© Oughterard Parish 2017
The Parish of Oughterard
A gift from amazon.co.uk - free audio books
Please click on the specified links on the mobile webpage only (open this page
with a mobile phone to access links) to avail of free audio books I have selected
for varying age groups.
A note on technology during lockdown…
It IS CERTAINLY possible to have too much screen time. These audio books
allow our imaginations to be engaged in a way that video media does not allow. It
is I believe a healthier media experience for children and teens, in my opinion
anyway…
Use of old mobile phones.
Because laptops and mobile phones with sim cards are heavily used for work-at-
home parents, other tech lying around the house needs to be utilised.
Old mobile phones (with quite recent ios or android operating systems) without
sim cards can be connected to a mobile phone wifi hotspot. Search the web on
how to do it for your device. Basically, you can set up your mobile phone with sim
card as a wifi router that other phones without sim cards can access the internet
with. Beware of download limits and heavy charges thereof.
new situations bring new realities and new possibilities
Some thoughts…
Though many people are certainly finding our current pandemic situation a hard trial, it is not
wrong to see it as an opportunity to wind down, relax more and reconnect with life at a deeper
level. Of course, we are keeping others on the front line, and the sick, in our prayers.
This is an exemplary time to allow your children see life’s challenges responded to in a strong yet
confident manner. Children can easily become anxious by matters they do not understand. There
is a moral obligation on all people to work for the common good in defeating the pandemic
spread.
We are all mortal, we will not live for ever. May this time remind us that we are not on our own in
this vast universe. We have a loving God, who even now is protecting us from far worse
sufferings.
Working from Home:
Boundaries are harder to set
and keep with young children. There
is not hard and fast rule. Still try the
following if you need to…
Routine: set getting up,breakfast,
dressing, work, exercise and meal times.
Physical boundaries: cordon off
a space that has its own rules. No
way in at fixed times.
Learn when to stop: Leave phone and
laptop in make-shift office at quitting time.
Children’s work goals: what can they tackle with minimum supervision while you are working?
Know when you have to give in, and not get frustrated. Most of our work has a very short
half-life; our love lasts much longer, and has more impact too.
Can I do those odd jobs/projects/ideas I never had
time to do? Nobody is “firing on all cylinders” at the
moment, so why not profit from this time of social
distancing by “taking on”, or “diving in” or saying
“what the heck, nothing ventured nothing gained”
How to enter into meditation and prayer when
you are not used to it.
We may not think we are “prayer material”, maybe we feel
awkward or self-conscience in our attempts at quiet and
reflection, even more when we turn to a God we may struggle
with. This is common human experience. Often-times
religious art like the picture of the Holy Family across makes
holiness seem unreal. To live a whole life in all of its dimensions,
mental, physical, spiritual, is a “holy life” according to the
“olde english” word it comes from. In its most basic understanding,
to be holy is to be set apart. By being set apart we are stripped of
many of our supports and comforts. This allows us to see
ourselves as we really are, and this is who God
loves (our real selves). This journey takes courage and
perseverance, it is the ultimate journey of self discovery, undertaken not alone
but in community. Our community for this courageous journey is the catholic church, seen in our
parish, but not limited by our parish.
Set up a sacred space
A particular part of your home could
be set aside to house some religious
images and objects. We meed tangible
objects to elevate our minds to more
spiritual matters.
Finally remember,
we are on a journey
nobody wanted nor planned for.
All we need do is our best.
Go easy on ourselves.
Go extra easy on others.
Forgive (not always easy).
Forget (try to put aside at least)
Enjoy the good moments…
fr Michael Connolly pp.
Visit our Facebook page HERE:
Please forgive me if I repeat what you
have already heard a million times…
good to do
•
Be mindful of our minds having a lot of time to think,
engage and communicate a lot to get balance right.
•
Have a solid but relaxed routine , stick to it Monday-
Friday. Leave plenty of time for rest and fun.
•
Get regular exercise, everyday.
•
Make a simple to-do list for each day and plan its
completion, not for achievement but well being.
•
Try new things; music, reading, languages, crafts…
•
Set aside dedicated times each day to reconnect with
God and his presence in your life, prayer and meditation
good to avoid
•
excessive screen time (set limit 2-3 hours/day)
•
alcohol
•
websites that demean and entice you
•
negative thinking, worry, anxiety (by doing the above)
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PARISH (updated 22nd February
2021)
parish church open 8:00am to 6:00pm every day.
please feel free to call in, the seats and touchable surfaces are
wiped down a few times every day, and sanitising materials are
readily available. Always wear a mask.
Our outdoor grotto is flood lit until midnight, so from early till late it is also a
place to visit for a few moments of prayer.
No public masses till further notice. However masses are streamed,
see the front page of this site for details.
See “What is happening in the
parish” at bottom of this page