by Vincent | Jun 18, 2014 | General Interest, Reflections, Religion
The past few days I have been in Dalgan Park, Navan, Co. Meath. It is the home of the Columban Missionaries. A fine facility, set on spectacular grounds it is home to many events, including Diocesan Priests’ Retreats. It is to that end, I am here, with the priests and bishop of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The days have passed quickly and, thank God, gone well. It’s always good to meet with priests like this and to hear some of their stories – humorous and otherwise. I’m lucky to be able to do this.
The weather has been fantastic and the heat almost unbearable but a welcome change to winds and rain. I walked a bit – though not as much as I could have or should have but that’s another story.
The cemetery here is amazing. It is so well maintained and a sacred piece of God’s earth. God rest all buried here – included among them Fr Frank Gallagher, an old family friend, who died in 2010 after more than seventy years of priesthood.
I heard in my youth that Fr Frank had been subjected to some tragic torture and treatment during his Missionary Days in Korea. I never heard that from Frank, since he did not speak about this time but it seems certain that there’s truth in it.
Earlier today I spent a bit of time in the main chapel here in Dalgan Park and there’s a collection of pictures on the back wall, twenty-four in all, of members of the Columban Society who lost their lives tragically in the course of their “journeying for the Lord”. Twenty-three of them are priests and one a sister. May God rest their souls. They are not buried in Dalgan, most of them are buried where they were killed and for some, to this day, the whereabouts of their bodies is unknown. It was humbling to look at these faces – most of them very young – and to realise how much they were prepared to give.
Fr Frank Gallagher lays hands on me the day of my ordination in St Patrick’s Church, Gurteen, June 1987
I took photos of the photos. They’re not great quality but it’s my way of taking them home with me and, more than that, sharing them and their Ministry with you. (If you click on an image you will have the option of viewing in larger format and the captions will be more easily read.)
Further information available on the Columban Website
by Vincent | Sep 9, 2012 | General Interest, Religion, Photography
Went to Ballymote last night for the installation of James McDonagh as new Parish Priest.
Bishop Brendan entrusts James with the Book of The Gospels and a key symbolising his care of the parish and its people
Bishop Brendan Kelly was the Principal Celebrant at the Parish’s Vigil Mass and spoke around the Gospel Passage of the healing of the man who could not see or hear. He focused on the idea of people bringing this man to Jesus “they brought to him a man ….” and the role of “they” as Community. He said that without a community around him a priest’s life is lacking and that it is the community that gives fullest meaning to priestly ministry. He commended James to such a community – the people of Ballymote and Doo.
Where will we make the divide?? James with Greg Hannan, former Parish Priest of Ballymote who is to be James’ co-worker in the parish – sharing “the cake” after Mass.
Following Mass there was a gathering in the local Pastoral Centre and it was lovely to see so many people assemble there to wish James well. So also to see, so clearly evident, their good wishes for and appreciation of Greg Hannan who had been Parish Priest and is now to be the curate in Ballymote. People were happy that though the roles had changed, those fulfilling the roles remain as were.
I was reminded last night of James telling me a number of years ago that when he was appointed to Swinford Parish he called to see his mother, (since deceased, R.I.P.) on his way to Swinford for his first Mass there. “What will I say to them?” he asked her. His mother’s response was direct – “Tell them they’re lucky to be getting you”!!! She wasn’t far off the mark and, though James laughed about this, there was truth in it. I felt that last night for the people in Ballymote – I didn’t say it though – in fairness, I think they know 🙂
Best wishes to James and Greg for the next chapter in their ministry in Ballymote and the diocese.
by Vincent | May 23, 2012 | General Interest, Reflections
Earlier today (May 23rd) I attended the Funeral Mass of James Flanagan in Ballymote. May he rest in peace. James was our Maths teacher when I was a student in St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen. He was a better teacher than I was a student, especially so when it came to maths. He had a quick mind and an even quicker turn of phrase. I have thought about him a lot since I heard he died on Monday last. I remember the way he used to work out a maths problem on the board (no interactive white boards then ….) You’d hear the bounce of the chalk as it made contact with the blackboard. x’s and y’s and squared and less thans’, more thans’ … were the order of the day. He’d finish the “sum” with a swish of the chalk and then write QED (Quad erat demonstandum – which was to be demostrated) at the bottom. Returning the chalk to its box, he’d say “Anybody get a different answer to that?” Then he’d add “Sherlock”? Almost always, I obliged!!
God rest you Mr Flanagan. I’m still not great at maths but I’m glad we met.
The past few days I have been in Dalgan Park, Navan, Co. Meath. It is the home of the Columban Missionaries. A fine facility, set on spectacular grounds it is home to many events, including Diocesan Priests’ Retreats. It is to that end, I am here, with the priests and bishop of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The days have passed quickly and, thank God, gone well. It’s always good to meet with priests like this and to hear some of their stories – humorous and otherwise. I’m lucky to be able to do this.
I heard in my youth that Fr Frank had been subjected to some tragic torture and treatment during his Missionary Days in Korea. I never heard that from Frank, since he did not speak about this time but it seems certain that there’s truth in it.
