 39 young people will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This too is always a day of great joy. Being a little older than First Communion children, each dresses as she or he chooses. This simplicity adds rather than takes from the ceremony.

On Saturday evening in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, I will concelebrate Mass with Cardinal Vingt-Trois for 400 adults receiving Confirmation. Two young adults being Confirmed are connected to St Joseph's Parish.
These will be a few great days.             A T



Wednesday 4 June 2014

Brussels June 2014

Group visited Brussels in afternoon. I met some Irish people from European Parliament and
from business community. Had a meal with some of this group. I was able to speak of our Mission
Anglophone, Paris. Wed will be the final day of European Pastors' Symposium. It was most helpful in that we shared our experieces of life today in Europe. I'm sure there are some who would question if I did this adequately. All I can say is that I did my best.
Tomorrow we have a visit to European Parliament - President Obama is also in town!     A T

Tuesday 3 June 2014

European Pastors Seminar in Brussels

Greetings from Belgium! Had just arrived when I got word of death of Brother in law of Fr Francis in USA. May Al rest in peace. Fr Francis is now on his way to the funeral. He understands my wish to have accompanied him to the funeral, but that it is not possible for me. We will have a Memorial Mass at St Joseph's Church when Fr Francis is back.
Made a presentation on Mission Anglophone, Paris to the Symposium this morning. It seemed to go alright and evoked some questions. Back to Paris tomorrow.        A

Sunday 1 June 2014

European Pastors Symposium

Off to Brussels by train first thing in the morning to attend a meeting of those involved in English speaking parishes in European countries. Always a good meeting. This is a busy week at St Joseph's Mission Anglophone with First Communion on Saturday morning and Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday afternoon. These are great blessings in our midst. This year I have the extra joy because a Confirmation candidate asked me to be her Sponsor. I am so honoured that she chose me out of all the options she had. God is so good. A