In a few short hours, you will be replaced by 2018. All over the world, as midnight finds its hour in a variety of time-zones, people will embrace, kiss and wish each other well. Others will be at home alone and just remember other days. Some will be in bed, asleep and unaware that the ticking has been done and that you have closed down. Thought I’d like to share a few words with you before you leave.
Like every other year, you’ve brought your share of joys and sorrows to the lives of people at home and away. In fairness, it’s not as if you brought either – you just happened to be there but, there you were. Headstones will have your number engraved beneath the names of loved ones. Still others will have you at the latter end of a dash 19**-2017, book ending you as the final moment on a life’s journey. Alongside that, millions of babies – tomorrow’s men and women – will have you included on birth and baptismal certificates, numbering you – quite literally – as their starting point. Yes, you’ve witnessed a lot of comings and goings since January.
I don’t remember much, month by month of what happened this year but there are things I’m thankful for – like solid friendships, support, good humour, health and happiness – Faith too. These combine to make me feel something approaching secure and at peace in myself. Friendship is especially important to me and I’d like to think I kept in contact with people throughout the year. Certainly I know I’m thankful this New Year’s Eve to all who have kept in contact with me. It’s likely of course that there are people I did not speak to or visit during the past twelve months but I’m certain that those who matter to me – even those with whom I might have lost contact – have been part of my thoughts and prayers. I count good friends among my greatest blessing and the corner stone of my life.
As for people that I’ve not been in touch with or with whom I’ve lost contact -there’s a regret around that for sure. Maybe I could have said or done more to make this a year of re-connection. Yes 2017, I’m sorry about that for sure. You might ask your successor to help me not have similar regrets in twelve months’ time.
I was happy to have two booklets published this year and to begin contributing a fairly regular column to The Irish Catholic and Messenger publications. I enjoy words and trying to shape a few ideas and all of these have helped me towards that end. It was good, I hope not in an opinionated way, to see my words and thoughts on paper that I didn’t produce or on a website that I hadn’t logged into. There was something very life giving to me, in seeing my words matter enough to be shared. Most of the words are about what matters to me and motivates me so maybe I’m doing some service as well, to God’s will and purpose. I’d like to think that much of what I say, finds it roots in God’s word and a desire to do the right thing by God.
Once again I had the chance to spend some time in Rockville Centre during your months and that has been a joy to me and for me for twenty years now. I was happy to meet again people who have become part of my life during those years. I always feel lucky to be able to make that connection.
In the parish, I was again lucky to have so many good people who share the way with me. I’d like to think, as the hours draw to a close, that I did my best (or as close to it as possible) in being with people during the year. We shared, like everyone else, good days and bad, happy occasions and sad but the key word is “shared”. I feel happy that a lot of good was done in the parish during the months of 2017. Of course the moving of my co-worker, Fr John, to a new parish brought its own level of changes and loss but, for him, you were a year of new promise and opportunity. The people rallied around that change and have been so supportive. Certainly they have made life easier for me and adjustment more manageable. For this and more, I am thankful.
Again family has been a constant in my life during the year and I was happy to recall again the days around my ordination – thirty years ago – and to remember alongside them, the support and love of my parents, brothers and their families. Mixed with this, needless to say, a sense of loss for those who have died and others with whom I don’t have contact as often or as fully as I would wish. All things considered though, 2017 was kind to my family and for that too, I’m thankful.
This blog has been a companion too and you, who read it regularly or occasionally and tell me you enjoy it, give me great hope and encouragement. Sometimes, even to sit and look at a blank screen, hoping to fill it with something that might make a difference, is enough incentive to keep going. I hope that the words you’ve met here, the songs you’ve heard or the video clips you’ve viewed, have – in some small but meaningful way – helped you journey through the year.
There was a lot of sadness in our world during your months. Again, not of your making, but forever linked with you now when history is recalled. The level of cruelty that exists in the world is frightening and innocence found in innocent people counts for little when attacks show no concern for the well-being of people or the protection of life. News headlines and broadcasts reminded us, all too often, that cruelty is rampant. It was sad to see so much destruction of life during the months of this year. Once again, since it is the only reasonable response to this, we all hope and pray for a more peaceful future.
So, as the time closes in now, I’ve decided not to send out endless texts or WhatsApps! I’ve decided to be thankful for the goodness of people, the Love and protection of God and the desire for peace that binds us as one.
Thanks 2017. You did your best. The rest was down to us!
John the Baptist meets his cousin and, for the first time truly knows the one about whom he has been preaching and, for whom, he has sought to "prepare the way". It's only when they meet, truly and in person, that the truth is fully revealed. How easy it can be for us (for me) to speak about Jesus, even want to prepare the way for him, and not have fully encountered him in personal contact. There has to be a message in here somewhere. For me? For you? Friendship with Jesus, like all true and meaningful friendships, must allow for meeting and spending time face to face, so that words can be exchanged and recognition made possible.
In reality all meaningful friendships are the same. Our true friends are those who are in our corner and, as the saying goes, "have our back". True friends are those who walk into our lives in moments of crises, times of need, grief or bereavement. True friends are those who walk towards us when others might choose to walk away. Friendship has to grow and develop - it's not instant and has little, if anything to do with, "clicking" a mouse, "liking a comment", "tagging a photo", or "following" on FaceBook, Twitter, Snap Chat, Instagram or any other platform of that kind. These may well be the tools of friendship and, without doubt, have a role to fulfill but they can never replace personal contact, face to face meetings and being with people when most needed. Like John the Baptist and his cousin, our Saviour Jesus Christ, true recognition and friendship is formed through personal contact.
