Do you remember sitting the Leaving Certificate? All week, at the first mention of the exams starting, I’ve heard people sharing their memories. It seems that no one can quite forget the experience of finishing school, sitting in the examination hall, the smell of the paper, watching the opening of the envelope, handing out the papers and then being told that it was time to begin. Turning over the exam paper, looking at it with hope and expectation, would the one thing you were depending on come up? Dividing the time by the number of questions, making a little schedule so that you’d have something written for every question. The teacher’s voice in your head, “don’t spend too long on one question, move on, leave space to go back and write something you’ve just remembered”. The invigilators walking up and down, the sound of writing, so many biros working in unison, little sighs and shuffles, the heat in the room, the speed with which time passed. And then the deeper feelings of ‘Yes, nailed it!” or the frustration of feeling the questions didn’t match up with what you hoped for, “if only I’d re-read such and such’s notes.” And then the bell, “time’s up students, put your pens down please.” And a moment later caught up in the tide of classmates jostling out of the room, full of chat about the good and bad in the paper, and heading home, your folks reading the face coming in the door, “I’m sure you did your best, come on and have some tea!” And then back to the bedroom, quick change of notes, (better keep the others, just in case of a repeat) and sitting down to another night of cramming, hoping to squeeze out English and make room for Maths, and on and on and on, day after day until at last, Latin, the final exam, finished and free. Everyone says there will never be a harder exam again in your whole life, and you know looking back, I think they were right! May God bless all our students in exams halls.
News
- The Lord is close to the broken hearted; and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
- A few words from Fr Joe……………….
- ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love.’
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- Christ, our hope, is risen! Alleluia!
- Ash Wednesday
- LECTIO DIVINA FOR LENT
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- ‘Prepare a way for the Lord!’
- A few words from Fr. Joe….
- ‘Stay awake! Be ready!’
- A few words from Fr Joe……………..
- ‘For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God’
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- ‘But you, who do you say I am?’
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- ‘Come to me, and I will give you rest’
- A few words from Fr Joe……………..
- ‘Peace be with you!’
- A few words from Fr Joe……..
- ‘The Father will give you another Advocate to be with you forever’
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………..
- ‘No one can come to the Father, except through me’
- A few words from Fr Joe……………….
- Their eyes were opened and they recognized him
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- Rejoice!
- Walk While You Can on Tour 2023 – ‘The Camino’ – A walk of Remembrance
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- A few words from Fr Joe………………….
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- A Light in the Darkness
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- Week of Christian Unity
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- A few words from Fr Joe…………..
- A Christmas Blessing
- A few personal words from Fr Joe…………………
- ‘Let us walk in the light of the Lord’
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- For you the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………
- A few words from Fr Joe
- God be merciful to me, a sinner!
- Sing a new song to the Lord!
- A few words from the Parish Priest …………..
- It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………………
- ‘Rejoice with me … I have found my sheep that was lost!’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………..
- True discipleship
- A few words from Fr Joe………….
- The readings for this Sunday speak of humility, and help us think about the order of things in the kingdom of God.
- A few words from Fr Joe……………..
- ‘The last shall be first …’
- A few words from Archbishop Dermot
- There is more to life than wealth and riches
- A few words from Father Joe…………………
- Jesus our Guest
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- ‘And who is my neighbour?‘
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- The Kingdom of God is very near you!
- A few words from Fr Joe……………….
- ‘Follow me’
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- The Lord is the strength of his people
- A few words from Fr Joe………..
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
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- ‘A peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.’
- ‘Love one another, just as I have loved you’
- A few words from Fr Joe…………….
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- A few words from Fr Joe…………….
- He saw and he believed!
- A few words for Easter Sunday
- ‘Into your hands I commit my spirit’
- A few words from Fr Joe
- ‘Rejoice! This child of mine was lost, and is found!’
- A few words from Fr Joe…………….
- God of Compassion and Love
- A few words from Fr Joe……………….
- ‘This is my Son the Chosen One. Listen to him!’
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- ‘If you are the Son of God …’
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- The disciple will imitate their teacher
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- ‘My soul, give thanks to the Lord!’
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- Happy are those who trust in the Lord
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- ‘Put out into deep water!’
- Christ the prophet
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