If you’re in Belfast join us at St Anne’s Cathedral on Saturday at 11.30am for the Service for the Day of Reflection. If you’re not near these two places, perhaps consider how you could reflect on the loss and pain of the Troubles and how you can act for hope in the future.

While Gaza has been the focus of our attention there has been shocking violence against Palestinians in the West Bank for many years but especially in the last two years. It is an area that has been under occupation since 1967. Israel’s actions make a two state solution impossible.

Small Wins. In the middle of dark February, as war and peace (and not much peace) fill the news, we gathered for Borderlands. We had a stunning night with music, sonnets, heartbreaking stories, hilarious, life affirming stories, and a deep sense of human connection. We meet again 11 March, Belfast

This is my Valentine. We actually celebrate it on the 13th February because that was the day I arrived in Baltimore in 2002 to visit her. 23 years ago!

“I am so glad that Jesus was born in a stable. Because my soul is so much like a stable. It is so poor and in unsatisfactory condition —yet I believe if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can also be born in me.”

~ Dorothy Day

She said she first heard Hume speak of peace, civil rights and the need to refuse violence in 1963. 35 years later he was saying exactly the same thing as he signed the Good Friday Agreement.

So let us stand in the indicative. Let us stand our ground and not swerve.

I help to run an event every month called Borderlands. This month we focused on the theme Dignity. I started the night by referring to a talk former President Mary McAleese gave in Rostrevor this weekend at the Literary Festival there. She spoke about Seamus Heaney being her favourite poet.