Summer passing

Visited Belfast on Wednesday, 21st August, and was glad to visit Holy Cross, Ardoyne for a few hours while there. Belfast on a sunny day was looking great. An important meeting about the Passionists in Africa had just concluded in Holy Cross Monastery when I arrived and it was good to have lunch with those who had travelled from Rome, Zambia and Enniskillen to attend. Sad to record the death of Fr. Kieran McIvor, C.P. in Durban after a lifetime serving in Botswana and South Africa. May he rest in peace. His funeral took place in South Africa where is he is buried. Soon, my visit to Ireland will end and I look forward to returning to St Joseph's Church, Paris.  A.T.

Iraq suffering

It is heart breaking to learn daily of the suffering of so many in Iraq and to feel so helpless to do anything to help end this horror. I pray every day that there may be people who will step forward and be able to make a difference. The bravery of aid workers and voluntary agencies is a reminder that there is great goodness alongside so much evil.                                                            A.T.

Glasgow

Today will take place the second of two funerals this week of members of the Passionist community of St Mungo's, Glasgow. Fr Eustace Cassidy will be buried in Glasgow after 12.15 p.m. Mass. May he rest in peace. On Tuesday, Fr Jim Berrie was buried.

It is my hope and prayer that the present ceasefire in the Middle East will extend into a longer time to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza. There is such a long road ahead. The damage done to people, especially children, will take years to deal with in any real way. We can only admire and support those who are trying to help and improve this tragic situation.    A T

Scotland

Arrived in Glasgow today to attend two funerals of Passionists of St Mungo's Community. Both died last week. May they rest in peace. Was in Paris until this morning (Monday) and followed events over the weekend relating to the Middle East from a French perspective. The tragedy goes on and especially for the children of Gaza. At Mass yesterday a minute of silent prayer was held for all who had died and that peace may be sought and achieved.              A.T.

Fr Eustace Cassidy, C.P.

Tonight in St Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow, Scotland, Fr Eustace Cassidy died. May he rest in peace. A native of Ballymote, Co Sligo, Ireland he was 83 years. This is the second death in this Passionist Community in the past week - Fr Jim Berrie died earlier this week. On Monday I will go to Glasgow for the funeral of Fr Jim Berrie. The funeral arrangements for Fr Eustace will be made in the coming days. For this community to have two family deaths in the one week is a great loss. Please keep the St Mungo's Passionist Community in your prayers. A.T.