Address of Blessing, Appreciation and Good Wishes
Clare Hurricanes Cricket Club in Clare
Christmas and New Year Gathering
Holy Family School, Ennis
Sunday 28th of December, 2025
Dear brothers and sisters,
Distinguished guests, dear friends of the Indian community,
Namaskar, and peace be with you all.
It is a great joy and a true privilege for me to be with you this evening as you gather to celebrate your community, your culture, and your faith here in Ireland.
Meeting between the joy of Christmas and the hope of the New Year, this occasion carries a special grace. It is a time when hearts are already inclined towards gratitude for blessings received, and towards trust in God for all that lies ahead.
At Christmas, as Christians (and I am mindful that we may have some Hindus and Muslims and people of no faith present today and we deeply respect and welcome that) but as Christians we proclaim the wonderful truth that God has chosen to dwell among us. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, not in power or splendour, but in humility, simplicity, and love. This mystery speaks deeply to every people and every culture, and it speaks also to the experience of those who live far from their homeland.
Holy Family
The Holy Family themselves, whose feast day we celebrate today knew what it was to journey, to be welcomed by some and rejected by others, and yet to trust always in God’s providence.
Appreciation to the Indian Community
I want first to express my sincere appreciation to the Indian community in Ireland. You enrich this country in so many ways: through your faith, your family values, your respect for elders, your dedication to education and work, and your generous spirit of service. In parishes, schools, hospitals, care homes, universities, businesses and farms, your presence is felt and valued. You have become an integral part of Irish society, and for this we are deeply grateful.
I am especially mindful of the contribution you make to the life of the Church. Many parishes have been renewed and strengthened by your participation in the Eucharist, by your prayer groups, choirs, catechetical work, and acts of charity. Your devotion, often expressed through vibrant celebration and deep reverence, reminds us that faith is not merely inherited but lived with conviction and joy.
At the same time, I recognise that life away from home is not always easy. Many of you carry in your hearts a longing for family, familiar customs, and the warmth of places where you first learned to pray and to hope. Christmas and New Year can intensify that longing. Be assured that the Church here walks with you. You are not strangers; you are members of one body, united in Christ, called to support one another with compassion and understanding.
This celebration also speaks powerfully to the wider society. In a world often marked by division and fear of difference, your gathering is a sign of what is possible when people choose encounter over isolation, respect over suspicion, and friendship over indifference. Ireland has its own long history of emigration, and many Irish families know what it means to seek opportunity and welcome far from home. In that shared experience, there is a deep bond between us.
Looking forward to the New Year
As we stand on the threshold of a New Year, we do so in hope, but also with realism. Our world faces many challenges: conflict, inequality, climate change, and uncertainty about the future. In such times, the Christian calling is clear. We are to be people of hope, witnesses to God’s faithfulness, and builders of peace wherever we are planted. Each of you, in your daily lives, has a role to play in shaping a society that is more just, more compassionate, and more attentive to the dignity of every person.
I encourage you, therefore, to continue cherishing your rich cultural heritage while also engaging generously with the life of this country. Teach your children to be proud of who they are and grateful for the opportunities they have received. Foster dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among communities. Above all, keep Christ at the centre of your lives, for He is the source of unity that transcends every boundary.
Blessings and Good wishes
As we conclude, I offer you my prayer and blessing. May the God who has guided you on your journeys bless your families with health, peace, and joy. May the New Year bring renewed strength, deeper faith, and abundant hope. And may Mary, Mother of God, who welcomed the Christ Child with trust and love, watch over you and all whom you hold dear.
With gratitude and affection, I wish you a continued blessed Christmas season and a happy and grace-filled New Year.
Thank you, and God bless you all.