I think you know that I like lyrics, especially those that make me think and in the past few days I came across a wonderful song by Imelda May. It’s called “The girl I used to be” and she speaks of her own upbringing and the values she wishes to share with her young daughter. There’s a lovely introduction to this in the video below. There’s a lengthy introduction but it’s worth a listen too. Well done Imelda.
I hope you enjoy this …. that’s the reason I’m sharing it.
LYRICS
Once upon a time
A Dublin girl ran free
Down the cobblestones
Round pubs and homes
As rich as she could be
Swimming in the Irish Sea
Climbing up Bray Head
Her lips were warmed
With pots of tea
Chips and buttered bread
Fed love from Mam and Da
They raised her up
They made her fly
They gave her roots and wings
As time moves on and years go by
She’ll miss those simple things
She’s the girl I used to be
The playgrounds all came down
And we mourned our factories
Times were tough, but I had enough
I had my family
Life kicked in with all its might
But my strong heart wouldn’t break
I got kicked around and broken down
I took all that I could take
But you raise me up
You made me fly
You gave me roots and wings
As time moves on and years go by
I miss those simple things
And the girl I used to be
Now I’m grown with a child of my own
And I hope to God on high
That these are the days she thinks upon
As the best days of her life
And I’ll raise her up
I’ll make her fly
I’ll give her roots and wings
As time moves on and years go by
She’ll miss those simple things
And the girl she used to be
She’s the girl I used to be
Yesterday, with close on forty people from our parish, I visited Lough Derg for the One Day Pilgrimage. In his words of welcome, Fr Owen Joe McEneaney referred to Fr Eamonn Conway’s book on Lough Derg “Island of Quiet Miracles” and commended the book to all present. He also mentioned that I had written a short review of the book. It featured some months ago in The Furrow magazine. Thinking about Lough Derg this morning, I thought it might be good to include that review here as well.
Thanks to all who joined us yesterday. God bless the work of all on Lough Derg and the Faith Journeys of all who travel there for the one or three day pilgrimage.
LOUGH DERG (Island of Quiet Miracles) by Fr Eamonn Conway
“To hear the whisper of the Lord,
you must turn down the volume
of the world. Find time to
disconnect from everything
around you and
be still in His presence.”
These lines, by an anonymous pilgrim poet, echo the work of Fr Eamonn Conway in this publication. Fr Conway’s belief in St Patrick’s Purgatory, like its encircling lake, runs deep. Because of this he wishes to remind those who have visited of its blessedness and arouse interest in the pilgrim-to-be.
There is a well-researched overview of Lough Derg’s history that, I suspect, may be revelation to many regulars on the Island. The present day format and “vigil” are contrasted with a more prolonged pilgrimage of the past when pilgrims were encaged for three days in a structure not allowing even standing room. It is interesting to note that just before the Famine 30,000 pilgrims visited Lough Derg and reassuring that today the constant stream of visitors to the Island is on a par with the highest points of its long and faith-filled history.
“Making sense of not yet” (p17) and linking the pilgrimage with the “fifth gospel” the Sea of Galilee, the author leaves no room for doubt – this is a place of prayer where encounter with God is not alone possible but probable. The point is made that it’s not that God is more likely to be in remote locations but that it may be easier to be present to Him there due to lack of distraction. The Pilgrimage is about conversion and “can be a valuable moment to reconnect with Christ in the community of the church”. (p45)
Fr Conway spends some time in exploration of the current culture in which we seek to live the Faith. Leaving the Island, in the physical journey to the shore, is paradoxically an invitation to bring what was encountered there to the mainland of our lives.
The book is introduced by Bishop-Emeritus Liam MacDaid and concludes with a reflection by the Rector, Fr McEneaney. Text is interlaced with photographs, including a picture of the Basilica perfectly reflected in the still waters of Lough Derg. A fitting image, it would seem, for the pilgrim having found him or herself afresh, standing tall again – renewed and strengthened.
It is clearly a work of the heart, thoroughly researched, beautifully presented and rooted in Jesus’ response to his early disciples when asked where he lived; “Come and see”.
I was down in the “Thatch Cottage” at Kilmovee Community Centre a while ago. Some of my old friends from St Aiden’s N.S., Monasteraden were there filming their most recent “movie” for FÍS. They have become so good at this over the years. I look forward to seeing the new production in due course. I was reminded of the film they made last year – it centred on “GRACE”, the story of Joseph Mary Plunkett’s marriage on the day of his execution to Grace Gilford. I just watched it now and thought I’d share. Well done to all involved.
For more of the work done in St Aiden’s Click here
The comedian Kevin McAleer has a wonderful routine around Google and the feeling that we are all being watched. He said he was in a strange city, walking down the street and pondering this truth. In his typical droll delivery he says he met a woman pushing a baby in a buggy and that the baby looked up at him and said “Goo-goo-le”. The baby smiled and, as McAleer said, he saw its “wee Bluetooth” and knew the baby was warning him so he headed to his hotel, checked in and went to his room. Glad to be there and out of the sight, he closed his door, only to see an illuminated sign with a big red pointer and the words “YOU ARE HERE”!! No escape!!
Anyway, back to my own encounter. Google offered all sorts of suggestions for problems I might have but I was still at a loss so decided to send a message and I searched for the “Contact” tab. It wasn’t easily found and when found, offered me the opportunity to do pretty much everything other than get in direct contact with another human being.
It seems a bit ironic that the search engine that can answer practically any question a person might have, the site that has photos of every street and home in almost all the world, the tool used to give directions to even the most remote address doesn’t give us even the opportunity to send an email or make a call to someone that might help.
I’ll remember this the next time a parishioner says to me “You’re a hard man to get”!!
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