Jumping Without A Chute

A Loss on Christmas as Irish Cathedral Burns

A Historic cathedral burned to the ground on Christmas morning -- just hours after a bishop talked about an arson attack on a convent in 1642.

St Mel's Cathedral in Longford and its contents -- including records and precious artefacts -- were destroyed after a fire started in the back of the 19th century building in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Emergency services were called to the cathedral, in the centre of Longford town, at 4.45am -- just hours after Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Colm O'Reilly referred to a previous blaze in his Christmas homily.

A resident on nearby Chapel Street raised the alarm after he noticed flames coming from the building. Fire officers battled to save the 19th century cathedral, pumping water from a canal, but it was left in ruins.

Yesterday, Bishop O'Reilly said it was a "dreadful day" for him personally. "It's the kind of nightmare that you never thought you would ever suffer.

Read More Here

Has It Been 30 Years?

Since Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen went home to be with The Lord and his beloved Blessed Mother?  30 years since he passed away seated before the Blessed Sacrament. 30 years and so much has changed in our Church and in our world. May his prayerful intercession be of aid for us all. May his life and message inspire us to proclaim the Gospel as he did.

While not a miracle worthy of his cause for canonization, my reversion was small miracle in which he played a great part; for this I will always be grateful. Today, I pray for his soul and hope that he will pray for mine.