Back to Normal Again!

God alone knows what the next few months hold for any of us as we step onto the path for the new school year ahead. September is a fresh start for most people as the cycle of community life revolves around that of the school year. It's a time to retune the 'normal' and to shape it a little differently each time taking stock of. The year will, undoubtedly, present fresh new rewards and challenges in a measure yet unknown.

In the next couple of weeks, we will see lots of children with fresh new shoes, uniforms and school bags. Many will start attendance at schools, colleges and places of work; most with eagerness and some tentatively! Even our parish priest is making a shiny new start among us in in St Patrick's and St Mary's Parishes! Fr Bill is looking happy and eager as he starts work among us and he is most welcome! New people arriving in any place help all to look with new eyes and new hope. Every good wish to all newbies in whatever situation.

It's a great time to reconsider priorities to inform choice of activity for children, family and self. We'll always find time for what we value most. However, we sometimes roll into a new year or season without considering what we might want to do differently and beyond the middle of September, the pattern is usually set again! The item of daily life that is often forgotten is our need for space to be and space to think or pray. It's easier to be busy than to justify 'being' time for oneself and for family!

As we move into this new space in the year, let us be kind to self and others; savour the beauty of the world and the goodness of people, where we find it. Take time to listen to the whisperings of our hearts and feel confirmation from the gut before each new step of current life. Let us embrace life as an opportunity. If any part of life is a burden, reach out for help, a listening ear and a safe space. Both opportunities and burdens are for sharing together!

Cathy Burke,
Catechist in the Lucan Partnership of Parishes