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Today, Tuesday 29th June we have 915 people from all over the world and from many Christian and some non-Christian denominations joining together in prayer.

This week's reflection is on Mission and Faith, seeing's as how today is the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul. I'm keeping the notice of last week in place for anyone able to attend what promises to be a very valuable weekend of discussion around the topic below. The conference is being held on the 11th and 12th of July (next month) in the Ridgepool Hotel, Barrett St. Ballina, County Mayo on the theme of 'Marriage and the Family in the New Evangelization.' The organisers invite anyone in Ireland to attend and there is no fee involved. It will surely cover many concerns about the Family in our modern times. Details can be found at the link above or Email: 

Last week I sent you a letter from Russia and it's great to hear about what's happening out there as they struggle to live their faith in an athiestic and Godless environment. I should have told you about Fiona and Marcie too, but space wouldn't allow. Fiona and Marcie are two sisters from Cork, now living in Doon, Co. Limerick. They have been blessed with a mission to Russia, having received their instructions from Heaven above. What a journey their lives are turning out to be.

Their missionary work is under the umbrella of the name The Mustard Seed since 1989 and they have both visited Russia many times with all sorts of stuff and sent out loads of 40 foot containers of food supplies etc. Their book "Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is an adventure story par excellence of the power of prayer and heavenly assistance to carry out what the Lord wants done, through His Blessed Mother. If it didn't actually happen one would be forgiven for thinking it was the words of an author of fiction! The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart, foretold in Fatima in 1917, is taking place before our very eyes.

For anyone interested in reading this great adventure story of a bunch of Irish people traversing Russia and the Ukraine, literally on a wing and a prayer, they can email the Immaculate Heart House of Prayer at:     or drop them a line to:

The Immaculate Heart House of Prayer, Gurtavalla, Doon, Co. Limerick, Ireland. The book costs Eur 8 within Ireland,  Eur 9 to the UK and Eur 12 everywhere else. Prices include postage and all proceeds go towards further aid trips to the forgotten Church, which lives yet struggles in a country where the State Church is still under the control of communism. That's right folks - communism isn't dead, it's just changed its face!

Right then, down to our ramblings for this week. Our reflection below is taken from Bob and Debbie Gass fromThe Word for Today and called "Being in the Right Place".

OK them, back to Mission and Faith. Jesus choose some right good characters to be His Apostles, a Tax collector, the most hated of professions, a bunch of fisherman etc. But Peter must have taken the biscuit. He was headstrong, impetuous and cowardly. Imagine, after three years following the Master, he went and denied Him three times when a servant girl recognised him as one of the followers.

Then we have Paul, who hated the Christians with a passion and arranged their persecution. He stood and watched as Stephen was stoned to death.

And yet these two characters became the pillars of the Church. They often squabbled and differed on things and I can imagine Peter's fists being clenched many's a time as the debates became hot and heavy. Yet today we celebrate their great feast day.

Peter and the other Apostles and Disciples carried the Faith forward and Paul carried it further as a mission. Even unto death, they preached the Truth, never wavering from the Teachings and the
Traditions given them by Christ. In all their trials, torments, persecutions and suffering they praised and glorified God. How many of us today would have the courage to do the same, if put to the test,
I wonder?

There is much suffering and pain in this world through illness, fear, loneliness, broken marriages, depression and despair. We were never promised an easy ride in this world, in fact Saint Paul wrote the following to the Church in Corinth:

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

Ah, we say, but it was easy for him. But was it? They lived in perrilous times, under the cruel rule of Rome and the watchful and threatening eyes of the Pharisees who wanted to see them all dead and gone.

How many times have we said, when illness or disaster befalls us "What did I do to deserve this?" Picture Christ on His Cross, bloodied and in agony. Could He not also say in reply "What did I do to deserve Calvary?"

So, let's try our very best to turn our pain, our sufferings, our disappointments in life into something very fruitful and positive. Try saying:

"All for thee Dear Lord" or "Lord, I offer You my pain for that soul most in need of Your Mercy". It may not lessen the pain but it sure will save a soul on the threshold of hell.

Let's close this week's reflection with part of today's readings from Saint Paul in his letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:7):

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Since last Saturday we have watched 7000 beautiful and wonderful people do just that at the Special Olympics here in Ireland. What a joy! What fun they all gave us, what beauty and what example! They have fought against discrimination, against rejection, against ignorance and they have shone.

They have 'run a great race', in whatever discipline in which they competed. We here in Ireland have been more than priviledged to know them, meet them and share their joy with them, from the first to the last. And remember, each one of them would have qualified as criteria for abortion. Thank God for
the great parents and mentors who brought them from all over the world to us.

All of the Reflections to date are available to read on the website for anyone who's interested and can be found  on the Archives page

The Weekly Intentions are available on a plain page to be able to print off and kept to hand for your own prayer time. The list has become too long now to include each week but please say the two wee prayers below. The Loving Father knows the heart of each person requesting prayer.

"Father, bless all those who have requested prayers in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! Father, we ask You to heal the broken bodies, broken minds, broken spirits, broken hearts and broken relationships and may all their lives be full of Your peace, prosperity, and power as they seek to have a close relationship with You. Amen."

"Thank You Jesus for answering our prayers because we know You hear every prayer and never refuse to answer. You are providing answers and healings from the prayers of all these wonderful people. Praise God!"

"Breathe in me O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit that my work, too, may be holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy; 
Guard me then O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy."

"O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me, tell me what I should do. Give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will. Amen"

God Bless you all for praying for and with each other and may the Holy Spirit ever be your guide,

Mary in Galway

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Being in the right place

" THUS AND THUS SAID THE MAID THAT IS OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL." 2 KINGS 5 : 4

God used a cleaning maid to reach a 5-star general, and introduce him to a God who could heal him of his leprosy. Her story’s recorded in 2 Kings, chapter 5. Take a moment and read it. There are two lessons in it for you:

(1) There’s a purpose in your being where you are! Instead of complaining, start looking for somebody who needs what God’s given you. This girl wasn’t there just to make beds and clean toilets; she was there by divine appointment. Think: all of your life can be training for one moment, one crisis, one opportunity. Peter writes, 'Always be prepared to give an answer…' (1 Pet 3:15 NIV). She was ready; are you?

(2) What a difference a day can make! Yesterday she was a nobody; today she’s a gift from God, and the most popular person in the house. The world focuses on the big names, but when they’ve run out of answers and out of hope, God says He’ll pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids' (Joel 2:29). When He does, people who 'normally wouldn’t give you the time of day' will suddenly begin to listen, because you’re in the right place, with the right answer.

Don’t allow your lack of education, your ethnic background, your subservient position, or your poor wages, to silence you. Keep renewing your mind and strengthening your faith! Allow God to use you as only He can! And keep listening! The Master-conductor may be just about to give you your cue!

May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you and yours and may Mary keep you in Her heavenly mother's care.

Mary in Galway