Category Archives: General Interest

Apr 28 2012

Vocations Sunday

This weekend we celebrate Vocations Sunday and, in word and prayer, seek to encourage people to consider the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.  On Holy Thursday, at our Chrism Mass, I was asked to prepare a Post Communion Reflection so thought I might share here the words I used that day.

Lord, from the earliest days of your public ministry, you involved yourself in the needs of all you met. 

You were with your people from the turning of poured water into wine to the pouring of your own blood mixed with Cana’s water on the cross.  Some people were spoken for “they have no wine” and others found their own voice; “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”.  For some the request for healing was instant and others, like the prodigal son, had to be given time to “come to their senses”.  Always though, you were there for people and with people.

Likewise, you remain with us; standing together as Diocese today. We praise your presence in our midst.  As people and priests, young and old, strong and infirm, healthy and weak, enthusiastic and tired, faith-filled and searching, we take the message of this day to our hearts.  Oils blessed and consecrated.  Lives consecrated and renewed – people, united in prayer – we take it all in Lord and offer what we have to you, that you may take it, shape it, renew and rebuild it, so that our diocese and its people live the Gospel message.

The priest in us says “yes” again to your call.  Yes to its uncertainties and tensions and yes to its glorious opportunities to be something of your presence to those who seek a voice and have a voice.  Yes to its call to bring these oils from their silver containers to the parishes and people of our diocese with the enduring promise of hope and companionship in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders and of life Eternal in the Sacrament of the Sick.  To the brokenness of bread and the bitter-sweetness of chalice blood we commit ourselves as well.  We offer our voices and our hearing, our good days and our bad that they may be rooted in Holy Thursday, remain loyal through Good Friday and proclaim the good news that “he is risen” on Easter Sunday and beyond.

As Church; lay, religious and ordained, we dedicate our “yes” to you this day:  the “yes” of parents towards the shaping and loving of a new generation,  the “yes” of a whispered rosary, a lighted candle in an early morning chapel; the “yes” of tending to the sick and infirm;  the “yes” of Amen to Eucharist.  We dedicate as well the “yes” of the many reluctant but necessary yeses that see Simons and Veronicas step forward from the crowd.  We have the “yes” in us, Lord and we offer it to you for it is only in you and through you its potential can be reached.

Remain with us Lord.  You know that we know that we need you. 

Amen!

Apr 26 2012

Old Friends ….

Some of my classmates from Maynooth met together this week in Athlone.  We’ve managed to meet every year since leaving the Seminary and that’s a bit of an achievement :)  There are regular faces each year – some that dip in and out and a few we’ve not seen.  It’s good to meet though and to catch up on how things are going.  I’m sure we see changes each year and certainly, I think it’s fair to say, the faces in the Class Piece have altered with the passing of time.  There’s greyness or baldness where once there were youthful heads of hair (not for all admittedly!) and a few pounds (not of the financial kind) extra (again, not in all cases admittedly) – maybe it’s just me!

Anyway, was good to meet up.  We went to the ancient Monastic Site of St Ciaran at Clonmanoise for Mass yesterday.  Like the early disciples the journey was made by boat.  I’m not sure the disciples had coffee-making facilities or an ongoing and very interesting commentary as they travelled but our intention was, as theirs, to get to the shore and meet the Lord.  That we did, in a prayerful celebration of Eucharist.  It certainly was a highlight of the gathering.

We will meet again in May in Maynooth since, hard and all as it is to believe, a quarter of a century has passed since we looked forward to ordination, sent out invitations, prepared booklets and all those other necessary and exciting things linked with the step we were about to take.  I’m happy to say the memories, in the main, are good and the friendships solid.  We might not meet too often but when we do there’s a sense of just picking up the conversation where it left off.  That can’t be bad.

Going to include a few photos here – just for memory’s sake – I hope my classmates won’t mind.  I should have asked them …. However, as someone once wisely said, “In certain situations, it can be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission”!

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Apr 24 2012

New Arrival

As you know I was away for a few days last week.  When I got back I discovered I had a new neighbour in the field beside my house.  There are some horses there from time to time and I spotted a new arrival.  Was very happy to see this.  I went out to say hello but my approach was received with more than a little suspicion.  Anyway, contact made!  Will see how things go.

Look, who's this coming now?

Maybe you should stand behind me - he can still see you!

No, I said behind me - not with your behind to me!

I think he's gone!

Apr 19 2012

A few photos ..

I just loaded some photos on the computer from yesterday’s Papal Audience.  I think they capture a bit of the atmosphere.  The newly married couple come from near Washington DC and I met them just as we were leaving.  I took their photo and will send it to them at some stage.

 

Apr 17 2012

No one thing

On Sunday we had the gospel passage that included the meeting between Jesus and Thomas. A week earlier there had been another visit by Jesus to the locked room of apostolic gathering. Thomas was missing. When told Jesus had been there he refused to believe and laid down strict criteria for any future acceptance of their claim. Holes in flesh, tracks of nails, evidence of wounds would have to be presented and reviewed. A week later this all happened. Thomas, moved by reality found his faith – “My lord and my God” became his and remains our act of faith.

For this Thomas earned the nickname “Doubting Thomas”. I think it’s not an altogether fair title. It could be said that Thomas asked the question many of us might have wanted to ask. He wanted to believe but his heart was broken and his vision clouded. He wanted it all to be true. How similar we all are. At low points we need Jesus and call out to him. Our calling might be frustrated, our need intense and our wish for some indication understandable. Thomas spoke for us. He found his faith for us. He gave us a map – a starting point and a destination.

