Tag: Diocese of Kerry

This May – a Message from Bishop Ray

This May turn to Our Lady, Queen of Peace for strength and peace. With Covid-19 many people will find this May upsetting and distressing. Prayer to Our Lady each day can be a source of calm, hope and resilience. She will bring your prayer to the ear of the Lord Jesus.

Our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest flower of the vale.
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

When Our Lady appeared in Knock in August 1879 poverty and disease was common in Ireland. In the years since, Knock has been a place of comfort and hope for Irish people in need. Lourdes also, has been a special place of peace and hope for the sick. The sick, the bereaved and the troubled have consistently turned to Our Lady.

The Gospel speaks of ‘a sword piercing the soul of Mary’. Think of the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. Think of Mary who stood by the cross as her Son was dying.

With Covid-19, the month of May will not be an easy month. Many people are beginning to feel trapped and frustrated. In their hearts they know that change can only come carefully and gradually. Pope Francis speaks of this time as ‘a time of trial’.  [read more …] “This May – a Message from Bishop Ray”

Parish Collection in aid of the Polish People

1916-01-01 collection in aid of the polish people_rszOn Sunday 26th December 1915 a church-gate collection was taken up in all parishes in the Diocese of Kerry, in aid of the Polish people, who were in the depths of WWI.

Our own troubles in Ireland had not kicked off yet, but WWI weighed on the country. Surprisingly,  we were actually one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, mainly due to being part of the Brtish Empire.

But it is interesting to see that the Millstreet people gave much more than many other bigger parishes. So, it begs the question: what was the factor that influenced disproportionate collection locally at the time?

(the list is from the Kerryman  January 1st 1916)

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Update 2019: Seán says that at one stage in the early 1900s, the coach for the local Brass Band had a Polish sounding name. Maybe this was the connection, though there may have been others.