I was dismayed this morning to hear that the publicans in Limerick have managed to get an exemption on Good Friday to serve drinks. This has never happened before. We have a culture in Ireland that the pubs close on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Next year I believe that they will manage to abolish the closing of pubs on Good Friday forever. Here is a link http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0325/limerick.html. One man on the radio this morning said he hoped that this was the end of no drinking on Good Friday and that the people of Limerick are behind him. He said he has yet to hear anyone not support the publicans. Now I do realize that there is a big rugby match on in Thomand Park that day and if the pubs remain closed that limerick will lose millions of euro. Its like the demise of the Angelus which is televised daily on our national radio and television stations When the bells were ringing there was a religious theme been played out in the background. Now we just have shots of people staring into space-no religion to be seen anywhere! I'd say it won't be long before it too is consigned to history. Siobhan
That's right, Siobhán, and this is indeed a perfect example of a society that does not want God in it. I've also heard of other publicans who are beginning to jump on the bandwagon and protest that they should be allowed to open up as well. Notice how the decline in morals in society is becoming more increasingly stark and apparent. This will lead I believe to a great tipping point (which may well be marked with the events of Garabandal and Medjugorje) because I think things are becoming so bad at this stage, what with the abuse scandals and the media having a great time, that the so-called turnpoint is very near indeed. Shane
How sad that Good Friday is going to be desecrated in such a meaningless way. There is not only a loss of the sense of sin but a loss of the sacred in society. It makes me ever more determined to offer reparation to the wounds of Christ, to His Holy Face, to His Precious and Holy Blood and to his passion and death on Good Friday 2010. Let us immerse ourselves in the very wounds of Christ and love He who is so unloved. Oh wounded saviour draw us into the depths of Thy Sacred Heart.
Good idea, Garabandal. Let's offer some of our penances and prayers on Good Friday for the sinfulness of this decision, one that has chosen to openly rebel against the very day Christ was hung upon the cross. When we sin we crucify Him again, so to speak. It is a time to pray!
It is heart-rending to witness the culture pull up its Christian roots. Here in the States, the Sabbath no longer exists. When I was young, blue laws allowed for only drug stores to be open on Sundays. Civic events were banned until mid-afternoon. Churches were full. Today, attendence at Sunday worship is down significantly. The Mall has become a 21st century church. Even in the little town of Mexico, NY, cars will be parked up and down the main street Sunday mornings. For Holy Mass at St. Anne's? No. They come for the lastest sporting event at the local high school! Lord have mercy! Yes, reparation is so very necessary! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Our Lady at Medjugorje suggests that a lot of the present problems are caused by the lack of fidelity of Christians and a deep-seated luke-warmess! 'Let us pray dear children for all those who do not desire to come to know the love of God, even though they are in the Church' [25 March 1999]
Jesus said once to St Faustina that lukewarm souls cause him the greatest sorrow. It is sad seeing a situation like this unfold right before our eyes.
As far as I remember at La Salette Our Lady foretold the coming of the Franco Prussian war and said this was because folks were working on Sundays. Drinking on Good Friday is worse. I know[ not to be a hypocrite}because when I was younger and had lost my faith, I did it myself, several times; may God forgive me. Limerick, Limerick, a terrible spirit is loose in Limerick. Great holiness there, but great evil too. I ad the strangest feeling when I last walked round Limerick, like few places I have been. I think a very real war is going on for that cities soul. Great saints and people of intense wickedness, I thought it would be the strangest place to live, a place of great spiritual intensity. A huge battle ground; to be honest I was relieved to leave there. It must not be easy to follow Christ there. a place of sacrifice.
Limerick was once known as Confraternity city because of all the confraternities which were part of the very soul of the city. They are all gone now of course. The annual novena to Our lady of Perpetual Help has always been very well attended for some 10 sessions a day. So yes there are very holy people there but likewise there are many bad people there and I always feel very fearful if I go out there at night. This drinking ban is being appealed to a higher court so I am hoping that the higher court will refuse the licence. No body in authority is speaking up for what is sacred about Good Friday. Please pray that this decision will be reversed. Mary
