Unlocking the Possibilities of our Pastoral Areas

Published on October 21, 2019

All members of the Pastoral Area Councils are invited to a morning reflection on the many possibilities now open to parishes through the establishment of pastoral areas. Chaired by Bishop Dermot Farrell and in dialogue with Fr Albert McDonnell and some lay co-ordinators of pastoral groups from other Irish Diocese we will have an opportunity to reflect on how these groupings can best work together. St Kieran’s College – Saturday 26th October 11am-1pm.

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,