Thanksgiving

Celebrated Thanksgiving Day with two American colleagues.

On Wednesday evening I was on the panel for 'The Debate' on France 24 TV. The debate centred on the addresses of Pope Francis to the European Parliament and Council of Europe during his visit to Strassburg. A wide range of topics came up for discussion. The panel was asked to give opinions - which I did. One email to me after the programme attached a photo from the TV broadcast. Another email took me to task on a number of comments that I made. It is great when people want to continue the discussion long after the TV programme has ended. I like that.

Advent begins tomorrow - less than four weeks to Christmas. Busy few weeks ahead here at St Joseph's Church, Paris. On 26 December I hope to travel to Bray and spend a few days before being back in Paris for New Year.

Have a good Advent!              A. T.

Bray Hero

Well done Katie Taylor! Ireland (especially our hometown of  Bray) is proud of you.   A.T.

End times

Was in Dublin last week for a meeting. What rain! At one stage I wondered if I would make it back to Dublin Airport due to so much rain falling. I did. Earlier last week I was part of the congregation at Notre Dame Cathedral for Armistice Day. The ceremony of Remembrance is very moving, especially as this year is the Centenary of the beginning of World War I. Have started a series of meetings with Parents and Staff at Marymount School Paris where I'm chaplain, to explore ways of following up the Synod of Bishops on the Family. A good start has been made and I look forward to learning a lot. Was disappointed with RoI soccer team being beaten by Scotland in the European Qualifiers. Still, a win last night against U.S.A. was sweet.  The Rugby is going even better for Ireland. A.T.

Clock changes

The dark days of Winter are not far away. Today in Paris it is a sunny almost summer's day! Long may it last like this. My own unscientific view is that the time should be left alone all year round. A few tourists were a little annoyed with me yesterday that the times of Masses at St Joseph's Church, Paris had not been changed by one hour to match the change of the clocks at the weekend. You don't follow that? Neither did I when it was first said nor have I gained any insight since! But, as we all know - the customer is always right! No travel this week. Last weekend I was at an Ordination of a Passionist student in Wales. During the week I attended meetings during visits to St Mungo's, Glasgow and Holy Cross, Belfast. Getting ready now for Feast of All Saints on Saturday and All Souls on Sunday. The year is slipping past. When shopping recently Chritmas fare was in evidence. A.T.

Feast of Saint Paul of the Cross - Founder of the Passionists

Today is special. All over the world the inspiration of St Paul of the Cross is being celebrated in Passionist Churches, Monasteries, Convents and in the hearts of believers touched by this saintly mystic. The Passionist ordination in Wales yesterday was a moment of great joy for Gareth, his family, and Passionist companions. I'm just back to Paris from Cardiff.

A few thoughts I penned during the week about St Paul of the Cross are in this week's St Joseph's Parish Bulletin distributed today. If you would like to read it go to www.stjoeparis.org and then click to enter the website. Go to 'Practical Information' and click on 'Links' and there is Aidan's Blog.
Happy Feastday to all!        A.T.

Ordination in Wales

Tomorrow, Gareth Thomas will be ordained a priest in his native Wales. I hope and pray that all will go well. This is the first time a Passionist student from Ireland/Scotland has been ordained in over 20 years. Blessing though the ordination tomorrow certainly is, the deaths and departures of priests during those years leaves gaps that will not be filled. My hope and prayer is that a thorough review and renewal of priesthood will be undertaken. The Synod on the Family ending in Rome this weekend may help the Church to begin asking about the critical situation regarding the priesthood especially in those countries that until recent years were sending missionaries to other local churches needing priests. A few weeks ago I passed the 50 year mark since taking vows as a Passionist. Maybe it wouldn't help to consult priests still engaged in ministry, but I find it a bit strange that nobody at 'official' church level has asked me, and I'm sure the vast majority of priests, for an opinion regarding the future of priesthood. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised after all these years. Pray for those good and honest priests trying to continue building the Kingdom among and with God's People.  A.T.

Odds and Ends

Had the anti-flu injection today. Got a parish banner put up on the area outside the church thanks to a most helpful friend. Planned coming weeks up to New Year with the other two priests who minister here. Read the daily Catholic newspaper La Croix on the Synod on the Family. My Skype connection is gone - my computer like myself is getting old! Pastoral Council met tonight. These busy parish members meet once a month out of care for the parish. They are stalwarts. Watched an old episode of Fools and Horses and went to bed. Maybe nobody will read this blog of mine but then people tell me that nobody reads the Parish Bulletin that I write 52 weeks of the year. Please don't laugh - but I take seriously the weekly Bulletin reflection and notices that I compile week in and week out. These take hours to research and compose. If no one else reads the Bulletin or this Blog, I have a certainty that Jesus knows about them. It is worth writing them for that reason alone! Deo gratias!