When I was small we all looked forward to the first of May – long before the Bee Gees wrote their beautiful song – when the leaves were fresh on the trees and the sun seemed to shine most of Continue reading FIRST OF MAY: When I Was Small→

Red the life vest of the oarsman. Red the wide-rim hat of a smiling cyclist.  Red the lips, the dress of a woman walking into the sun. Red the fluttering shirt of a young man running.  Red the coat of Continue reading 40 Years Red→

It is Easter Week as I write, here in Ireland Easter weekend was beautiful, there was a mini heat-wave which meant sunshine, high temperatures and beautiful weather, it was great, and a change from the winter. Spring is now fully Continue reading Christ Is Alive: Divine Mercy Sunday – Fr. Derry Murphy→

From Notre Dame to Sacre Coeur: Easter 2019 It was Tuesday morning when I heard the news that Notre Dame de Paris had gone up in flames the evening before. Having seen it three years ago and, more importantly, having Continue reading From Notre Dame to Sacre Coeur: Easter 2019→

I Kiss the Wounds (a prayer for Good Friday) I kiss the Wounds of Your Sacred Head, with sorrow deep and true, may every thought of my mind today be an act of perfect love for You. I kiss the Continue reading I KISS THE WOUNDS→

Last weekend on Radio 4’s Sunday morning programme there was a report on a spiritual retreat held at the Pope’s residence in the Vatican. The retreat was suggested by Archbishop Justin Welby, head of the Anglican Communion, and was attended Continue reading ON OUR KNEES: Mass of the Lord’s Supper→

“Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, silence the pianos” The words of Funeral Blues by W H Auden remind me of when my grandfather died. Everything stopped – literally. Curtains were closed, the clock was stopped, the radio Continue reading HOLY WEEK: Stop All The Clocks, Cover The Statues→