Dear Brothers and Sisters, You do not visit Ireland for the weather, but these last few days in the middle of November have been lovely. This evening we have the wedding rehearsal a much more low key event than in the US. The sun has been shining. Yesterday my brother cut the grass and tided the garden and you would know that there had been lots of rain as the grass was hard to cut because it was so wet. It is a nice time to be here as I connect with people I have not seen in a long time and it is good to be here for a wedding. As we come to the end of the Church year and enter into Advent we are constantly reminded of God’s love for us. Family and friends are a reminder that love. We have given thanks and I hope that Thanksgiving was for you a gathering of family and friends with all the usual glitches, but enjoyable nonetheless. Say a prayer for those whose loved ones are far away and in harms way and give thanks. The journey continues Fr Karl