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Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism

Ireland Issues and Leadership

Updated: Mar 2, 2023


Cobh, County Cork, Ireland Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash

A Message from the Editor


About twenty years ago when I went to a meeting in Dublin, I had planned to return to the United States the following day. However, I decided to stay for an extra few days because the people in Dublin were so warm and welcoming. I remember the wonderful people that I met at The Stag's Head and a few other pubs, I was afraid to stay longer because I might have been tempted to move there.


We have included a prayer for Adriana Koch. We need to end these cases of teen suicide due to bullying. Schools need to have a bulling policy that includes student termination after two confirmed incidents of bullying. Parents need to be able to access their teen’s messages on various social media platforms.


I admit that I am not fond of some US Republicans, primarily those who are election deniers. However, I might consider making a donation to a Republican mental health fund to provide treatment for some Republicans after reading


My sister Sandra Nary is in hospice. Please pray for her.


We had a brief electrical outage on February 1 and lost some incoming emails. Anyone who sent me an email for an interview or for suggested articles, please resend them to me.




A Quote to Remember


“Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.”

by Saint John Paul II

Prayers


Prayer to End Abortions in Ireland


“Your Abundant Giving”

Tree-seeds, in-abundance

Lie amidst the leaves,

Sprouting bright green curls,

Rubbished to enrich the soil:

To make fertile the ground

For the Spring planting of

Vegetable seedlings.

Lord, Creator-God of Gifts!

What happens to the lives

Of so many, crushed, stolen, snapped

Out of time into eternity – whether by

Earthquake, flood, war, or the terrible

Stripping, even recycling of human beginnings,

Not discarded, but misused, frozen,

Dyed upon, dissected, shelved, stopped,

Silenced at the “expiry date”.

Lord, Have Mercy on Us!

Now, not even

Fresh vegetables and fruit

Are disposed of according to a date –

But each is examined, carefully, aware

As we are of soft, slightly rotting fruit which,

Peeled, preserves what is good and, cutting out the

Taint, tells of being edible and nutritious,

A timely scrutiny of what is still beneficial.

Lord, Let Us Waste Not!

Why, then, is the life-span of a fruit

Worth more than a human life?

What horrors will the timeline of human

Growth display if left to develop?

Who is hiding what from the work of their

Hands and, in hiding from their hands,

What is being hidden from the thoughts of

Their minds?

Lord, Let Us Listen!

Human life begins,

Joining from the start

Breaking out of separate cells,

Each part of which needs the other and more,

A skin, a place to be, diving into the tissues,

Anchoring new developments, changing

Outwardly, constantly, to show forth the presence of the

person from the first instant of beginning.

Lord, How Great Are Your Works!

What buzzing abundance, blighted,

Heaven bound, ascending like the dew

On the Summer’s light, rising, scarcely visible,

Torn from life and heart and rubbishing a relationship.

Like an un-enclosable wound, ever open to the truth

Of there being a father and a mother and uprooters,

Who yet, through the loving truth are called,

Ceaselessly, to an endless reconciliation.

Lord, Love Us In The Truth!

True seeds,

Lie in abundance amidst our wasted loves,

Flourishing in the hands of the Greatest Love,

Turning us back from looking back to going

Forward, forgiveness making fertile the ground

For the graced-Spring-planting, arising, like dew,

From the many pierced hearts, imploring

Our New Beginning.

Lord, Listen To Them !

by Francis Etheredge Profiles in Catholicism


St. Bridget’s Prayer


Our Father - Hail Mary O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, rose aloft on the Cross to heal our wounds with Thine, remember the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness of all Thy Members which were distended to such a degree that never was there pain like unto Thine. From the crown of Thy Head to the Soles of Thy Feet there was not one spot on Thy Body that was not in torment, and yet, forgetting all Thy sufferings, Thou didst not cease to pray to Thy Heavenly Father for Thy enemies, saying: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Through this great Mercy, and in memory of this suffering, grant that the remembrance of Thy Most Bitter Passion may effect in us a perfect contrition and the remission of all our sins. Amen. by St. Bridget



We stand in solidarity with the people of Creeslough whose hearts are broken with the recent tragedy and terrible loss of life. We pray for all those who lost loved ones and for the whole community that is grieving at this time. We pray for all those involved in responding and ministering to the survivors, we hold everyone in our hearts, devastated at this terrible tragedy.



Lord Jesus in your life you fought for the poor and the exploited, you gave dignity and human rights to all. You invited all to be your friends and Children of God, members of your family and yet the poor are still exploited abused and murdered.


They cry out for justice as does the spirit and family of Jullebee Ranara the latest victim among the Filipino overseas domestic workers killed and discarded

in Kuwait. Let justice and truth be seen, let there be peace in the hearts of her family, may she rest in your kingdom of peace. Amen.

by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for Adriana Koch


Dearest Lord,


Welcome Adriana into Your infinite and eternal love, and comfort her parents. Please inspire schools to have effective anti-bullying policies

by Sarah Lyon Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer to End Violence in the Holy Land


Oh, Lord, we join the Pope and the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, in call upon and praying that all parties in the Holy Land will practice restraint and self-control. We pray that peace and stability will once again prevail.


