“Knock, knock.” “Who’s there?” “We are!!”
Hey, all – Jena here, from across the pond! The Wexford team has been keeping nicely busy over the past week. Last weekend, we played our very first masses together at Clonard, hosted the Vigil Choir at our home, and celebrated Laura’s 25th birthday. Laura’s birthday was full of fun with the parish team, surprises at our community dinner, and lots of laughter and love!
Laura with beautiful birthday flowers from Sister Mary!
Speaking of birthdays, we celebrated the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday on our parish trip to Knock! We headed out west on Monday, celebrating Mass at the basilica in Knock, and had a nice dinner and some song-sharing that night. Teach Bhríde provided music for Mass in the Apparition Chapel on Mary’s Nativity on Tuesday, which was a wonderful treat for us. The trip was a great chance to get to know some of our parishioners and see more of Ireland on the bus ride (and MANY sheep)! It also allowed us to enter further into the Marian devotion that is very present here in Ireland; between Mass at Our Lady’s Island and witnessing the sacred feel of Knock, we have gotten to see the strong connection that the Irish have to Our Lady.
The Apparition Chapel in Knock.
I have definitely prayed the rosary here in Ireland more than I have prayed it in my entire life, and I am really grateful for that – the rosary has always been an option as a type of prayer, but I have never particularly connected to it. I’m excited at the prospect of praying it before daily mass this year and making it an intentional part of my prayer life.
Jena, Brendan, and Kristen outside of the basilica in Knock.
The four of us in Wexford are heading up to Dublin (another great bus ride!) on Friday for some sightseeing and the monthly ACE Mass. Meanwhile, the Dublin crew left for Lourdes on Monday and will be back on Saturday, so be sure to look for updates and their many stories soon!
Peace!
Jena
