A Parish Magazine

A Parish Magazine

Each year a very fine magazine is published in the parish.  It is called, Kilkelly-Kilmovee, Its People and Its Places.  I have for the past few years been asked to include something in the publication.  I put these few words together and thought I’d share them here too. I hope they make a bit of sense.  I think they do to me …. 

A Thought …

There was, in poetry, a time
I thought things must rhyme
That was, in poetry, the only way
At least that’s what I used to say!
But of that today I’m not so sure
Could it be I’m more mature?

 

I’m glad to write a few lines for this year’s publication.  The lines above speak to something of the truth.  As a student in St Nathy’s College, I never fully understood poems that didn’t rhyme.  More than that, I disliked them and the “poets” who wrote them so obviously unaware that poems should have a rhyming pattern.  I remember pointing this out on one occasion, only to be told by a fellow pupil (not even the teacher) who understood things at a deeper level than I and who knew, even then, that poems didn’t have to rhyme: “Vincent, that is the basic essence of poetry”!  I disliked him as well that day (had I been on Facebook, I’d probably have de-friended him!!)

It was handy when the poem rhymed!  It was easier to learn, easier to remember and easier to churn out on a page of an Inter or Leaving answer book.  (Speaking of dislike – I never fully understood why anyone would have to raise a hand during one of these exams and ask for an extra answer book – when I could have given them the unused pages in mine 🙂 )  I digress ….

So is that I’m more mature?
Like you, of that, I’m not so sure
From whence then came the clue
Some don’t rhyme and some just do

The answer I suppose lies in life … as a boy, a student in Maynooth, a newly ordained priest I thought answers were easily found.  Things had an order about them – a sort of pattern like the rhyming poem.  Before I was ordained, people wished me well.  They seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing, felt the need for me to be a priest and, when I was ordained they assured me of their prayers, friendship and lasting support.

Most people went to Mass.  Churches were well filed, if not full most of the time.  Prayers were said and it seemed so important to keep the Parish together.  I enjoyed those early days.  I drove too fast and missed a lot of what was so powerfully on display.  Good and decent people, doing the best they could for family, church and parish – for me; “the new curate!”

 

“The Lord be with you”, I would say
“And also with you” as one we’d pray
Great to see you and so it was
And then to think we’d stand and pause
Sins confessed, Sacred Story shared
His Body for all, nothing spared.

 

First baptism, first wedding – such joyful occasions, shared easily with people oozing joy.  Their new child, their early days of love, how easily to stand with them on days like that when photos were taken, words spoken and happiness owned the day.  I don’t remember the First Confession I heard and often think that tells its own reassuring story of the sacredness of that Sacrament.  Lines drawn in the sand, and no need to re-live or re-visit – that’s the way it’s meant to be, people move on renewed and refreshed having been forgiven by one in need too of God’s forgiveness.  The rhythm of the Sacraments added its own shape to the rhyme.

He died in a tragic accident.  His wife and children were devastated and the community drew to a halt.  I went to the hospital for the removal and an elderly woman told me afterwards how sorry she felt for me in my short-sleeved shirt.  I could as easily have been a boy in short trousers.  Words were scarce and the rhyme was gone … it’s hard to speak in rhyme or think in rhyme when people’s hearts are broken.  There were others like that, sudden deaths, car accidents, cancer and sickness.  Relationships ended, rows between people, loss of Faith, decline in practice, indifference, hostility, doubts, anger, negative press, nobody in Maynooth …. and still the whispered refrain “I the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.  I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright …… Whom shall I send?”

 

poems don’t have to rhyme but
they should speak
to a soul in need of Grace
a wound in need of healing
a heart in need of mending
a darkness in need of light
a thought in need
of sharing

And that’s what I want to say.  Despite the difficulties and the sadness, the changes and the uncertainties, the Poem must go on.  We must find time to share thoughts and place with one another, to bring people to that point where the Word is heard even if not fully grasped and prayers are prayed even in uncertainty.  

I hope this piece isn’t out of place here – It’s just another angle, another verse in a lifelong poem, shared not by a poet but one who is privileged to share this place with all of you in a very special way and by one who depends so heavily on all of you for word and verse, song and tune, prayer and peace! 

Rhyming or not, what we are living is poetry.

Final Day

Final Day

Friday morning saw another fine crowd attend our Mission Mass.  It’s been so heartening to see many people, especially families, attend these morning Masses.  After Mass each morning we had a cup of tea or coffee with some locally made scones on offer.  Thanks to all who made this possible.  The Mission concludes tonight at 8.30pm in Kilmovee and Kilkelly.  Be sure to join us in either place if you’re local!

Friar David celebrated 10am Mass in Urlaur on Friday.  There was a good gathering and it was especially lovely to see Marie Sharkey there on her 94th Birthday.  We acknowledged the day in song after Mass and David gave her a Blessing on her birthday.

CLOSING MASS

Well it’s over!  The Mission, that is – the pilgrimage continues.  We had a fine crowd tonight in Kilmovee.  Friar David was Principal Celebrant at Mass and Friar Caoimhin preached.  The choir was excellent.  Many thanks to all who have been involved in preparing for the Parish Mission; Pastoral Council. those who read, Altar Servers and so many more.  We’ll have time, please God, to say thanks.  For now, thanks to our four “Missioners”.  They were excellent and we were lucky to have them, and blessed.

