Just in from Sunday Mass. I mentioned a version of Makem and Clancy singing “Will you go lassie go” where the audience is asked to become performer, the taker to become giver, the silent to become voiced ….. It’s a lovely moment. It ties in with today’s Gospel passage of burying the talents. I believe God wants us to bring out what is within. The best is to be found in all of us. It’s just a matter of taking it to the surface.
In this piece, the audience listen to a fine performance but the performers realise there’s more in them than that. The lines are fed, one by one, and the response (in song) come to life.
I think that’s what Jesus wants from us. He wants us to realise we already have what it takes.
Makem and Clancy ….. God rest them both ….. the talent lives on
(The lines that follow are based on a few words shared at Masses here in Kilmovee Parish last weekend as we celebrated All Souls’ Day)
Many years ago I was coming out of Gurteen with my nephew. He was maybe four or five at the time. We passed by a house where a local man had a lot of machinery; diggers, low loaders, tractors etc. My nephew, Bill, looked at the machinery and then said to me: “Vinnie, which would you rather be – a priest or a machine driver?” I said “Ah, I think I’d rather be a priest Bill”. He continued to look back at the machinery and he said “Yeah, but if they had Hitachis when you were a young fellow, which would you have been?”
I’ve no doubt he’s forgotten that conversation but I haven’t! I often think about these moments of innocence and wonder. I think too of the fascination young lads, like Bill, have with diggers and heavy machinery. Quite often these are numbered among their first toys. Maybe it’s something to do with the size of them. They’re so much bigger than the car. Often they are brightly coloured – yellows, blues, oranges and the lettering on them is huge too. HITACHI in big bold lettering. Everything about them speaks of power and strength.
Maybe too it has something to do with the fact they can break open the ground. That’s what the digger does. Solid ground opens to its touch and work can begin. Always there’s a purpose to the breaking of the ground. Maybe it’s a ditch between two fields that’s knocked to make for a bigger field. It might be a hole for a well or the first opening of the ground to pave the way for the foundation of a new home. I remember Jim Fahy on the top of Barr na Cuige, asking Monsignor Horan what he was doing “I’m building an airport Jim, but don’t tell anyone”!! In the background a digger clawing its way into the earth so that the work could commence and be continued. Diggers, machinery – powerful and strong – open the ground and, always, with purpose.
In this month of November we recall the opening of the ground in many of our cemeteries to receive the reverenced bodies of people we’ve known and loved who have died. There’s a purpose in these openings as well. Machinery, more often than not, gives way to the local gravedigger or a family member, neighbour or friend who with shovel, spade and pick, open the ground with purpose. It’s a necessary opening that speaks of respect, reverence, grief and faith. We remember at this time, those for whom the ground has been opened and pray they know lasting peace. It’s a very raw memory for many who are still coming to terms with a recent loss. For others, it’s a call to remember an anniversary with a prayer or name on a November list. For all, it’s a reminder that we continue to be in relationship, in communion with those gone before us.
I recently read words from St Paul. (1 Corinthians 15:35-37) I don’t recall reading them before though I must have done. They came in the context of people asking Paul what form the resurrection of the body takes. What shape? What will we see again? Paul’s answer is very direct. He says it is a “stupid question”! He goes on to say that the seed planted in the ground bears no resemblance to the crop it produces. The glory of the crop far surpasses the planted seed. Think of a bunch of flowers. Look at their colour, take in their smell and then consider the seed from which they came. The seed, though essential, gives way to the glory and beauty of the grown crop or fruit.
I have to say I found these words very helpful to me. In recent years I have often wondered about my parents. I believe I will see them again but wondered what form they will take. What version of them will I see? Is it the parents I knew at the time of their deaths or younger versions? I didn’t know them in their absolute youth or prime so what will I see? Paul’s words have helped me realise I will know them for who and what they are. The people who gave everything for me but I’ll see them in a way far more spectacular than I could ever imagine. I’ll know them from the seed – from the planting, from all that bound and continues to bind us as one but in a way I could never imagine. The seed gives way to the flower.
