June/Meitheamh
‘Spirit of God in the clear running water
Blowing to greatness the trees on the hill
Spirit of God in the finger of morning
Fill the Earth, bring it to birth
And blow where you will
Blow, blow, blow ’til I be
But the breath of the Spirit blowing in me’
2nd June/Meitheamh
Corpus Christi
“The Eucharist joins heaven and earth; it embraces and penetrates all creation. In the Eucharist, fullness is already achieved; it is the living centre of the universe, the overflowing core of love and of inexhaustible life. Joined to the incarnate Son, present in the Eucharist, the whole cosmos gives thanks to God.” Pope Francis in Laudato Si’236
Action: Let this prayer enter your heart and be open to the Spirit!
5th June/Meitheamh World Environment Day
UN World Environment Day: a day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment
This year, the theme of World Environment Day is – “Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. “According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40 per cent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world’s population.
“Living our vocation to be protectors of Gods handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ 217
Action: Remember Malita and her family Patrick and Patricia in Malawi in a land between drought and flood.
Consider your own carbon footprint…how many air-flights versus your use of public transport.
“O God, to those who are hungry give bread, and to those who have bread, give hunger for justice” Trócaire.
7th June/Meitheamh
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
The heart…. a symbol of the whole inner life of a person.
Action: Reflect on how your inner life influences your daily actions.
“Everything is interconnected and this invites us to develop a spirituality of that global solidarity which flows from the Mystery of the Trinity”. Pope Francis
16th June/Meitheamh: National Holy Wells Day There are around 3,000 Holy Wells in Ireland. Since early Christian times these have been seen as places of prayer and healing
National Holy Wells Day invites you to become aware of how precious water is.
Action: Visit a Holy Well near you and pray for the protection of water. Invite others to join you and here is a special prayer when you visit a well.
Prayer for the Protection of Water
O God of all creation, teach us how to protect water on which all living beings depend, plants, animals, fish, birds, humans Help us to ensure that water may always flow freely and purely for all your Creation. May your Spirit soften our hearts and enlighten us so that we may act responsibly to protect water, the vital source of life in Our Common Home.
and
Fathers’ Day
Pray for God’s blessing on fathers, that they may be a source of love and life for all in their care.
20th June/Meitheamh
UN World Refugee Day
This event honours the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence and natural disaster such as drought.
“This is not about sharing a burden. It is about sharing a global responsibility, based not only the broad idea of our common humanity but also on the very specific obligations of international law. The root problems are war and hatred, not people who flee; refugees are among the first victims of terrorism.” — UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
In the Diocese of Kerry we have welcomed refugees from many countries including Kosovo, Syria, Iraq, Algeria and now Ukraine.
Action:
Consider donating to a refugee charity of your choice today.
Welcome the refugees who have made it safely to your area, parish or town. Become a volunteer to support English skills, a craft or cooking class, a walking group.
21st June/Meitheamh
Summer Solstice
“I walk in your world a mercy, a healing” …..Daniel Berrigan.
Action: Rise early, greet the day with prayer, gratitude…
SAVE THE DATE
The Season of Creation, in the Diocese of Kerry, will be celebrated from 1 September – 4 October. I hope your parish will get involved, why not offer to help…now!
Theme for 2024: To hope and act with Creation.
“We are all involved in the construction of a better world” Pope Francis