Monthly Archives: July 2008

Jul 29 2008

So far so good!

This blog has been going for a few weeks now and I’m happy enough with the shape it’s taking. I’d like to add a few refective peaces and would welcome any reflections you might have.

Pat Hunt is an emailing friend who sends me some good reflective pieces from time to time.  Going through old emails earlier I came across this one.  Thanks Pat!

1. Give God what’s right….. not what’s left.

2. Man’s way leads to hopeless end ……

God’s way leads to an endless hope .

3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but never let him be the period.

6. Don’t put a question mark where God puts a period.

7. Are you wrinkled with burden?

Come to the church for a face-lift.

8. When praying, don’t give God instructions…… just report for duty.

9. Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church.

10. We don’t change God’s message……

His message changes us.

11. The church is prayer-conditioned.

12 When God ordains, He sustains.

13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14. Plan ahead……It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.

16. Suffering from truth decay?

Brush up on your Bible.

17. Exercise daily …… walk with the Lord.

18. Never give the devil a ride……

he will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He who angers you controls you.

22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23. Give Satan an inch & he’ll be a ruler.

24. Be ye fishers of men…..

You catch them & He’ll clean them.

25. God doesn’t call the qualified,

He qualifies the called.

Jul 19 2008

Chris and Erin’s Wedding

I am in Arlington, Virginia, today waiting to celebrate with Chris Korves and Erin McCabe their marriage in St. Mark’s Church, Vienna.  I have known Chris for more than a decade now, first meeting him in Huntington NY when his grandmother died, R.I.P.  She was Margaret Jordan, a native of Lisacul, and I was doing some summer placement in St. Patrick’s Parish, Huntington.  I attended Margaret shortly before she died and was amazed to discover she was from Ballaghaderreen.  Our friendship formed around her death and I am happy to say, has remained strong and important to this day.  Hence my being here!

I came to Washington on Wednesday and stayed with Chris’ family in the days leading to the marriage ceremony.  Weddings here tend to differ from home in that there can be a lot of pre-ceremony parties and get togethers!  That’s another story!  For now, glad to be here and look forward to the ceremony later in the afternoon.  My aunt, Mary Margaret, is here as well.  Chris’ family and Mary Margaret have become good friends through the years and I’m glad I had some part in making that happen.  She lives in Richmond, about 100 miles from Chris’ parents, Jeanie and Corky and they meet regularly enough. 

The wedding took place today in St. Mark’s.  It was a lovely celebration of marriage and Erin’s singing companions did her proud.  Kathleen’s solo singing was superb and all who took part in the Liturgy did so with dignity and passion.  Chris and Erin’s married life certainly got off to a great start.
It was lovely to meet so many people at the reception, some new to me and more that I hadn’t seen for a while.  All of them spoke with fondness for Ireland and expressed many happy memories of visits made or stories told.  Heading home on Monday!
I’d like to include a photograph that had a part to play in today’s wedding.  It was taken in 1907 in Edinburgh’s Botanical Gardens and is of my grandfather Thomas Sherlock.  A story for another time but it did feature today and deserves a mention. 
Jul 14 2008

Cousin’s Wedding

On Friday, July 11th, I attended the wedding of Siobhan Mulligan – a cousin of mine – in Manchester.  The Mass was in Chorlton and the local priest “Father Mc” was celebrant of the Wedding Mass.  I hadn’t met Siobhan in probably more than a decade and had never met her husband-to-be, Ben.  It was a lovely occasion and I was glad to be part of it.  Siobhan’s grandmother (Nellie Bermingham, R.I.P.) and my father were first cousins.  Ben is from Australia and was a pleasure to meet.  I wish Siobhan and Ben all they wish for and hope they will be very happy “le cheile”.  God Bless. 

There was an article about Siobhan and Ben in their local paper.  Both of them “row” and it was through that sport they met … a nice piece

A few photos!

Jul 13 2008

Flock to the lough is over!

The festival came to a close this evening (Sunday July 13th) with a very enjoyable afternooon’s entertainment.  Bingo took centre stage in the marquee while Children’s entertainment and BBQ captured the outdoor imagination.  A large crowd was present and the closing was worthy of the festival’s proud charitable tradition – this year raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Patient Care Facility at St. John’s Hospital Sligo.  Since 2001, Flock to The Lough has donated close on €35,000 to various hospitals and charities, including the Paediatric Unit of Sligo General Hospital, Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children (Crumlin), MS Therapy Centre Sligo, Hope House Foxford, Cancer Care West (Galway) and The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.  No figure yet as to how much this year’s event might have raised but fingers crossed!

Were you at the festival this year?  Were you at it in the past?  Any memories!  It’s been a pleasure working with the Flock Committee – a tremendous bunch of people.  Thanks to them all for their commitment, good humour and selfless use of talents. 

Is the Flock over?  Maybe … here are a few images from the Sunday’s gathering …. the happy faces make you wonder …. Is the flock over?

Jul 10 2008

Not sure how this works!