Mission Continues

Mission Continues

We’re nearly there!  It’s been a very good few days with our Franciscan team.  I’ve enjoyed meeting them and spending a bit of time.  More importantly, the parish has enjoyed them too.  Their style is engaging and non-threatening.  Their message is simply delivered but quite profound and challenging.  I’m challenged!

We had a wonderful Family Celebration this evening in both Urlaur and Kilmovee.  There was a fine message about family life, prayer and the call to be a better person within and for the family.  Bishop Brendan joined us in Kilmovee and took part in a ceremony of blessing families and family members.

Frs David and Caoimhin sang beautifully.  I believe all present in both places were glad to have been in that space.

Urlaur

Mission Possible!

Mission Possible!

The Parish Mission began last night with Masses in Urlaur and Glann.  Today we had Masses in Kilkelly and Kilmovee.  I brought the camera to Mass so a few shots from this morning’s gathering.  The day is lovely so it looks like we’ll gather at Urlaur Abbey later for a short Prayer Vigil for Peace.  Hopefully a few more photos from there later on!  Join us if you can at all – even virtually – and pray for the intentions of all making this journey of Faith in our parish.

This evening’s gathering at Urlaur Abbey was especially blessed by the most glorious sunshine and picture-perfect lake.  During the ceremony ten people carried forward candles representing ten places of conflict in the world.  We prayed two litanies of peace, reflected on one of St Francis’ legends and finished up on the lake shore where we prayed the Salve Regina.  A very special evening.  Thanks to all who were there.  A few photos.  Missed one beautiful photo of four swans leaving the water’s surface as our prayer concluded.  Lovely to think our prayer soared to the heavens …  No reason to believe otherwise.

Monday October 13th – 7am Mass Kilmovee

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A fine crowd gathered for Mass at 7am.  Fr Caoimhin spoke to us about thankfulness and the need to keep our eyes open to and for it.  There are many situations around us that invite us to be thankful, many people for whom we should be grateful and God’s love is a a constant in our lives.

After Mass, many of the people gathered took time to share a cup of tea, a scone and, more importantly, a chat and time together before facing the day.

EVENING MASS IN URLAUR

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Fr David at Mass in Urlaur (Monday 13th November)

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EVENING MASS IN KILMOVEE

On Wednesday, October 15th, the three primary schools of the parish came together to Kilmovee Parish Church for a special prayer service seeking God’s blessing on them all and their schools.  Fr Liam led us in a lovely reflection around the gospel passage of building your house on rock.  The Friars also led us in song.  After prayers we adjourned to the local Community Centre for some refreshments, served by the Community Centre Staff and sponsored by the local Community Bingo Committee.  We are grateful to them all.  It was great to see close on 150 children gathered in our Church and Community Centre to enjoy each other’s company and share a prayer along the way.

A poem for peace

A poem for peace

Earlier today I was in Kilmovee School and we talked a bit about peace and the need to pray for peace in a very troubled world.  I told the children that I once heard a lovely poem that spoke of the cruelty of war.  I even remembered where I first heard it.  It was on a recording of Johnny McEvoy singing “The Town I Love So Well” and that I was sorry I don’t have the recording anymore.  As I spoke, the teacher brought up the words of the poem on the whiteboard and we looked at it together.  The poem is called “The Box” and its message seems tragically all too relevant right now.  Maybe you might take a look, share a thought and say a prayer for all who are suffering because people have, once again, “battered in the lid”

The Box by Lascelles Abercrombie

Once upon a time, in the land of Hush-A-Bye,
Around about the wondrous days of yore,
They came across a kind of box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labeled “Kindly do not touch; it’s war.”
A decree was issued round about, and all with a flourish and a shout
And a gaily colored mascot tripping lightly on before.
Don’t fiddle with this deadly box,Or break the chains, or pick the locks.
And please don’t ever play about with war.
The children understood. Children happen to be good
And they were just as good around the time of yore.
They didn’t try to pick the locksOr break into that deadly box.
They never tried to play about with war.
Mommies didn’t either; sisters, aunts, grannies neither
‘Cause they were quiet, and sweet, and pretty
In those wondrous days of yore.
Well, very much the same as now,
And not the ones to blame somehow
For opening up that deadly box of war.
But someone did. Someone battered in the lid
And spilled the insides out across the floor.
A kind of bouncy, bumpy ball made up of guns and flags
And all the tears, and horror, and death that comes with war.
It bounced right out and went bashing all about,
Bumping into everything in store.And what was sad and most unfair
Was that it didn’t really seem to care
Much who it bumped, or why, or what, or for.
It bumped the children mainly. And I’ll tell you this quite plainly,
It bumps them every day and more, and more,
And leaves them dead, and burned, and dying
Thousands of them sick and crying.
‘Cause when it bumps, it’s really very sore.
Now there’s a way to stop the ball. It isn’t difficult at all.
All it takes is wisdom, and I’m absolutely sure
That we can get it back into the box,And bind the chains, and lock the locks.
But no one seems to want to save the children anymore.
Well, that’s the way it all appears, ’cause it’s been bouncing round
for years and years
In spite of all the wisdom wizzed since those wondrous days of yore
And the time they came across the box,
Bound up with chains and locked with locks,
And labeled “Kindly do not touch; it’s war.”
________________________________________
and here’s the song … the last word of the poem is there.  I’d love to hear McEvoy recite this again.

 

And another fine song from one of my favourite singers ….

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