Oh Lord, 32 Palestinians and 7 Israelis have been killed since the start of the New Year. Please help those who can de-escalate this situation be enabled to work together to do so. We pray that intervention is resolutely undertaken by community and political leaders on all sides.


We pray that the leaders of both communities work together to defuse the current tensions and to launch a political process based upon justice that will bring about a lasting peace and prosperity for all. We pray that all parties will revere each other’s religious faiths and show respect for the holy sites and places of worship of Jews, Christians and Muslims, and those of all faiths.


We pray for those killed and injured, and we ask that God stay close to their families and loved ones. We pray also for healing for the wounded, and that the Almighty would give strength and perseverance to those caring for them.


Finally, we ask that God grant wisdom and prudence to political leaders and people of influence on all sides, leading them to devise ways to help us overcome violence, keep our communities safe, and work tirelessly to bring about a just and peaceful solution for our beloved Holy Land.


This prayer is based on that of the Pope, the Patriarchs and heads of Churches in the Holy Land.

by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for Those Who Died in the Turkey and Syria Earthquakes


Lord, take to yourself those who perished in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Watch over those who were injured. Encourage those responding and seeking survivors. Strengthen the hands and hearts of those who will rebuild broken buildings and lives. We pray in your name. Amen. by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer to be a True Disciple


Will I pass your test Lord and cause no one hurt or pain? Do I have compassion and heartfelt concern for every person in distress, disabled, all the same? Do I help the needy without expecting a reward? Do I really love humanity as You love each one and all? Can I accept everyone with a welcome and a smile and see you present in the poor and know that we are friends working for the salvation of the world.

Amen

by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for Murdered Father Juan Angulo Fonseca

Embrace Father Juan Angulo Fonseca into the your infinite love.

Comfort his family, friends, and parishioners, and protect other priests from violence.

by Gordon NaryProfiles in Catholicism,


Prayer for the Children of Ukraine


Oh Lord, we pray for all the people of Ukraine, innocent victims of Russia’s merciless and murderous attack on their country and all who live within it. So many have died, so many have been injured, so many have had to flee from their homes to be able to survive. We pray for all Ukrainians in this time of great need and suffering. Oh Lord, we pray especially for the children of Ukraine whose lives have been so seriously disrupted, who are living in poverty, living with injuries, living with the knowledge that many of their relatives and friends have died, and whom they will never see again. Oh Lord, we pray for the children who have died and we pray for those who have, so far, survived. May those who have died rest in your Peace, Oh Lord. May those who survive be found by their families. May they receive the care that they need, To heal from their suffering, pain and trauma. And live to rebuild their lives and their country. Amen by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for Murdered Bishop Dave O’Connell


Into your hands, Lord, we entrust his soul.

Hands that toiled here on earth

Hands calloused from daily chores.

Hands that were nailed to the cross.

Into your hands, Lord, we entrust his soul.

Hands that opened the blind man’s eyes

Hands that made the leper clean.

Hands that calmed the stormy sea.

Into your hands, Lord, we entrust his soul.

Hands that clasped your mother’s tightly.

Hands kissed by repentant souls.

Hands that blessed and broke the bread.

Into your hands, Lord, we entrust his soul.

Hands that hold all our prayers.

Hands that heal our every need.

Hands still reaching out to us.

Into your hands O Lord, we entrust Bishop Dave O’Connell.

by Deacon Mike Ghiorso Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer to Reduce Abortions in Ireland


Lord, Let Us Waste Not!

Why, then, is the life-span of a fruit

Worth more than a human life?

What horrors will the timeline of human

Growth display if left to develop?

Who is hiding what from the work of their

Hands and, in hiding from their hands,

What is being hidden from the thoughts of

Their minds?


Lord, Let Us Listen!


Human life begins,

Joining from the start

Breaking out of separate cells,

Each part of which needs the other and more,

A skin, a place to be, diving into the tissues,

Anchoring new developments, changing

Outwardly, constantly, to show forth the presence of the

person from the first instant of beginning.


Lord, How Great Are Your Works!


What buzzing abundance, blighted,

Heaven bound, ascending like the dew

On the Summer’s light, rising, scarcely visible,

Torn from life and heart and rubbishing a relationship.

Like an un-enclosable wound, ever open to the truth

Of there being a father and a mother and uprooters,

Who yet, through the loving truth are called,

Ceaselessly, to an endless reconciliation.


Lord, Love Us In The Truth!

True seeds,

Lie in abundance amidst our wasted loves,

Flourishing in the hands of the Greatest Love,

Turning us back from looking back to going

Forward, forgiveness making fertile the ground

For the graced-Spring-planting, arising, like dew,

From the many pierced hearts, imploring

Our New Beginning.


Lord, Listen To Them !


Poems


The Light of the World


You are my inspiration and my hope, You bring meaning and purpose to my life, all the challenges that come my way you help me overcome the hardship and the strife.


You are the power and force from where victory springs. You light the darkness with hope and bring the peace where I can find strength and all good things ,


You are the source of freedom, kindness and the friend I need. You show me the path to the life where I can serve a and help those that cry to be saved and freed.


I see the light of truth and the dignity of all mankind. I know that your love of humanity has changed the world. and much more that must be done to heal the wounded, and the blind.

Amen

by Father Shay Cullen Profiles in Catholicism

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Tír na nÓg ft. Oonagh


Lady of Knock


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