Patrick (Patsy) Bolger

Died on April 23, 2019

The death has occurred of Patrick Bolger, 3 Castle Ave, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, peacefully, on Tuesday 23rd April 2019, surrounded by family and in the loving care of the nurses and staff of St Luke’s Coronary Care Unit, following an illness bravely borne. Loving husband of Ann, beloved father of Steve, Martin, Richard, Breda, Lorraine and Ciara, loving grandfather to Liam, Sam, Cian, Evie, Siofra, Patrick and Ruadhan. Predeceased by his sister Eileen, sadly missed by his brothers Dick, Tommy and his sister Mary. Deeply regretted by his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended family and friends. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. Reposing at his residence, 3 Castle Ave, Thomastown, on Thursday 25th April from 1pm with rosary and Vigil prayers at 7pm. Funeral arriving at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, on Friday 26th April, for Requiem Mass at 2pm, followed by burial in St Mary’s New Cemetery, Thomastown. House is private on Friday morning, please. Family flowers only, donations to the Friends of St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny. Forever missed and forever in our hearts.

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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,