Pat (Patrick) Higginbotham

Died on November 25, 2019

The death has taken place of Pat (Patrick) Higginbotham, 15 Castle Ave, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny (R95HOK8), and formerly of Lambstown, Killurin, Co Wexford, after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. Retired member of the defence forces at Collins Barracks, Dublin and James Stephen Barracks, Kilkenny. Sadly missed by his loving wife Eileen, daughter Catherine, son Ray, grandchildren Aidan, Ben and Fiona, brother Liam, sister Mary Jo, Ray’s partner Aoife, brother in law, sisters in law, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Reposing at his residence from 3pm on Wednesday with Rosary and Vigil prayers at 8pm. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 11am in The Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, followed by burial in St Mary’s new cemetery, Thomastown. Family flowers only, please, donations to the Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care Team. Donations box will be provided.

MAY PAT REST IN PEACE

See full deaths list

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,