Three of the team visiting Urlaur Abbey
Tomorrow is a new chapter in our Parish’s life. Four Franciscan priests will join us to lead us on a journey of faith over the coming days. I am looking forward to it and hope they days will be good for all. If you are anywhere LOCAL, come along and join us. We’d be more than thrilled to see you. Including the brochure here so have a read and share it with others!
It’s so easy to say “yes” especially if the yes is less than certain. The father of this weekend’s Gospel asks his sons to go and work in the vineyard. The first says “yes” but does not go and the second says “no” but later, through a bit of reflection, changes his mind and goes to do the work. Jesus asks which of the two did the will of the father – the answer of, course, the one who found his yes and went where he was needed.
Yes to the Father’s Will is a very important and much needed response. More than the opposite of “no”, it’s a choice for a way of life that makes the best of who we are. That YES takes us beyond where our own sense of self-preservation might otherwise take us. It brings us into contact with others, with prayer, with discovery, with community – it brings us a place called “Church”, not just the building with the spire, but the people who look to that place of worship for support, guidance and peace.
There are many opportunities for this “yes” to be found. Will you sing a song in the choir? Would you read at Mass? Will you be an Altar Server? Have you an hour to spend in adoration of The Blessed Sacrament? Will you say a prayer for me? Would you consider the possibility that God is calling you to priesthood or religious life?
You’re needed in the Vineyard. We all are. He’s asking us and He’ll continue to ask. It seems to be His way – patiently He waits and daily He asks ….
Hopefully we’ll find our “yes”, even if we’ve said “no” in the past.
I sat at Mass in Kilmovee this morning and listened to Seán Moran read the First Reading from Isaiah. The opening line is so direct: “Seek the Lord while he may still be found” …
I had a few words loosely prepared and they floated around somewhere in my head. Seán’s line seemed to displace them – as if they weren’t already displaced enough! I read the Gospel Passage about the workers going into the vineyard at different hours of the day, even to the final hour and each receiving the same wage. The grumblings of the early morning worker are quickly voiced but the “Landowner” reassures he has done nothing wrong or underhand. If he chooses generosity that should not be the cause of any grief. A story of jealousy, envy but above all of the Love of God for all who turn towards his Vineyard with an open heart and working hands …. A lot there!
Everything in me wanted to forget about that passage and chance a one line homily! I even told the people that. I said I often wished I had the courage to just say one line and sit down. I told them too that I realised many present would support me in that and hope “today’s the day”!! Well it sort of was and it wasn’t. I told them if I had that courage, I’d just say:
SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE IS STILL TO BE FOUND ….. and sit down
I sort of did that but not quite. A few words around it but really there’s plenty in that line so for anyone (myself included) sitting in front of these words right now, maybe it’s time to “Seek the Lord while he is still to be found”. Don’t let distance of time or place obscure the search.
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From cbc.ca website
At the end of Mass I mentioned that today is Leonard Cohen’s 80th Birthday. He is someone I’d love to meet, though I am certain that will not happen. There’s something about his words, his grace and style that combines to say so much. I mentioned the chorus from his famous “Anthem” and offered it as a Post Communion Reflection.
“So ring the bell that still can ring forget your perfect offering there’s a crack, a crack in everything that’s how the light gets in”http://youtu.be/_e39UmEnqY8?rel=0
Let’s recognise that crack today, be it a hairline fracture or gaping hole and allow it bring light to darkness, hope to despair, faith to doubt …..
Happy Birthday Leonard
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see.
I can’t run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud.
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up
A thundercloud
And they’re going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring
You can add up the parts
But you won’t have the sum
You can strike up the march,
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
That’s how the light gets in.
That’s how the light gets in.
Thirty-three years ago today I went to Maynooth (September 13th, 1981). It seems so long ago now and so much has changed. I remember leaving home with my parents. Before leaving I called over to see Fr John Finn who had been ordained a few months earlier. He was from Gurteen and going to minister in New Orleans. He remains a friend, albeit at geographical remove now. My uncle Joe called to see me. He gave me a dressing gown (not a dressing down!!) that I still have. I don’t wear it – never really got into that habit – but I know where it came from. I was excited to be going but nervous too. It was my first time away from home in that sense of knowing that I’d be in another corner and hopefully for a while. I had the accompanying support that day of my parents who drove me and of my brothers who came along as well. That support has been consistent.
