THE NET | APRIL 2020 1

ISSUE 53. APRIL 2020 PRICE - £1.50 The NET /€2.00 Sharing fruits of faith in Derry Diocese

See inside... The NET celebrates 5th Anniversary

Stay Awake - St Eugene’s

Rosary Procession - Newtownstewart “Alleluia remains our song!”

JPII Focus - Faughanvale

Eucharistic Adoration - Claudy Remembrance Service - Ballinascreen Refugee Support - Steelstown Divine Mercy - Creggan in focus in People

Stephen Doherty - Waterside Rita Moore - Long Tower Tina & Mickey Bradley - Buncrana Fr Michael Keaveny - Faughanvale Crockett Sisters - Long Tower

Also featuring: Great community spirit as Cappagh Parish reaches out; Ardstraw East blessing on wheels; Derry youth inspired by uplifting ARISE event; Remembering Sr Clare Crockett; Excellent online youth and parish programmes, and much more... 2 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Easter Message from Bishop Donal Contents Alleluia remains our song! Parish deliveries Normally, we think of Lent as be extended for many weeks by to be changed forever. Copies of ‘The Net’ will be available a six-week season of the year. the threat of Covid19. Jesus turns the world upside in parishes again after restrictions, But this year, we are learning But, our belief in the down. that Lent is a season of the Resurrection of Jesus does tell The Resurrection says two as a result of Covid-19, are lifted. heart. us something about suffering - things. Firstly, death is never Alleluia remains our song! Without ongoing prayer, and about the faith with which the end of the story. We are Easter reflection from Bishop Donal...... p2 almsgiving and fasting, there we face the pandemic and all made for eternal life. As St Paul White Oaks giving people tools to live contented is no real discipleship of Jesus. the havoc that Covid19 has wrote, “Nothing can separate sobriety A Reflection by Marguerite Hamilton...... p2 Without a lifelong journey been wreaking around the us from the love of God made of dying to ourselves, we are world. visible in Christ Jesus our Diocesan online youth ministry programme...... p3 not walking in the footsteps What we call ‘Easter Sunday’ Lord” (Romans 8:39). of Jesus. We are just expecting was meant to be the day after As one Preface of the Mass for Bishop Donal High praise for young people taking time out him to traipse around after us. the Sabbath, when those who the Dead says, “Life is changed, Jesus tells us that the Kingdom So, in the middle of our in solidarity with homeless...... p4-5 So, the Easter that we had killed Jesus could awaken not ended”. of God in this world has begun long Lent, we can still be an Youth Sleep Out raises thousands for charities...... p6 celebrate this year is not just with a happy heart. The Secondly, Easter does not just and that death, too, will be put Easter people and Alleluia what the calendar tells us is troublemaker was gone, and celebrate the belief that we under God’s feet (1 Cor 15:26). remains our song. And this Youth comment on Sleep Out experience...... p7 the end of Lent – because our things could go back to the way shall live with God, snatched Death and tragedy may win year, our world needs to hear Lenten journey of enforced they were. But how wrong they from the jaws of death in this a battle; they have already lost that message of hope in an Ardstraw East Parish blessing on wheels!...... p8 self-discipline looks like it will were! And their world was set world. The Resurrection of the war. especially strong way. Newtownstewart walks in the light by Ardstraw East Parish Pastoral Council...... p8 Reflecting on the Holy Father’s monthly prayer intention, Marguerite Hamilton, of the Columba Community, Young people welcome public roles in Faughanvale.... p9 shares the story of White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre in accompanying those suffering from addiction. Ballinascreen remembrance service...... p10 Steelstown Craft Group supporting refugees...... p10 White Oaks treatment giving people the tools to Jesus is amongst us! - Fr Anthony Prendergast in Claudy Parish...... p11

