Recently, I had the gift of spending a few precious days walking through the wild, unspoilt beauty of Connemara with colleagues who, over the years, have quietly become true and trusted friends. Surrounded by mountains, sea, and the deep stillness that only nature can hold, we found ourselves gently letting go of work, worries, and…
Let us run with perseverance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1–2). Some words never leave us. They return in quiet moments, in struggle, in grief, in temptation, ‘Keep your eyes on the goal.’ Simple words. Because our life journey is…
“Spring is God’s quiet whisper to a weary world: I am still here. I am still at work. I am not finished yet,” writes Ronan Scully For me Spring is a season of renewal, reflection, and compassion. After the long, cold months of winter, there comes a moment, sometimes quietly, when the earth exhales. The…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35). There is something in that quiet detail – “while it was still dark.” Jesus withdrew to pray, choosing silence before noise, communion before chaos, strength before service.…
We all have a story. Every heart carries unseen chapters. Every soul is shaped by love and loss. “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Last week, for my birthday, my caring and loving wife Jacqui and my two fabulous daughters, Mia and Sophie, brought…
It is with deep sorrow, yet profound gratitude, that I write my sacred pause for thought this week to honour the memory of Sr Anthony (Pidgeon) Timoney OSC., of the Poor Clare Monastery, Nun’s Island, Galway, who was recently called home to her eternal rest. Galway, and all whose lives she touched, have lost a…
There are souls who walk among us whose light quietly illuminates the world, leaving footprints long after they are gone. Sr Stan Kennedy, who just recently went home to God at the age of 86, was one such soul. She was fearless, tireless, compassionate and unwavering in her love for the poor, the marginalised, the…
Some Sundays and weekdays, I slip quietly into the chapel of the Poor Clare convent in Galway for Mass. There is something profoundly moving about beginning the Lord’s Day in such stillness, surrounded by women whose entire lives are given to prayer. Sitting in their simple chapel, I often sense that heaven is nearer than…
St Paul reminds us: “We are sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet enriching many; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:10). The Christian life is paradoxical. We can name sorrow honestly, yet still hold fast to hope. We rejoice not because all is well, for it is not, but because Christ is present,…
Last week I had the privilege of attending the National Ploughing Championships in my home county of Offaly, where I represented Self Help Africa, the charity I work with. It was a joy to be part of the Global Solidarity Tent, supported by Irish Aid and launched by Minister Neale Richmond, alongside five other inspiring…