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Fr Ian

@frianmaher

Priest in the Church of England, serving at Sheffield Cathedral. Trying to share a bit of light in an often dark world. All views expressed on here are my own. Welsh, British, European.

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13.11.2024
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Latest posts by Fr Ian @frianmaher

A traditional icon of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, in bold primary colours and framed in gold leaf

A traditional icon of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, in bold primary colours and framed in gold leaf

Jesus offers living water to the Samaritan woman at the well, saying, 'The water that I give will become in you a spring of water gushing up to eternal life' (John 4.14). Where might you be refreshed with living water this year? promotingretreats.org/where #retreat #prayer #livingwater

08.03.2026 13:56 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I agree

08.03.2026 09:05 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

He's off his meds again.

06.03.2026 19:06 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Goodnight all

05.03.2026 21:12 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

🀣🀣🀣🀣🀣

05.03.2026 19:15 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

No shortage of dimwits to over-promote, it would seem.

05.03.2026 19:12 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

🀣

05.03.2026 16:47 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Kelly is right πŸ‘‡

05.03.2026 08:21 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

One for each war Trump has started in his second term?
πŸ‘‡

05.03.2026 08:21 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Why reading matters – for children, adults and communities That thirst to read is one of the most enduring gifts that books give us.

Why reading matters – for children, adults and communities
That thirst to read is one of the most enduring gifts that books give us

northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/book...

05.03.2026 08:18 πŸ‘ 46 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
Preview
Eyes open or closed? Luke 16.19-end From the gospel accounts we can see that Jesus’ favourite method of teaching was through parables. These are stories that draw us in and, before we know it, invite a response from us…

'Like all the parables of Jesus, this one speaks directly to us today and invites a response. Are our eyes open or closed to the challenge?'

04.03.2026 19:17 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Costly service, not privileged power Matthew 20.17-28 Sadly, we live in a world where people hanker after privilege and power. We see it writ large in the proliferation of oligarchs and billionaires and expressed in the armed conflict…

'This gospel reading contrasts the nature of Christian discipleship with the ambition for worldly status and power that lies at the heart of so much of what is wrong in our world.'

04.03.2026 19:15 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Hegseth is a sick individual.

04.03.2026 17:58 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

#OperationEpsteinFury

04.03.2026 17:41 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ‘

04.03.2026 14:13 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

If I was @zackpolanski.bsky.social, I would be pointing out to the BBC that whatever model they use to justify giving Farage & his boot-lickers season tickets for every BBC show under the sun must surely now treat Green Party politicians in exactly the same way. Might even be one for the lawyers...

04.03.2026 09:02 πŸ‘ 4513 πŸ” 978 πŸ’¬ 142 πŸ“Œ 40
Sir, For the first time I totally disagree with one of your editorials, which states that the UK should join the war alongside the Americans. To keep the UK out of this conflict is the bravest, strongest act by Sir Keir Starmer in this parliament. The Iranian regime without doubt is odious but this war is doomed to fail, just like the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not supported by the majority of Americans and will cost billions of dollars and many lives. At least the prime minister has learnt the lessons of history - unlike his counterpart in the White House.
Dr Susan Kempson
Haddington, East Lothian

Sir, For the first time I totally disagree with one of your editorials, which states that the UK should join the war alongside the Americans. To keep the UK out of this conflict is the bravest, strongest act by Sir Keir Starmer in this parliament. The Iranian regime without doubt is odious but this war is doomed to fail, just like the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not supported by the majority of Americans and will cost billions of dollars and many lives. At least the prime minister has learnt the lessons of history - unlike his counterpart in the White House. Dr Susan Kempson Haddington, East Lothian

PM is right to be cautious on Iran

I read James Ball's balanced column
"Trump's Iran gamble could unravel his
presidency" (The i Paper, 3 March) with interest and, yes, his all-guns-blazing action might indeed come back to haunt him.
He and his gung-ho colleagues may have read the room wrong and the American people will be furious if many of their young people die as a result of this war.
Seemingly diplomacy is at an end and his presidential call of
"America First" rings eerily empty. There is no doubt that the Iranian regime which targeted its own people had to be stopped, but is this the best way to do it?
JUDITH A DANIELS
REAT YARMOUTH

My son was sent to the Gulf when Blair involved the UK in the last American-led fiasco.
He still bears the mental scars. Consequently, Starmer's reluctance to get involved now is good news to me.
L DGODDARD
ASHFORD

Those who criticise
Sir Keir Starmer for not supporting Donald Trump might consider the possible consequences. Has it occurred to them that the Prime Minister is trying to minimise the risk of Iranian retaliatory action, either militarily or by individuals, by refusing to participate in this conflict? His duty to protect UK citizens is a priority.
S LAWTON
KIRTLINGTON

PM is right to be cautious on Iran I read James Ball's balanced column "Trump's Iran gamble could unravel his presidency" (The i Paper, 3 March) with interest and, yes, his all-guns-blazing action might indeed come back to haunt him. He and his gung-ho colleagues may have read the room wrong and the American people will be furious if many of their young people die as a result of this war. Seemingly diplomacy is at an end and his presidential call of "America First" rings eerily empty. There is no doubt that the Iranian regime which targeted its own people had to be stopped, but is this the best way to do it? JUDITH A DANIELS REAT YARMOUTH My son was sent to the Gulf when Blair involved the UK in the last American-led fiasco. He still bears the mental scars. Consequently, Starmer's reluctance to get involved now is good news to me. L DGODDARD ASHFORD Those who criticise Sir Keir Starmer for not supporting Donald Trump might consider the possible consequences. Has it occurred to them that the Prime Minister is trying to minimise the risk of Iranian retaliatory action, either militarily or by individuals, by refusing to participate in this conflict? His duty to protect UK citizens is a priority. S LAWTON KIRTLINGTON

Letters in The Times and iPaper that reflect the views of British people far better than the deeply partisan, stupid and disloyal headlines of the rightwing press. Showing there is simply no issue on which they will just calm down and support a Labour govt. Not one. Not even in a war no one wants.

04.03.2026 07:45 πŸ‘ 595 πŸ” 205 πŸ’¬ 29 πŸ“Œ 13

Has Trump’s state visit been cancelled yet?

03.03.2026 18:35 πŸ‘ 192 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 20 πŸ“Œ 0

Half-wits would be a major improvement

03.03.2026 17:46 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

The farce is strong in this one.

03.03.2026 08:23 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

What could possibly go wrong?

03.03.2026 08:21 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a woman in a pink jacket says " yeah but no but yeah " in a store Alt: a woman in a pink jacket says " yeah but no but yeah " in a store
03.03.2026 08:13 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Is he drunk again?

02.03.2026 17:52 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0

Is he drunk?

02.03.2026 17:40 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Has Trump started any more wars since yesterday?
#PresidentOfWar

02.03.2026 09:08 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 1

Trump remaining laser-focused on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

28.02.2026 11:26 πŸ‘ 32 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a close up of a man 's face with a hole in the wall behind him Alt: a close up of a man 's face with a hole in the wall behind him - Hannibal Lecter

with some fava beans and a nice Chianti

28.02.2026 07:38 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

All the best George - and thanks.

26.02.2026 11:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Notice the 'if'.

26.02.2026 10:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I beg you, Gorton and Denton..

Do not let that ghastly idiot into parliament.

He's already got enough planet shaped chips on his shoulders, and one more won't hurt.

25.02.2026 17:29 πŸ‘ 1339 πŸ” 238 πŸ’¬ 36 πŸ“Œ 7