Cáisc Shona Dhaoibh go léir - Newbridge Parish

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Doctors diagnosed Jane McAllister with Alzheimer’s disease eight years ago. Alzheimer’s is the sixthleading cause of death in the U.S. It cannot be prevented or cured, its course as inexorable as the events leading to the passion and death of Jesus. Some 15 million Alzheimer’s caregivers provide 17 billion hours of unpaid, loving care each year. It is not uncommon for patients and caregivers to wonder: Where is resurrection in a disease that takes away our very selves? Jane wrote these reflections on living, dying and rising with Alzheimer’s with her husband and caregiver, Robert. They tell it like it is but also give hope and assurance not only to others like them but to each of us on the same Lenten journey that is part of life for all of us. However, Jane passed away the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, shortly after these reflections began appearing in NCR. “When it grew dark he reclined at table with the Twelve. During the meal Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. ‘Take this and eat it,’ he said, ‘this is my body.’ Then, after singing songs of praise, they walked out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:20-30). I know you enjoyed being with family and friends, Jesus. You had a triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, and gathered with your closest friends to celebrate the Passover. You delighted in food and wine and conversation and singing. Your friends were unaware your ministry was coming to an end. The shadow cast by Judas wasn’t obvious to them. There is a shadow in my life that is not always obvious to others. I want to tell you about it. I am disappearing. I have Alzheimer’s disease. How will I know when my work is finished? Will I be satisfied with it? My shadow is a darkening consciousness. I can no longer do much that I used to value. I don’t work or sew or wash clothes or iron or clean or even shop for things we need. Tell me, Jesus: What do Award winning 5 star Hair & Beauty Salon Curragh Grange, Newbridge Phone: 045 434247 *Free Parking * Senior Citizens & Students Wash/Cut & Blow Dry: Only €28 Tues to Fri Late nights Wed/Thurs/Fri A 12th-century Spanish fresco depicts the Last Supper. (Newscom/Prisma/Album) you want me to be doing with my life now? Even as I ask, my spirit tells me my purpose in life never changes. It is to live each day as well as I can with the gifts and graces you grant me. But it’s hard when you can’t remember. When you knew your life was coming to a close, were you anxious? Did you confide in your mother? How did you decide which person you wanted to walk with, to talk with, to be quiet with? Did you ask your Father for more time? Dare I ask if you were satisfied with what you had accomplished? When I was 30, I felt confident that I had found the right path, the path you wanted me to follow. You were 30 when you began the journey leading to your passion, death and resurrection. How did you feel when you had 30 days left? Were you sad when you thought about leaving your friends? I’m leaving my friends by forgetting who they are. Will they forget me too? Is that a given for entering eternity? Can I leave something of myself for them as you did for us in the Eucharist? Surely I can leave them love, for you are Love and we all live and breathe in you. My husband, a psychiatrist, tells me Alzheimer’s can take memories away but it can’t lessen the habit of being loving. An old proverb says: “Love is the memory of the heart.” Help my heart remember. I’m over 80 now, and despite my fears, I’m grateful for the gifts you have showered on me during a wonderful life. I can’t Nature’s OptiONs HEALTH FOOD STORE Tel: 045-432439 Moorefield Road (opposite Bergins Pharmacy) OPEN: Mon. to Sat. 10am to 6pm. PLeAse cALL 4 Seeking Jesus presence as I am disappearing By Jane & robert mcallister Jane and Robert McAllister reside at Vantage House, a continuous care facility in Columbia, Md. remember much about the past, but my spirit tells me it was for the most part beautiful, even when I didn’t recognize it without the excuse of Alzheimer’s. The most precious gift you gave me is my husband, who is now my caregiver. He has had that role for eight years now, but in some ways he has had it for 50 years. Sometimes I say things to him I don’t mean to say. He understands where my anger comes from and lets it go. My true feelings for him and our children and our friends are as strong as your disciples were for you. I hasten to express that love as clearly and as often as I can. I think that is my purpose now. But my thinking gets so mixed up these days. There is so much I don’t remember, so much I no longer understand. While I sometimes feel betrayed by life, like you must have felt let down by Judas, deep down I know you have not forgotten me and will not abandon me. Your comfort embraces me still. Robbie and I get to Mass and receive the gift of Eucharist once or twice a week. Robbie brings me love every day, every moment. I feel your presence in him, and I am comforted. Is that his purpose now? When you entered Jerusalem, the doorway to your death, you joined the people in songs of praise. I enjoyed singing and used to sing in a choir. My voice is hoarse these days, but I say words of praise with you each day, and someday I’ll sing them when I come home. Help me, Jesus, to fulfill my purpose in life whether I know it or not. Person – Centred Counselling Counsellor & Psychotherapist Working with Children, Adolescents & Adults using a Person-Centred, Integrative & Creative Approach. Professional Confidential Counselling located in a private setting to Newbridge, Naas, Kildare and surrounding areas. Contact Mairéad on 087 9946978 B.sc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy
