Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As the plane crossed Canada and then the ocean the only signs of human habitation I spotted were over Newfoundland. Like the gospels a light cannot be hidden. Most of the rest of the journey we were above the clouds. As we came into Dublin we went out over the Irish sea and came back in to land, I got a magnificent view of the city of my birth. We came in over the north side of the city over Howth Head and very close to where my sister lives. It was a cool morning a mixture of “soft” rain and sunshine, a very typical Irish day. I heard people in the seats behind me exclaiming about hills and coastline. Coming from Illinois those hills/ mountains were a sign I was back in my hometown. Then it was a short journey across the city and because it is a Bank holiday (Public Holiday) there was no traffic and very, very, quiet streets. The back garden at home is a riot of colors from flowers and fruit. How so much stuff grows there in what used to be stony mountain soil I do not know but years of compost have created a Garden of Eden. Sometimes we miss the beauty of creation but this garden says Glory be to God. So as you give your blood this weekend give thanks for the life you have been given and praise the Lord. Pray for me as I pray for you, Fr Karl