Rita Moore reflects on 40 years live in contented sobriety of Long Tower Folk Group...... p12-13 IN April, Pope Francis is asking us “to We look on it as the Lord’s Fr Michael Keaveny celebrates 69 years of priesthoodp13. gift to us ….He will never be Prayers for Vocations & Seminarians...... p13 pray that those suffering from addiction outdone in generosity when we follow His promptings. Derry youths inspired by uplifting ARISE event...... p14 may be helped and accompanied”. At In writing the story of White Thornhill Spiritual Book Club Review Oaks, the immense generosity by Gerardine Doherty...... p14 White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre this invitation has a very real application for of people comes to mind. Great community spirit as Cappagh reaches out...... p15 Those who supported us in us in our day-to-day work. prayer, the business people The Morning of the Resurrection who gave interest free loans the work the Lord wanted us by Fr Stephen Quinn OCD...... p16 for the purchase of the site and to be involved in, was to help practical help, the ladies who Irish Page by Fr Oliver Crilly those addicted to drugs and came and sewed curtains for Colm Cille agus Eoin Soiscealai...... p17 alcohol and their families. the 120 windows and made Addiction is often described the bedding, and the medical Buncrana couple share blessing of as a family disease, with every Divine Mercy Devotion...... p18-19 personnel who assisted in member of the family affected negotiations with statutory by the chaos that surrounds White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre Pray for Divine Mercy “on us bodies. The Scripture - “there is and on the whole world” – Bishop Donal...... p19 the person who is addicted. a variety of gifts but always the year aftercare programme. As believers, isn’t this so Chaplet of Divine Mercy...... p19 We have found, in our same Spirit” - comes to mind. Often we talk about how the true in all our lives? There are almost 40-year journey as a Each gift was needed and used person has changed during many situations over which Divine Mercy message so necessary for healing wounds Community, that when the by Fr Joe Gormley...... p20-21 for the greater good of people treatment but society outside we have no control, but as we Lord has called us to a specific and to fulfil God’s plan in the remains the same. We believe come before the Lord in our work He has always given what Comforting thoughts and prayers shared...... p22-25 life of our Community and the aftercare is a vital part of brokenness and sin the good we need to see it through. We Marguerite Hamilton, Columba those we are called to serve. treatment at White Oaks and news for us is that the love and Sr Clare Crockett still touching lives...... p26 have depended on what are Community We opened White Oaks is aimed at giving people the mercy of Jesus, the one who is reputed to be the last written tools whereby they can live in always faithful, can restore us Remembering Sr Clare with Servant Sisters...... p27 As a Community, we began in 2001 and based our words of St Columba...“those contented sobriety. to a new, fulfilled life of love a discernment process based programme on the 12 Step who trust in the Lord shall As a Community, we have and service. Each one of us has All Creatures Great and Small on the scripture text given to Model. At this stage, we have want for no manner of good learned so much from the a unique gift to offer. by Vera McFadden...... p28 our founder, Fr Neal Carlin, treated 2,400 people and given things” (Psalm 34). residents at White Oaks and As we pray with Pope Francis “they that wait upon the Lord.” help to their families. We work My faith journey At White Oaks, we have been the 12 Step Programme. We during April, I ask you to keep This beautiful call to “wait with a group of 12 people who by Stephen Doherty...... p29 encouraged by these words have seen people set free from in your prayers the residents, on the Lord” encouraged the come for a 28-day residential and we see the Centre, nestled the chains of alcohol and drug families, staff and volunteers A Word of God for your Family Life Community to pray, fast and stay. The programme involves in the Donegal hills, beside the misuse that bind them, the at White Oaks and all who by Fr Johnny Doherty CSsR...... p30 discern where He was leading one-to-one counselling, wild beauty of the Celtic Prayer great joy at reconciliation in struggle with addiction. Prayer for Priests...... p30 us to serve. We held all night group therapy, meditation, Pope’s Prayer Intention...... p30 Garden, as a precious gift to us families, and we have been vigils, asked those who pray therapeutic duties, lectures and and those we serve. truly humbled by the courage White Oaks Rehabilitation with us at Columba House reflection. Children’s Catechism Club – C3 Fr Neal had long prayed for a people show as they honestly Centre is a foundation of the and St Anthony’s to join us Once a month, we hold by Veronica Harley...... p31 Celtic Prayer Garden dedicated face their addictions. We have Columba Community, with Quiz Time with Lawrence...... p31 in prayer, and listened to our Community meeting to the holy men and women lived with the sorrow of those Columba House Derry, St those who were in recovery at White Oaks where we of Ireland, but we felt that who have had their potential Anthony’s Retreat Centre and from addiction, and medical offer guided meditation the social gospel outreach to dimmed as their struggle with Celtic Prayer Garden. professionals. and prayer ministry to the those marginalised by alcohol drink or drugs or gambling This listening prayer is what residents. Family Day gives and drug addiction was the continues and those whose The ministry of Jesus did when He went into an opportunity for families more pressing prompting of lives have been lost. Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese the desert, to the quiet place, to not only help the person in the Spirit. When the land for The first two steps of the The NET to the mountain, to hear the treatment, but creates a safe was dedicated to Our Lady, White Oaks was purchased, programme invite the person Father’s voice. This listening space to talk about family through the intercession of Contacting us: what looked like old swamp to admit “I am powerless” over St Maximilian Kolbe, in a If you have a story that you would like to share or an event you helps us to build our house on issues and begin the journey of would like covered by The Net, just drop an email to land across the road was this addiction but that there is ceremony celebrated by rock, standing firm when the healing. included. This is now our a “power greater than me who Bishop Donal McKeown [email protected] storms come. We ask people who come for beautiful Celtic Prayer Garden. can restore me to sanity.” on August 14, 2019. or ring/text 07809292852 It became clear that our focus, treatment to commit to a two THE NET | APRIL 2020 3 Diocesan youth ministry team host excellent online programme

