For believers, Christmas marks a wonderful beginning, the blessing of new life. We rejoice that a Saviour has been born to us. Above all else, Christmas is about our attraction to the person of Jesus Christ, our thanksgiving for his presence in our world and in our life. Once more we can feel called to his side, invited to join in his company and to follow his path. The real power of Christmas is that this invitation is open to all.

Yet, this invitation is not fully recognized. In life, we sometimes come to the conclusion that we have missed our moment. We resign ourselves to a less hopeful future. We forget that the Lord’s love for us and the world is not conditional, that his love is greater than our limitations.

It must be said that the past year has been very stressful and challenging for so many people. We are living through a time when the sums just don’t add up. For so many individuals and families, this means constant worry about the very basics of life. Cuts and cutbacks are the order of the day but there is a genuine concern about how and when growth will follow.

The great wonder of Christmas is that the full truth of God’s love is shown to us in the stable of Bethlehem. When all else is stripped away, this truth remains. Like the wise men, we do homage to the infant child because we recognize the Lord who has come to set us free, to bind up hearts that are broken.

This Christmas, I pray that we will all accept this truth into our hearts and together experience a time of healing, hope and renewal.

Msgr Brendan Byrne
Administrator, Kildare and Leighlin Diocese
Christmas 2011

Confessions in the Confession Box
Broadford Church: Christmas Eve from 10.00 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.
Johnstownbridge Church: Christmas Eve from 11.00 a.m. to 11.45 a.m..
Clogherinkoe Church: Christmas Eve from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and also before the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.

Mass on Christmas Eve
The Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Nativity will be celebrated in Clogherinkoe Church at 7.30 p.m.

Masses on Christmas Day
Masses on Christmas Day will be celebrated in Johnstownbridge Church at 10.00 a.m. and in Broadford Church at 11.30 a.m.

Providing a much needed amenity for the surrounding area, the new hall was the brainchild of the B.A.S.L.A. group which formed approximately 17 years ago. With this project in view, the members worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Cadamstown Hall renovation project. Their regular weekly Lotto Draw proved to be very popular and successful. Among the highlights of their activities was the most enjoyable “Summer Festival” week-end. Many recollections are still around of rocking and rolling to the group “Bog the Donkey” in the festival marquee. The “Lord Mayor Campaign” attracted much attention in the area and was further instrumental, in furthering the fund-raising of the Balyna Area Sport and Leisure Association. In appreciation of the work carried out by this committee, a Red Oak Tree was planted by B.A.S.L.A. Representatives on the grounds of Cadamstown Field , at opening day.

Many happy and fun-filled memories of the old Cadamstown Hall, will be forever etched in peoples minds. Often referred to as “The Ballroom of Romance” , it was here that many a relationship had begun and developed. Still many a fond memory around, of the Sunday night outing to the “hop”, and the cavalcade of bicycles and the pooling of the occasional car to take us there. All areas of the Parish were represented at, and presented the annual “Tops of the Parish” , which saw many a packed night in the old Cadamstown Hall . Fun and frolics were the order of the day, and the Talent Shows provided a stage for the wealth of musical and acting abilities in the Parish.

It was with this backdrop in place, and with the combination of funds raised by B.A.S.L.A. and a contribution from parish funds, that the restoration of Cadamstown Hall became a reality. With a view to providing an opportunity for parishioners to view the Hall, an official Opening and Field Day was organised for October 2nd, which was to prove thoroughly enjoyable and sociable for all who attended. The “cup of tea” in the hall went down a treat as did the display of local Crafts and Produce. With many “hands on deck” in the hall, the atmosphere was light-hearted and friendly and people also availed of the opportunity to chat and reminisce. Outside on the field, numerous events and side shows were organised . Toes tapped to the live music on stage, children enjoyed their football and athletic involvements and there was a great interest in the revival of the side shows. There were many novelty items in place also thus ensuring that there “was something for everyone”. The aroma and taste of the Barbequed food was a welcome addition on the field and was highly acclaimed by all. Great interest was expressed by many in the “revival” of the Cadamstown Sports and Field Day and it is hoped to continue it as an annual event. Much gratitude is due to all who helped in any way to organise and support the opening of the Hall and Field Day.

A Cadamstown Hall Committee has now been formed . The Committee will oversee Bookings for the hall, and will engage in organising activities and fund-raising for the hall. We consider ourselves very fortunate in Balyna Parish , to have this amenity at our doorstep. We encourage people/clubs to book it and we request that it be supported as much as possible. The building consists of a hall, dressing rooms, toilets, kitchen and the use of heating. Any bookings can be made by contacting the Parish Office on 046-9551203.

“Tré Neart le Chéile”

Kathleen lynch.

Our Master, the Lord Jesus, entrusts us with his gifts and grace and he expects us to be ready for action and be prepared for the future. Our call is not only to believe, but to watch; not only to love, but to watch; not only to obey, but to watch! What are we to watch for? The greatest event to come — the return of our Master and Lord. We must also be watchful of his coming into our hearts and lives in a new way every day.

The kind of watching our Lord has in mind is not a passive “wait and see what happens” approach to life. The Lord urges us to be vigilant and to be active in prayer that his “kingdom may come” and his “will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. We are not only to watch for Christ, but to watch with Christ. The Lord wants us to have our hearts and minds fixed on him and his word. He wants us to be ready for his action and grace in our lives and in our world. Those who “wait” for the Lord will not be disappointed. He will surely come with his grace and saving help.

Do you watch for the Lord’s action in your life with expectant faith and with joyful hope?

Death is never easy. Death brings with it struggle, emotion and huge loss. Death is unavoidable despite a real temptation to deny this reality. We have all felt the very fragile and vulnerable truth that is very real when we experience a loved ones death. The great Christian writer C.S. Lewis, describes this very human emotion. “What’s wrong with the world, to make it so flat, shabby, worn out looking? No one told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness…and at other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between me and the world.”

Bereavement is felt in the hearts of so many people in all our communities. There is no quick fix in dealing with loss. Life simply never is the same again as a result of a loved ones death. We can continue, engage in the routine but we can never fully “Get Over It” nor perhaps do we really want to. Every year I celebrate the life and death of many parishioners. I am very taken by the goodness, compassion and generosity expressed by extended family, neighbours and friends who turn out in force at funeral time. However, there is an air of unreality about the initial noise and chat that fills the early days of bereavement. The reality is that soon, despite the outside continuing as normal, silence, loneliness and inner turmoil defines the experience of loss from the inside.

November is a time to be sensitive to the bereavement stories that we all have. It is important to remember our losses. Paddy Kavanagh poetically named his bereavement story, “Every old man I see reminds me of my Father”. It is in listening and acknowledging our losses that we can in time befriend and live with the void that is the pain of human loss. C.S. Lewis again aptly describes, “The tears that now freely flows reminds me of the love we once shared”.

The story of Christian hope tells us for all who have gone before us life has changed but not ended. However perhaps the most powerful demonstration of Christ’s solidarity with all who are bereaved was when he lost his best friend Lazarus, simply and profoundly we are told  “Jesus Wept”.

Paddy Byrne

Fr. Paddy Byrne has a weekly column in the Nationalist papers.

This column appeared in the edition published 9 November 2010.