New Years Day Message, 2019 – Bishop Fintan Monahan
Newness always captures our attention and imagination. The feeling of novelty, freshness and difference is often appreciated and relished by us all. On this new years day, with joyful anticipation we greet the new year that is 2019 in all its newness and hope of opportunity and possiblity and dreams and blessing and hope for peace.
Past and Future
Last night new years eve was a time for looking back on the year gone past with gratitude in our hearts for the good times and also to salute the challenges that we had in 2018.
Highlights of 2018
2018 had many landmark and memorable moments: weather extremes, the contentious issue of the protection of life, parish and pastoral area restructuring in our diocese, World Meeting of Familes, the visit of Pope Francis, planning and debate about Brexit, the ongoing campaign to ensure that all or our citizens have a roof over their head and a home to go to along with many other issues and highlights.
Looking forward to 2019
Today however, we look forward with anticipation to the new year and pray that God will journey side by side with us and grant us and those in need good fortune and many blessings.
Blessing of Numbers
On this feast of Mary, Mother of God, World day of Prayer for Peace we pray the blessing : May the Lord bless you and keep you. May heaven’s light shine on all that you do. May health and happiness come your way and love fill your heart throughout each day.
Blessings for 2019
May that blessing of peace, happiness and contentment be yours and the lot of your loved ones in 2019 and always. Happy New Year! Bliain nua faoi shéan is faoi mhaise agus go mbeirimid beo an t-am seo arís agus gura seacht fearr a bheas muid ar an lá seo sa bhliain úr 2020 amach anseo!