Skip to main content

A Prolonged Silence

I have been silent. Not necessarily because of my desire to be, but more due to my hectic schedule in recent weeks. Traveling has been average around the island (Mayo, Dublin, Kilkenny and Belfast) but other aspects of life and work have kept me at full tilt. I am very happy to announce that after two years of investing in my course at Manresa for a diploma in Spiritual Direction - I am finished! Last weekend marked the final requirement for the course and I am elated! It was a fantastic course - very well crafted, paced and balanced - with a generous and open spirit to outsiders (non-Catholic in background). My sole prayer to be challenged was answered . . it was! I made a number of new friends, many times 30 years older than me. I have been stretched and opened to understanding the riches and complexities that make up the Catholic Church and the human soul. I look forward to seeing what doors God may open to utilise this training and experience in the days ahead. Our graduation is in October. I was able to deliver a morning breakfast session on the Emerging Church / Fresh Expressions phenomenon at the General Synod of the Church of Ireland this past week in Kilkenny. It was a great opportunity and was fairly well attended. I was pleased to have my old friend Brian Ross over with me to give a snap shot of this topic from a North American perspective. More on this in the week ahead. We finally launched MOBILISE in the Youth Department. It's a nation-wide initiative to meet the felt and perceived needs related to youth ministry across Ireland. We (the youth dept.) are rolling it out with six topical, inter-active workshops this year and an additional six to follow next year. More on this in the week ahead. Christy is plowing ahead with getting a full-fledged Sunday School (for lack of a better phrase) off the ground in our parish. Today was one of the Sundays she and the rest of the team pulled together to deliver. It went very well. Small numbers . . but what can be expected from a village of 500+ people?!! I'm proud of her for the vision, persistence and passion she's poured into the kids in our church! Neve and Aidan are brilliant!!! I cannot say enough about my kids. They enthrall me, enthuse me, enrich me and wear me out. Neve carries out such intelligent conversations for a little girl of nearly four and Aidan is such a boy - wrecking things, growling and running. He's a lover though (like his daddy!) ;-) - and he enjoys a good cuddle now and then. And Abby - how could I forget the dog who has been the epitome of faithfulness??? She sits in our back garden day after day and never really complains. Neither does she complain when what little attention she gets is from the kids pulling her tail or laying on her back. She loves to snuggle in closer and sit on your feet when we let her. Fantastic friend! Well, that's about it for tonight. A little more personal post before I slide back into the brief soul snap-shots that I usually post begin again. I hope this finds each one of you well and in a state of perpetual wonder at God's love and goodness . . and the beauty of life!

Labels: , , , ,

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Friend to Artists

For the last two years I have had the privilege of getting to know a man called Michael Guido. 'Guido' as he's better known, has been a friend to those in the Arts & Entertainment industry for over 20+ years. He's a pastor of sorts and a spiritual companion. Guido is a pioneer in the 'road pastor' tradition - supporting groups like Jars of Clay , dc Talk , POD , Michael W. Smith , Switchfoot and others. He, his wife Celeste and indeed his entire family have given so much for the calling on their lives to support, challenge and encourage artists and their families in their relationship with Christ. Please pray for the Guidos if you're the praying type. Pray for protection, financial support, joy and an overriding sense of God's clear calling on their ministry - PR Ministries . The PR stands for 'Persuing Relationships'. Every time we speak, Guido challenges me with his intense love for God and his knowledge of the Scriptures. H
Post a Comment
Read more

Travels across the Emerald Isle

Hello to anyone who may be reading this! I thought it might be 'schwing' to put Ireland up on the blog show you where my travels take me. Here's the key: Green house - where we currently live in N. Ireland / Red house - where we hope to move to in Co. Tipperary in January '06 / Yellow asterix - places I'll be making stops for work or play / Red line - my route on the way (note: houses not shown to scale). This weekend (in fact, in 30 minutes!) I'm heading to the town of Portlaoise in Co. Laois ( 1st asterix ) for a get-together with the area Youth Council tonight. Tomorrow morning CIYD is hosting a training session for all those who wish to attend Anois as a youth leader. Later tomorrow night I'll be delivering a training session in Fermoy, Co. Cork ( 2nd asterix) for a group of leaders who are planning on running the Quest course to reach teens in the diocese. I'll leave the Cork area on Sunday morning and make my way home to my
Post a Comment
Read more

Make shift Drive-In Theatre

I had it on my mind for months. I wanted to fully take advantage of the summer months here in Ireland and do something the local young people would enjoy . . a make shift drive-in theatre. I had to wait until the timing was right for weather, holidays ( vacations ), work schedule and family schedule before I could proceed. I thought I had planned it on a good night ( although Christy says otherwise! ). The weather had been perfect - sunny, very warm and no gale-force winds. So in my back garden ( yard ), I used a bed sheet, some dynamic hiking cord, my laptop, projector and a borrowed portable stereo - it was amazing. The night was clear and starry, the wind was minimal and more importantly - it was dry. I had so much fun! From the printing of the invitations to the set-up . . how great! We showed The Incredibles ( for free of course! ) and it was well worth it. I'll defintely do it again, although next time it'll have to be in County Tipperary .
Post a Comment
Read more