DURING this time when Here, the Youth Team, will share snippets of their on a piece of scripture via a young people are unable to joined by Bishop Donal and day, family, locality, parish and YouTube video and the young attend faith related events in other Diocesan workers hobbies. They lead in prayer people are invited to watch, their schools and parishes, and volunteers, will host an and set out a few tasks for like, share and comment. On the Derry Diocesan Youth online session, where they the day. By evening, if their Saturday also, everyone is Ministry Team has stepped up will introduce the new theme identity is still a mystery, they invited to post their favourite to the mark and is delivering for the week ahead, outline reveal the secret! A JPII Award, scripture quote or one that is a great online programme via the weekly task for young Year 13 student has hosted this particularly comforting them Instagram and Facebook. people participating in their day and had an excellent level at this time. The Team engage with young JPII Award, and promote and of engagement. “It is uplifting to see these people in schools and parishes explore some of the things they posts and how the Word of God across the diocese in a range of will be getting involved in over Faith Fridays is speaking and helping all of ways, including school retreats the coming week. Every Friday, the Youth us in these days,” remarked the and parish programmes. Each ‘Live’ will also have Team will be challenging Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Amidst this pandemic, they are a guest from a parish in our young people to join them Yvonne Rooney. now working from home and diocese to share how they for different forms of prayer Log on to the Derry Youth have moved all their initiatives are all managing, what they and reflection, and they will Instagram, Twitter or Facebook online, particularly to the social are doing and helping us all set various intentions for to keep update with the latest media platforms Instagram, support each other and stay reflection and prayer. programme details, themes, Facebook and Twitter. connected. There will be a task or two daily tasks and weekly videos. There is now a weekly to share, such as a ‘selfie’ of the schedule for young people and TikTok Tuesday young person watching Mass For more information their parish leaders to tune Every Tuesday morning, or record themselves singing on Youth Ministry in to and get involved with. they bounce to the hugely a hymn to send to DerryYouth Initiatives in the Every week, under an overall popular TikTok scene to invite so it can be shared. Some theme, such as #bethelight, the young people to get busy JPII students have already diocese contact the young people are invited to creating a set TikTok video. performed hymns and shared Youth Team - engage with the opportunity The team leader for the day them. yvonne.rooney@ for daily prayer and reflection, will share a TikTok video derrydiocese tasks to keep them busy such connected to the weekly theme Scripture Saturday and lizzie.rea@ as arts and crafts, going for and invite young people, and Every Saturday, Bishop derrydiocese.org. walks, writing a letter, sharing leaders, to create and share Donal will share a reflection their favourite scripture quote, their own version. writing in a journal, finding something specific in their Well Being home, doing a kind act for another and, of course, taking Wednesday On Wednesdays, our plan selfies and videos of all this to involves a check in at home share and connect with each with all our followers, to stop other. and take stock of how everyone is coping in these extraordinary Each day of the week days. Well Being Wednesday is there is a theme... about minding our head space, thinking positive, praying for Sunday Gospel Youth each other and doing things Reflection that make us feel better and In addition to encouraging build each other up. young people to go online to Tasks for the day include their local parish, that has a going for a walk and sharing webcam, and participate in a snippet of it with the Team, the weekend Mass, a priest watching a video, prayer, or religious sister will deliver art, journaling, or doing an youth catechesis and reflection act of kindness. Everyone’s on the Gospel for that tasks are shared and the posts weekend. This will be in the kept positive and creative form of a YouTube video and throughout the day. will be available on Instagram and Facebook. Take Over Thursday Each week, a mystery special Monday Funday guest will take over the social Every Monday evening, at media for Derry Youth and 8.30 pm, there will be a ‘Live’ share a day in their life. Kicking on Derryyouth Instagram. off with morning prayer, they 4 THE NET | APRIL 2020 High praise for young people taking time out in solidarity with homeless

