At the eleventh hour

At the eleventh hour

During the week there has been a lot of talk about today being the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day, that brought to an end the First World War. It was called, The Great War since there was no expectation there’d be a Second World War, not to mention all the wars, battles and conflicts that have taken place up to an including our own day.

On November 11th at 11am the guns fell silent and it is that silencing of the guns we recall and give gratitude for today.  There’s a remembrance being put before us of all who lost their lives during this war and, in particular from an Irish point of view, the estimated 35,000 Irishmen, who did not return home from the war.

Grave of Fr Felix Burke, Kilmovee, Co. Mayo.

Last August I celebrated Mass in Kilmovee with the Burke Family and their friends.  They had requested this mass in memory of their uncle, Fr Felix Burke and his sister, a nurse, who had both taken part in the First World War, Fr Felix as a volunteer chaplain from the Diocese of Achonry.  Later he was appointed Parish Priest here and died in January 1951 and is buried in the Church Grounds.

One of his nephews spoke at the end of the Mass about his own memories of his uncle and some of the rare occasions he shared stories with them from the war.  One story, recalled and shared with us in August, was of Fr Felix hearing confessions on the battlefield (The Somme) and of his encounter with a young soldier.  When they finished the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the soldier asked Fr Felix where he was from.  Felix said he came from Collooney in County Sligo and the soldier told him he was from Dromard – a few miles from Collooney.  It very much brought home to me, the reality of our people being involved in the war – some to see home again and, sadly, many who did not.

I spoke of this at the weekend Masses in Kilmovee parish and also of the fact that somebody had shared a photo with me during the week.  It was of a Remembrance Monument in Castlebar that lists all those from County Mayo who were killed in the war.  The piece in the photograph contained the names of people from Kilmovee.  I searched on line and found other names from Kilkelly.  Specific townlands in the parish were not to be found so I imagine there was just a general address for the soldiers.  I am sure too, that there are other names not found, or possibly no longer in living memory but I thought it right to list the names we had.  People stood, remembered them and said “Rest In Peace” after each name was read.

“Countless white crosses in mute witness stand to man’s blind indifference to his fellow man …..”

  • Private Edward Boyle, Kilkelly
  • Private Patrick Cuddy, Kilkelly
  • Private James Doherty, Kilmovee
  • Guardsman Patrick Duffy, Kilmovee
  • Private Richard Forkin, Kilmovee
  • Private John Harrington, Kilkelly
  • Private Edward Higgins, Kilmovee
  • Private Martin Higgins, Kilmovee
  • Sergeant Dominick Jordan, Kilmovee
  • Rifleman James Judge, Kilmovee
  • Private Thomas Kearns, Kilkelly
  • Private Patrick Kelly, Kilmovee
  • Private James Kenneally, Kilkelly
  • Private John Mannion, Kilmovee
  • Private Matthew Mullen, Kilmovee
  • Private J Mulligan, Kilmovee
  • Private Michael Walsh, Kilmovee

I sang a song today at Mass that I used at the Family Mass in August.  It’s a well known song, recalling a man sitting beside the grave of a young soldier.  I read recently that Eric Bogle,  the composer of the song, was anxious that an Irish name be attached to the solider as there was much Anti-Irish sentiment in England at the time he wrote the song.  He wanted it put on record that many Irish men gave their lives in England’s name and that this reality should not be overlooked. The song is called “The Green Fields of France” and there is no finer version than that sung by The Fureys and Davey Arthur.  That said, I sung it today and just did a recording now of my “version” so hope you don’t mind me including it!

THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE

THE LAST POST

In the chorus of the song there is mention of The Last Post so maybe we could listen to its sombre tones now and include a prayer for all who have died and continue to die through war, conflict and violence.  “Lord, deliver us from all evil and grant us peace in our day”.

A few words shared

A few words shared

Today we had Mass in Kilmovee.  We remembered there Joe Smyth, a former teacher and Community Man who was an inspirational figure, leaving quite a legacy behind.  In recent years a Summer School, named in his memory, has taken place in the parish.  It begins this week and we had a special remembrance at our Parish Mass for Joe and a prayer of blessing for the days to come.  I decided to record a few bits from the Mass, including the few words I shared.   This weekend’s Gospel speaks of the Lord sending out his disciples “in pairs” and encourages them to recognise people who make them welcome.  I’ve been thinking about that in recent days.  The Gospel speaks as well about the “rejoicing” of the disciples.  I am going to include the few words here, they are not scripted but hopefully reflective of what I wanted to say. Maybe they have something to say to you, perhaps not.  Either way, I’m going to share ….

Better to light a candle …..

Better to light a candle …..

20160202_103641-1Earlier today, at 10am Mass in Kilmovee, we blessed candles for Candlemus Day.  There were a few extra people there, to mark the feast of The Lord’s Presentation in the Temple.  I was happy to see them.  A few brought candles to be added to our church’s supply, placed before the Altar for blessing.  It’s a nice tradition, whereby people bring candles to be blessed – some for use in the church and others to be brought home and used there throughout the year.

Just before going down to Mass, i picked up a small candle holder in the house and put it in my pocket.  Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I thought I’d make use of it but wasn’t sure when or how.  I left it on the middle of the Altar and when we blessed the candles, I took one and lit it, then I placed it in the little holder on the middle of the Altar.  There, needless to say, it stayed.  (No “moving candles” in Kilmovee, thank God:) )

After Holy Communion I turned off all the lights in the church and quenched the candles – except one – the one blessed and lighted earlier in the Mass.  I sat down and heard myself singing “How Great Thou Art” – it seemed so appropriate.  I said a few words around the light in this single candle, drawing us towards its flame and warmth. When other distractions are taken away, the one point of focus is the “Light – the Light of Christ” and I prayed that we might allow ourselves be caught in its invitation to come and worship and recognise, in its simplicity, something of the Divine.

Maybe that’s what happened for Simeon and Anna!

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas

Good evening!  It’s 6.30pm here and in an hour and a half we will have our Christmas Eve Mass in Kilmovee.  Just wanted to let you know you will be in my thoughts and prayers at and during that Mass. I hope that you enjoy much peace and goodwill around these days and that, in your gatherings as family and friends,  you will fully know the value of both.  Many thanks for your kindness to me throughout the past year and for your ongoing friendship.  It is not taken for granted.

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Earlier we gathered in the church with some of our younger parishioners to place the figures in the Crib.  All but one – the one for whom we wait and whose arrival we celebrate throughout the world this night.  May His arrival not go unnoticed, especially by those whose hearts have been hardened through violence and misguided actions.  May the King of Peace bring lasting peace to what is, sadly, a troubled world.

God Bless you all.

Vincent

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