We remember then all gone before us. We remember the necessary opening of the ground – an opening with purpose and pray God’s rest for all those we have known and loved. We pray increased faith for ourselves as we continue the journey of life.
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An aside!
I looked for the clip from Barr na Cuige and came across this. Ground well broken!
Each year a very fine magazine is published in the parish. It is called, Kilkelly-Kilmovee, Its People and Its Places. I have for the past few years been asked to include something in the publication. I put these few words together and thought I’d share them here too. I hope they make a bit of sense. I think they do to me ….
A Thought …
There was, in poetry, a time I thought things must rhymeThat was, in poetry, the only wayAt least that’s what I used to say!But of that today I’m not so sureCould it be I’m more mature?
I’m glad to write a few lines for this year’s publication. The lines above speak to something of the truth. As a student in St Nathy’s College, I never fully understood poems that didn’t rhyme. More than that, I disliked them and the “poets” who wrote them so obviously unaware that poems should have a rhyming pattern. I remember pointing this out on one occasion, only to be told by a fellow pupil (not even the teacher) who understood things at a deeper level than I and who knew, even then, that poems didn’t have to rhyme: “Vincent, that is the basic essence of poetry”! I disliked him as well that day (had I been on Facebook, I’d probably have de-friended him!!)
It was handy when the poem rhymed! It was easier to learn, easier to remember and easier to churn out on a page of an Inter or Leaving answer book. (Speaking of dislike – I never fully understood why anyone would have to raise a hand during one of these exams and ask for an extra answer book – when I could have given them the unused pages in mine 🙂 ) I digress ….
So is that I’m more mature?Like you, of that, I’m not so sureFrom whence then came the clueSome don’t rhyme and some just do
The answer I suppose lies in life … as a boy, a student in Maynooth, a newly ordained priest I thought answers were easily found. Things had an order about them – a sort of pattern like the rhyming poem. Before I was ordained, people wished me well. They seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing, felt the need for me to be a priest and, when I was ordained they assured me of their prayers, friendship and lasting support.
Most people went to Mass. Churches were well filed, if not full most of the time. Prayers were said and it seemed so important to keep the Parish together. I enjoyed those early days. I drove too fast and missed a lot of what was so powerfully on display. Good and decent people, doing the best they could for family, church and parish – for me; “the new curate!”
“The Lord be with you”, I would say“And also with you” as one we’d prayGreat to see you and so it wasAnd then to think we’d stand and pauseSins confessed, Sacred Story sharedHis Body for all, nothing spared.
First baptism, first wedding – such joyful occasions, shared easily with people oozing joy. Their new child, their early days of love, how easily to stand with them on days like that when photos were taken, words spoken and happiness owned the day. I don’t remember the First Confession I heard and often think that tells its own reassuring story of the sacredness of that Sacrament. Lines drawn in the sand, and no need to re-live or re-visit – that’s the way it’s meant to be, people move on renewed and refreshed having been forgiven by one in need too of God’s forgiveness. The rhythm of the Sacraments added its own shape to the rhyme.
He died in a tragic accident. His wife and children were devastated and the community drew to a halt. I went to the hospital for the removal and an elderly woman told me afterwards how sorry she felt for me in my short-sleeved shirt. I could as easily have been a boy in short trousers. Words were scarce and the rhyme was gone … it’s hard to speak in rhyme or think in rhyme when people’s hearts are broken. There were others like that, sudden deaths, car accidents, cancer and sickness. Relationships ended, rows between people, loss of Faith, decline in practice, indifference, hostility, doubts, anger, negative press, nobody in Maynooth …. and still the whispered refrain “I the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright …… Whom shall I send?”
poems don’t have to rhyme but they should speak to a soul in need of Gracea wound in need of healinga heart in need of mendinga darkness in need of lighta thought in need of sharing
And that’s what I want to say. Despite the difficulties and the sadness, the changes and the uncertainties, the Poem must go on. We must find time to share thoughts and place with one another, to bring people to that point where the Word is heard even if not fully grasped and prayers are prayed even in uncertainty.