Thomas had asked another question earlier in the Gospel when Jesus said he was going away and that the apostles would follow. Jesus told them that they knew the way to follow him. Silence! Silence broken by Thomas; “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way?” Again he asked the question that needed to be asked. He got his answer and it is at the heart of all we are about.

“I am the way, the truth and the life”

For this we owe a debt of gratitude to Thomas. He is more than a moment of doubt.

Labelling is dangerous. It should be avoided at all costs!!

Apr 16 2012

Greetings

At a conference on communications. Listening to various speakers through headphones and interpreters. A strange experience but amazing stories from around the world. Certainly puts any sense I might have had of our church being persecuted at home into perspective. Yes, there may be difficulties at home but we should and must rejoice in the freedom to speak, share and live our faith

Some places – many places don’t have that freedom www.wheregodweeps.com

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Apr 14 2012

Remembering …..

Everywhere we look or listen this week, there have been reminders of the Titanic and, more tragically, its sinking one hundred years ago this night (14th April).  I just had Mass in Urlaur and, by way of reflection and remembrance, shared a song I like a lot. It was written by Johnny McEvoy and tells of a meeting on the docks in Cobh between a young man and a newly married couple who were setting sail for New York.  The teller of the story in song felt a sense of envy but also the need to wish the couple every  good wish as they set out in search of their dream.  There was however, a sound in the air, that left a question ……

We think of all the John Williams and their wives, of sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers who shared that journey and possibly a dream.  A hundred years has passed but it’s important to remember.  Johnny McEvoy does well on that front.  We’ll remember with him …..

When last I saw John Williams, a young man full of pride
His lovely bride of just four days was standing by his side
He smiled and took me by the hand, saying “Boyo can’t you see
I’ve seen the last of windswept bogs and bogs the last of me!
And the peelers and the landlords and the risings of the moon
And if ever I return again, ’twill be too bloody soon”
 
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, wife
Sailed away into the night
Where they’ll wind up no-one knows
Round and round the story goes
 
He said “I’ll go and take my chance in far off New York Town
For they say there’s lots of work there and a good man’s not put down
And with my lassie by my side we’ll build a better home
And when the sea trip’s over lads we never more will roam”
So we said farewell upon the quay, there was nothing left to do
But to pray for John and his lovely bride, that their dreams
might all come true
 
How I envied you, John Williams, and your lovely fair haired bride
To be sailing on that mighty ship across the ocean wide
For she’s the finest liner, that was ever built by man
And they say there’s naught can sink her, no not even God’s own hand
Man’s pride can be his own downfall, that big ship sailed form home
And I thought I heard the banshee cry, and it chilled me to the bone
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, wife
Sailed away into the night
Where they’ll wind up no-one knows
Round and round the story goes
Round and around the icebergs flow.
Apr 9 2012

He’s Alive (A song by Don Francisco)

Erin Korves, a friend in Washington, sent me the sheet music for this song last week.  Sadly I can’t read music at all but a YouTube search brought the song and Erin’s intention behind it to life!  The introduction had taken place.  Thanks Erin.  Thought I’d share the song here for Holy Week 2012.  There are few versions of it on YouTube but I like this one because it’s “live” and because the composer tells us something of its writing.  I always like when that happens.

LYRICS

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ feet

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she’d been
She said they might have moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there

We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify him
Then I saw him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn’t be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With his arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Dissappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d ever had
Just melted into peace

He’s alive yes He’s alive
Yes He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive yes He’s alive
Oh He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive yes He’s alive
Hallelujah He’s alive
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive He’s alive He’s alive
I believe it He’s alive
Sweet Jesus

Apr 8 2012

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter to you all.  I’ve one more “thought” to go on Lent 2012 and might get to that later.  Apart from about three days, managed to keep it going for the Lent!  Thanks for your feedback and comments.

We had Mass this morning at Urlaur Abbey.  It was a lovely morning – no sunshine admittedly – and people gathered in great numbers.  Some told me there may have been upwards of 400 people there.  I really can’t say for sure but there was a mighty gathering.  Thanks be to God for that.

After Mass I saw a boat on the shore and was going to take a photo of it when I saw people walking towards it.  A family!  They told me they had come across the lake for the Mass.  I thought that was so special and would love to think those children will have that as a memory for the rest of their lives.  I went to take a photo of them but the camera was on video mode so there’s a short clip.  I put it on YouTube just to mark the day.  I’m sure the Lord would rejoice in the crowd there this morning and those who crossed the lake “to the other side”.  He had done that himself more than once.

Thanks to Fr John Maloney for all his help in getting ready for the Mass and the many locals who prepared the Abbey surrounds etc.  Anne Moriarty and a friend of her’s, Cathy, led us in song.  All in all, it was a lovely start to Easter Sunday 2012.  I want to say thanks as well to Jimmy Grennan, one of our older parishioners, who mentioned to me a few weeks ago “did you ever think of having a Dawn Mass at the Abbey?”  I told Jimmy that I had but when I heard him say it, a whole new sense of purpose followed so, in many ways, it was his idea.  Thanks for that.

A few people took photos so I’ll add some when they come to hand.  For now, here’s one or two I took.

Some of the crowd gathering for Dawn Mass at Urlaur Abbey. 6am Easter Sunday.

Getting into the boat, he crossed to the other side .....