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 Kingdom of God is very near you!
- A few words from Fr Joe……………….
- ‘Follow me’
- A few words from Fr Joe…………..
- 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
- A few words from Fr Joe………..
- A few words from Fr Joe………..
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………….
- ‘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…………….
- ‘I know them and they follow me.’
- 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!’
- A few words from Fr Joe……………….
- ‘If you are the Son of God …’
- A few words from Fr Joe……………..
- The disciple will imitate their teacher
- A few words from Fr Joe……………..
- ‘My soul, give thanks to the Lord!’
- A few words from Fr Joe………….
- Happy are those who trust in the Lord
- A few words from Fr Joe………………………….
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………
- ‘Put out into deep water!’
- Christ the prophet
- A few words from Fr Joe…………
- ‘Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life’
- A few words from Fr Joe……Mass in the Cathedral
- Do what He tells you
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………
- A few words from Fr Joe…………….
- Introducing a novel way of making donations in the Church.
- A few words from Fr Joe…………
- The Lord is very near: Rejoice!
- A few words from Fr Joe………………….
- ‘Prepare a way for the Lord!’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………….
- ‘Stay awake, praying at all times’
- A few words from Fr Joe…………………..
- ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………..
- ‘I keep the Lord ever in my sight’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- A few words from Fr Joe………………….
- ‘Happy the poor in spirit’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………….
- Think of the love that the Father has lavished upon us!
- ‘I will comfort you as I gather you and lead you back’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- Christ: Priest and Suffering Servant
- A few words from Fr Joe………………………
- The word of God is alive and active!
- Short article for Mount Merrion “Sunday Message” Sunday 10th October
- ‘He put his arms round them and gave them his blessing’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………….
- Association of Catholics in Ireland
- A few words from Fr Joe……………………
- The Lord gave his Spirit to them all!
- ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me.’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- You are the Christ!’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- Say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage, do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming to save you!’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- ‘You must do what the word tells you’
- A few words from Fr Joe….
- Christ, the Bread of Life
- A few words from Fr. Joe…
- ‘His hands were as earth beneath the bread and his voice was as thunder above it’ St Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373)
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- ‘You must come away … and rest for a while’
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- Jesus calls us to be missionaries
- A few words from Fr. Joe …..
- Task Force
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- A few words from Fr Joe………………
- ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith!’
- A few words from Fr Joe
- Though Christ may seem to be asleep, he is with us at every moment of our lives
- A few words from Fr Joe………….
- ‘This is what the Kingdom of God is like …’
- Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live in me and I in him’
- A few words from Fr Joe………..
- FR CLEMENT ASKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP INDIA FIGHT THE SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19
- Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
- A few words from Fr. Joe
- The Spirit of truth will lead you to the complete truth
- My soul, give thanks to the Lord!’