Was in New York for a few hours earlier today. I met some friends for lunch and had a good chat and a good bit to eat as well!! I went for a walk in Central Park. I didn’t go too far into the park but it was amazing to see all the activity going on. Certainly a happening place. I remember being there before and finding John Lennon’s “Strawberry Fields” but I didn’t get that far today.
I spotted a little bird battling with a piece of bread too big for it and thought of a man outside Penn Station many years ago and of him breaking up a piece of bread into small pieces and, when I praised him for what he had done, he told me “If I didn’t do that only the greedy ones would get it” and felt today was my chance live the lesson I had learnt and to help the little bird. I broke the piece of bread and, as I walked away, was happy to see the bird return and settle between the broken pieces and eat “birdfully”!!
I spotted people feeding a squirrel, many people cycling, some being taken around in horse drawn carriages and tricycle drawn carriages! Others walking, running and all in between. People lay out on rocks to enjoy the evening and others watched their children enjoy the carousel. A lot going on!
Crossed the water last night from NY to NJ to visit Joe and Elizabeth Walsh and their son. Always a lovely home to visit, the welcome was solid and the fun guaranteed. Lovely view of New York as the ferry made the short crossing so took a photo or six:)
Grand Central Terminal
Spent the night in New Jersey and today made the return journey and caught a bus that took me to within walking distance of Grand Central Station. From there I got a train to Crestwood to visit again my neighbour from home – Noelle and her family. I met Noelle and her son since Noelle’s husband and daughter were at work. We had a good chat and I was happy to see them. Visited Ellie too (Noelle’s mother-in-law) and was good to see her in such good form – enjoying her new car. Happy motoring!
Noelle left me to New Rochelle where I caught another train for Greenwich to meet an old Maynooth friend, Denis Matthews, who lives there. We went to his home, chatted a while and then he offered to drive me back to Rockville Centre. Quite a journey but I was happy to accept as I had my share of trains and public transport for one day! We caught up on the journey and had some food here when we got back.
As I look back over the past day or two, I realise yet again, that it is the people I know here and from home that make this such a welcome part of my life. Yes, it’s lovely to take a few pictures of buildings and landmarks but they are no substitute for the flesh and blood of contact and friendship.
I was at the cinema twice this week. Mentioned the first visit in an earlier post when, in Virginia, I went to see “Won’t you be my neigbour” – the story of Mr Rogers. Last night I went alone to the local cinema here to see the new Mama Mia movie “Mama Mia Here We Go Again”. It was enjoyable. Not sure if I liked it as much as the first one but it was fun, good music and dancing. Certainly didn’t feel I’d wasted my time being there. One or two of the songs featured, I’d never heard before but I am assuming they are all ABBA songs. Some of the ones I did know were sung at a different tempo and I liked them too.
I had two Masses here today (and one last night) and it’s amazing to see how many people attend Masses here. There are a lot of Masses in the parish (Three, including a Spanish Mass on Saturday evening and, on Sunday, 7am, 8am, 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm and 5.00pm) and the Cathedral is very full for many of them and well full for them all. Something uplifting about that.
St Agnes’ Cathedral, Rockville Centre
Some people with Kilmovee (Urlaur) connections came to the 5pm Mass this evening and went for a bite to eat with them after Mass. It was good to catch up. The daughter/grand-daughter chose her own clothes when dressing today so arrived in the Roscommon jersey. She looked well and was such a pleasant child. I didn’t update her on Roscommon’s recent outings in the Super 8s! She generated much amusement in the restaurant as she walked around freely from table to table and, in the process, encountered a man from Leitrim and a barman from Dublin. There’s something lovely about the County Jersey.
C’mon the Rossies
Had a slightly worrying moment as I tried to finish the chicken wrap I ordered and found myself unable to do so. I asked the waitress to “pack it” and I brought it home. That’s a first for me. Thinking it might be time to go home before I go American!!
