Paris Disruption

Difficult to get around City of Paris today due to taxi protest blocking roads to airports and rail stations. Similar protests in other parts of France. Tyres have been set alight and school buses disrupted. Threat of air traffic disruption later next week.                       A.T.

150th Anniversary

Today, 21 June, I was delighted to be among the huge congregation at Mass in Paris to mark the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Little Sisters of the Assumption. From time to time I am invited to offer Mass in their Generalate in Paris. I first came in contact with these Sisters when they opened a Convent in the grounds of Mount Argus, Dublin. May they celebrate another 150 years!         A.T.

13 Priests to be Ordained in Paris

Every year since being sent to Paris in 2008 I have attended the ordinations in Notre Dame Cathedral. They take place each year on the final Saturday of June. Some years there have been 5 to be ordained while 7 another year. This year there will be 13 to be ordained by Cardinal Vingt-Trois. This is quite a number considering that some Dioceses have few ordinations. May God bless them as they receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Tradedy in CA

Thoughts and prayers with all affected by the deaths and injuries last night in Berkeley. May they rest in peace and may the families and friends get strength to get through the coming days. No words can capture the enormity of this tragedy. For two years I lived and studied in San Francisco and know and love the Bay area. Tonight at the Irish Embassy in Paris there was a minute's silence in solidarity with all affected by the Californian tragedy. This took place during a Bloomsday celebration hosted by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nasson and attended by Junior Minister Sean Sherlock. A. Troy

Soccer Shame

I'll never forget the night in the Stade de France, Paris, when cheating became a million dollar/euro business. What a terrible message to give people trying to live honest lives. AT

Silence Broken

It is February since I last posted anything on my blog. This happened as much by accident as by design. Lent was busy and since 2012, I have the additional call on my time being part of the Provincial Council of the Passionists. This involves a meeting every month to six weeks in either Dublin or Belfast. Excuses, excuses...........
Last weekend was great here. On Saturday there were 60 children who made their First Communion. The next day, Pentecost, 40 received Confirmation. This weekend there is the annual Summer Fair at St Joseph's. This involves a lot of preparation and planning. The generosity of parishioners who do all this is exceptional. Fine weather is all that is needed now.
The Referendum in Ireland attracted great attention. I was a panel member on France 24 on their 'The Debate' programme last week.
It is my hope to keep the posts on the blog coming at a more regular interval. A.T.

Lent 2015

May this Lent be a "time of grace" (2 Cor 6:2) as highlighted by Pope Francis in His Message for Lent  2015 - well worth a read on www.vatican.va
Today, Tuesday, I arrived from Paris to Glasgow about 1 p.m. to meet representatives of the Archdiocese of Glasgow at 3 p.m. along with the Provincial Superior as our Passionist Community there plan the future and make some important adjustments to their present situation. This will, please God, continue into the future the Passionist presence in Scotland and contribute to the mission of the Passionists for the people of Glasgow and all who seek the Lord in the heart of the city.
Because of this meeting and time spent with the Passionist Community, it was not possible to get back to St Joseph''s, Paris tonight. Being the eve of Ash Wednesday, I decided to get back from Glasgow to Heathrow Airport (arrived at 10.00 p.m.) and will get the 7.20 a.m. flight from London to Paris on Ash Wednesday morning. So, tonight I am preparing for Lent by my night vigil in the 'wilderness' of Heathrow by reading, writing and offering a few prayers in Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. It's an interesting experience and so far, rich in graces. Have a good Lent! A T