Mario Hughes, old next door neighbor of mine, and still live in the same place, caretaker of the barracks and my does he know how to do gardening, standing proudly beside his flowers, that are not just for aesthetics, even though many people admired them and got a few tips of him, send him to the Chelsea garden show. There is also functioning side to them, with bees being managed on site also, fair play to Mario and all involved with that great initiative

A very well attended lecture by Dr Paddy Casby ”Ringforts: Legacies in the Landscape’ hosted by Longford Historical Society, at The Family Centre last 7.30pm on Thursday, May 26. Many attendees were like myself, not of the Historical Society, but curious minds on a subject that literally surrounds us, many thanks to the society for having an open lecture. Lots of questions were answered and many more questions raised to study further these enigmatic enclosures. Dr Paddy Casby went to great lengths to explain his theories, one of which stood out that ringforts are not defensive forts, but they were a highly sophisticated culture of hierarchy, place and of duties. At their height it is estimated that there were sixty thousand ringforts throughout the country of all shapes and sizes.

Also in attendance was Kathleen O’Hara, podcaster, former documentarian, who worked for NFB Canada and RTE Cork, you can follow Kathleen on the below link entitled The Edge School. Kathleen gave us a taste of a verse of a new song she just made last week, I managed to record a little of it on my mobile, youtbube link below.

The Historical Society president James MacNerney who I had the pleasure of meeting in the evening told me about a Journal that you can purchase on the website called ”TEATHBHA” , full of story’s and images, by various contributors.

Below image – Hugh Farrell, Martin Morris, Dr Paddy Casby, President of Longford Historical Society James MacNerney

Two twins I bumped into at the weekend, two beautiful young lady’s that made there communion, just after there favourite snack in Mac D’s. Two Lithuanian gentlemen I seen on the canal close to Longford Town. They settled in Longford for over three years, were in Dublin previous for awhile, Kestutis and Juozas – Balukaitis with there pet Toby who was very eager to get moving on.

Out and about on a lovely Friday evening in County Longford, bumped into Jimmy Brehony, doing a few chores. Was the owner and runner of The Camlin Bar in Clondra, now enjoying his retirement with zest. If you were lucky enough to have been in Edgeworthstown tonight the 13th of May, Jimmy would have been jamming with a trad session alongside Noel Sweeney and others. I approached Jim, because I had an interest in the van you see the pictures. Told me it was a Library bus originally, a man from England had brought it over lived in it a short time before heading home. Jim bought it, and took engine out and fixed it onto a tractor, and made use of other parts, and the van itself now keeps the timber dry.

Well done to all involved the volunteers the participants for who they were many, and all for a great cause.

The charity tractor run for the children’s hospice in County Mayo passed through Longford Town (28th April 2022), I happened upon it as it made its way up from the Ballinalee road passed St Mel’s Cathedral. Think about it, London to Mayo in a tractor, a big commitment by participants, I bumped into Shane Leonard and Tom Hardiman, who were following the convoy, both administrators of the run, who were also capturing great video footage via a drone, of which you can see on the dedicated Facebook page. Shane and Tom told me that the run started with twenty tractors, now forty and continues to grow. I noticed Longford Towns Vintage Club were on show showing support, and Garda were on hand to see that the run made its way through town smoothly. The charity Cancer Fund for Children wish to build a second hospice (Daisy Lodge) building for families with children that have cancer in Ireland, to give families a therapeutic break, one being in Co. Down, and the second one they wish to build in the beautiful setting of Cong Mayo. Direct Quote from Cancer funds for children/Daisy Lodge – website ”

At Daisy Lodge we invite families to step away from the tiresome journey of cancer and renew their inner resources, helping to strengthen their wellbeing and ensure they do not face this journey alone.

Our support works to connect, empower and strengthen families who are living with a cancer diagnosis. We provide opportunities for families to meet others in similar situations. We work to better equip families to deal with their current situation and we strive to increase the understanding of the impact of cancer on the whole family.” End quote.