THERE was a great makers. presenting as homeless. atmosphere in the Cathedral “We can’t change Having worked almost 20 Hall, across from St Eugene’s perceptions,” he said, adding: years with Methodist City in Derry, when the 75 young “Homeless people or street Mission, James remarked people who gave up their drinkers are not people out that he found it to be “a really Friday night to take part in there; they are your brothers, rewarding job”. the Diocesan ‘Sleep Out-Stay fathers, mothers, sisters, aunts, Telling the young people Awake’, in solidarity with those uncles, etc. Never, ever look that homelessness had many experiencing homelessness, down on someone who is variations, he explained: gathered with the group of 30 homeless or a street drinker “There are people presently volunteer leaders and helpers because that could be you, and with us who work full-time to chat and play games in it was nearly me.” but have had a relationship between talks and times of Telling the young people breakdown and have nowhere prayer. that Damien House had been to stay. Our support aims to During the night, the young set up on Valentine’s Day 15 get people over the barrier they people got the opportunity years ago, Lexie went on to talk are experiencing. to get into groups and make about a group of people who “There are also people cardboard shelters against the had been in and out of all the who have mental health or outside walls of the Cathedral, hostels in the town, and that addiction issues, or who and were encouraged to spend no-one wanted to talk to. have a criminal background, some time outside, huddled in “They couldn’t go anywhere who present themselves as the blankets and sleeping bags for the toilet or to wash homeless.” they had brought with them. themselves,” he said, “so the He went on to explain that Congratulating the young idea of Damien House was to the different organisations people for taking up the take these people off the streets worked very closely together challenge, and helping to raise and work with them; helping to make sure that there is no- funds for, and an awareness of, them to get their benefits or one on the streets, noting: “It homelessness, Bishop Donal whatever help they needed. is very rare that you would spent some time interacting Unfortunately, there are people find someone sleeping on with them. Afterwards, he who can’t be helped.” the streets here now. We have told ‘The Net’ how impressed He went on to point out students over from Seattle he had been to see “so many that nobody “chooses to be an and they can’t understand young people for whom alcoholic or homeless”, saying: why there are no homeless faith in Jesus and concern for “We all make bad choices people on the street because, the homeless are intimately sometimes. Damien House where they come from, when linked”. tries to guide people to make people open their doors in “Their dedication”, he said, better choices than the ones the morning, it is usual to find “is a reminder to us adults that they have been making. someone sleeping rough in the the Church will grow when “We do not talk about them doorway.” people discover the Jesus who coming off drink. We are there James said that many people spoke about the marginalised to take them where they are were presenting as homeless as the least of his brothers and at and to accept them where for different reasons and that sisters.” they are at, instead of saying the age was getting younger. He continued: “Prayer you shouldn’t be doing this or Heart breaking and social action are not that. We take them in and give He added: “We take from options but integral parts of them a roof over their heads 18-year-olds up. It is heart- discipleship. The Diocesanand meals.” breaking when 18 year olds Church has the mission of Lexie went on to explain: present with complex issues, encouraging young people to “When people are trying to such as mental health and great heroism and holiness - get off drink or drugs there is addiction. It is very hard rather than condemning them. a sense of loss and this needs sometimes to find solutions It is they, not the adults, who to be recognised when dealing and try to get over the barriers. will renew the Church”. with people in that experience.” Some people who work in this As well as spending time Noting that Damien House area see it as a vocation. in Adoration of the Blessed had about 2,000 people “There are many changes in Sacrament, praying the Rosary through its books since it the world today. It is very hard at the Grotto, and singing, the opened, he said: “Nearly 100 of for me to understand, at my young people listened to talks them are dead and few are over age, some of the things that are from representatives of the the age of 35 years old.” happening. Some people just various charities in the city that He finished by tellingcan’t cope with basic things work with people currently, or the young people that he in life. Many of the people we at risk of becoming, homeless was delighted that they had see rely on substances. We can – Damien House, the signed up for the Sleep Out make a decision today to do Simon Community, De Paul to try to raise awareness of something and we would just Ireland, Ashmore House and homelessness. go and do it, but they have to Methodist City Mission. James Jennings, manager of take substances to do this.” Lexie Doherty, manager of the Methodist City Mission, James finished his talk by Damien House, talked to the explained that all the charities highlighting that the service teenagers about the common present worked together and aftercare they provided perception of people who are in partnership, and with was “a life-line” for some: homeless as being trouble other agencies, to help those “We want to help them to be THE NET | APRIL 2020 5 capable of being able to go out despair and fear, as they don’t for England when she was and live their lives”. know what is going to happen. 18 years old, worked with Ann Barr and Caron So, first of all, we put them at designer clothing, and when Doherty, of Ashmore House, their ease and tell them that she returned 33 years later, she also came along to talk to the this will change, and that we found herself homeless. That young people. can help them if they want. was two years ago. Ann pointed out that when “We do what we can to raise She added: “I slept on she had initially worked along their self-esteem. Some people people’s sofas. I had worked all with James at Methodist City can’t, or don’t, accept help; they my life and was a grandmother, Mission 14 years ago, the are either not ready for help or and I asked myself how this average age of men in the feel they are beyond help. We could happen to me. When I hospice had been in the 50s help them to see that they are came to Ashmore House and and alcohol had been the main worthy of help. got into my bedroom, I just substance. “We have had girls come to sat and cried like a baby. I felt “Within five years,” she us who have had lost children more isolated than I ever had added, “the age got younger, to and found themselves in my entire life. I prayed so 18 and 19 year