The death has occurred of John Roche Jerpoint Abbey Cottage, Friars Hill, Thomastown, Kilkenny / Rosbercon, Kilkenny / Wexford

Roche; Jerpoint Abbey Cottage, Friars Hill, Thomastown, formerly of Rosbercon, Co Kilkenny. 17th January 2023. John, peacefully at his residence in the care of his loving wife. Predeceased by his father Paddy and brother Patrick. Deeply regretted by his wife Mary, mother Joan, brothers James and Brian, brothers-in -law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, neighbours, friends, and work colleagues in South East Port Services (Belview).

May He Rest In Peace

Reposing in The Mercy Side Chapel of The Church of The Assumption Thomastown on Thursday, 19th January, from 3pm concluding at 7pm with prayers at 6pm.

Funeral to arrive at The Church of The Assumption, Thomastown for 11am Requiem Mass on Friday, 20th January, followed burial in St. Mary’s New Cemetery Thomastown.

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Reflection

“And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. …” Why does Pope Francis say Jesus was not concerned with this? Was Jesus’ interest more with hearts than with kettles and beds and rubrics?
We too could ask ourselves: why do Jesus and his disciples disregard these traditions? … Why is Jesus not concerned with such things? Because for him it is important to bring faith back to its centre. We see it repeatedly in the Gospel: this bringing faith back to the centre. And to avoid a risk, which applies to those scribes as well as to us of observing outward formalities, putting the heart and faith in the background. Sometimes we too “put makeup” on our soul. Outward formality and not the heart of faith. This is a risk. It is the risk of a religiosity of appearances: looking good on the outside while neglecting to purify the heart. There is always the temptation to “deal with God” with some outward devotion, but Jesus does not settle for this worship. Jesus does not want outward appearances; he wants a faith that touches the heart.
Pope Francis