The death has occurred of Stephanie Behan Cloughabrody, Thomastown, Kilkenny

Stephanie (Stephie) died peacefully on Tuesday, 7 February at University Hospital Waterford. Stephanie is pre-deceased by her parents Stephen and Margaret, sisters May and Phyllis, and brothers Charlie and Tom. Sadly missed by her loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces, great-grand-nephews, her extended family, neighbours and friends.

May Stephie Rest in Peace.

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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