Words unfinished …

Words unfinished …

I was telling them at Mass today that I went to bed last night feeling a bit mad with myself – disappointed, I suppose.

I had a Funeral and Wedding yesterday and thought I had arranged cover for Evening Mass in one of the churches but there must have been some mix-up, almost certainly on my side, and nobody turned up for Mass.  I got a phone call at the wedding reception.  Thankfully a neighbouring priest was able to oblige me and arrived for Mass, a bit late but thankfully people had waited on.  I was sorry this happened but that was not the main reason I went to bed feeling a bit less than happy with myself!

At the reception, I said a few words and wanted to acknowledge a brother of the groom.  I haven’t met him in possibly thirty years and hadn’t seen him yesterday either but had hoped to meet him.  I mentioned him in the few words and realised that he was not in the room at the time so what I had hoped to do got a bit mixed up in my mind.

When I was ordained I was asked by the bishop to teach religion one day a week in a local Vocational School.  I realised early enough, most likely even before I started, that teaching was not my greatest talent!!  I had never wanted to be a teacher and was very happy to be in a parish (and have always been happy about that).  In any case I gave it a go and hoped that being just twenty-four years of age, that my youthfulness would connect me with the students, some of whom were scarcely six years younger than I was at the time and, even the youngest not much more that ten years younger than I.  I was wrong!!

I had some lovely times there but often worried about the effectiveness of my classes and my attempts to share the faith with a younger generation.  I taught, I think, six classes in the day – from First Years to students taking a Secretarial Course.  In hindsight it may well have been too much and my subject matter was quite likely not on the radar of teenagers who were enjoying life and, in many ways, finding themselves.  Chances are, so was I but maybe none of us realised that.

Back to my intentions of yesterday.  I wanted to remind this young man that I remembered him from those days as someone who showed zero interest in my class and no matter how much I tried to make it interesting, I failed constantly to get him to engage.  He was not awkward in any way, just removed from any space I might be occupying at the time.  That’s not what made him stand out for me!

In the evenings, when I’d leave the school and glad that the day was over, I’d turn my car for home and this lad would be waiting at the gate for me to give him a lift home.  I did. In the car, he’d talk freely to me about his interests (which were many and varied), about his family and about himself.  He was a pure delight to be with.  The journey would pass quickly and I’d be truly glad of his company.  The first few times this happened, I thought we’d made real progress and that he’d be more connected with me in class.  Alas!!  Same story.  The lifts continued, the chats too but no rousing enthusiasm displayed itself in class.

I remember a few times being fed up (not just because of him but maybe with my own failings) and I came out the school gate to see him there and, instead of turning left, which was the homewards direction for us both, I turned right!  I wasn’t going anywhere just fed up!!  Thankfully that didn’t happen very often but it did happen.

I said all this but I didn’t say what I had most wanted to say.  That I regretted those days I turned right and that I am thankful to him for teaching me a lesson that I failed to grasp.  He could make a distinction between the teacher in the classroom and the travelling companion in the car.  He could be himself with me when, on his own, but maybe felt less free to be so when surrounded by others in a room where to show interest in religion might not be cool or do much for your cred.  He was, quite likely much freer in himself than I was.  I wanted to thank him for that and to let him know that all these years later I remember him when I’ve forgotten many and, undoubtedly, many have forgotten me.

But I didn’t say that and, only on the way home in the car, did I realise I left unfinished what I wanted to say.  I wanted to let him know he made difference in my life and maybe helped me to realise we meet people where they are and accept them too.  I had also hoped to mention a priest, sitting at the other end of the wedding table, who had been to me what I tried to be to that lad – a teacher but one who deeply influenced me and, in many ways, put shape on my thoughts around being a priest.

So, thanks Jason and thanks Tommy!

Now it’s said!!


I told them this today at Sunday Masses because this is the Feast Day of The Holy Family and I wanted to remind them (and me) that as family and friends, we should try always not to leave words unfinished but say what needs to be said for the good of the family and the blessing of our friendships.

 

Best wishes to you all

Best wishes to you all

St Joseph’s Church, Urlaur

As we continue through the Christmas days and in the lead-up to New Year’s Day, may I wish you one and all every blessing, good health and happiness as we journey on.

Thank you for keeping in touch and for your support and kindness.  Nothing, I’d hope, taken for granted.  I’m glad to have had the chance to post a few bits and pieces here again throughout the year.  This is the tenth year of “sherlockshome” and I think we’re doing okay. Sometimes I’d like to do a bit more and other times, I think I do too much so it’s about balance.  Will continue to work at achieving this and, who knows how that will go!

I enjoyed Christmas in the parish this year and was so happy to see large congregations at our four Christmas Masses in Urlaur, Glann, Kilmovee and Kilkelly.  There’s more than sentiment at work on days like these.  There is something about connection and connecting and I am always pleased to witness that and be, in some way, part of it.

