In this time of Covid 19 many children miss seeing their grandparents and vice versa. Social media platforms regularly relay such experiences and personal stories. However, as St Vincent de Paul once said \u2018love is infinitely inventive\u2019 and technology helps communication to continue. AN POST also continues its service to help keep intergenerational contact. However, nothing can replace face-to-face contact. The virtual hug is a poor substitute. Nevertheless, viewers\u2019 hearts lifted when Aidan King appeared on the Late Late Toy Show with his family and introduced the virtual hug. What a true gesture of love. \u00a0Well done to Aidan! Aidan is still sending out those virtual hugs and so are other people.<\/p>\n
This week (24-31 January 2021) as the world celebrates Catholic Schools Week; the Church celebrates the feast of St Timothy and Titus. Both men were disciples and co-workers of St Paul. Timothy accompanied Paul on his travels as he proclaimed the Good News. He was in charge of the Church in Ephesus. Titus was Paul\u2019s messenger and he was in charge of the Church at Crete.<\/p>\n
Paul wrote a letter to Timothy long ago, an extract of which the Extraordinary Minister of the Word will proclaim at Mass today (2 Tim 1:1-8). He wished Timothy God\u2019s grace, mercy and peace.\u00a0 St Paul in the letter said he thanked God for Timothy and remembered him in his prayers. He expresses gratitude for Timothy\u2019s sincere faith, which first came to his grandmother Lois and to Eunice his mother. \u00a0Lois and Eunice handed on the gift of faith to Timothy. Paul advises Timothy to share the gift of faith saying \u2018fan into a flame the gift God gave you.\u2019 God\u2019s gift of faith is \u2018full of power, of love and self-control.\u2019 He also instructs Timothy not to be afraid to witness to faith and love. Paul acknowledges how difficult that will be. He assures Timothy that he can rely on the \u2018power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.\u2019 The assembly will respond to the Word by saying, Thanks be to God.<\/p>\n
The message in this letter is not only for Timothy but also for all God\u2019s people. God gives the faithful the grace to live the gift of faith and to share it with others. We can thank God for this gift every day, which we received at Baptism.<\/p>\n
The Liturgy of the Day every day, even on Saturday and Sunday connects with the Grow in Love\/ I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> Religious Education programme for Catholic Primary Schools.<\/p>\n VERITAS offers all the Grow in Love\/ I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> resources on the Grow in Love\/ I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> website.<\/p>\n Website: www.growinlove.ie<\/a><\/p>\n