olds”. pregnant again, and they have hard and I cried. Noting that many people been advised that if they come “What I learned at Ashmore coming to homeless shelters to us we might be able to help House was to treat everybody had burnt their bridges on the them and then they wouldn’t as you would like to be treated, way, Ann said: “We welcome lose this baby. We have at least yourself. Ashmore was like them with open arms. We three girls who went on to be a home to me; the staff and have to think about where they able to keep their babies. everyone there became my have come from – there are “It is great for them to have family. Now, in my work with addictions, domestic violence, our support. Some people those who find themselves family breakdowns, etc. come and go, and come back homeless, I see everyone that “Before I started working again. We provide a great I come across as my own with people who are homeless, service; it’s all about giving children.” when I saw people sleeping people hope. There is no better Having completed courses on the street I would think to feeling than being able to help and gained new qualifications, myself, ‘For goodness sake, somebody and not expect Caron announced, to heartfelt why are they lying there?’ But anything back. I feel blessed applause from all gathered in I have got my eyes opened to have been able to help. It’s the Cathedral for the talks, since.” really a vocation.” that she had secured a new job Explaining that Ashmore Ann concluded by telling as a full-time support worker House caters for women and the young people: “If you know in Ashmore House.” children and has four move- anyone who is struggling for All were touched by the on flats, Ann added: “We help whatever reason, you will be talks they had heard and them with their benefits and able to tell them now where appreciated the time to refer them on to services, such they can go to for help, after reflect in the prayerful silent as the DHSS, Women’s Aid, hearing these talks.” times during the night. The etc. We try to prepare people Congratulating the young event came to a close with for going back out into the people for being brave enough the celebration of Mass by community. to do the Sleep Out, Caron Fr Malachy Gallagher, and a “When people arrive with Doherty told them that she welcome hot breakfast. us they feel hopeless and full of had left her Derry home 6 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Diocesan youth ‘Sleep Out’ raises thousands for homeless charities by Diocesan Youth Ministry Team ON Friday, February 28, bringing their own experience The Youth Ministryof 30 volunteers who assisted seventy-five young people of what homelessness and team would like to take throughout the night. aged between 15 and 18, rooflessness means in their this opportunity to thank We would also like to extend from across the Diocese of communities. St Eugene’s Cathedral for our thanks to Matt’s Bistro, Derry, attended an all-night The event provided a the use of the Church and Dominos, Doherty’s Bakery, ‘Sleep Out–Stay Awake’ in fabulous opportunity for Parish Hall, and Fr Malachy Paolo’s Pizzas, and Eskimo St Eugene’s Cathedral. The young people to meet their Gallagher, who celebrated Café and Doherty Meats, who event, organised by the Derry peers who are also living out Mass. In a particular way, we donated food on the night. Diocesan Catechetical Centre, their faith, through social want to recognise the team sought to raise awareness justice campaigns in their of, and money to prevent, parishes and schools, and homelessness. To date £3,700 through the Pope John Paul II has been raised. Award. The money has been We were fortunate to divided equally between five have speakers from Damien charities: Damien House; the House, Ashmore house and Simon Community; De Paul Methodist City Mission. Each Ireland; Ashmore House; and speaker gave an account of Methodist City Mission. They what their charity is involved all work locally with people in and how anyone can be who are currently, or at risk of homeless at any point in their becoming, homeless. life. Through inspirational Young people from parishes testimonies, young people in and schools across the Diocese the diocese got to hear first- attended the event, each hand what these charities do. THE NET | APRIL 2020 7 What the youth had to say... “I wanted to experience a many different types of people making the shelters”. (Kate, little of what it is like to be can become homeless and how Thornhill College, Derry) homeless and I believe I have easy it is to become homeless”. “We have a home and more insight now about this, (Erin, St Cecilia’s, Derry) I wanted to show more having listened to the talks compassion for those who and spent some time outside “I wanted to come along are homeless by getting a tonight in cold weather to experience a little what little insight into what life is conditions, when we tried being homeless was like. I am like for them. I thought the to make a shelter”. (Enya, St enjoying meeting new people testimonies were very good. Mary’s College, Derry) and taking part in all the (Chrissie, Thornhill College, activities, as well as learning Derry) “I haven’t done anything like more about life for those who this before, so I thought it was find themselves homeless”. “I signed up for this event a good opportunity to get out (Jeannie, St Cecilia’s, Derry) because it seemed really of my comfort zone. I found fun and to help with my the talks so powerful. I didn’t “I know someone who was Millennium Volunteers hours. think the people who work helped by one of homeless The talks have been very good with the homeless would feel charities being supported and given me an insight into so strongly for them. It was by this event, and so I was homelessness”. (Richard – St amazing to hear their passion interested in hearing about Mary’s, Magherafelt) when they talked about their who works for an organisation “I thought it would be a work. I wasn’t really aware like that. I can see myself good event to come to and get of the homeless situation in following a career like this. some Volunteer hours as well. Derry, but we have a better I am enjoying the event and After listening to the talks, I insight into this now after getting to know people. All have a great respect for the listening to the talks”. (Caitlin, the activities are very good”. different charities that help St Mary’s College, Derry) (Shanna, St Cecilia’s, Derry) people who find themselves homeless”. (Pablo, St Mary’s, “I came along to meet “I came along because I Magherafelt) new people and to find out wanted to find out what life is more about homelessness. like for the homeless. We only I was surprised to hear that had to stay outside for a short homelessness could happen time when we were making the to anyone and that addiction shelters, and it was freezing. I to drink or drugs were not the thought the testimonies were only causes”. As well as being very good. I am enjoying it and informative, the event has also can see myself coming back been good fun. (Aimee – St next year”. (Hannah, Thornhill Mary’s College, Derry) College, Derry)