All help matters, whether that be raising awareness by sharing, donations, if you can help by any means please do, and a huge shout out to all in regards to the charity run, organisers, helpers, volunteers, tractor owners drivers, and the sponsors. Let all families that are affected know that they they are not alone, keep them in your prayers and again by raising awareness in anyway you can

Words by St Mel’s Cathedral

Being the Beloved—

The Easter gospel is almost an anti-climax. You’d be hoping for a bit of glory but it all begins with darkness. ‘Still dark,’ John writes. In his gospel where light and darkness play such a prominent role, the darkness that began with the falling of night when Judas left the room at Passover will last until someone believes in the risen Jesus. Mary Magdalene is in a state of disbelief, unbelief. Empty tombs are not good news, and that Jesus’ tomb is empty is dreadful news, the most awful news imaginable. So she rushes back to the others with the report: ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb!’ ‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ could have been her song. What a let down! She is deflated. There can be no good in it at all. Her fleeing from the grave is weighed with a deep sorrow. It is a journey away from faith and love, into the darkness of unbelief.

And it seems no different for Peter and The Beloved Disciple when Mary tells them the news. There is hesitation before the tomb and only after Peter enters, the Beloved One enters, and maybe Love has already unlocked his heart for this very moment because he sees and he believes. Beyond the emptiness of the tomb, the folded grave clothes point to life. When St Paul will speak of those to whom the Risen Jesus appears, Peter will be named first, but for John’s gospel, the first to believe is The Beloved Disciple. With insight borne from love, he believes without an appearance at all, just the folded grave clothes, a great sign.

We can take heart from the slow awakening of Easter faith among the three witnesses who make up the church. Isn’t it the same for us. In many ways we’re still in the dark, just like Mary Magdalene at the beginning of the story. Our struggling with prayer and with life, and after two Easters of worship through a screen and now slowly emerging from pandemic our hearts are darkened again by the plight of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters; where and how could God be with us in this mess? And there are our personal crises of grief and heartbreak. Who could ever know what veils cover the heart of one who always puts on a brave face?

And still our Easter faith challenges us to be like the Beloved, to see and believe—to see and believe. Love enables one to see with the heart. So the fox famously reminds The Little Prince: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” The first Easter experience started in the darkness and ended in dawn light. Our Easter story in 2022 need not stay in the dark place. Let’s all be The Beloved Disciple, as our baptism names us to be, so that our hearts may lead us to all the places we wish to go, and most especially to that place where we will encounter the Risen Jesus! Because the message of hope still holds true: ‘yes … Jesus is alive, he is risen, as He said.’ Alleluia!

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion today at 3pm, for The Stations of the Cross at 7.30pm, Taizé Prayer around the cross at 9pm, 2022 April 15th.

By Father Michael McGrath

Stabat Mater—A Mother Stands

Mary stands beneath the cross. The gospels do not picture her buckled down with grief. No. She stands. To stand is a gesture of strength. It is the strength of one keeping vigil, holding back the tears yet knowing there’ll be time later for crying. It is the strength of solidarity that offers the One suffering courage to face the next step and let go.

As Jesus breathes HIs last, imagine Mary’s grief then. And imagine being Mary. Imagine her standing with her children in that Ukrainian city that bears her name, Mariupol. Imagine Mary’s strengthening presence around every hospital bed. Imagine her caring hands as the hands of every doctor, nurse and family member and carer who walks the way of the cross and stands offering strength and finally gently caresses the wounded Son of God, her child.

Hail Mary, full of grace. Stabat Mater Dolorosa – At the cross her station keeping stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.

Worded by Father Michael McGrath St Mel’s Cathedral (2022 April)

Breaking bread and washing feet—

In the reading from St Paul for the Mass of the Lord’s supper we hear the earliest account of what happened on the night before Jesus died. Here we have words that are familiar to everyone who celebrates around the Table of The Lord every Sunday: “The Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me’. In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.’

The evangelist John doesn’t speak of the actions over the bread and cup, no mention of the taking, the blessing, the breaking or sharing. John gives the account of the Washing of the feet of the Disciples. Doing this in memory of Jesus makes the Eucharist alive beyond the Altar, and extends the Sanctuary to our Monday-to-Saturday lives. Breaking Bread and Washing Feet, that’s how we make Jesus present.

There’s a sense of homecoming about our celebration of the Easter Triduum this year after two years in exile from Easter worship because of pandemic. Celebrating Holy Thursday in 2022 bids us name Christ’s un-haloed presence in all medical personnel; nurses and doctors, care attendants and ambulance staff, support teams and emergency personnel, researchers, shop assistants and farmers and many others, who serve us well. When we ask where God is, the words of an ancient hymn for this night remind us: ‘Where charity and love abide there is God’ – Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.’

Marys Meals Longford will have pop up shop in town this coming April on the 7th 8th and the 9th. St Paul’s Gate house, Connolly Army barracks, Church Street, between the times 10.00-5.30pm. For further information please contact Kitty on 087 0405621.

