Francis O'Neill - Thomastown Parish

Chapel Lane, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny and formerly Hamilton Lodge & “The Maltings”. Died on Saturday 24th January 2015. Removal to Church of the Assumption, Thomastown on Wednesday morning for 12 noon Funeral Mass followed by burial in St. Mary’s New Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

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Reflection

“And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value.” How might the synod Pope Francis has called help discern what is of value in making a merciful Church in mission? Here are his words:
First, he [Anonymous 4th century spiritual writer] helps us understand that the Holy Spirit is a sure guide and that our first task is to learn how to discern his voice, since he speaks through everyone and in all things. Has this synodal process made us experience this?
The Holy Spirit always accompanies us. … The Holy Spirit makes the Church perennially faithful to the mandate of the Lord Jesus Christ and attentive to his word. The Spirit leads the disciples into all truth (Jn 16:13). He is also leading us, gathered in the Holy Spirit in this Assembly, to give an answer, after three years of walking, to the question of “How to be a synodal Church in mission.” I would add merciful.

Pope Francis