“I took part in this event last “I wanted to become more year and wanted to come back aware of homelessness and to again because it had been so hear people’s stories. The most good and I had got so much memorable part of the night out of it. We learnt that so for me was when we were 8 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Newtownstewart walks in the light! by Ardstraw East Parish Pastoral Forum, Photographs by Nicky Canning.

THE Parish of Ardstraw East congregation had taken the shape had a beautiful candlelight Rosary of the Rosary beads. Procession in Newtownstewart This was the parish’s prayer and Oratory, on Main Street, to gift to Our Lady of the Rosary to promote the family Rosary during commence the season of Lent. Lent. Furthermore, in solidarity with The indoor procession was victims of suicide and, in prayer, organised by the Parish Pastoral for consolation of their families, Forum, and, as each prayer of the candlelight procession the Rosary was recited, a person represented the journey from bearing a candle processed darkness into light. individually up the centre aisle. The circle of light also symbolised As the parishioners arrived one the arms of the Church embracing by one at the sanctuary step, they each person. As families face an were directed to take up stationary empty chair every day, the Church positions, gradually forming offers comfort through prayer and a human circle of light. By the the sacraments every day. end of the Rosary recitation, the

Newtownstewart reports on spiritual response to the Covid-19 Pandemic... Blessing Parish of Ardstraw East on wheels! of parishioners in their cars. evening. The area travelled was convoy of cars. Eugene’s Church, Glenock, Evening was falling with the Glenock, Lower and Upper Unlike St Patrick’s Day, there where it had commenced the Tuesday rain and the line of Gallon, Legfordrum, Corrick was not a drop of rain and previous day. 20 headlights (10 cars in slow (via Plumbridge), Moyle, the priest was able to bring The parishioners found it procession), turned a few Reaghan and Lignabraid. the Blessed Sacrament in the very rewarding to travel in heads along the way! The line of cars passedmonstrance. Wednesday, prayer for a second two-hour Driving around the parish through Cappagh Parish at March 18, was a working day pilgrimage, this time 26 miles. perimeter, the convoy stopped Knockmoyle and Mellon. and the convoy had shortened Over the two days, the blessing frequently to enable the Returning to Newtownstewart to eight cars and sixteen of the parish perimeter took priest to bless the various by the A5, the evening’s headlights. All the same, four hours and spanned over districts. Sprinkling holy water pilgrimage finished at the children, teenagers, adults 50 miles. containing blessed salt, Fr Oratory on Main Street. of various ages and senior Fr Roland was immensely Roland asked God to preserve In two hours, the group citizens, drove the second grateful to his parishioners for the parish and its people from had covered 30 miles half of the parish perimeter their zeal in accompanying him the highly contagious virus of perimeter. Fr Roland and invoked the protection of on the perimeter pilgrimage. ST Patrick’s Day 2020 was procession with a difference. that has gripped the world proposed to the parishioners heaven. Each day since, the priest has celebrated in a distinct way in At Mass, he announced with a mortal fear. During each to complete the perimeter The area covered onbeen back on the spiritual Newtownstewart. Due to the his intention to circle the stop, the Newtownstewart the following Sunday (March the Wednesday was path, blessing streets, roads deadly Covid-19 virus that perimeter of the parish by car, priest also gave Benediction 22), commencing at the same Newtownstewart town, and housing developments. is sweeping the world, all the praying for protection from with the Eucharist and asked hour, 5pm. They agreedGortgranagh, Grange, It is one response by the local annual processions in honour the Covid-19 virus. the Lord to look mercifully on enthusiastically. However, like Killydart, Ballyrenan, Church to the danger from the of our Patron Saint were Accordingly, at 5 pm, he and the people. Each little family- every plan connected with the Baronscourt, Crewe Bridge, Covid-19 virus. Facing this cancelled. many parishioners gathered group prayed the Rosary in Covid-19 virus, it changes by Ardstraw, Victoria Bridge perilous epidemic, Ireland is Newtownstewart does outside the parish church, St their cars as they drove in the day. At the suggestion of (Sion Mills Parish), Douglas in need of urgent help from not host a St Patrick’s Day Eugene’s at Glenock. Bringing procession. urgency by a parishioner, Fr Bridge, Legfordrum, Upper heaven, concluded Fr Roland. street celebration but Fr the Blessed Sacrament in the The parish of Ardstraw Roland brought the pilgrimage Gallon, Shanonny East and Roland Colhoun invited his silver lunette pyx, he set off East is extensive and it proved forward and set off the Carnargan. The pilgrimage Photographs by Ashlene parishioners to join him in a by car followed by a convoy too much to cover in one following day with another came to a close outside St Canning THE NET | APRIL 2020 9 Entering fully into their JPII Award experience as altar servers, etc... Young people welcome public roles in Faughanvale Parish HAVING a rethink on year,” explained Fr Noel, “as Cross is a new prayer to us so it how the Faughanvale Parish we felt the more public roles, was nice, during Lent, to have approaches the delivery of the rather than cleaning the had the