Mary’s Meals statement below

Our key values
Our values underpin all our work and should be shared by all those involved in carrying out
our mission (from those involved in fundraising right through to volunteers living and working
in the impoverished communities we are helping).
We have confidence in the innate goodness of people.

1. We believe in the willingness of people to respond generously when informed of the
   needs of those suffering extreme poverty. We strive to communicate those needs on
   behalf of the poor.
2. We believe in the willingness of people to give freely of their money and goods to those
   living in poverty and so we aim to provide a variety of effective ways in which they can
   do this.
3. We believe in the willingness of people to give freely of their time and skills. We are a
   voluntary organisation and our work will always rely on the generosity of volunteers.
4. We expect our paid staff to have a vocational attitude towards their work.
5. We recognise the willingness of people to pray and fast for our work and invite those
   who share this belief to play their part in our mission in this manner.
6. We believe that everyone is capable of contributing in some way to our mission and we
   welcome all those who wish to do so.
7. We believe that our acts of goodness can bring hope and peace into those communities
   suffering the worst forms of poverty, violence and injustice. Therefore, we strive to work
   in those places where such suffering is most acute.
   We respect the dignity of every human being and family life.
8. We believe that those who require our aid should be seen not as the problem but as
   people who can become the principal builders of a new, more human future for
   everyone. Therefore we are committed to:
   • Listening to, and learning from, those in need and offering appropriate help accordingly.
   Our statement of values
   2 | Our statement of values
   • Giving help freely, without ever coercing those who accept it into changing their beliefs
   or creed, or without ever judging their past behaviour.
   • Nurturing human life. Our work helps individuals to fulfil their potential and gives
   families the freedom to grow and develop in the way they choose. We respect the right
   to life of every human person, from conception until natural death.
   • Continuing to help those who accept our aid for as long as their need exists and as long
   as we believe our help to be appropriate, whilst ensuring we never create a culture of
   dependency on aid.
9. We believe that every volunteer and member of staff has a unique and crucial role to
   play in the fulfilment of our mission. Therefore, we will strive to empower all those
   involved to carry out their role to the best of their ability. We will do this by:
   • Communicating our vision, mission and values to all those involved in our work.
   • Providing training when necessary.
   • Creating a caring, supportive and safe working environment.
   • Creating a working culture that respects the responsibilities of family life.
   • Keeping our staff and volunteers informed about our work as it develops.
   We believe in good stewardship of resources entrusted to us.
10. We aim to be open and accountable to all our supporters and those involved in
    our work.
11. We strive to keep our fundraising and administration costs very low to maximise the
    amount of resources we direct towards those we are helping.
12. We work to develop long-term relationships based on mutual trust with those who
    implement and monitor our work with the poor.
13. We will take care that all our activities are carried out in an environmentally
    responsible manner.
14. We will ensure that any supporter group or organisation affiliated to us accepts our
    visions, mission and values.
15. We will regularly assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of our work and will
    always be willing to adapt and improve our methods when necessary.
    3 | Our statement of values
    Our name and its origins
    In 1992, a family in Argyll, Scotland, launched an appeal to help the people of BosniaHerzegovina, who were suffering because of the war there. They did this from their home,
    Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer, a Catholic retreat centre that they had opened after a
    family pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 1983.
    It is claimed that the Virgin Mary has been appearing in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
    since 1981 and it was to this same place that they delivered the first aid that was donated.
    What was meant to have been a one-off delivery grew into an organisation called Scottish
    International Relief that went on to deliver millions of pounds worth of emergency aid and
    fund various other projects aimed at helping the poorest of the poor in several other
    countries around the world.
    In 2002, whilst Scottish International Relief was delivering emergency food aid in Malawi, the
    Mary’s Meals campaign was born in response to a realisation that many poor children were
    missing school as they worked to survive and a belief that the provision of a daily school
    meal could help break this cycle of poverty.
    Those who suggested the name and who helped Scottish International Relief set up the first
    Mary’s Meals projects in Malawi were all also people whose lives had been changed through
    pilgrimages to Medjugorje. This campaign soon became almost the sole focus of the
    organisation’s work and grew rapidly around the world.
    In 2012, Scottish International Relief officially changed its name to Mary’s Meals. Mary’s
    Meals is named after Mary, the mother of Jesus, and is often described as a ‘fruit of
    Medjugorje.’ It is also a work that consists of, respects and reaches out to people of all
    faiths and none.