I met lovely people in Maynooth – seventy four others, like myself, who were starting out on this road and, like me, uncertain of its destination. Some left along the way and others joined us. Some have remained good friends and others, for some reason, faded a little into the unknown of distance and location and seldom cross my path any more. All of them, in one way or another, shaped my journey and have a place in my heart and prayers.
I spoke once of these and others like them becoming sort of “landmarks” for me. When a place in Ireland is mentioned – maybe Kinnity – I remember Michael who wasn’t ordained but spent a few years with us. Mostrim brings Joe centre stage. Ballycastle in Antrim brings Rory to mind, the Falls Road, Michael, Drimnagh brings Donal into the thoughts of the day, Athlone – Ray and so it goes. Ireland is dotted with places meaning people for, as I’ve often said, people make places. Some girls too became part of that landscape – Sinead from Carrick, Anne from Puckane, Carmel from Cooraclare and more. The network broadened, friendships were made and thankfully continue.
Through the gates in March 1986 (Easter Monday) arrived parents and family, some friends and neighbours for my ordination as a Deacon and over a year later the gates were in the rear-view mirror as I headed West to prepare for Ordination in Gurteen.
September 1981-June 1987 remain among the happiest years of my life. I enjoyed Maynooth very much and thank God that I had the chance to be there. The chance, especially, to be there when there were so many journeying the road to priesthood. How much change there has been with so few in Maynooth now – scarcely the makings of my September 1981 class now make up the full student body of seminarians. This is such a change – when you think that at that time there were seminaries in Carlow, Kilkenny, Thurles, Waterford, Wexford, Clonliffe College in Dublin, All Hallows – not to mention all the religious orders and now all gone with the exception of Maynooth (and of course the Irish College, Rome). Such change!
Earlier today I had the joy of celebrating the wedding mass of a young couple in Kilmovee. Later I baptized a little girl in Brusna and shared the evening at a wedding reception in Co. Roscommon. So much joy has come into my life due to that date, September 13th 1981 and today I think I just want to say thanks for that. Thanks to all who have walked into my life since that day: people I’ve met in parishes and through ministry. Overall it has been a good life, not without its puzzling moments but I’d like to think were I back there again, outside the house in Moygara in 1981, I’d be happy to sit in with Mary and Bill and head towards the Plains of Kildare 🙂
The old saying goes: “do as the Romans do”! I’m not so sure I’m doing that but I am in Rome. I came here for the wedding of some friends – a girl I know since her childhood days in Collooney and the man she is marrying – Nicola and James. Tomorrow we will have that celebration. Last night I met them with some of their family members and we went for pizza so that’s fairly Roman I think. It was very enjoyable. We laughed as much as we ate and that can’t be bad.
Spent a bit of time watching Street Entertainers on Piazza Navona. These people always amaze me. Such a variety of talents on display and so many there to take in the various shows. It’s a good experience. One of the men I watched was spray painting a “masterpiece” and I decided to capture the moment! Thought about capturing the picture too but didn’t go that far. Wondered how easily it could be transported to Kilmovee:)
I slept in for a while today (best blinds ever so the room was dark until I chose to let the light in – sorry Leonard, no cracks that I noticed!!). I had in mind to visit the Irish College today. I’ve been there a number of times but not in recent years. I know some of the priests on staff but none of the students. In any case I got on the Metro and a few stops later was beside St John Lateran Basilica – regarded as the major church in Rome, even ahead of St Peter’s. It’s a very impressive building. A few years ago I celebrated a Wedding Mass in the little Baptistry beside the Basilica and was happy to see that again too. A little prayer there for Anne and Derek and some good memories of a very enjoyable few days spent with both of them and their families.
Basilica of St John Lateran
Interior View
Though I didn’t think to take photos of them, one of the things I love about this Basilica is that around the walls of it are twelve life size statues of the Twelve Apostles. It is as if they are still keeping a watchful eye on the Church. A consoling thought for sure.
(Sunday 7th September: Update! I went back there today and was able to attend Evening Mass. It was powerful to see this Basilica in its role as a place for the Faithful to gather in prayer. I noticed Confessions were also taking place but not in English so I had to give that one a miss! Could have been my chance to go to someone who didn’t understand me:) I stayed on for Mass and was happy to do so. The priest sounded very like Pope Francis in his tone and delivery. After Mass I took photos of the twelve. Only then did I notice that Judas’ place is taken by Paul – the Apostle called from the Road to Damascus.)
From there I went to the Irish College – one of our National Seminaries – and spent a bit of time there. I was disappointed that the staff member I know best was not there as I’d like to have had the chance to meet him when I was local. I went to the College Chapel and said Morning Prayer there (okay, I told you I got up late – darkened room and all!!) I remembered family and friends there. A special remembrance too for that poor family in Cork as they struggle to come to terms with such a terrible loss. God help them one and all.
The College Chapel was re-designed in recent years. It is a very engaging Prayer Space and its imagery and mosaics speak loudly and proudly of Ireland. This is hugely appropriate since it is literally a piece of Ireland in the heart of the Church’s landscape.
Sanctuary of Irish College Chapel, Rome
Interior of Chapel, Irish College Rome
I left the Irish College, glad to have paid a visit and decided to get some lunch in a nearby restaurant. On my way I saw something very Roman – very Italian that brought me back many years to Mullaghroe and a woman called Clare Horan (R.I.P.) whose widowed husband Gerry was ordained a priest the same year as myself (God rest them both) – anyway, I digress – what did I see? What Roman landmark reminded me of Clare and Gerry? The Colosseum? Spanish Steps? Trevvi Fountain?
Not at all …. it was this
The Fiat 500!!
Later in the evening I went to St Peter’s where I spent a bit of time. The Basilica was closed and very few people around. Had a lovely chat with a priest I know and met a couple on the Square with Donegal and Kildare connections. They were good people and we talked for a while. Struck me how much this place means to people.
Glad to be here too
St Peter’s at a quieter time
We had the ceremony a little earlier today (Saturday 6th) in St Isodore’s Church. A very old and beautiful church it is looked after by Franciscans of the Irish Province. Fr Michael made us all very welcome and could not have been more helpful.
After the Wedding Mass with Anita, Nicola, James and (Tall) Paul
The reception was a lively affair. An excellent band P-51 Airplanes gave its all! Excellent musicians. (I recorded one song that I’ll put on YouTube at some stage) There was a mighty atmosphere and everyone totally enjoyed the night, the music, the food and the craic. Not least myself! Met some fine people along the way and that’s always a bonus.
Two musicians provided some background music as we awaited the evening meal. They played a variety of tunes and then one of them asked me where we were from and I said “Ireland” which brought the following selection!
Nicola surprised us all with a lovely song “Savc the last dance for me”. Unfortunately the lighthing was low at the time and the camera (phone) and cameraman (me) were not able to make up the gaps!! Anyway, I think it captures a nice moment worth remebering.
Here’s a song from P51-Airplanes. Just decided to take a shot and the man on the keyboard spotted me and rose to the occasion! Though not the nicest or most enjoyable of the songs performed it shows something of their talent and commitment to their passion!
On Sunday I went to Mass in St Isodore’s and joined two of the Franciscans there for Sunday Mass. Afterwards we had a cup of tea and a chat together with those who attended the Sunday Mass there. Felt very welcome and I’m sure this church means a great deal to those who see it as “their own” as a place for prayer and worship. From there I went to St Peter’s for the Sunday Angelus and address by Pope Francis. Sadly my language limitations did not allow me to fully grasp what he was saying but the mention of “Ukraine” assured me he was calling us to pray for peace in a very troubled world. In a later translation I notice he told us to be careful even of our words as they have the potential to kill. The Square was thronged with people of all nationalities and ages. A great experience of the Universal Church and a reminder, as if needed, how much Pope Francis means to people.
As mentioned above I went back to St John Lateran Basilica today. I wanted to go there again. Mass was on so I was pleased to attend that and to have the chance to take the pictures of the Apostles’ Statues that are central to the Basilica.
Tonight I met the wedding people again. We had a very pleasant evening and I am back again in the hotel, getting ready for bed and the journey home tomorrow. It has been a very good few days and I’m glad to have been part of it.
Kilmovee tomorrow! That’s good too.
I was happy to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage with Brendon and Tara. It was a simple but prayerful gathering in a small Chapel with just close family and fiends. We shared some good food and conversation in a local restaurant and a pleasant evening was had by all. Tara’s mother said “you’ll most likely put them on your blog”!! She’s a regular reader so thought it appropriate to include the photo here.
Best wishes and every blessing to them both.
