WebCam Schedule

To ensure that the live streaming of our masses runs without interruptions we have changed our webcam services provider.   Masses can be viewed by pasting https://www.crumlinparish.ie/watch-live/  

into your search or churchmedia.tv (under find your church key in Crumlin).

REFLECTION

“..Winter is an etching, spring a watercolour, summer an oil painting and autumn is a mosaic of them all..” (Stanley Horowitz).

“..Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go..” (Unknown).

“..Autumn leaves don’t fall. They fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar..” (Delia Owens).

“..Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering form the autumn sky..” (Emily Bronte).

We are at the end of October and the leaves are falling from the trees. The landscape opens us to a great symphony of changing textures and colours. There is a rare beauty about autumn. It takes a moment to stop, look and see. What a delight to the eyes – this lovely season of letting go, transformation, mystery, invitation, promise. The leaves are falling, as if saying goodbye to a life fully lived, grateful that they gladdened our senses, gave shelter to the birds, beauty to our landscape. As I write these words, some leaves are falling through the air and I feel invited to look to the seasons of my own life. This “letting go” by trees of their leaves asks that we let go of all that destroys life, all that gets in the way of our relationship with God and one another, to die to all that dehumanises our dignity, self-worth and humanity, to all that fragments the connections that sustain us. In the present time of living with covid-19, which is a huge challenge and struggle for all of us, mentally, emotionally, financially, physically and even spiritually. (Where do we find God now? Where is God..).  We are filled yet again with a sense of dread, fear and uncertainty. We worry about those who live alone, those whose are ill and whose immune system is vulnerable and all who are fragile, young and old. We are conscious of the enormous burdens placed on many at this time. We are called to look out for one another, to be caring, kind and compassionate. We are asked to observe all guidelines which are designed for the health, well-being and safety of all our lives. Difficult but essential. The onset of winter evenings is difficult for most of us but particularly at this time of lockdown. Let us not lose our hope. As a Christian people we believe that God is with us in all our trials and difficulties. When people stand with us in our times of darkness and struggle we get through much better. Compassion is a necessary virtue to have for another – for compassion means “to suffer with…to accompany..” In the gospel for today, Jesus tells us which is the greatest commandment –  “..To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind…and to love your neighbour as yourself..” As we chart our way through these days may this invitation of Jesus be lived fully so that we help each other as best as is possible. The falling leaves invite us to let go of all that prevents us from living our humanity to the full and living in God’s expectation of us. Always, we seek to imitate Christ – and we trust that God is with us. In the meantime, enjoy the magnificence of our autumn landscape. It lifts the soul. Fr. Tony.