For many years now I have sung “The Little Drummer Boy” after Holy Commnion at Christmas Masses.  It’s one of my favourite carols as it speaks of doing what comes natural and bringing the gift you might not even know you have.  In the Drummer Boy’s case, the very drum he carried was to be his best gift that brought to the lips of the Baby Jesus, the wonderful response of a smile.

In Kilmovee Church this year, Kevin Kenneally, a Leaving Cert student from the parish, joined me for the Carol.  He played the guitar and it was lovely to be joined by him.  We had a bit of run through on Monday and I recorded it.  The “live” version was better I think but thought I might include it here.

Tinsel and tenderness

Tinsel and tenderness

He was found dead. People spoke with genuine sorrow and more than a little regret. He kept to himself. He’d moved from England. He used sit on a park bench and some would say hello to him. His little house seemed so small on the evening news. The houses around looked bigger but the TV camera is focused on his. He’s not there anymore.

Someone walking the footpath in the middle of March noticed something and wondered.

The Emergency Services were called and they had to break in. The Christmas Tree was on in the kitchen and the Christmas decorations still up. He had been taken down but the decorations stayed in place. The camera focuses on a bit of tinsel.

It’s sad of course but sadly understandable too. It could happen anywhere. Some people are very private. They keep to themselves a lot. Maybe that’s the way they want it. We rush too and mightn’t always notice things.

What’s happening on Coronation Street? Fair City? Neighbours? East Enders? Home and Away? It seems strange that we might know the ends and outs of these fictional places but very little about our own neighbours and community.

A Mercedes hearse takes him away – I wondered was it the first time he was ever in a Mercedes? You’d hope he had a Happy Christmas – he must have wanted one – he put up decorations.

God rest his Soul.

There’s a thought here somewhere around “noticing” – not prying or interfering but noticing in a positive and caring way those around us.

A MOMENT TO PRAY

Lord,

As I put up Christmas decorations this year, help me to remember this man and to be thankful for those who will share my decorated home in the days to come. Direct my thoughts and actions that those who might all too easily be overlooked may know they are cared for and loved. Give me decency of spirit that I might respond to charitable appeals and help others to have something of the Christmas I hope for.

Here comes that rainbow

Here comes that rainbow

As I was walking to the church this morning for Mass – alas, close enough to the last minute, my breath was taken away by a wonderful rainbow that seemed to come from the church but formed a perfect bow.  They never fail to amaze me and thankfully I was able to take a few photos.  Yes, I was a minute or two late for Mass but people didn’t mind and I’d like to think God was happy that I took the time to notice.

I’m going to include a song here!!  It features elsewhere in posts but I think it deserves an airing today as well.  Johnny Cash once described this as being his “favourite song” –  it’s one of Kris Kristofferson’s – “Here comes that rainbow again”.  It’s class!

Hope you enjoy.

Kitchen Prayers

Kitchen Prayers

This piece is from “Let Advent Be Advent”, published by Messenger Publications in 2017.


Kitchens are great places!

So much family life is lived there. There may be better furnished rooms in the house but there’s something about the kitchen that draws us in.  I like to imagine the Annunciation (today’s Gospel passage (Luke 1:26-38) taking place in the kitchen.  It seems the right room to me.  The room where bread is baked, the room where food is prepared, the room that feeds the body and the Soul.  We’ll imagine her there anyway.

Who do you see when you look at Mary – Our Lady?  An aunt of mine was once showing a man around her home and in nearly every room she had some picture or other, depicting (as she likes to call her) “The Blessed Mother”.  The man, possibly not overly religious, was a little perturbed and felt he had to comment: “You have a lot of pictures of Mary”, he said.  Without a flinch my aunt replied, “Oh but of course, I consider her a personal friend.”  No more to be said!

It’s a great way to look at Mary – as a “personal friend” – and in that light you can see why God would dispatch Gabriel to meet her in the kitchen.  He knew what sort she was.  There was a generosity of spirit there and a kindness that is only truly found in the best of friends.  I think that’s how she would want us to see her today as we journey with her to Bethlehem in the company of Joseph.  She would want us to see her as someone whose door is open to us – no need for formalities or elaborate ritual.  The door is open, the light is on and she awaits our approach.

Sometimes we can put distance between us and Mary – the “Blessed Mother” – the personal friend by wrapping her in too much gold and ornamentation.  That’s not what Gabriel encountered.  He met a young woman, full of life, ready for marriage – at home in herself and by herself.  She knew her story of faith and that all have a part to play in the telling of that story.  In the kitchen, all was revealed and within its familiar surrounds and smells she found that “Yes” that was and remains so badly needed in our world.

Queens are found in palaces. Mothers, blessed and otherwise like good friends are found at home.

A MOMENT TO PRAY

Lord,

Thank you for the gift of Mary, your Blessed Mother, to our lives.  When you spoke to John, standing at the foot of the cross and said “Son, behold your mother”, we are told John made a place for her in his home.  That place has been assured by countless generations since that day.  We are blessed to have Mary in our lives and as part of our Faith Story.  Remind us that she found the “yes” to fulfill your word and in that reminding, give us the courage to likewise do your will.

“Let what you have said be done unto me.”

Amen.

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