Sunday 27 April 2008

Saturday Celebration

Who: Taize Brothers What: Taize Celebration Where: St Ann's Cathedral When: Saturday 26th April 2008

Yesterday was, put simply, one of those unexpected days which upon reflection, you just have to thank God for. It did start as a fairly normal day, I got up and went to Work at half one like every Saturday. Afterwards I shared Lunch with my sister and then I went over to St Ann's Cathedral.

I had been looking forward to the Taize Celebration all week. It was to start with a procession from St Peters Cathedral to St Ann's Cathedral at 6pm, but as I didn't get out work until then I just went over to St Ann's for the service. I arrived at about 7pm, I entered the Cathedral, and had a walk around, sat down and had a quick prayer. When the Procession arrived I went outside to meet my Friend Martin, unaware that Brendan, Paula and Patrice were also there.

We went inside again, and myself, Paula and Patrice took a seat on the floor at the front of the cathedral. The Choir practised the Hymns and Chants for just under an Hour before the Service began. The Music was amazing, and though I only knew two of the songs, by the time the service started, I was able to sing a few. The Service was really beautiful, and we all prayed around an Icon of the Crucified Christ, before lighting candles and sitting back to sing some more. The service was really beautiful and I could have stayed there all night, however me and my friends had plans and people were starting to worry. So once the service ended we had to leave. So I found it really refreshing, and I really enjoyed every moment.

After a short chat with Chat with Brendan we made our way to Clonard. Paula gave a lift to me and Martin. We stopped at her house for a Pizza, and then up to our friend Michael's house. It was an amazing night. It was great to see some old faces, and some new ones too. We laughed for hours, sang for hours and had Craic all night. It was amazing. I especially loved the chance to hear a friend sing some of his old songs, that I always loved. The last song proved to be very emotional, and we left our friends house at half 4 in the morning.

As I said it was amazing, and very unexpected.

God Bless
Peace

Sunday 20 April 2008

What's On Your iPod?

So every week in Total Guitar there is a section entitled "What's On Your iPod?", where they ask Famous Guitar
players to shuffle their iPod, and reveal the
results. So I thought I'd give it a go.
  1. He's A Pirate - Dj Tiesto
  2. Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers
  3. Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin
  4. Only One - Lifehouse
  5. Girl From the North County - Bob Dylan
Well thats an interesting mix there. Techno, Funk Rock,
Blues/Rock N Roll, Acoustic Ballad and Folk.
Music ranging from the 1960's to just Last year; and
Nothing to embarrasing came up either. Schweet

God Bless
Peace

Monday 7 April 2008

If I've Learn't Just One Thing...

What:  Search Weekend
When: 4th - 5th April 2008
Where: Benburb Priory, Benburb, Tyrone

So its the day after the weekend ended, and it was a long time coming.
For anyone unaware of what Search is it is a youth group, commited to
help young people explore their faith in new and exciting ways. I've
been a member of St Clements Search Clonard for the past two and a
half years. This weekend has been postponed twice, and my faith for
it was starting to dwindle. However, as always, the Search weekend has
revitalised me, in a spiritual way. Physically I am wrecked, but all in
all, it was worth it. I had alot of trouble getting this weekend to fit
my schedule, and I was ready to give up on it. However I'm so very glad
that I didn't.

I was very much working in the background, helping the weekend to run
smoothly, and as a result I didn't get involved in much of the activities,
nor did I get a good chance to talk to our candidates, but still the Craic
was mighty. I like to think That I did work hard, and I know that as a team
we worked well together.

What I seen and heard of the candidates, it seems to me that they really
enjoyed it and were happy, that the little God inspired coincendances in
their lifes brought them there. I only really got a chance for a chat to them
on the way home, and though they were complete rockets, I believe it is exactly
what we, as Search need.

As I said its the day after the weekend ended, and I'm on a high, for the first
time in a very long time. I'm already looking forward to the next meeting.

God Bless
Peace

Thursday 3 April 2008

It's a Wonderful Life!

