May Messenger
May is the month of Our Lady and she features prominently in this month’s Sacred Heart Messenger, 2024. David Breen continues his series on people of the Gospel, he discusses “the secret of Mary’s faith”. Father Bernard Cotter, parish priest of the Aughadone cluster of parishes in County Cork tells the story behind ‘Mary of Lisheen’ an intriguing stained glass window depiction of the Holy Family. The first ‘Church Children’s Day’, was announced by Pope Francis in January, will take place 25-26 May. Donal Neary SJ explains how this day came to be. The Messenger is Ireland’s biggest-selling religious magazine, with a monthly circulation of over 30,000. Click here to subscribe or for more information »
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As many children prepare for their ‘First Communion’, Victoria Byrne, a primary school chaplain, explains how families can go beyond the nice clothes and bouncy castles in preparing for the day. Whilst the school can help the family, its parents, she says, who are the first educators of the faith. “It is in the home, not at school or in the local church, that the true preparation for any sacrament begins,” she says.
The Feast of the Ascension occurs in May. Messenger editor Donal Neary SJ reflects on this feast reminding us that “Jesus is no longer bound by time and space” and yet he is always present with us here on earth. “Jesus is alive, with us and on our side.”
Rumbek in South Sudan is the newest outreach of the Loreto Sisters. Led by Sr Orla Treacy IBVM of Bray, they have opened their first school for women in South Sudan. They describe their latest venture as a pilgrimage for peace in a country devastated by war and violence. Still on the missions, Jesuit Tony O’Riordan, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Services in Syria shares the latest news » “Life in Syria today is harder than at any time in the last twelve years.”
Jesuit author and retreat director Brendan McManus discusses his recent book written with Jim Deeds, “Emerging from the Mess » The book explores how suffering and pain alternate with great joy and fulfilment. “When we reach what we believe is the limit of our strength and endurance, we need to remember to hang on, to be patient and faithful in prayer,” the authors say.
Jesuit retreat director Brian Grogan’s article ‘From Dust to Glory!’ questions “Will our common home, which began in stardust, revert to dust and ashes?” Spiritual Director Mary Hunt reflects on the little things in “Our Amazing World”.
Finally, Andrea Hayes, broadcaster, wife, and mother, writes of Mary and motherhood to mark the month of Our Lady. “The role of mother is sacred; through their selfless acts of love, mothers create a legacy that extends far beyond their lifetimes”.
The May Messenger has all its regular features – reflections, scripture, cookery, crosswords, children’s pages, nature focus, and RE:LINK.
