Domhnach na Cásca
Beannachtaí na Cásca do gach duine on a very strange Easter Time.
Monsignor Kevin, Fr. Liam & the Parish Assembly.
On Friday last, Good Friday the Irish Times published a very beautiful article, a Good Friday article, but it moved on so perfectly to Easter Sunday and the Resurrection.
The Good Friday story is one of fear, isolation, abandonment and lonely death. In two Gospel accounts, St. Matthew and St. Mark, the last words of Jesus on the cross were “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”.
In these days of Covid-19 as people feel fear, isolation and the fear of death, the words of Jesus on the Cross resonate with many and, indeed, with us all in different ways. There are so many resemblances also in the Easter story as it unfolds in the Gospel.
Jesus too is buried hurriedly without the presence of His friends with few members of his family present and two men who are not part of His family circle, Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea, attend to His hasty burial. After His death his closest friends hid away in fear, locked behind closed doors scared of what lay ahead as that first Easter approached.
At first the disciples failed to realise the possibility of a new future. The men stayed behind closed doors while the women visited the tomb early in the morning. It takes time for them to accept the news the women bring back with them from the tomb.
But for the next 40 days two phrases are repeated constantly by the Risen Christ, “Peace be with you” and “Be not afraid”. He says these words over and over again. In the darkest days there is always hope and hope that offers new life and new beginnings.
On this Easter day we acknowledge & give thanks for all those in our Parish and community who are so giving and caring in so many ways at this time. Everyone doing what they can, in ways too many to mention and of vital importance. We are mindful too of those among us of all ages who have suffered great loss of businesses and livelihoods and ways of life, from children to elderly and every age group in between. But our most vital prayer is one which comes best to us as Gaeilge” Go mo fada uainn an bás”, (that death will stay away from us). That puts everything in perspective.
We pray that the Risen Christ will be with us to accompany us into the future. Beannachtaí na Cásca.
Easter Week Masses from the Cathedral of St. Mary & St. Anne.
Website: www.corkcathedral.ie
Weekdays: 10.15am.
Sundays: 11.30am.
Mass is also available each week day on:
RTE News Now. Saorview Channel 21 or Sky 521 at 4.30pm each evening.
Sundays: RTE 1 at the usual morning time, 11am approx.
Please also check Parish Website: ovensparish.ie.
Diocesan Website: corkandross.org
Lockdown by Brother Richard Hendrick
Yes there is fear, yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness. Yes there is death.
But, they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise you can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes, but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.
To how big we really are. To Love.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters. So we pray and we remember that Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness,
But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic.
The birds are singing again, the sky is clearing.
Spring is coming, and we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square.
Sing.
COMMUNITY CALL
Éire Óg has joined up with other groups e.g. Gardaí, An Post, Civil Defence, Cork County Council to help the vulnerable or isolated in our community, if needed at this time of the Coronavirus pandemic.
If anyone needs help or knows of anyone who does, please phone 1800 805819 or locally John Hourihan 086 3178214, Éire Óg Co-ordinator.