Have you ever see that 1946 Frank Capra film, starring James Stewart, "It's a Wonderful life"? Of course you have, and if not, then you have most likely seen the many different adaptions of it. The man wishes he'd never been born, and his wish is granted, and he gets to see what life would be like without him.

Well the main character in that film is George Bailey. His Childhood dream was to travel the world, see everything, do everything. However anytime his chance came up, so did a problem at home, which he would always stay to fix. Well, I'm feeling rather how George Bailey must have felt. Everytime My chance to travel comes up, so does a hurdle.

"I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm comin' back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I'm gonna build bridges a mile long... "

Back when "World Youth Day" was meant to be in Germany, I couldn't make it. I was meant to go to China with my school, a problem arose and they wouldnt let me join. This year, my friends will know, I was meant to spend six weeks as a volunteer in Thailand. However due to medical reasons, I can't make the journey. To say the least I've been a bit skeptical about the whole thing. On further reflection upon my Character likeness I came to a realisation. In the end It came to pass that George had helped so many people in his life, by making sacrafices. Well This has put me in a more positive mood. My hopes are that, even though I can't be off as a volunteer this year, I may still be of some help to others back here at home.

I'll keep ya posted on the progress.

For Now God Bless and Peace.

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Is This Socially just?

Did you know, that 18 million people a year die, from Hunger? That means that around 50,000 die EACH day. Lets try and put that into perspective... The population of County Limerick dies each day from hunger. More than ten million of those death are Children. Thats 30, 000 per day.

30,000 Children that woke up this morning, won't be going back to bed tonight.

What about HIV/Aids. Just to bring that home a little; Did you know its not a foriegn disease? That 1 person everyday in Ireland is diagnosed with HIV/Aids. In Africa that number is 95,000. 95,000 people per day in Sub Saharan Africa alone are diagnosed with HIV/Aids. A further 65,000 on top of that die. 70% of all HIV/Aids cases are african. That said; 2.9 Million people worldwide died from HIV/Aids in 2006. This meant that 15 million Children lost their parents. In perspective... 12% of all Zambian Children found themselves orphaned.

Did you know Malaria kills more people per year than HIV/Aids?

Did you know that 872 Million adults in the developing world are illiterate? Thats one in four adults.

Why do I bring this up? Because You can help cure all these problems. You can make a difference. I hope to cause the burning desire in you, that I have within myself, to make that difference.

For those who are sceptical that any good can be done; Did you know that the number of people living in absolute poverty, ie. less than a dollar a day, has fallen from 1.25 Billion, to 980 Million? Did you know that the number of Children sleeping under malaria tents has risen, even if it is only 5% of Children under 5 in Africa?

Though these are great facts to hear, its just simply not enough. So How can you help? Its really simple.

Support local Charities such as Trocraire, Oxfam and Save the Children. Small donations, regular or irregular, can make a difference.

Have you heard all the talk these days of "going green"? Because this will not only help you, and benifit your children, but protecting the enviorment helps the worlds poorest people. Climate change, whether you choose to believe it or not, has ruined many farmland area's, leaving people in absolute poverty when their crops fail.

Buy fairtrade. When you are buying items, look for the fairtrade logo. It means that poor farmers are paid fairly for their produce. This means that they make enough money to support themselves, and improve their quality of life, thus decreasing their chance of disease, stops their Children dying from hunger and allows Children to attend schools.

(Product) Red. Click onto http://www.joinred.com. If you buy a (RED) product, the company will give profit to buy and distribute Anti-Retroviral medicine. So many big brands have signed up to this initiative, including Apple iPod, Motorola, Converse, Dell and Hallmark. Are you planning to buy the latest iPod Nano? Why not buy (RED)? It costs no more than standard, but you will help. How about cards? How often do you buy them? Birthdays, Pregnancys, Retirement, Get Well, Thank you and the list goes on. Why not look for Hallmark (RED)? It doesn't cost you any more than it would usually. Please check out the site. When you buy your new converse, buy (RED).

Not to mention, that you can make a difference by volunteering in these por countries. Check out Habitat for Humanity or http://www.serve.ie.

You don't even need to put yourself out to help... so please do.

Peace and God Bless