A new book written by a County Clare priest to help people with addiction problems has been launched.Comfort my people: prayers, and reflections inspired by the Venerable Matt Talbot was written by Shannon-based Fr Tom Ryan and launched by Bishop Willie (Bill) Walsh of Killaloe.
The book follows from the Matt Talbot novenas which started in Shannon fourteen years ago and which is now held in Kilrush and Tulla.
It consists of prayers and reflections and Biblical passages intended to help people who have addiction problems and their families, Fr Ryan said he has been conscious from his own pastoral work that addiction is now “a big issue” in any parish.
“It’s not just alcohol or drugs which are the two people think of,” he remarked.
“There are also things like over-eating, over-spending, the use of TV and computers with people spending all day and all night in front of a screen”.
“These things affect the balance in a lot of lives” he said.
Fr Ryan said he had been involved with the Matt Talbot novena since 1992, when he was assigned as a curate to Shannon.
The nine week Matt Talbot Novena was, he said, an instant success when it was introduced as a response to the growing alcohol abuse problem.
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