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Trinity Sunday Gospel Reflection
A God of Relationships About seventy years ago, the famous theologian, Karl Rahner, remarked that if the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity was removed, it would make virtually no difference to the majority of Christians. However, things have changed somewhat since then. The Charismatic Renewal awakened awareness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The…
Capuchin Connection: Updates and News from around the Irish Province
A Warm Fraternal Welcome: A word of welcome to Brother Thomas and Brother Suneesh who arrived in Ireland on the 25th of April as part of our International Fraternal Collaboration with the Capuchin Provinces in Kerala, India. This important programme allows overseas Friars come to Ireland to live and work to help build and sustain…
Capuchin Friary Raheny acknowledged for biodiveristy efforts
The Capuchin Friary in Raheny has been acknowledged for their efforts to promote and sustain biodiversity on the Friary grounds. A green plaque was presented by Raheny Tidy Village Group which will be displayed at the entrance to the grounds. The plaque has a QR code which provides some information on the Friary’s history and…
Gospel Reflection for Easter Sunday
Wishing you all every blessing this Easter Season. Alleluia! Alleluia! https://www.capuchinfranciscans.ie/reflection/easter-gospel-reflection/
Palm Sunday Reflection
Follow this link to access our weekly Gospel Reflections: https://www.capuchinfranciscans.ie/reflection/palm-sunday/
5th Sunday of Lent Gospel Reflection
I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:1-45) This Sunday’s Gospel, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, is the third story from John’s Gospel, chosen to cast light on the meaning of baptism.First, at the well in Samaria, Jesus offered a sinful woman a living water which would quench many forms of thirst:…
God’s Generosity or Human Envy (Matt 20:1-16)
The parable of the workers in the vineyard reveals the contrast between God’s magnanimous generosity and human envy. There is no question of injustice since every worker got the agreed payment. “Why be envious because I am generous?” The horrible aspect of envy is the negative reaction to some goodness or success that another person enjoys. Envy is a poisonous growth that draws its energy out of something that is good and beautiful. The workers who did only one hour received a full day’s pay. The generosity of the landowner should have been admired rather than becoming the subject of grumbling. Envy is one of the seven deadly sins. It is like a poisoned plant growing out of good soil. The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists some of the poisoned fruits of envy. “From envy are born hatred, detraction, calumny, joy caused by the misfortune of a neighbour, and displeasure caused by his prosperity.” Quite a juicy list of badness! Envy is a root that poisons the mind and heart.
Curing the poison
One cure for envy is to appreciate what we have received and to accept that the good fortune of another person is my good fortune too, since we are all brothers and sisters in God’s family. Another help to counteract envy is to replace boredom with a sense of wonder. Open your eyes and ears to the wonders of God’s generosity. Today’s First Reading tells us to turn our minds to our God who is rich in forgiving: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways not your ways - it is the Lord who speaks. Yes, the heavens are as high above earth as my thoughts are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.”
Gratitude heals
A lovely way to end each day is to switch off the invasive distractions of television, radio or computer so as to allow yourself the gift of a silent space. Reflect on the day now ending. Focus on the nice moments, some glimpse of beauty in a person, in nature, in some happening. These are gifts from God that often go unnoticed. Focus with gratitude on one gift for each day. Gratitude is one of the most healing powers in life. ... See MoreSee Less
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Friars from across the Northern European Capuchin Conference (CENEC) gathered today in Rochestown Cork to officially reopen the Friary as an English language Novitiate for the Conference. Mass was celebrated by Br Marek (General Councillor) and presided over by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork. Br Richard Hendrick, Provincial Minister of the Irish Province, delivered the homily. Over 100 people from the locality joined the Mass and many spoke of their joy that the Capuchin Friars have returned to Rochestown after an absence of four years. Congratulations to all involved in today's celebrations. ... See MoreSee Less
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Yesterday we welcomed Br Lasse Rottman (Germany) to the Novitiate in Rochestown, Cork. Br Lasse now begins his Novitiate year. He was clothed in the Capuchin habit by Novice Master, Br Wojciech Glowacki (Poland). This begins a new venture with the opening of the inter-Provincial English speaking Novitiate for Northern Europe.
The ceremony was attended by Friars from Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Poland Switzerland and Slovakia. At the ceremony, Br Wojciech reminded all presentl that the habit we wear is the habit of St Francis and is a powerful sign to the world that the one who wears it is a person in whom Christ is at work. We are not perfect and our habit is the garment of the penitent who knows their reliance on God's mercy in their lives.
