Irish Catholics were called on today to give each other an
extraordinary helping hand this Christmas as people fight hardship in
Arctic conditions.
Cardinal Sean Brady said 2010 has been a very difficult year with the prospect of smaller incomes and enormous debt looming over the country.
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said
two big freezes within a month have also not helped by challenging the
health of the vulnerable and placing extra pressure on household heating
bills.
But in his Christmas message, the Cardinal said while the difficulties ahead
will be challenging, people had to bring encouragement to one another.
"Hardship, bereavements, natural disasters and failures can either overwhelm
and paralyse us or they can awaken our hope and rally our strength to help
one another," said Cardinal Brady.
"The challenge we now face is to bring encouragement to one another.
"Just as an individual may spiral down into a state of depression, so too a
community can allow itself to be overwhelmed by negativity.
"Nobody wants to minimise the pain that many are suffering, but having a
positive attitude and coming together to support each other really can help
us to get through these difficult times."
The Cardinal also said his thoughts and prayers were with those who could not
make it home in time to celebrate Christmas with family.
"What is it about Christmas that makes people so anxious to be at home and so
distraught if this is not possible?" he asked.
"Home and family, love and parents and birth are natural signs of peace and
new life. They are natural gifts that take us to the heart of the meaning of
Christmas."
SIC: II/IE