In words and pictures

In words and pictures

For the twentieth year running, I’ve had the chance to spend a bit of time in New York.  I spent two summers in Huntington (1997 and 1998) and, since then, in Rockville Centre Parish.  It’s pure routine now and sometimes I wonder why I don’t do something different.  The answer lies in the fact I feel welcome here and have the chance to meet with friends from home and others that I’ve made through the years here.  Also I get a chance to “minister” in another setting and in a Church that matters to me.  During the time here this year I’ve had the chance to celebrate Mass, attend a man approaching his final hour and offer him the Sacraments, to hear confessions and to baptize a number of children.  Alongside this, I have shared food and time with priests from the parish, a priest from India (here like myself on a temporary placement) and to get a wider view of life.  I will also celebrate the Funeral Mass of the mother of my cousin’s wife – whose daughters I have married here in recent years.  All in all then, it’s a lovely place to be for a while and I always feel welcome.

My home away from home!!

During the time here I had the chance to meet with friends – as I say, some from home and some that I’ve met here over the years.  I visited the McEnerney Family in Crestwood.  Noelle, a neighbour from home, is married to Tom and I baptized their children – the younger of whom is now starting college.  Years pass so quickly. Spent a little time in Grand Central Station when waiting for the train and took in some of its atmosphere.

I spent a bit of time at the first birthday party of a cousin’s daughter at the weekend.  I married her parents here a few years ago and it’s lovely to have that link.  Always feel welcome and happy to meet these people.

On Monday I walked the Brooklyn Bridge with friends from Kiltimagh.  It’s something I’d wanted to do for a while and am glad to have been able to.  Thanks to Elizabeth and Lorraine who met and walked with me.  Thanks also to Joe who met us later and treated me to a fine meal!  That never goes astray (more of that later!!)  I was to meet an old friend from Maynooth days that evening but plans changed and it didn’t happen.  I am grateful to him nonetheless for his willingness to meet and constant welcome. It was the afternoon of the Solar Eclipse and though my walking companions claimed to see it and there were signs telling people to turn on their lights during the eclipse, to me and for me nothing happened!! I don’t advocate Graffiti but since there was a lot there already and a pen was at hand, I decided to make my case for “Sligo”!! (@sligogaa)

I stayed that night in New Jersey and had a wonderful evening with an “all Irish” house!  Met some people I’d not met before and we had a good few laughs.  I also walked another of the New York Bridges “The George Washington” and that was a good experience as well.  For all the walking I’ve done, there’s not been much payback in weight loss.  Again, more of that later!

Crossing from Jersey to Manhattan

I visited my aunt Mary Margaret in Richmond.  I had planned on a shorter bus trip to Fairfax County, near Washington DC but plans changed and I took a Greyhound Bus from New York to Richmond.  I hadn’t told my aunt as I decided I’d surprise her.  The bus ride took seven and a half hours!!  Ouch!  That said, the time passed and it was fine.  A long time on a bus however.  (Geraghtys and Michael Roddy take note!!)

She was happy to see me!  If not, she didn’t let on:)  Later her friend and neighbour Lisa called in and we chatted for a while.  Mary Margaret’s cousin Pat called too and we went for dinner – the three of us – and that too was good.

“Doorstepped”

Mary Margaret and Pat

I spent the night in Richmond.  Mary Margaret is always good company and I am glad we had the chance to meet.  That said, she did deal me a killer blow!  Remember me mentioning the food and that I’d come back to it later.  Well now IS later!!  I was standing in her kitchen, getting a glass of water and she put her hand on my shirt and pointing to my stomach said “Is that all you?”  I was (literally) gutted!!  It’s like something my mother would have said:)  Sadly, I had to admit that yes, it was all me!!

Next day I went to Fairfax County and met my friends Jeanie and Corky Korves.  Our friendship goes back twenty years to my first visit to Huntington.  I attended Jeanie’s mother who was approaching her final hour and discovered that she was a native of Lisacul.  I attended her funeral and Jeanie and her family have become friends of mine ever since that time and I am thankful for that.  We had a lovely evening and later were joined by their son, his wife and three children (who stayed with me in Kilmovee about two weeks ago) and YES, more food.  “Is that all you?”

On my way back to Rockville Centre I went to a Broadway Show “Beautiful The Carole King Musical” – it was amazing.  Wonderful songs that I’d heard many times but not realised she’d written/composed.  Strange how we so easily forget the author of a song.  Was glad to be there.

So a lot of the time here is centred around meeting people.  That’s the reason I enjoy being here so much – the chance to meet and spend a bit of time with friends and extended family.  That’s also the reason I look forward to home and that the time comes when I know it’s time …..

I’m lucky to have so many good people around me.  I hope you know I’m thankful.

Second Mile

Second Mile

There's a line in this weekend's Gospel Passage that says if someone forces you to go one mile with him, go two.  That's where these few lines have their origin.

The picture attached to this post says there are few traffic jams on the second mile.  It's a clever twist but, quite likely, accurately describes that mile we are so often reluctant or hesitant to travel.  Chances are it's a mile filled with opportunity.

I spoke about this gospel at Masses this weekend, including a Funeral Mass, but was very conscious at the Vigil Mass of a young parishioner with her two small children.  Almost five years ago she lost her husband, the father of her little girls.  I thought of her when thinking of the second mile but didn't mention her. I said it to her as she left Mass and we both knew what I was talking about.

She told me at one stage during her husband's illness about the difficult times they had, not least around hospital appointments.  They gave it everything they had and her husband's bravery was second to none, matched only be her loyalty, support and love - alongside that of his own family.  It was a very difficult time for so many people.  One day, she recalled, she was in Galway for a medical appointment.  Her husband's walk was seriously restricted and he needed to use a wheelchair to get around.  It was not a very good day, in any sense of the word, and she parked the car, opened the door and was struggling to get the wheelchair in place.  It was a moment that neither of them could ever have imagined and that nobody wishes for.  A low moment in many ways.  A young man was walking down the street, mobile to his ear and chatting away freely.  Then she heard the man say "I'll call you back".  He turned off the phone and came to her and her husband and helped them both.  Having done so, he continued on his way but he was not forgotten.  Into that dark moment came a bit of hope, an act of kindness and someone who made a difference.  He will never know it, it's almost certain, but he was mentioned at the Funeral Mass.

That man stepped onto and into "the second mile".  He did what was not expected or demanded and he made a real difference. He touched the pain and uncertainly of strangers, set aside his own concerns and conversation, shared a moment and was ultimately Christ-like.  Did he know any of that?  Maybe not but it's the truth.  The second mile gives us the opportunity to be better people and to encounter people and their journey in way not possible if we stop walking or making the effort at the end of the first mile.

We're heading into a new week, a new mile - the "second mile".  Maybe we'll be lucky enough to help another or blessed enough to receive another's kindness. Either way, what's best for us, may well be encountered in that second mile.

 

Patient in healing

Patient in healing

The Gospel at today’s Mass (February 15th) is the healing of a blind man.  Thought I might share a bit around that.

THE PASSAGE (Mark 8:22-26)

Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’

THE THOUGHT

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