Another busy week in Multy! On Tuesday, we celebrated two masses which included the traditional devotions to St Anthony of Padua, our trusty patron and advocate, the “Saint of Miracles.”
We were surprised to be visited by a lovely couple from Dublin who came especially for the morning Mass, having seen our church on webcam. Devotees of St Anthony in our Dublin friary on Merchants Quay, they were travelling on to see our friary in Athlone “before it closes…,” as they put it! Truly we are blessed by the “God of Surprises.”
On a more mundane level, work was completed on our leaking roof by our expert artisan, David Gorman, who can turn his hand to most things. He, too, is a constant gift to our community. Our entrance gates also received a make-over, so we are looking very spruce indeed to greet our many daily visitors.
Fr Lomán has been in the local hospital for two weeks after a fall and is now convalescing in his sister’s home in Mullingar. Please pray for the recovery of his strength before he is fit to return to his first home in the friary.
Fr Sean has just returned this very day (Thursday) after his long stint in Vietnam, where he was monitoring the work of the organisation he founded to combat the trafficking of young people. He brings back the good news that all is going well, and that the charity is getting more support from international agencies.
This evening our Open Space Discussion group convenes for its fortnightly conversation. The topic on this occasion concerns the current crisis in priestly vocations and its impact on the life of the Church. Please continue to pray that the Lord’s call will be answered generously by more young (and not so young) men and women!
May the Lord give you peace.
Kieran ofm