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​We have already seen how God, through the Gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding, INFLUENCES OUR CONSCIOUSNESS about the things of this earth and of supernatural realities. We thereby share in God's perspective and appreciation.It is through the Gift of Counsel that the Holy Spirit MOVES OUR CONSCIENCES so we make godly, prud...

​A group of 23 Catholic Youth and their chaperones departed Barbados on Monday 18th July 2016 for Krakow, Poland where they will participate in the gathering of young people from all over the world to pray and meet with Pope Francis at the World Youth Day 2016. In order to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship and hope, symbolizing t...

​In his recent presentation, Cardinal Dziwisz – Archbishop of Krakow and former Secretary of Pope John Paul II – explained that the event's logo has three specific elements which represent the place, the main protagonists, and the theme of the celebration.The logo, he noted, provides an illustration of the gathering's theme, "Blessed are the mercif...

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown will be represented at the biggest gathering of young Catholics at an international event from July 25- 31 in Krakow, Poland.World Youth Day (WYD) is a gathering of young people from all over the world to pray and meet with the Pope in order to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship...

Greetings from Fr. Isidore Clarke.Today I'm going to reflect on the Gospel for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time.This is taken from Luke Ch.10. 38-42, and is about Jesus visiting His friends, Mary and Martha.This episode is likely to cause hackles to rise!Many busy people identify with Martha. They wish they had time to sit around and listen to the ...

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time SUNDAY READINGS To prepare for Sunday Mass it is a good idea to read and give thought to the readings and gospel in your missal or Bible. Here are some questions to ponder. First Reading [Genesis 18:1-10] Abraham welcomed guests – and the guests were God. Am I a welcoming person or would God get t...

'He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing!' Something's only precious to him if it's costly. It's impossible for him to appreciate beauty, love and unselfishness because no-one can put a price tag on them. He values a work of art because it cost a fortune, not because it's beautiful.Success is measured by his wealth and the costly ...

"What do you think about when you walk?"This is a fair question that I was asked. When I walk, I walk. I think about not getting lost, about not missing a yellow arrow, about whether I have enough water and supplies for the journey, whether it will be hot or cold. I think about what time I will reach the Albergue. Walking is a form of meditation. W...

The Camino is the most physically demanding challenge that I have taken up as an adult. In fact when I finished it yesterday, one of my first thoughts was to wonder what form of madness had gotten into me in the first place to think of doing this!For thirty days I have been walking, with the exception of one day rest in Leon. Each day ...

Every journey has a beginning, middle, and an end. Today after thirty one days of walking, I arrived in Santiago. It proved to be another day of incredible grace and blessings. I left Pedrouzo at 5:00 this morning in the dark for the walk into the forest. As I was entering, two other pilgrims appeared and we walked together through the darkness and...

This morning, I made my usual 5:30 a.m. departure and within three minutes of leaving Melide I saw the first sign post - 54 Km to Santiago. In Galicia they have mile posts pointing the way and also indicating how far there is left in the Camino. I walked with a joy in my heart; my body was at its best since beginning the Camino. The blister no long...

​15th Sunday, Ordinary TimeGreetings from Fr. Isidore Clarke. Today I'm going to reflect on the Gospel for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Luke ch. 10. 25-37.This is about the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan.The lawyer should have known better than to try to out-smart Jesus!Granted we should love our neighbour as ourselves, but the lawye...

SUNDAY READINGS To prepare for Sunday Mass it is a good idea to read and give thought to the readings and gospel in your missal or Bible. Here are some questions to ponder. First Reading [Deuteronomy 30:10-14] "If they had is very near to you. It is in your heart for your observance." Pause for a moment and reflect what the Lord is saying to y...

This morning as I departed Ventas de Naron at 5:30 a.m. there was a thick fog.With light in hand I shone it on the side of the road and followed its lead, though I still could not see more than ten feet ahead. It was one of those magical mystical moments that cannot easily be described. As I walked the words of the Poem/Hymn of Blessed John Henry N...

Two days ago, I arrived at Samos, the Benedictine Monastery and stayed in the Albergue associated with it. As I entered and sat waiting for the person in charge to register me, I began speaking with a young man who was also sitting there. His name was Jacob and he introduced himself as a seminarian. A short time into the conversation, another young...

​"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand," (Is. 41. 10).The prophet Isaiah's comforting words floated into my mind as I lay semi-conscious in a hospital bed.Although as a Dominican I'd spent years reflecting on the Sacred Scrip...

Reaching Sarria is a significant milestone in the pilgrimage. It is 114Km from Santiago and thus the last stage of the journey. It is a big town and so you can get whatever you need for this last phase and I suppose more importantly it is where the pilgrimage changes most dramatically. Here you meet the tourist with their buses trailing them and pr...

Sacred Heart Youth Group held its Retreat during the weekend of June 24th to 26th, 2016. They are presenting their group work on the kind of the church they would dream to have.​

This morning I left O Ceberio at 5:30 am for another 30k day to a famous Monastery in Samos founded in the seventh century. I left in the dark; with cell phone in hand, which was both light and GPS, heading through the forest to a path connecting with the Camino. There is something magical in traveling by night, seeing the first dawn of light upon ...

Today I walked most of the day with Maria considering life's questions and pondering the mystery of God's love and forgiveness. Maria is a young bright Irish Catholic who is a committed pioneer (someone who has pledged never to drink). She was the Rose of Tralee 2014, an Irish woman who best embodies the ideals of womanhood in Ireland. She has a de...