I hope this piece isn’t out of place here – It’s just another angle, another verse in a lifelong poem, shared not by a poet but one who is privileged to share this place with all of you in a very special way and by one who depends so heavily on all of you for word and verse, song and tune, prayer and peace!
Friday morning saw another fine crowd attend our Mission Mass. It’s been so heartening to see many people, especially families, attend these morning Masses. After Mass each morning we had a cup of tea or coffee with some locally made scones on offer. Thanks to all who made this possible. The Mission concludes tonight at 8.30pm in Kilmovee and Kilkelly. Be sure to join us in either place if you’re local!
Friar David celebrated 10am Mass in Urlaur on Friday. There was a good gathering and it was especially lovely to see Marie Sharkey there on her 94th Birthday. We acknowledged the day in song after Mass and David gave her a Blessing on her birthday.
CLOSING MASS
Well it’s over! The Mission, that is – the pilgrimage continues. We had a fine crowd tonight in Kilmovee. Friar David was Principal Celebrant at Mass and Friar Caoimhin preached. The choir was excellent. Many thanks to all who have been involved in preparing for the Parish Mission; Pastoral Council. those who read, Altar Servers and so many more. We’ll have time, please God, to say thanks. For now, thanks to our four “Missioners”. They were excellent and we were lucky to have them, and blessed.
We’re nearly there! It’s been a very good few days with our Franciscan team. I’ve enjoyed meeting them and spending a bit of time. More importantly, the parish has enjoyed them too. Their style is engaging and non-threatening. Their message is simply delivered but quite profound and challenging. I’m challenged!
We had a wonderful Family Celebration this evening in both Urlaur and Kilmovee. There was a fine message about family life, prayer and the call to be a better person within and for the family. Bishop Brendan joined us in Kilmovee and took part in a ceremony of blessing families and family members.
Frs David and Caoimhin sang beautifully. I believe all present in both places were glad to have been in that space.
The Parish Mission began last night with Masses in Urlaur and Glann. Today we had Masses in Kilkelly and Kilmovee. I brought the camera to Mass so a few shots from this morning’s gathering. The day is lovely so it looks like we’ll gather at Urlaur Abbey later for a short Prayer Vigil for Peace. Hopefully a few more photos from there later on! Join us if you can at all – even virtually – and pray for the intentions of all making this journey of Faith in our parish.
This evening’s gathering at Urlaur Abbey was especially blessed by the most glorious sunshine and picture-perfect lake. During the ceremony ten people carried forward candles representing ten places of conflict in the world. We prayed two litanies of peace, reflected on one of St Francis’ legends and finished up on the lake shore where we prayed the Salve Regina. A very special evening. Thanks to all who were there. A few photos. Missed one beautiful photo of four swans leaving the water’s surface as our prayer concluded. Lovely to think our prayer soared to the heavens … No reason to believe otherwise.
Monday October 13th – 7am Mass Kilmovee
A fine crowd gathered for Mass at 7am. Fr Caoimhin spoke to us about thankfulness and the need to keep our eyes open to and for it. There are many situations around us that invite us to be thankful, many people for whom we should be grateful and God’s love is a a constant in our lives.
After Mass, many of the people gathered took time to share a cup of tea, a scone and, more importantly, a chat and time together before facing the day.
EVENING MASS IN URLAUR
Fr David at Mass in Urlaur (Monday 13th November)
EVENING MASS IN KILMOVEE
On Wednesday, October 15th, the three primary schools of the parish came together to Kilmovee Parish Church for a special prayer service seeking God’s blessing on them all and their schools. Fr Liam led us in a lovely reflection around the gospel passage of building your house on rock. The Friars also led us in song. After prayers we adjourned to the local Community Centre for some refreshments, served by the Community Centre Staff and sponsored by the local Community Bingo Committee. We are grateful to them all. It was great to see close on 150 children gathered in our Church and Community Centre to enjoy each other’s company and share a prayer along the way.
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