Bishop Denis Brennan’s homily notes for Ash Wednesday Mass in Bride Street Church, Wexford

25 Feb 2009

PRESS RELEASE
25 February 2009

Bishop Denis Brennan’s homily notes for Ash Wednesday Mass

Bride Street Church, Wexford

“Lent finds us where we are each year, this year it finds us in a strange, unfamiliar place, a place of great uncertainty and not a little apprehension.
Speaking recently at a commemoration for the victims of the Australian wild fires,  Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said ‘ every so often the soul of a nation is sorely tested.’
He could have been speaking of Ireland ’09.
Suddenly, after years of unbelievable prosperity the soul of our nation is being sorely tested – and its a very painful experience!
Lent is an opportunity for repentance and new beginnings – a time to take stock, a time to gather our strength and a time to rediscover our sense of community.
The Ashes remind us that all things pass, our present difficulties will pass too,  but in the meantime they will stretch and test us.
I hope that this Lenten time will help us face the challenges that lie ahead and help us rediscover how much we need each other. “
ENDS
Further information:
Fr. John Carroll, Diocese of Ferns Communications Office
Tel: (053) 9124368, Fax: 053) 9123436