Albert (Albie) Townsend

Died on February 24, 2021

The death has taken place of Albert (Albie) Townsend, Jerpoint, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, peacefully, after a short illness in the care of the staff of St Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown, 24th February 2021.

Sadly missed by his wife Marcella (nee Ingram), brother Billy, sister Susie, sister in law Kathleen, brother in law Morgan, nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends. Predeceased by his brothers Michael, Jimmy and Tommy and his sister Bunty.

In keeping with current HSE and Government guidelines, a private family funeral will take place on Friday at 11am, in the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, followed by burial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.

MAY ALBIE REST IN PEACE

Albie’s funeral Mass can be viewed online at; https://thomastownparish.ie/webcam/.

Family flowers only please, donations to the friends of St Columba’s.

James Meyler & Son Funeral Directors

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Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples to look at him and touch him. Then he asks them for something to eat. What does Pope Francis say we can learn from these three actions of Jesus?
The second verb is to touch. By inviting the disciples to touch him, to verify that he is not a ghost—touch me!— Jesus indicates to them and to us that the relationship with him and with our brothers and sisters cannot remain “at a distance.” Christianity does not exist at a distance; Christianity does not exist only at the level of looking. Love requires looking and it also requires closeness; it requires contact, the sharing of life. The Good Samaritan did not limit himself to looking at that man whom he found half dead along the road: he stopped, he bent down, he treated his wounds, he touched him, he loaded him onto his mount and took him to the inn. And it is the same with Jesus himself: loving him means entering into a communion of life, a communion with him.
Being Christian is not first a doctrine or a moral ideal; it is a living relationship with him, with the Risen Lord: we look at him, we touch him, we are nourished by him and, transformed by his Love; we look at, touch and nourish others as brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis,