I can imagine one of the scribes coming to Jesus full of confidence with his question: “Which commandment is first of all?” Not impressed, Jesus takes him slowly and answers him coolly. He says “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. This is more important than burnt offering and sacrifices.”
‘Lord, That I May See’ - In today’s Gospel extract we read the story of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who was used to sitting on the roadside at the entrance to Jericho every morning. It’s one of the most fascinating stories in the Gospel, the kind that I think appeals to everybody.
World Mission Sunday Today we celebrate the Missionary Church. We can be very proud of the great role that Ireland has played in Africa, Asia, South and Central America and Australasia in promoting the Christian message, and in helping the development of so many poor nations. As a missionary, I spent some years in Ethiopia, Kenya and Eastern Germany. I also worked as a mission-fundraiser in the USA and Canada. I enjoyed my work both “on the Missions” and raising money for the Missions, mostly for where my fellow-Spiritan missionaries worked in Africa.
We are a Roman Catholic Congregation of Priests, Brothers and Lay Associates. Our congregation was founded in Paris in 1703 by a young 24 year old Breton Lawyer, Claude Poullart des Places.
He founded a community for young men who wished to become priests and dedicated it to the Holy Spirit.