These are the thoughts I tried to share at today's Mass. I received a humorous piece during the week that I included in the bulletin. I wanted to read it because I liked and enjoyed it but also because as often happens in humour, a real point is being made ...
THE PIECE!
I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.
Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I’ve eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.
I give them pictures of my family, my dog and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.
I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I “like” them.
And it works just like Facebook! I already have four people following me: two gardai, a private investigator and a psychiatrist!!!!
Earlier this Christmas Eve I received a text from a friend – a classmate – saying that he wasn’t sending Christmas Cards this year but wanted to wish me peace and blessings at this special time. I called him back and asked if he was getting mean in his old age. I continued to slag him for a little while and then he said, “you mustn’t have heard that my mother died”. I hadn’t. He went on to say she died the beginning of December. I felt more sorry than embarrassed because I knew he wasn’t trying to embarrass me. He told me his mother had been diagnosed with cancer and died shortly after the diagnosis was given. Needless to say, I was sorry for him.
I told him I’d not heard and of course he knew that because, had I heard, I’d have been there for him over those December days. The reality was the news never reached my ears and I was sorry about that too.
As I prepared for Christmas Eve Mass I thought about Ray, his mother Rosie and how easy it is not to hear news. Gossip is all around us and seems to blow easily on the wind – easily and dangerously – but often the news we need to hear passes by unheard or untold. I wondered does God feel that way sometimes, not least around Christmas and wonder how it is that this Story, this very Sacred story, can remain unheard and untold?
That’s the thought I brought to Mass with me just now and shared with a very full church. I was so happy to see so many people there and wanted them to hear the NEWS that Christ is born but not to remain a baby. He needs to become a Man alongside us and we need to hear his news, some not always easy to hear or understand but news nonetheless that calls us to be better people – decent people.
It’s the choice of this Season in many ways. To hear and be shaped by the news or to settle for gossip. I know which we’re called to and I know how easily we can ignore or park that call. I felt the church tonight was filled with people who want to hear the story and came, in many ways, in response to it but how quickly we can forget and go back to our old ways. We need to be people of the Good News, tuned in to what is real and important in life, otherwise we miss opportunities to be better people, to be with people when they most need us.
Share the news. Avoid the gossip ….
Happy Christmas and thanks, thanks for being my friends. I’m sorry if I missed any important events in your lives and wasn’t there … keep in touch, keep in focus, keep the News, the GOOD news in circulation, even when it might be difficult to hear, understand or accept. If we need to hear it, let it be heard.
Well into the “holidays” now and enjoying the days very much. That said, I’ve been very connected with home too, as I remember Ger Regan, R.I.P., whose Funeral takes place today. I had Mass here around the same time and remembered Ger, his family and friends there.
Over the past few days I’ve had the chance to do what I really like doing when I come here, connecting with old friends (and meeting some new ones too!). Last Sunday evening I went to New York to meet Joe, Liz and Keenan who have been friends of mine for many years. With them were some people from Kiltimagh, two of whom I’d met before. We had a lovely time and it was good to catch up. The other visitors were going to see “WICKED” on Monday evening and asked if I’d like to join them as they had an extra ticket. Needless to say I said yes, though I knew nothing about the show.
It’s one I need to think about but there’s a very positive message running through the show. Leave it with me!! This seems to be the central song in the show – “Defying Gravity”. I think it’s a message about not being kept down but finding and reaching your potential.
The Cathedral here has gone through quite a face lift since my last visit. It is covered in scaffolding just now but the work on the interior has been completed. Very impressive.
On Wednesday evening I went back into NY and met an old friend from Maynooth days. We had a lovely meal, walked around for a while. He took me to a Roof Top bar where there’s an excellent (and free!!) view of NY and NJ. I just took one photo there.
I stayed in NY that night and the next day wandered around for a while. It was gloriously hot (though people were complaining about the heat – I was happy enough to be in it – great weather for the bog!!) I enjoy walking and noticing bits and pieces as I go. I spotted one of “New York’s Finest” doing his duty and couldn’t help but notice his Patrol Car. I can’t see Bruce Willis saving New York in one of these … only saying!!
Later in the day I met a good friend, Seán, whom I’ve missed out on meeting in recent years. We went for a bite of lunch and chatted away as if we’d met the day before. That’s always a good sign of friendship for me. From there I went to Crestwood and met the McEnerney family. I’ve met them every time I’ve visited here and had the privilege of baptizing their children. The older of the two is about to go to College this year and is so excited about that. Hard to believe how quickly the years pass. His younger sister will be making the same trip next year. My memories of her go a bit further back to a young girl playing the piano for me and suggesting I stop “filming” when a few stray notes wander into her performance!!
At Mass this morning, here in the Cathedral at Rockville Centre, I noticed two people at Mass that I get the chance to meet each year. – Mary and Caroline Hunt – they are among the most faithful visitors to these pages and I was happy to see them. Mary’s husband, Martin (RI.P.) was from Ballaghaderreen parish and that’t the link.
What I like to think is running through these days is “connection” with people. At day’s end, I see that as one of the greatest gifts we have and I am blessed to be able to avail of it.
Our website uses cookies to provide you the best experience. However, by continuing to use our website, you agree to our use of cookies. For more information, read our Cookie Policy.
