Seanachai - Irish American News

Page 2SeanachaiPresident’s Message Cont.I would like to commend theDaughters of Erin for their constantfocus on those in need, not just duringthe holidays but throughout the year.You wonderful women are such avaluable asset to all of us and youhave our deepest appreciation andadmiration.Finally, on December 17 th , theColumbus Irish Cultural Foundationwill hold their annual dinner onceagain in the elegant setting of therotunda of the Ohio Statehouse. Thisyear’s well-deserved honoree will beMr. Hugh Dorrian, who has been amainstay in our community for manyyears and provided longtime serviceas the City Auditor. Remember alsothat your support of the CICF benefitsevery member of the Irishorganizations. Since 1989, the CICFhas funded projects that have giventhe Clann na nGael community manyopportunities to showcase our Irishculture and traditions within CentralOhio.During this holiday season, as you goabout your shopping and decorating,please take good care to stop andenjoy the people and things that meanthe most to you. The following Irishblessing is my heartfelt wish for youall:―The light of the Christmas star toyou, the warmth of home and hearthto you, the cheer and good will offriends to you, the hope of a childlikeheart to you, the joy of a thousandangels to you and always God’s peaceto you.‖Nollaig Shona Dhuit!Molly C, ByrneChaplain’s Comments Cont.Few people dread the coming ofChristmas. All of us enjoy the holidayseason, with its many activities,parties, get togethers, snow and timewith family.Christmas time is also a time to spendgiving thanks to God. We begin ourexpression of Thankfulness onThanksgiving Day this past month.And while the weeks of December areusually spent in preparing for theLord’s coming as well as theactivities of the season, we have to becareful not to miss ―the reason for theseason‖: the celebration of thepresence of Christ among us.Children love the baby Jesus! EvenRicky Bobby, the star of TalledegaNights, prays primarily to ―babyJesus, 8 pounds, five ounces‖ (I forgetthe exact quote, but you get mymeaning.). Baby Jesus is like anybaby in that we quickly becomehappy, joyful and even silly aroundbabies. This is normal. The babyJesus is charming, engaging andprecious to all of us. But to onlycelebrate the baby Jesus is as helpfulas dragging out our baby pictureswhen we celebrate our birthdays.Most of us don’t do that because, thetruth is that we were babies for only ashort time. We are now adults.The adult Jesus challenges us toserious discipleship. He invites us tofollow Him through the days andevents of our lives. He asks us togive our lives in His service, and inthis way we come to eternal life. Iencourage all of you to go to Churchon the Sundays of Advent and thedays of the Christmas Season. Whenwe open ourselves to God’s presenceand love, we find our lives enrichedand our hope rekindled. May all of ushave a blessed Advent and Christmas!Msgr. John K. Cody, ChaplainBlood DriveOur next blood drive will be Sunday, February 13 th from 10 am to 4 pm. I will sign people up during the 2 nd meeting inJanuary. Please try to donate. Can you think of something better to do than help save a life?Mike McConahay, home 443-0046, cell 354-5742