Rev Michael Cavanagh +353 (0)858 533 173
Praying Together 25th December 2023

Praying Together 25th December 2023

girl looking at a manger scene inside a glass globe

Collect for Christmas

Eternal God, who made the most holy night shine with the brightness of your one true light: Bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 1: 1-14

John 1: 1-14

Christmas! Would be interesting to ask people what word images are immediately conjured up at the mention of the word. Star. Angels. Shepherds. Magi. Mary, Joseph. The wee donkey. Ox and lamb. Little drummer boy. Stable. Manger. Carols. Crib. Holly. Mistletoe. Tree, Robins. Snow. Not to mention the food – Mince pies, Turkey and Ham, Pudding, Sprouts (Love ‘em), Cake. Alka-Seltzer. TV repeats of Only Fools and Horses. It’s a Wonderful Life. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

But there is one word missing from most such lists.

Cross.

Without the crib, there is no cross.

Without the cross, the crib has no meaning.

Unto us a child is born…

… a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

Previous Posts

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Luke 16: 1-13  To whom do we owe our allegiance?  You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...

read more
Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Collect for Trinity 13  Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...

read more
Mary’s Story

Mary’s Story

Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing.  I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.

read more
The Journey to the Cross

The Journey to the Cross

The Lent readings tell a familiar story.  The story of a journey.  A journey to the cross.  
Let’s remind ourselves of that journey. After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and forty very cold nights.  The voices of Satan came whispering, tempting, but Jesus refuses to be distracted or tempted.

read more
Praying Together 17th December 2023

Praying Together 17th December 2023

tiny baby feet wrapped in a pink blanket with a wool heart

Collect for Advent Three

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Olivia Erin Barton, daughter of Charlotte and Matt, entered the world at 11 p.m. yesterday 15th. She shared a birthday with 384, 999 others across the world – a world where ongoing conflict rages, where people perform acts of violence to others for reasons of race, tradition, language and religion – or for no reason at all. Where the future is increasingly uncertain, with unknown effects of uncontrolled technology and the need to face inevitable drastic lifestyle changes as result of unchecked global warming.

I wonder what she will think of the legacy we leave her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she wasn’t hugely impressed.

There is one thing that we can – must – do for her, though.

We owe it to her to be witnesses to the truth that will sustain her through good times and darker ones – she will hear it proclaimed in story, carolling and celebration during the days around her birthday. It is the story of another baby – whose birth is a sign of God’s unfailing love, whose life will guide us, His death redeem us, His resurrection inspire us. Whatever may happen, His love will never fail us.

So may the Lord of Lords bless you, Olivia, and your sisters and brothers born that day. May you walk in His light throughout your life; may you be His body on earth, share Faith, Hope and Love, and use the all the gifts He gives you to bring His Kingdom in.

Previous Posts

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Luke 16: 1-13  To whom do we owe our allegiance?  You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...

read more
Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Collect for Trinity 13  Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...

read more
Mary’s Story

Mary’s Story

Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing.  I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.

read more
The Journey to the Cross

The Journey to the Cross

The Lent readings tell a familiar story.  The story of a journey.  A journey to the cross.  
Let’s remind ourselves of that journey. After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and forty very cold nights.  The voices of Satan came whispering, tempting, but Jesus refuses to be distracted or tempted.

read more
Praying Together 26 November 2023

Praying Together 26 November 2023

a wooden boat in galilee

Collect for Christ the King Sunday

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Ephesians 1: 15-23

Matthew 25: 31-46

Through the past weeks, the readings from Matthew’s Gospel have concentrated on Jesus teaching, healing and explaining the Kingdom of Heaven in parables. The Sower. The mustard seed. Treasure in a field, a pearl of great price. Each one being more direct in its message. Refusal of the invitation to the great banquet. The last first, the first last. As Jesus speaks, the Pharisees and elders of the Temple become more and more angry. They realise that the message of His teaching undermines their authority within the religious hierarchy, with their self-importance exposed as being more important to them than their religious responsibilities.

He speaks to them even more directly and denounces them as blind guides who offer no leadership. He talks about the entrance of the bridegroom, the return of the landowner – and now, as if what He has said before wasn’t bad enough, with barely-disguised criticism He reminds them that their pious hypocrisy isn’t going to be the passport to Paradise they imagine it is. Unless their actions result in the service of the people they lead, they will never enter the Kingdom. Their falsehood is emphasised in the light of their knowledge of their responsibilities They know what they should do. But they don’t do it. It is the ones who do God’s work, who serve without expecting any reward who will receive eternal life in the Kingdom.

It’s no wonder the Pharisees start making plans to get rid of Him.

Previous Posts

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Luke 16: 1-13  To whom do we owe our allegiance?  You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...

read more
Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Collect for Trinity 13  Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...

read more
Mary’s Story

Mary’s Story

Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing.  I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.

read more
The Journey to the Cross

The Journey to the Cross

The Lent readings tell a familiar story.  The story of a journey.  A journey to the cross.  
Let’s remind ourselves of that journey. After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and forty very cold nights.  The voices of Satan came whispering, tempting, but Jesus refuses to be distracted or tempted.

read more

Praying Together 19th November 2023

Praying Together 19th November 2023

cellist playing their cello

Collect for second Sunday Before Advent

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Matthew 25: 14-30

Q. Can you play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. Have you ever tried to play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. So how do you know you can’t play the trumpet?