On Monday morning I took a bus to Vienna (Virginia) to meet my aunt who had come to stay with our mutual friends Jeanie and Corky. The bus ride was long enough – over four hours but passed okay. I was happy to be going there to meet Mary Margaret. It’s been a year nearly since we met and, though we talk from time to time and email, there’s nothing really to beat meeting people and being with them. We had an enjoyable time together.
We had a lovely afternoon and evening together and caught up on and re-visited a lot of Mary Margaret’s stories. She is an incredible story-teller and seems to meet people wherever she goes and many of them continue to have a place in her life and heart.
On Tuesday the four of us went to “the movies” and watched a movie called “Won’t you be my neighbour?” – the story of Mr Rogers, a minister who produced a TV show for children and ministered to a much wider audience. I had never heard of him but very much enjoyed the show and coming to learn something of story I’d not known.
Later in the evening we met with Jeanie and Corky’s son, his wife and children and a cousin visiting from Nashville. I had married Chris and Erin – as it turns out – ten years ago this week. We had a good time together and the Nashville Girl is quite the singer so we had a song or three! Enjoyable for sure.
An early start on Wednesday saw me heading back for New York. I had planned on spending a bit of time there but tiredness took hold so I opted for a train back to Rockville Centre. Truly glad I had those few days. It is always good to meet people who matter to me and that’s one of the great enjoyments I have from coming here each year. People make places!
Went to the city for a while yesterday and just walked around. Went to a few shops but didn’t do much damage – I think! I called into MACYS just for the sake of it though, to be honest, I find it a bit overpowering. I never left the ground floor. As I walked to the exit I spotted a woman in front of me and, no disrespect intended, my mind went back to secondary school and the old Irish Book we all studied (thought I’ve forgotten almost everything in it at this stage) – I couldn’t help but imagine what Peig Sayers would have made of MACYS!!
I had Mass here this morning and afterwards a parishioner came in to welcome me. I’ve met her a few times and she is truly a lovely person. We were chatting when someone came in to tell me I’d not turned off the microphone! Oops!
This evening I went to a nearby beach – Long Beach – to have a walk. There is an amazing Boardwalk there – I think it’s over two miles – and is lovely setting. I thought a walk might not go astray. As I walked along I thought one of the last times I was there I had gone for a walk with a Franciscan Friar – Fr Kevin Cronin – who was in Rockville Centre with me at the time. I remembered we had a good chat and a few laughs as we walked along and there was a concert on the beach that we stopped and listened to for a while. As I walked along, I was happy to be there and enjoyed looking at the variety of people spending time alone or together. A few smiles here and there but a sense of this being a good place to be. Next thing!! Who is in front of me, walking towards me only Kevin Cronin!! “I was literally just thinking of you”, I said. I’m not sure he believed me but it was the truth. I turned and walked with him for a while and caught up on a few bits and pieces. He turned to go home and I walked a little more.
Chances are, this may be of zero interest to you!! Just thought I’d put down a few bits anyway – even for my own sake and to have a few memories.
Spent a few hours in New York – went to meet someone for lunch and later decided to go to a Broadway Show. I had never seen Phantom of The Opera and tried to get a good value ticket. Went to the theatre and got one at a good rate and decided to go for it. There was time to kill then so decided to go to the 9/11 memorial and spend some time there. I wanted to remember there, in a special way, Kieran Gorman and his family.
Kieran’s name is on the South Memorial – one of the two memorials that stand on the site of the original towers. They are impressive and the flowing waters remind us of the lives of all whose names are recorded there and the difference they made.
I didn’t go into “Freedom Tower” – there was a long line waiting to do so and, to be honest, having spent a few minutes there and with Kieran having been remembered, I felt I had achieved my aim. The tower is an impressive building and stands tall in world of tall buildings.
Leaving the memorial, I walked to Vesey Street to visit again the Irish Famine Memorial. I hadn’t been there in sometime but wanted to see it again. It’s story, rooted in the Diocese of Achonry and Parish of Attymass, centres around the ruins of an old family house. The house, taken down stone by stone, was transported to New York and rebuilt in its fallen state on the site of the Famine Memorial.
