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LAST WEEK, WE told you about St. Patrick’s Church in Glenamaddy, Co. Galway, and their plans to implement a drive-thru service for Ash Wednesday. For people on the go, you know yourself.
And it looks as though the whole operation went off without a hitch.
The church posted photos from the drive-thru service on Facebook this afternoon and thanked “all involved for the reverent, respectful manner in which the distribution of ashes was carried out this morning”.
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Picture #6 is why you have shite transport systems, shite healthcare systems, the politicians you vote for, The Iona Institute, shite broadband speed, shite roads, shite housing, shite schools and shite freeze-dried coffee.
I’m a pretty modern catholic (get my fill at weddings & funerals) but I think this is sweet in a way. An fair play to the priest. Bit of initiative- go on lad!!!
Genesis 3:19
‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’
A profound spiritual truth worth contemplating upon at any point in time.
@Emmet O’Keeffe: Not really, if I had a sweaty face I’d want a nice cold bottle of River Rock or Ballygowan, last thing I’d be looking for was a slice of bread to make my mouth even drier.
Great scripture but this drive through madness actually makes a mockery of the point of ash Wednesday. Where is the silent moment to reflect and consider God? Doing everything faster until there is no value in it is not something the church should be doing. Moving with the times isn’t always a good thing. The Christian church started off great and then moved with the times where they have become the richest people in the world abusing almost every corner of the world on the way because they were busy moving with the times instead of knowing the true heart of God.
Totally agree. Thought you were supposed to go to mass as part of this. Seems ridiculous that the focus is on the ash rather than prayer and reflection. Not a churchgoer btw.
Ironically you sound like you’re the one on the pulpit. I’m not religious so live and let live. I don’t question what gives others solace. If we all could find our own we wouldn’t need to frown upon those that do what helps them.
Pete I agree, live and let live, however religion still permeates all parts of what mist be equal access irish life which creates inequality and the status quo is right to be challenged.
As a muslim,i still felt the urge to dislike your comment as it was just utterly dissrespectfull with no valid points.Its also utter hypocrisy how you are preaching about how much you hate being preached to ….
You can knock the Catholic Church and the evil that goes on in the Vatican and to be honest it’s well deserved. But I was at Mass this morning and it was packed. It’s good to see there are many who still want to practise their Faith
Just because they attend a service in Ash Wednesday is does not mean they are practicing their faith, many more rules to adhere to than attending mass.
@ Sinead Hanley..what’s wrong with just getting up everyday and do your best..in my opinion given the lives some people live he for sure “ain’t doing the rest”..
@Sinead Hanley: Hate be the one to finally break it to you Sinead, but you are brainwashed. There are deprogramming services available here in Ireland though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOTtvY_B6Do
This is ala carte Catholicism! Convenience Food! Where will it go next? Perhaps Living Social vouchers? Communion Deliveries (a Religious section on Just eat.ie, Sunday Specials- 2 Masses for the price of one). It reduces the practice of the faith to token and meaningless gestures, posing as authentic religious expression.
The priests are fooling themselves if they think that by making it so convenient that church goers don’t even have to get out of their cars, they are facilitating the expression of faith. Rather they are totally deluding themselves (just as Catholic schools are in the vast majority of schools a total fallacy, when so few teachers and parents are active members of the faith community).
Other faith leaders, who understand the practice of the faith to be authentic has to be ‘inconvenient’ and cost (in time, presence and focus) must be laughing at the Catholic clergy’s race to the bottom and it’s desperate attempts to hold onto to the illusion Catholicism is still the religion of the masses in Ireland.
This absurd initiative would not have been out of place in an episode of Fr. Ted… it has the same comedic/mocking qualities.
Agree with you on that one Shane. Pure mockery, though Fr. Paddy Mooney would have had more cop on. If people did not gave the time to stop and go into the church then it’s a sad day. If there was no ash being given out just a blessing would you have had as many people drive through. I don’t think so. “Werent you great t To get to mass this morning Mary”.. “ah shur it’s ash Wednesday the day wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t go “
Open borders your religion is atheism & like most atheist your very intolerant.whether your a christian,muslim,jew or hindu people should be able to practice their faith without predjudice.there’s billions of people practicing one religion or another but they’re all wrong & your right.must be great to know everything.if your down in crumlin hospital with a sick child & your faith gets you through it .whats the harm.
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