by Kathleen Mullane

BUILD BRIDGES NOT WALLS

Pope Francis has been laid to rest this week and his funeral showed us what a very humble man he was. From choosing his very basic coffin to where he was buried, unlike previous popes who followed tradition. He was Parish Priest to the World .I couldn’t believe he started off in Argentine his homeland as a bouncer and bartender and he was actually going out with a girl at the time who incidentally is 94 now and still alive .I didn’t realise he had so many lovely quotes throughout his life which really had meaning and were food for thought  like the one above —Build Bridges not Walls.

People flocked from every corner of the Globe to say a final goodbye, not alone Presidents and Dignateries but the homeless and prisoners who he had visited in prisons during his life , He was a Man of the People and will be remembered with great fondness for many years to come and by many religions all over the World .  May he rest in peace.

The death took place over the weekend of David Stack of Park -Upper Athea  .David was a very quiet unassuming gentle person .Requiem Mass on Monday was followed by burial in Holy Cross . Sincere Sympathy is extended to his brother Phil and sister Cathy along with extended family and friends . May the light of Heaven be his.

Well, students have returned to school for the last term can you believe it and we have the May Bank Holiday this Monday so its going to be a very short term with Easter being later than usual . Thankfully the weather has improved this week so people who have turf cut will be glad . This Wednesday is May Eve so in days gone by it was a day to visit the Blessed Well and Holy Water was sprinkled especially by the farmers on May -Eve to keep the cattle and farmyards safe for the year ahead.

When I was walking the other morning lo and behold I heard the Cuckoo with its usual distinctive call and isn’t it wonderful to realise Summer is on the horizon and the Cuckoo has arrived in our midst .

I will finish with another quote from Pope Francis instead of the usual thought for the week:

Rivers do not drink their own water

Trees do not eat their own fruit

The sun does not shine on itself and Flowers do not spread their Fragrance for themselves.

Living for others is a Rule of Nature

We are all born to Help Each Other no matter how difficult it is.

Life is Good when you are HAPPY —

But much Better when others are Happy because of YOU