Got this link in an email earlier.  It’s the “fella” from the 7-Up advertisement.  At first I thought it was a mistake but it does work …. give it a try! Hmmm!

By Blog Admin • Posted in Humour
0
Jul 9 2008

From Galway to Graceland

This is a lovely song that tells of a woman’s fascination with or was it love for Elvis.  She walked out of her home in search of her dream.  A long journey, a troubled soul but there’s determination there too.  The “High Kings” version is lovely – so too Seán Keane’s.  Hope the High Kings don’t mind my sharing their talents here!  Really want to see these in concert and am disappointed that I missed them in Castlebar.  Another time, please God.  

LYRICS by R. Thompson

Oh she dressed in the dark
And she whispered amen
She was pretty in pink
Like a young girl again
Twenty years married
And she never thought twice
She sneaked out the door
And walked into the night
And silver wings carried her
Over the sea
From the west coast of Ireland
To West Tennessee
To be with her sweetheart,
Oh she left everything
From Galway to Graceland to be with the king

She was humming Suspicion,
That’s the song she liked best
She had Elvis I Love You
Tattooed on her breast
When they landed in Memphis,
Well, her heart beat so fast
She’d dreamed for so long,
Now she’d see him at last
She was down by his graveside
Day after day
Come closing time they
Would pull her away
Ah to be with her sweetheart,
Oh she’d left everything
From Galway to Graceland to be with the king

Ah, they came in their thousands
From the whole human race
To pay their respects
At his last resting place
But blindly she knelt there
And she told him her dreams
And she thought that he answered
Or that’s how it seems
Then they dragged her away
It was handcuffs this time
She said “my good man are you out of your mind?”
Don’t you know that we’re married?
See, I’m wearing his ring.
From Galway to Graceland to be with the king.
I come From Galway to Graceland to be with the king.

By Blog Admin • Posted in Songs
1
Jul 9 2008

Flock to The Lough

Check back here for some photos from this year’s festival!  Flock to The Lough is coming to a close after almost ten years.  It is a voluntarily organised Community Festival that takes place in Monasteraden, Co. Sligo on the second weekend of July. 

 

Since 2001 Flock to The Lough has raised almost €35,000 for various charities.  It’s on next weekend so … come back and see what happened!!!

Jul 8 2008

Raglan Road

This is CLASS – Tommy Makem sings a beautiful song called Gentle Annie but leads into it with a marvellous poem by Patrick Kavanagh.  It is called “Raglan Road”.  Tommy’s introduction tells the story but his recitation weaves the wonder.  A powerful piece.  Enjoy!  May Tommy rest in peace.

The singer Luke Kelly, R.I.P., of The Dubliners is credited with singing Raglan Road in the way everyone else can only hope to imitate.  We’ve heard Tommy Makem recite it and now we could do worse than listen to Luke sing Kavanagh’s words.  Yeah … I like this Poem/Song!

By Blog Admin • Posted in Poetry
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Jul 8 2008

Everybody thought somebody else was doing it …

 

Sharing the load

Sharing the load

 

A common happening! We can be so slow to involve ourselves in events, situations and people’s lives. There is, all too often , the feeling that someone else will do it. Sometimes this is the case. Alas sometimes, not!

 

 

We need at times to name names, assign tasks, put the shoulder (maybe even “my” shoulder) to the wheel. This is the only way the task in hand will be tended to. It is the only way the job will be done.

The apostles decided, in the earliest days of Church, that the task was too much for them. The demands were many and varied, the time was pressured and ill-fitted the needs. What did they do? They prayed, they talked, they gathered the believers and they sought help. They named names, assigned tasks and saw to it the work would be done.

It’s a lesson for our time too. We must listen to one another. Hearing what is really being said is crucial. Help is essential and the vital ingredient of help is the helper.

Maybe it’s you. Do you, at times, think somebody else is doing it? Maybe you are right but maybe too, you are wrong. If something needs doing, it should be done and not left to chance.

Looking around the parish, do you see things that need doing? Do you sometimes lament that not more is happening? Do you , in honesty, involve yourself or settle for leaving it to others?

Jul 8 2008

Hello there ..

 

Barnie

Barnie

I tried for a while to keep a website going alongside www.achonrydiocese.org but tended to neglect it.  Going to give this blog a try for a while.  I have no idea where it’ll go or what will feature but hopefully it will serve some purpose.  Those how know me, are all to aware that I believe in communcation so this is another tool.  Would be glad to hear from you and suggestions are welcome.

Barnie died about two months ago!  He was a good friend to my parents and they to him.  I got him in the Dog Pound in Galway and I’d swear he knew I rescued him from a fate worse than being fed by Bill!  He always seemed to have great welcome for me.  Makes me think about gratitude and loyalty and maybe that’s where this blog has its roots.

“Did Jesus have a dog Tony?” the priest asked the young boy during a religious question time – “No Father, for if he had, it would have been with him at Calvary”.  How right he was!  The dog would be there.  So too would good friends.

Any thoughts!