It is a truly amazing piece of work. It makes the point that following the famine and the resulting emigration homes were left to fall in, uncared for and unoccupied. A reminder that people are the true cornerstone of the home and without them the building cannot stand.
I met a man and his wife there. He was taking a picture of a stone from Co. Roscommon because his people came from there. He had never been to Ireland and his wife is Chinese. He was explaining to her the importance of this stone for him. We chatted for a while and I wondered how many people came there to connect with stories they have been told – stories handed through the generations. It is a good connection and good to have a place to make those connections.
The time passed, I came away glad to have re-visited both places and I had the Phantom of The Opera to look forward to …..
“The angel of music ……” maybe that’s another story!
PHANTOM’S VOICE: Brava, brava, bravissima . . .
MEG:
Christine, Christine…
(Phantom: Christine…)
Where in the world
Have you been hiding?
Really, you were perfect!
I only wish
I knew your secret!
Who is your great tutor?
CHRISTINE:
Father once spoke of an angel
I used to dream he’d appear
Now as I sing, I can sense him
And I know he’s here
Here in this room
He calls me softly
Somewhere inside hiding
Somehow I know
He’s always with me
He – the unseen genius
MEG:
Christine, you must have been dreaming, stories like this can’t come true
Christine, you’re talking in riddles, and it’s not like you!
CHRISTINE:
Angel of Music!
Guide and guardian!
Grant to me your glory!
MEG(to herself):
Who is this angel? This…
BOTH:
Angel of Music!
Hide no longer!
Secret and strange angel
The days have gone well. Since last post, I’ve had the privilege of baptizing seven children in the Cathedral of St Agnes on Sunday last. It was a lovely celebration and great to see so many people there. One of the children was named “McGregor” (first name!!) and I did offer the parents the opportunity to change their minds but they declined:) In fairness his other name was Stephen so we’re okay! There was a a Featherstone among the children baptized and that name linked me with my mother’s cousins, Teresa and Kay and the Featherstone family. I asked the people if they knew their Irish connection but they didn’t. I said that my cousins were often called “Feathers” rather than Featherstone and they said it was the same for them among the family.
St Agnes’ Cathedral, Rockville Centre,
Later that evening I met a priest from Galway Diocese who is doing a temporary spell in a New York Parish. We met near Times Square where I met some interesting “characters”
The “not so real” Vincent and Donald
Along the way I stopped to watch a man (the not so little Drummer Boy, perhaps!!) beating out the rhythm on a collection of buckets and pans. It was a wonderful sound. Suddenly a little child decided to join in – a lovely moment
After spending a bit of time with my priest friend I headed to the Theatre again – this time to see “School of Rock”. I’d been assured it was very good and have to agree. No more than the child on the street corner, the stage was filled and alive with the talent of children and adults but the children, in many ways, stole the show. Really glad I went.
On Monday I celebrated the Funeral Mass of the mother of my cousin’s wife. The family lives in Rockville Centre and, over the years, I’ve had the joy of celebrating the wedding Masses of two of the daughters and a niece. It was the grandmother of these three that had died and I was pleased to be asked to celebrate her Funeral Mass. We went to St Mel’s Parish, Flushing (Queens) for the Funeral and I met another wonderful priest there, Fr Gerard, who could not have been any more welcoming. After the burial we went for lunch and later that afternoon I caught a train to New York where I was happy to meet with two friends from Maynooth days. It’s so good to be able to spend time with friends. As if I need reminding, that’s the reason I like to come here.
I had lunch yesterday with two of the staff (one now retired) who have constantly been kind and supportive of me through the years. We usually try to meet up at some point during my stay and yesterday was that point. I was happy to have the bit of time with them.
That’s more or less it – hours now rather than days to home time. Lots of good memories to bring with me and lots of good days to look ahead to at home.
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