The Prior, Monsignor La, shares his reflection on crossing over to the New Year.

“There is a lot of crossing over that happens at Lough Derg. Obviously boats are a big part of our experience and our life here.

The boats, the St Davog behind me, has been newly repainted and all the boats have been through their annual refurbishment and maintenance and, have been certified by The Department of the Marine for next year’s Pilgrimage Season and next year’s work.

Crossing over to the New Year is a bit different to the crossing over we do at Lough Derg because here we are always going and coming, but when we cross into a New Year we cross over not to return, we have to go forward.

Here at Lough Derg people come often wanting to go forward, perhaps to leave behind something from the past. There is a lovely image of friendship that I came across one time that goes like this,

‘A friend is one whom we can pour out all the contents of our heart.

Chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentleness of hands will sift it,

Keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.’

Over the years I know that God has been that kind of friend to me and I want to propose as we cross over into a new year we might, you and I, take a little time – find a little space where we could pour out before God the memories of a year that is coming to an end, and trust that those kindest of hands that sustain the whole of the universe will hold safe what is worth keeping. Will touch with healing whatever needs to be healed and with a breath of Divine kindness blow the rest away.

On behalf of all our team here on Lough Derg I wish you God’s blessing for the New Year.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit. Happy New Year.”