Presidential Elections

Yes - elections! Ireland has voted yesterday and France, where I live, and USA, where I lived in 1980's, are both gearing up for 2012 Presidential elections. Ireland has been served very well for the past 14 years by President Mary McAleese assisted by her husband, Martin. Before that, Ireland was well served by President Mary Robinson. We can only hope that the next President of Ireland will deliver a presidency that we will serve Ireland and further afield well. What a pity that if you live outside Ireland, even within the European Union, you have no vote.                                                   A T

l'Arche La Ferme de Trosly

From last Sunday night until today I was on retreat conducted by Jean Vanier at Trosly-Breuil outside Paris. There was a group of over 30 priests from Ireland on the retreat. In 2009 many of this same group had also made a retreat with Jean Vanier. Like the last time, the retreat was amazing and I'm so glad to have had such a time of prayer, listening and reflecting. The website if  you want to learn more about this l'Arche community is: www.lafermedetrosly.com                                                                  A T

October 2011

Into my fourth year in Paris. Away next week on a retreat with a group of clergy who are coming to France from Ireland. It will be conducted by Jean Vanier, founder of l'Arche community. Will be good to have time to think and pray. My birthday on Sunday, but I've had so many of them by now, I let it go past as quietly as possible.                                                                                                        AT

Email Gremlins!

For people who contact St Joseph's Church, Paris, please accept my apologies that the email address info@stjoeparis.org is NOT WORKING. Until this is sorted out please use stjosephparis@wanadoo.fr
Wish I knew how all this works but it does and we could not live without it here.                           A.T.

Another Summer!

The past few weeks have been wonderfully warm and sunny. It is like a late summer has visited Paris. Long may it last. Went for a jog yesterday evening and it was great to feel the warmth at this late stage in September.                                                                                                                                   A T

Full Weekend

Saturday seminar on changes in the Missal given by Ms Julie Kavanagh (Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin)
Excellent presentations and exchanges for people from St Joseph's Church and Irish College, Paris. CCD teachers and assistants meeeing (all voluntary) on Saturday afternoon - over 200 children registered for religious formation this year at St Joseph's Church. Parish Information Day and International Food Fest on Sunday. Beautiful sunny day and great crowds socialising after the Masses with excellent food from different countries. And to add to it all, Ireland won in the Rugby World Cup against Russia. Bring on the Azzuri!                                                                                                                                         AT

Lourdes

Was in Lourdes for two days last week - the first time in a few years. Stayed with the French Passionist Community who live not far from the Grotto. A group of young people from St Joseph's Church, Paris, are volunteers with the Oblate Pilgrimage from Ireland. It was great to see their dedication done with joy. The train journey be TGV is a real treat. Weather was sunshine all the way. Hope to return again soon.
A T