opportunity to lead Pope John Paul II Award, parish chapel, etc, would not only this prayer. It helped us reflect priest, Fr Noel McDermott benefit the young people more on the journey Jesus took to put an announcement in the but also the parishioners, who Calvary and think about how weekly bulletin that this year’s would actually see the young Mary offered up so many JPII Award participants would people’s involvement in the ‘crosses’ on the way. have to have a public role in parish. “We share out the prayers assisting with the Liturgy. “I hope this involvement will and duties and everyone “I didn’t think anyone would help them to think about their seems happy to help in some turn up at the meeting for the faith but, most importantly, way. Some prefer reading the delegation of roles, so I was that they will come to know prayers and reflections, while pleasantly surprised when 25 Jesus, in a personal way, as others prefer walking with the young people came along,” Fr their guide and their friend. Cross and candles. Noel told ‘The Net’. If they have that anchor to “We know the parishioners He added: “One of the roles hold on to, it is going to guide are happy to see us lead the on offer was altar serving them through a lot of turmoil Stations and it makes them which, again surprisingly, they during this period in their realise that young people were up for. We were happy lives, as well as when they are do still have faith. It also for them to wear their own at university”. strengthens the faith within clothes, so when they asked Commenting, as a group, our own families. We are lucky when they would be getting on their experience so far, the to have a very good parish their robes I thought they were Faughanvale JPIIs said that with lots of good parents who joking...they weren’t! they have enjoyed coming support us and give us lifts to “So, we had to get them together to help their priest: our practices and services, kitted out for serving on the “This year, Fr McDermott even though they are already altar at Christmas and also asked us to sign up to assisting very busy. We believe we may at the parish Confirmation with the liturgy at Christmas even be surprising them!” ceremony, which was and Easter. This has been a “The John Paul II Award does celebrated by Bishop real challenge as it means we reconnect us to living out our M c K e o w n”. have to go on to the altar to faith,” they continued, saying: Before the coronavirus led serve, bearing in mind that “It was good that some of us to the cancellation of church Star of the Sea Church has got to assist this year with the services, the young people ‘live streaming’ of the Masses. confirmation as it reaffirmed had been leading the Stations However, we are happy to how the Holy Spirit is at work of the Cross before the Friday assist our priest. in our lives and parish. night Mass in Star of the Sea “We are a fairly friendly “We are a very positive Church; reading the prayers bunch of young people and group and there is plenty of and carrying the crucifix and through this opportunity joy about. Doing good deeds candles around each Station. we have been meeting other always brings lots of joy. We They were also going to lead young people in our parish don’t think we will ever forget the Stations of the Cross during from different schools, which the experiences we have had the Good Friday ceremony, is nice. We have become a bit in assisting Fr McDermott in as well as participate at other of a family, as we communicate his priesthood, and helping Holy Week ceremonies and with each other regularly in out with the liturgies in our Easter. order to ensure Fr McDermott p a r i s h”. “We decided to pilot this has the help he needs.” approach to the Award this They added: “The Way of the 10 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Speaking at Ballinascreen service to remember those who died by suicide, Bishop Donal told those gathered... Believe that your love and pain are known to the heart of God HOLY Rosary Church, in b ore .” looks into the eyes of the stayed for many years. Draperstown, was filled to near He added: “Christian teaching broken-hearted ones, those of “However, we all have so capacity when parishioners does not offer some simplistic our own who felt so bad that many good memories too. were joined by members of way of dealing with this most their little life seemed of little It’s really important that we other congregations for a painful part of being human. value, that dying was better remember both the happy special inter-church Prayer Nor does it offer spiritual than living, and for ourselves, and sad memories. It is so Service to remember loved candyfloss, sweet but without trusting in a God who writes important to remember the ones who had died by suicide. substance. straight on crooked lines. people that we lost, and it’s The parish priest, Fr Peter “Faith is not even some “Believe that your love and important that we remember Madden, and curate, Fr spiritual Paracetamol to numb pain are known to the heart as a community so that no-one Dermot McGirr were joined the pain for a while. It gives of God – and that, when those has to walk this distance alone. on the altar by Bishop Donal us a language with which you have lost slipped through “Since starting to organise and Rev Michael Dornan, to articulate the loss, and to your fingers, they were held up this night of remembrance, of the Desertmartin and believe in a God who can by the strong, gentle, pierced we have had messages from all Knockloughrim Church of make sense out of the apparent hands of the carpenter of around the world because it