Recently I was surprised to see a colony of gulls foraging in a newly mown meadow. They must have travelled about forty miles from their nearest seaside resort! I couldn’t help but admire the sheer adaptability of these birds. With fish stocks on the decrease due to industrial fishing, they have to seek food elsewhere. I also see them benefitting from our wastefulness, especially, in city centres. Tourists and unsuspecting shoppers are often robbed of their ice-cream con

AI-generated image We have wars, suffering, displacement, fear, economic uncertainty, migrants and refugees searching for safety and belonging; growing numbers of people struggle with loneliness and anxiety in an unknown future. Young people are overwhelmed and looking for direction. In conversations, we often hear: 'I no longer see hope’. At the same time, in everyday life we see little gestures and signs of hope: a friendly word, a kind act, the beauty of a flower, the smil

We are half way through the month of Creation, not that creation is confined to a month … Pope Leo in his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation ‘invites us to contemplate the gift of life and to cherish the earth that sustains it, these are tangible ways of offering praise to our Creator…’ The changing seasons of creation raise our hearts to give praise and appreciate all that God has given us. Looking at creation all around us calls us to be mindful an

‘Look upon the Blessed Virgin as the most perfect model of all Perfection’ (Nicolas Barré) Birthdays are special occasions when we stop, pause, celebrate and marvel at what God is doing in our lives. On this day, the church celebrates the birthday of Mary the mother of Jesus. Mary grew up simply under the loving care of Joachim and Anne. She was a woman of faith, open to what God was asking of her. While not always understanding, she allo

There is nothing more invigorating than contemplating the stunning views of the landscape. In wild open spaces, life is allowed to live, and wonder and wholeness integrate. You find yourself in an inner sanctuary where courage to respond to the thousand and one challenges of daily life resides. I relish these quiet moments where I have an encounter with the Spirit and dreams are born anew. Here, one becomes aware of new ground in need of tilling, where seeds of hope, war

Pope Leo opens the encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, AI, with a question: What kind of world do we want to build? Towards what horizon do we want to orient ourselves? “ Each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, of guiding history towards a place where justice is promoted and fraternity is made possible”(1). We live in a world “where the power and prevalence of emerging technologies are interwoven into the fabric of our daily lives”. It is our respo

The Church is constantly called to read the signs of the times, to discern “ the new things” that develop in each phase of history and to shed the Light of the Gospel on them. In his first encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas”, Pope Leo examines the rapidly evolving technical tool known as “artificial intelligence” or AI. He invites us “to examine more closely what AI is, the possibilites it opens up and the risks it involves” (96). He asks us to ensure that "it will always be

‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’. (John 1

‘Anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty’ (John 2: 7) Water is essential in both our everyday lives and our spiritual life. Without water there would be no life. Water represents wisdom, peace, purity and the interconnectedness of all living things. We all experience the joy and refreshment of water: drinking, cooking, washing cleaning, showering, gardening. Stop and think of the beauty that water reveals to us in ocean, river, lake, waterfall.. I

Very soon all eyes will be on the FIFA World Cup. It is not surprising that Pope Leo’s prayer intention for the month of June is: ‘To pray for the values of sport, that all sport may promote peace, fraternity and communion ' In a world where the physical and the spiritual often seem at odds, sport reminds us of the natural unity of body, mind and spirit. When done with this in mind, sports offer a great opportunity to experience God’s presence and grow in virtue. In Corinthi

The death of Nicolas Barré is closely associated with the feast of Pentecost which we have just celebrated. A few days before his death, he was asked if he’d be still there with the community for Pentecost and receive the Holy Spirit. ‘I do not think so, he said’ but ‘I will go to meet Him’ (Account of his death TM 9) He went on to say: ‘the Institute is a little cell in the church. I shall tell the Holy Spirit that He must always be its source of life and to be at its head

Dear Sisters and members of our Nicolas Barré Family, I am with you wherever you may be in the world. When I think of you and the people who are part of your lives, my heart is filled with joy and expands to embrace our entire worldwide family. I am filled with hope for the dynamism that the legacy of the 2025 General Chapter is inspiring throughout the Institute. Now, as the Solemnity of Pentecost draws near like a breath of fresh air, our hearts turn with confidence to the

Devotion to Mary is at the heart of many people and especially during the month of May. In parts of the world you see May altars, May processions are held, saying the Rosary is intensified, visiting Marian shrines. All of this shows how Mary is esteemed and is an important part of daily life. Although Mary’s path was unknown, she surrendered and trusted God when the angel Gabriel appeared to her, by her reply: ‘I’m the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled’ (Luke 1

Breathe deeply - pause and center yourself often Let go of anger - holding grudges steals your peace Simplify your life - less clutter, less stress. Spend time in nature - calm your mind with fresh air and greenery Protect your energy - avoid toxic people and environments Practice gratitude - focus on what's good, no what's missing Live in the present - stop worrying about the past or future Forgive yourself and others - freedom comes with gorgiveness Speak kindly - your woor

‘ Risen one, send me forth as a disciple of your unwavering love, a messenger of your unlimited joy. Resurrected One, may I become ever more convinced that your presence lives on, and on and on …’ Joyce Rupp ‘In the world in which we live, marked by war, violence and the erosion of so many certainities and assurances, where it seems that everything is crumbling, Easter powerfully proclaims that it is precisely within these situations of ‘apparent death’ that we can hope: