How the light got in

How the light got in

Last night I put a few words here when I heard that Leonard Cohen had died.  Somehow I managed to delete them.  Not the biggest loss in the history of writing for sure!  I was sorry to hear he had died.  About ten minutes before I heard this news I had mentioned him in conversation with some people.  I was saying how much I admired him.

He was a wonderful weaver of words and so gracious in their sharing and maybe even openness to interpretation.  I can’t pretend to know everything he ever wrote, or anything close, but the bits I got to know and love made a huge difference to me.  For many years I have used his words in various settings as I tried to shape some of my own around them.  I felt he had a wonderful gift and I am a firm believer in the power of tune and lyric when brought together.

Certainly his music and words will continue to be part of my own journey and wondering about life.  Leonard said of himself one time that, as a child he had buried something in the garden at his family home and that he felt he had spent the rest of his life trying to find what was buried.  I have no idea what he referenced there but the journey sits well with the man.  In the coming days, I will link again to some of my favourite YouTube videos (many of them already on the blog – just put Leonard Cohen in the search bar) and bring a few of them and some of the thoughts around them together.

I travelled from Dublin airport tonight, having spent the past days in Honduras, and remembering some of what I met there, I coupled these memories with many of Leonard’s songs that are in my music collection.  Words like “The sprinters that we carry and the cross we left behind, come healing of the spirit come healing of the mind” and “Going home without my sorrow, going home sometime tomorrow, going home to where it’s better than before, going without my burden, going home behind the curatain, going home without the costume that I wore” – these, with some of the songs from his most recent album, speak of a man searching, trusting, doubting, wondering, dismissing, finding, believing …. in short, a man living.

He brought many sides of life with him, and travelled many roads of exploration but my prayer for him now is that in response to his lyrics in the first track of his new album (You Want It Darker) “I’m ready My Lord!”, the Lord smiles and says, “Leonard, I know ….”

Ring the bell that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in

I can’t say this is my favourite piece but I like it because it’s Leonard making something of another’s words – respecting the author and keeping him centre stage, whilst allowing the message reach other ears and take the hearer to a place of wonder.  He does it well.

https://youtu.be/VGEWQRL2sJk?rel=0

You’d wonder what his speech would have been like, had he received the Nobel Prize (which I think he should have received) given the graciousness of these words.  If you’ve heard them before, listen again and, if not, prepare to be touched by a man’s gratitude.

He was class ….

He was class ….

I was so sorry to hear of Ronnie Corbett’s death.  May he rest in peace.  What memories that little man holds for all of us.  Together with the “other Ronnie”, he brought much laughter to us all in a way that was as appropriate as it was funny.  No screaming or agendas, no tearing down of people to secure a cheap laugh.  Mighty stuff.  I loved his monalogues at the end of the shows, when he’d sit in a chair that made him look even smaller than he was and tell a wandering story that had a millisecond punchline and four mile walk to reach it!  Excellent.  I think he inspired many comedians of our day, people like Peter Kay and Rob Brydon come to mind, who manage to make us laugh without making us cringe too.  God bless him, comfort his family and grant him Eternal Rest.  Going to search now for a few clips that will be easily found when I need to bit of a lift.  For a small man, he carried many and lifted them on high ….

https://youtu.be/uxQrp0VQlCI?rel=0

https://youtu.be/lFsuDlCFm4Q?rel=0

https://youtu.be/nNxvMret9vE?rel=0

https://youtu.be/Cz2-ukrd2VQ?rel=0

Miles travelled ….

Miles travelled ….

Ordination Day - June 14th, 1987

Ordination Day – June 14th, 1987

Later today, we will gather in the Cathedral for the Funeral Mass of Bishop Tom Flynn.  May he rest in peace.

He was bishop of Achonry for close on thirty one years and I was just thinking he must have covered close on a million miles during that time.  Miles around the diocese and beyond in response to the call received to be the Shepherd – the good shepherd, who leaves not the flock unattended.

I first met him in September 1976 when I went to St Nathy’s as a First Year pupil.  He was President of the College and worked there with ten or eleven other priests and lay teachers.  It was, at that time, an all-boys school – boarding as well as “Day-Boys”.  I fitted into the latter group.  I was happy to go home in the evenings but, happy too, to spend a few hours there during the day.

Towards the end of the year (1976) it was announced that Fr Flynn was to be the new bishop of Achonry.  He replaced Bishop James Fergus who had been our bishop from 1947. He had retired the previous St Patrick’s Day but continued as bishop until a successor was appointed.  It seemed strange to know a man who was becoming a bishop and, though I can’t say I knew him well, I liked him as a President.

The students of the college pooled resources and contributed towards his Bishop’s Ring.  I recall it being presented to him and feeling happy that we had a part to play in something that would journey with him.  The ring had a purple stone and, in later years, bishops opted for a more plain style of ring but someone pointed out to me that Tom wore the other ring at many of our Ordinations.  It was probably his way of acknowledging the gift we had been part of.

I recall him coming out home to buy a car from my father.  It was a Peugeot 304 (SDI 245 – the registration as far as I remember) and he remained a customer and (more importantly) friend of my family from that day on.  I was grateful to him for that too ….

The parishes of the diocese were invited to submit names of people who might like to attend the Ordination.  I put my name in a box in the porch of Cloonloo Church.  I recall Fr Charlie Doherty sending me to collect it from the porch at the end of Mass so that the “raffle” could take place.  I was serving Mass that Sunday.  My name was drawn.  I was shocked and happy – never too lucky in raffles – but have reason to believe now, I might have been the only name in the box!!  That said, I was happy to be there and sat in the Cathedral on February 20th, 1977 as Fr Flynn became our bishop.

In 1981, I approached him about becoming a priest and he welcomed me and assured me of his support.  In fairness, I never felt far removed from that support.  Six years later, he came to Gurteen to ordain me and, to quote my father that day, it was “my happiest day ever”.  There seemed something homely about it all.  It was at home of course but, maybe more than that, we all seemed to know one another.

vincentordination

There were a lot of ordinations. I did a rough count yesterday and think Bishop Tom ordained thirty-one priests for the diocese during his time (others too – but thirty-one for the diocese) so you could say, on average, one a year.  During the years some have died or moved to other places in life but today I think twenty-two of the priests working in Achonry Diocese have been ordained by Bishop Tom.  The work of his hands – the “laying on” of his hands are, and please God, will be visible for some time to come.

He put a lot into it – certainly when able to do so.  He had a special awareness around Confirmation in a parish and used to visit the schools in preparation for the day.  Later that day, he’d meet the teachers after school, quite often for a meal and that night he’d meet the parents of the Confirmation classes in a local hall or venue.  It was a full day’s visitation and he seemed to take it in his stride.  Sometimes tiredness took its toll (on the priests more than Tom) and there’s a lovely story of Tom being in the middle of his “talk” when the Parish Priest who had obviously fallen asleep behind him, stretched and said “I think we’ll put on the kettle” – much to the amusement of the gathered parents and, in fairness, to Bishop Tom.

One of the things I liked about him was his availability to people, not least in times of tragedy.  How many homes he must have visited over the years where there was a sudden or tragic death – where parents grieved and communities wondered.  He seemed to be there with people at such times.

He had his share of ill-health but seemed to bounce back with an energy that was obvious.  Place mattered to him and I think Ballaghaderreen and its surrounds were central players in his story.  I’m sure he had dreams for the place that were not fully realised but efforts towards their completion were certainly part of his mission.  “Developing The West Together” was one of his dreams and, for all of us, that dream continues.  We live in hope and we hope with faith!

I had visited Bishop Tom a few times in the Nursing Home and he was always very welcoming – more welcoming than his condition would have allowed.  He certainly grew frail but his voice remained clear.  “Ah how are you at all?”  That was his usual greeting – often followed by a deafening silence!!  In fairness, he wasn’t always the easiest to sustain conversation with.  It would start with such enthusiasm but then wilt a little!  I think anyone who knows him – knew him – can identify with that.

Doubtless, like all of us, had he the chance to re-visit moments and approach them in a different way, it’s a chance he’d welcome.  Overall though, in the million miles travelled, he journeyed with good purpose and sought to make a difference.  He was happy to step back from it and entrust the work to Bishop Brendan and others.

“How are things in Kilmovee?” he asked me the last time I met him.  I shared a few bits with him but I knew the question was more an acknowledgement of who and where I was than a desire to update his files under “Kilmovee”!!  I’m glad I met him though – I know many of our priests visited him and I’m sure, though most likely he didn’t say it, he was happy to know he remained in our thoughts.  I asked him if there was anything he wanted “not a thing”, he replied.  That seemed to be the way with him – I’m sure he knew the days were shortening and his needs, from a material vantage point were few – it’s likely he was circling the wagons around his Spirit – I feel confident his prayers were heard.

“Hope House” was something he was very proud of.  I don’t know if he had any part in its naming but maybe it’s with that word “hope” I draw these lines to a close.

I hope he knows he made a difference.  I hope he rests in peace.  And, with him I think, we pray that our Church will never fail to have hope.

May he rest in peace.  Amen.

Sorry to hear this

Sorry to hear this

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone, it’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel alone.

Sad to hear of the death of Robin Williams.  Sad to think that one who made so many laugh seems to have ended life in the darkest of moments.  May he find the peace for which he must have searched and reap the rewards of the happiness he brought to others along his way.

This quote has featured a bit over the past few days.  I’m not sure if it’s from one of his movies or a personal reflection but there’s a truth in it – possibly a truth for himself.

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone, it’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel alone

May he rest in peace Amen.

A reminder and journey back in time ….

and an inspiring role …

and someone’s TOP 10 of his performances

Felicity MacDermot, R.I.P.

Felicity MacDermot, R.I.P.

Felicity MacDermot, R.I.P.
7th March 1923-26th March 2012

A few weeks ago I wrote a piece about Felicity MacDermott (Madam MacDermot) to mark her birthday and acknowledge her illness, following a stroke suffered a number of weeks ago.  Her earthly journey drew to a close this morning.  May she rest in peace. Her funeral will take place in St Aidan’s Church, Monasteraden later in the week.

I just googled Felicity and found a letter she wrote to the Irish Independent in 2007.  It appears she had read an article stating the government was seeking tenders throughout Europe for the construction of polling booths.  This did not rest easily with her and pen was taken in hand!!

“It is unbelieveable that the Government is advertising all over the EU for people to make polling booths for the next general election (Irish Independent, January 31). Could the deficit not be made locally in each constituency by students in woodwork classes and by FAS training schemes working to a standard pattern? Or would this be too simple?” FELICITY MACDERMOT, BALLAGHADERREEN, CO ROSCOMMON 

Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace According to thy word,
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation Which thou hast prepared before the face Of thy people Israel,
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles And to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, World without end, Amen.

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