Please keep Br Lasse and the formation team in your prayers. ... See MoreSee Less
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Join us for the annual triduum of prayer in honour of St Pio (Padre Pio). Rosary each night at 7pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm.
Our main celebrants and preachers.for this year are:
21 Sept: Br Kevin Kiernan OFM Cap - Guardian of the National Shrine of St Pio at Church Street.Theme: Padre Pio and Prayer.
22 Sept: Br Martin Bennett OFM Cap - Director of Communications & Vocations. Theme: Padre Pio and the stigmata (wounds of Divine Love).
23 Sept: Br Richard Hendrick OFM Cap - Provincial Minister. Theme: Padre Pio and healing.
Music each night. Blessing with the relic after Mass. Confessions available before Mass from 6.30pm. All are welcome. ... See MoreSee Less
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On Forgiveness and Correction
This Sunday is unusual because the 3 Mass Readings are on the same theme … forgiveness and correction. I think it is a pity that the Readings are not interconnected every Sunday. FirstReading Ezechiel warns the people of the likelihood of an invasion of Israel by the Babylonians. It will be the duty of every person to act as a sentry. And anyone who fails to correct an errant sentry must share in the guilt of that sentry. “O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.” (Today’s Responsorial Psalm).
Second Reading Paul reminds us that all the commandments are summed up in one sentence. “You must love your neighbour as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.” Love is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. (1 Cor 13: 6) Paul also wrote that “God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.”
Today’s Gospel Today’s gospel treats the correction of somebody as a community responsibility. “If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you.” It might be a family community or a community of friends. Many years ago, I accompanied a confrere to a session in a Rehabilitation Centre. One man in the group had an alcoholic problem which he staunchly denied. Then one after another, his coterie of family and friends lashed into him by recalling the embarrassing occasions he caused at weddings or other occasions. He tried to laugh it off until suddenly he buried his head in his hands and burst into tears. This sort of correction is called tough love. ... See MoreSee Less
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Follow the latest news and events for the Year of St Francis celebrations in Ireland including the Franciscan Family Day & Dublin City Triduum of Prayer to the Transitus of St Francis as well as resources for schools, communities and families:
stfrancis800ireland.blogspot.com/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Today begins the Season of Creation which runs from the 1st of September to the feast of St Francis of Assisi on the 4th of October. St Francis is the Patron Saint of peace, ecology and animals. The theme for the 2026 Season of Creation is 'Living Water' taken from the Prophet Ezekiel (47:9 & 12). The springs of 'Living Water' bring life to everything and are a powerful image of a hopeful future touched by the grace of healing.
Trocaire have some excellent resources available on their webiste: www.trocaire.org
The Season of Creation is a wonderful opportunity for us as individuals and communities to reflect on the great gift of Creation and our special role in protecting and safeguarding it.
St Francis of Assisi, pray for us and all God's Creation. ... See MoreSee Less
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As we advance in our readings from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus leaves Galilee and heads south towards Jerusalem. He tries to make it clear to his disciples that Jerusalem would mean his rejection, his death on the cross but also his rising on the third day. This is a shock to the disciples. Peter takes Jesus aside and starts to remonstrate with him. “Heaven preserve you, Lord, this must not happen to you.” But Jesus repeats that his way is the way of the cross and resurrection, but it is a temptation of Satan to seek the way of selfishness. To be a genuine follower of Jesus one must go through a process of taking up the crosses of life and dying to selfishness. “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Why the cross
How could a loving, merciful Father permit the cruelty of the cross? The answer is one word: compassion. Compassion literally means suffering with. Jesus would be with us in our suffering. His way of saving was not at a safe distance, aloof from the messy side of life. On the cross he is nailed to all human pain and distress. Having loved his own while in this world he loved them to the utmost. How poorer would be our knowledge of God’s love if Jesus had saved us in a painless way! There are depths in the human heart which are not discovered until one shares in the cross of Jesus Christ. “Anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Saint Paul tells us in today’s Second Reading, “Think of God’s mercy and worship him in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind.” What is this new mind?
The Wrong Ladder
Pope Francis, constantly taking us back to the mind and ideals of Jesus, wrote: “Only the person who feels happiness in seeking the good of others, in desiring their happiness, can be a missionary. This openness of the heart is a source of joy, since it is more blessed to give than to receive. We do not live better when we flee, hide, refuse to share, stop giving. ... See MoreSee Less
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