The death has occurred of Robert (Bobby) Maher Smithstown, Thomastown, Kilkenny / Dungarvan, Kilkenny

Died on June 30, 2023

The death has taken place of Robert (Bobby) Maher, Smithstown, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of Sugarstown, Dungarvan, Co. Kilkenny peacefully in the loving care of Archersrath Nursing Home. Predeceased by his parents, John and Mary and brother Paddy.

Bobby will be sadly missed by his loving wife Sheila, brothers Jimmy, Willie, Tim, Tony Byrne and Mikey Wall, sister Maisie Waters, sons Brendan, Robert, Kevin and Vincent, daughters in law, Bernie, Gabrielle, Maria and Valerie, grandchildren Luke, Shane, Jessie, Keeley, Edie, Jimmy, Aoife and Lily Peg, nieces and nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends

MAY BOBBY REST IN PEACE.

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Reflection

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.” What does the experience of faith elicit in us?
Brothers and sisters, let us ask ourselves honestly, from the heart: Do we believe that God is at work in our lives? Do we believe that the Lord, in hidden and often unpredictable ways, acts in history, performs wonders, and is working even in our societies that are marked by worldly secularism and a certain religious indifference?
There is a way to discern whether we have this trust in the Lord. What is the way? The Gospel says that “as soon as Elizabeth had heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb” (v. 41). This is the sign: to leap for joy. Whoever believes, whoever prays, whoever welcomes the Lord leaps in the Spirit, and feels that something is moving within, and “dances” with joy. I would like to dwell on this: the leap of faith.
The experience of faith, first and foremost, elicits a certain leaping in the face of life. To leap means to be “touched inside,” to have an interior quiver, to feel that something is moving in our heart. …

Pope Francis