EXTERNAL INSULATION • €4,000 Government Grant • Reduce Heating Costs • Prevent Mould & Fungal Growth • Stop Draughts • No Internal Disruption • No Reduction in Internal Floor Space PW Thermal Building Solutions Ltd., Unit 20 Newbridge Industrial Estate, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Tel: 01 4201771 / 087 9231375 Art O'Neill and St Brigid's Hospice When Art O’ Neill and Hugh O’ Donnell escaped Dublin Castle in January 1592 little did they know that over 400 years later their journey would be forever cast in stone by the now annual event called the Art O’ Neill Challenge. In short it is a 55km run, walk or crawl from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure valley, deep in to the Wicklow Mountains, in long it is just that LONG!! This journey started at midnight on Friday the 13th January 2012 and for most it did not finish until mid-afternoon the next day. Unfazed by this daunting task three local lads from Newbridge took this event on to raise money for the St. Brigid’s Hospice in the Curragh. Karl O’ Brien, Stephen Gamble and Michael Malone started the journey with great endeavour but when they finished at 2.30pm the next day there was very little energy left after their efforts. The temperatures would have dipped below zero for the majority of the night portion of the event and when dawn broke whilst in the middle of the mountains was a sight to behold. Over 450 competitors took part in this event, 80 ran it while the rest walked the roads and then trekked and navigated through the unmarked mountainous terrain that greeted competitors for the last 30km of the event. The three lads maintain that it was easily one of the best events they have ever undertaken, even if it was by far the hardest. International Eucharistic Congress 2012 Dublin, 10th -17th June 2012 “The Congress has been described as a Spiritual Olympics, a kind of Spring Show or a World Youth Day for Adults” Will you be part of this momentous occasion in Ireland 2012? Programme at a Glance 25,000 participants each day for 7 days 12,000 international pilgrims 80,000 participants in the Statio Orbis (Croke Park) 2,000 to 3,000 volunteers Over 100 exhibition stands Over 150 workshops and discussion groups 18 keynote addresses by International speakers Masses, prayers & liturgical celebrations in 7 languages Eucharistic Procession, Adoration and Benediction Film, music, concerts, theatre, 100s of choirs Dedicated space & events for over 2,500 young people. All over the world, people are preparing to come to Dublin in Art O'Neill Challenge. 14.50 Mile Walk from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure Valley and raised €1826.00 for St. Brigid's Hospice. Karl O'Brien, Eileen McDonald, Chairperson Friends St. Brigid's Hospice. Michael Malone, Dolly Weller, Stephen Gamble, Photo. Jimmy Fullam. 5 The volunteers from Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue and the rest of the organizers were just incredible and they would highly recommend other competitors to take on the challenge next year as the organisers make sure that everyone partakes in a safe an atmosphere as possible. The fact that they have raised nearly €2,000 already for the St. Brigid's Hospice is a testament to their achievement and if anyone would like to contribute towards this charity then please contact Marie Malone in the Parish Centre or give directly to the St. Brigid's Hospice. If people would like to read more on this event they can do so on the event website on www.artoneillchallenge.ie June 2012 to participate in the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. By the end of 2011, almost 5,000 people from over 50 countries had already booked their places. Will you join them? The Congress has been described as a Spiritual Olympics, a kind of Spring Show or a World Youth Day for Adults. The daily celebration of the Eucharist is at the very heart of the Congress. The wider programme, including keynote addresses, workshops and cultural events, will help deepen our understanding, enrich our celebration and renew our commitment to the lifestyle of justice and service inspired by the Eucharist. There will be a Youth Space with its own dedicated programme. The events of the Congress will take place at the RDS. The celebration which concludes the week and launches the next stage of our journey of faith will take place at Croke Park on June 17th. Fr. Kevin Doran, Secretary General, 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012. We will have further information regarding the Congress in next months issue of N&V. Ed Marty’s CaBs Ph: 045-432015 087-2650210 Reasonable Discounts on Contract Runs For a Punctual and Friendly Service Ring MaRtin Kenny Cabs
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Cáisc Shona Dhaoibh go léir - Newbridge Parish

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