Monica HATTON (née Blanchfield)

Died on January 17, 2022

The death has occurred of Monica HATTON (née Blanchfield)
Rathfarnham, Dublin / Thomastown, Kilkenny

HATTON (née Blanchfield) Monica (Rathfarnham, Dublin and late of Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny) – January 17, 2022, peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family, in her 93rd year. Beloved wife of the late John and loving mother of Ann, John, Brian, Maura, Ben, Monica, Paul, Jim, David and the late Gerard. Very sadly missed by her children, sisters Theresa and Mary, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, her 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest in Peace.

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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,