Most of us know the passage well, and we have probably heard many sermons that remind us that we must use the gifts God has given to us. Whatever gifts and whatever level we are blessed with, there is a role for them in God’s plan.

The standard sermon continues by telling us that it’s not good enough just to use them – we must develop them – just as the trustworthy slaves invested the talents they were given. No point on having gifts if they aren’t used.

This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance, to paraphrase 1 Timothy.
But the Gospel message doesn’t end there.

It might not be the trumpet. Or the Clarinet. A Trombone, Double Bass, a singing voice. It may not be music at all. If not, there are many other skills you may have been given that you are not yet aware of: artistic talent, hospitality, compassion, intercession, forgiveness, unconditional love. There will be some. And I challenge you to think, pray and try to find out what they are.

Previous Posts

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Luke 16: 1-13  To whom do we owe our allegiance?  You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...

read more
Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Collect for Trinity 13  Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...

read more
Mary’s Story

Mary’s Story

Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing.  I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.

read more
The Journey to the Cross

The Journey to the Cross

The Lent readings tell a familiar story.  The story of a journey.  A journey to the cross.  
Let’s remind ourselves of that journey. After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and forty very cold nights.  The voices of Satan came whispering, tempting, but Jesus refuses to be distracted or tempted.

read more
Praying Together 12th November 2023

Praying Together 12th November 2023

boy looking through a fence

Collect for fourth Sunday Before Advent

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the king of all: Govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

James 3: 17-18

Matthew 5: 1-12

At the very beginning of His teaching ministry, Jesus sets out the foundation of everything that His disciples will need to understand in order to follow Him. He says nothing about power. He talks about mercy, humility and peace; He tells them to be prepared to suffer for doing His will. He lists the attributes of a servant. Nothing could be further from the wordly values that consider the achievement of ‘success’ consists of subduing every opposition. Neither, in the kingdom of God, is there any place for vengeance; even after the most appalling treatment or behaviour, we must not seek revenge.

We hear Jesus’ words, and we try to comply. We pray for peace, but the world clearly doesn’t want it. We feel utterly powerless – we cannot imagine how our prayer can be answered in the face of such anger and hatred. Often we feel utterly powerless. What can I do? Could I possibly make a difference?
The answer is yes. It only needs a kind word. A helpful gesture. Support for those who are hurting or suffering injustice. A reconciliation where there has been division. An acceptance of difference in others. Every servant act adding another path to the Kingdom. Most of all, we make a difference through love – unconditionally.

“Why should we love our enemies? The first reason is fairly obvious. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says “Love your enemies,” he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition.”…

…“Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Martin Luther King Jr

Previous Posts

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Luke 16: 1-13  To whom do we owe our allegiance?  You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...

read more
Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Collect for Trinity 13  Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...

read more
Mary’s Story

Mary’s Story

Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing.  I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.

read more
The Journey to the Cross

The Journey to the Cross

The Lent readings tell a familiar story.  The story of a journey.  A journey to the cross.  
Let’s remind ourselves of that journey. After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and forty very cold nights.  The voices of Satan came whispering, tempting, but Jesus refuses to be distracted or tempted.

read more
Praying Together 5th November 2023

Praying Together 5th November 2023

sheep outside a shed in snowy weather

Collect for fourth Sunday Before Advent

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask in faith may be given to us according to Your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13

Matthew 23: 1-12

“Do as I say, not as I do”. The mantra of hypocritical leaders through the ages. It is important to note that Jesus makes a clear distinction between the righteous observance of the Law and the self-important practice of the Pharisees. They have authority vested in them according to tradition, and they are responsible for guiding the religious life of the people. Jesus makes it clear that people must follow their instruction. He endorses Temple worship and prayer traditions, such as Phylacteries to act as scriptural guides, and the fringes on their ritual clothes as reminders of the Commandments as prescribed in the Book of Numbers (15:37-40).

But He is scathing about the way in which the Pharisees themselves make ostentatious gestures of holiness without any substance or obedience to the significance of the Law in their own daily lives. Their faith is superficial in the extreme – they parade the outward signs of holiness, without there being any inward belief. They are power-seeking politicians, out for themselves alone. The gospel passage above is merely an introduction to a list of the accusations that follow. Later in the chapter, He calls them not just hypocrites, but also blind guides, a brood of vipers, the descendants of those who murdered the prophets and who will continue to do so.

And when He tells people that they are not all be served, but instead to be servants themselves, He simply goes too far. He is undermining the whole foundation of Temple hierarchy, with them insisting on being paid deference and using titles like ‘Rabbi’ as a badge of rank. Not really any wonder, then that they will double their efforts to get rid of Him.

Previous Posts

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Praying Together 18th September 2022

Luke 16: 1-13  To whom do we owe our allegiance?  You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’ Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words...

read more
Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Praying Together – 11 September 2022

Collect for Trinity 13  Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the...

read more
Mary’s Story

Mary’s Story

Hello little one. Pleased to meet you. It’s been an eventful few months while I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Let me tell you all about it.
It started on an ordinary day. I was going about as normal, feeding the chickens, tidying up and that sort of thing.  I wasn’t really concentrating, I was thinking about my wedding to Joseph in a few weeks time.

read more
The Journey to the Cross

The Journey to the Cross

The Lent readings tell a familiar story.  The story of a journey.  A journey to the cross.  
Let’s remind ourselves of that journey. After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and forty very cold nights.  The voices of Satan came whispering, tempting, but Jesus refuses to be distracted or tempted.

read more