Summer in Paris

The rain cannot last much longer, I hope! Last weekend, I was in Dublin for the First Communion of a grandnephew and we had a gloriously sunny day on Saturday. Sunday afternoon I got back to Paris and it has not stopped raining! It is very Irish to talk about the weather.

The past few weeks have been wonderful here in Paris. There were children making their First Communion and young people being confirmed at Pentecost. It is great to be part of these wonderful family and community moments. This Saturday, there will be First Communions for Marymount School Paris where I serve as chaplain. 

The night before the Communions, weather permitting, there will be an event called "Burning Faith" for young people who were confirmed this year and in recent years. It can happen that after Confirmation, there is not much on offer in the church community. A wonderful group of parents and young people have been meeting each month for the past few years and have created a great sense of their being a great road ahead for young people in following Jesus. I am in total admiration of them as I sometimes sit in at their sessions.

More to come now that I have started again.         A.T.

Still here!

A kind person mentioned that they had looked at my blog recently. To my shame, the last post there was in March. Later today, I will remedy that. A.T.

March 2016

www.stjoeparis.org

Each week for the past eight years I have produced and published a parish bulletin here in Paris. It is composed of notices for the coming week and a reflection on the Mass Readings for that weekend. I am amazed that a few people from different parts of the world  contact me to comment on something or other that I have written. But, in case I would get carried away with my own literary ability, I am often told by people here that "nobody reads the parish bulletin" (printed edition). I don't mind, as I get great satisfaction in putting together some thoughts for each weekend. If you care to see what I am going on about, www.stjoeparis.org will lead you to the Parish Notices and Reflections on the St Joseph's Parish website. Soon I hope that the parish will have a Facebook page, (I am on Facebook for years), and also that the Masses at St Joseph's can be seen on Youtube shortly. That would mean that parishioners who spent some years in Paris could link in if they wishes to follow Sunday Mass or if a friend was being married here or a funeral Mass was being held. I'll announce when this service is up and running.

In the middle of Lent, one bright light has been the great support for St Joseph's Lenten Project 2016. We are supporting two educational projects in the Middle East for children of the wars going on. One is in Syria where the Jesuits are educating children in Homs so that one day, please God, they will be able to return to their home towns having been separated from family by war. The other is in Iraq where children are being educated in Kirkouk, so that these children will one day be the future of a peaceful and thriving Middle East. There is a real danger that ancient places of Christian worship stretching back centuries will soon be no more. The humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes in Europe brings tears to my eyes. The two projects to help children in the Middle East is supported on the Sundays of Lent by means of a special collection taken during the five weekend Masses. So far, I have been able to send €13,500 to 'L'Oeuvre d'Orient' who are the group who put the money to work in these places. This past weekend, we had a young Syrian lawyer who is a parishioner speak at some of the Masses at St Joseph's to tell of his experience since leave Aleppo, Syria in 2012. There are other Syrian parishioners who have come forward to help. Please God, we can make even a little difference for children who are traumatised by this long and fierce war.

On a lighter note, the Six Nations visit to the Stade de France did not leave us feeling great. Still, hope springs eternal! Then, we have the European Soccer to look forward to in June when Ireland - North and South - will be here to compete. It will be a good summer and who knows how far either or both teams will go.                                                                            A.T.

Back after a while!

I'm a disaster as a Blogger! I have such good intentions to write daily. But........

February already here and the beginning of Spring yesterday with the Feast of St Bridget. Not everyone would agree and this year I am having my doubts. Yesterday, on dear Saint Bridget' feast I travelled to a meeting in Belfast. This involved an early flight from Paris to Manchester and on to Belfast. Landing at the City Airport in Belfast was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Fair play to the Pilot for getting the propeller plane landed. Applauding when a plane lands has never really appealed to me - but yesterday deserved an expression of appreciation. Coming back last night was not quite as rough.

Lent is just around the corner. The parish here has the Lenten Retreat on Saturday. There is also the Six Nations Rugby on the horizon. I love the year when Ireland play at the Stade. February 13/14 will be some weekend in Paris.

Once back to the Blog, I will do my best to keep going!                    AT

COP21 at Le Bourget

The world conference on Climate opens this weekend in Paris. The local papers are alerting all to the disruption of traffic around the city. In the wake of 13th November attacks there is great concern to ensure that all will go without incident. Please God that will be the case. 

Yesterday evening I did a piece on France 24 for their 6 p.m. News about Pope Francis' visit to Africa. WIth only a few hours notice, I really enjoyed reading the addresses the Pope gave in Kenya and on arrival in Uganda. He has a great way of saying very important things in a very simple but graphic way. One example - when visiting a very poor district on outskirts of Nairobi, he reflected on what the people lacked by way of clean water, sanitation and other basics that I take for granted. Then he spoke to the people of their richness in love and care for their families and their community. He said that these were valuable but would never be quoted on the Stock Exchange. They are priceless! Sunday he goes to Central African Republic where there has been serious unrest for some time. When asked on the flight from Rome to Nairobi if he was afraid for his safety, he replied that he was not but that he was afraid of the mosquitoes!

Last Thursday was American Thanksgiving and I was delighted to go to Marymount School Paris for a lovely meal that evening. I am so fortunate.

Advent begins this weekend - Christmas must be just around the corner.  A.T.     

Paris this weekend

It is still hard to comprehend the enormity of the events of Friday night in Paris. May those who died rest in peace. There are many still in hospital and suffering. May they soon find the way to recovery. The psychological scars will take longer to heal. At this church of St Joseph beside the Arc de Triomphe, people have come out in big numbers to Masses this weekend to be together and to pray. Parents with children who will soon make their First Communion came along to make a retreat even in the midst of such an appalling tragedy. There is one more Mass this Sunday evening at St Joseph's Church. Because of this I cannot take part in the Mass at the same time in Notre Dame as part of the days of national mourning in France. May we all be true workers for peace based on justice. Messages of concern and support have come to St Joseph's from all parts of the world. The Superior General of the Passionist and our Provincials have been in contact. Various media outlets have been keen to know of the situation on the ground here with over forty nationalities in our congregation. The concern of family and friends for peoples' safety shows caring and love.                         A.T.

Dublin on an Autumn evening

Just arrived in Dublin and what a beautiful evening - sun shine, blue sky! Tomorrow attending meeting of Passionists at Mount Argus, Dublin. All going to plan, I hope to be back in Paris tomorrow night. A great Parish Information day at St Joseph's, Paris yesterday - also in sunny weather. The food provided for all who came was superb. Well done to all!       A.T.