is Ireland congregation, for the senselessness of what has Nazareth. so important that people are evening of prayer, during happened. “There those who have gone not forgotten”. which the singing was led by “For many people, faith can rest in peace, with the the parish choir. provides a context and a God who says to them - I have Having prepared the service language where we, despite called you by your name and along with Rev Dornan and everything, can let go of those you are mine...I have carved the local STEPS mental health we have lost, trusting that you on the palm of my hand”. awareness organisation, Fr there is a God who will knit Karen McGuigan, of STEPS Peter welcomed everyone on together the crazy experiences (Suicide-Talking-Education- behalf of the priests in the of our lives, that resurrection is Prevention-Support), told parish, noting that the Taize stronger than death, and that, those gathered that the chant sung by the choir, ‘Jesus in the Body of Christ, we do organisation was set up in 2012 Remember Me’ had set the not live or die alone for we are in response to the growing tone for the evening. connected with one another number of suicides within the Explaining how the service even in silence, despair and community, amongst who was had come about, he said: death”. her cousin, Ronan McGuigan. “Twenty years ago, Ronan Referring to the Church “Tonight is about McGuigan died and it was reading of the day, from the remembering,” said Karen, his anniversary that led to a night of the Last Supper “as adding: “None of us will Useful numbers and websites conversation that, in turn, led Jesus prepared to be ripped ever forget where we were to this service.” from His followers and from when we got the news about Samaritans – www.samaritans.org – tel 116123 Photographs of those being life”, Bishop Donal highlighted Ronan. There were just no Lifeline – www.lifelinehelpline.info – tel 0808 808 8000 remembered were displayed as how people can gain from words. I remember the pain of Niamh Louise Foundation – www.niamhlouisefoundation.com – tel 028 8775 3327 the choir sang beautiful songs Jesus’ words “some grace with everyone’s grief being so huge, Community Rescue Service – [email protected] – tel 028 2766 0519 for the occasion, including which to face the awful Calvary and the weight of that grief STEPS – on Facebook @steps.mental.health ‘Everybody Hurts’ and ‘You hills that many families have Raise Me Up’, followed by a had to climb”. reading of John 14:1-6, ‘Jesus He continued: “In Jesus we Comforts His Disciples’, by meet one who said, ‘let this Steelstown Craft Group supporting refugees Rev Dornan. chalice pass from me’ – and THE Thursday Craft Group, and her experiences as an Acknowledging the pain and ‘why have you forsaken me?’; in the Steelstown Parish, was independent volunteer. sorrow of remembering loved who said, ‘Not my will but delighted to welcome a very She accepted a donation to ones who died through suicide, yours be done”; and who walks special visitor recently, to their provide food for people living when he spoke to the gathering, with the limping, looks for the gathering in the community in terrible conditions, and the Bishop Donal said: “With lost and hangs on the Cross room of Our Lady of Lourdes group will continue to send them died part of their mother with the suffering. Church. crocheted/knitted baby clothes and father, their children and “Bring your pain, memories, Mrs Hilda Orr joined and blankets, via The Derry their spouses, their friends and loss to the Lord. Don’t be afraid members for a cuppa and gave Square Knitters, for needy their community. Part of their to weep, or to be angry about a presentation on conditions families in the overcrowded parents’ lie where children of the awful reality of loss. Only in the refugee camps in Greece camps. whatever age have been laid to the truth about where we are rest. Others bereaved through can help the Lord to set us free. suicide have had to lay their In our helplessness, we make dreams and the love of their space for grace. lives in the cold earth. “Picture the company of those “Our being here makes space who stood helpless at the foot for our prayers-tears-silence- of the Cross after Jesus was aches to find voice this evening brutalised and murdered in – no matter how far on after front of them”. their death. We utter our silent “We pray for peace in God’s cry that rebels against the idea own good time,” added Bishop of death, of the destruction Donal, “for those who died, of the one that we loved and troubled and distressed, cared for, trusted and, perhaps, because we trust in one who THE NET | APRIL 2020 11

years, he told ‘The Net’ that he continued, “with its secrets consume Him and become Sharing his love for the Eucharist and promoting was in his 30s when he joined of the heart of Jesus. We, in tabernacles for God. There is the religious life and was the Order, are called to be the nothing greater this side of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Fr Anthony drawn closer and closer to the beloved disciple, St John, in Heaven than the mystery of heart of Jesus. the world, and to remind the the Eucharist. It is the thirst Prendergast assured Claudy parishioners... “I went to France to check world that God is love (1 John of Jesus on the cross. It was out The Brothers of St John, 4-8). so great that it caused Him to which a friend had told me “This is the truth that St create the Sacrament of the Jesus is amongst us! about,” he said, adding: “I John received from Jesus Eucharist for us.” found this new religious order, and he gives it to the world. Having enjoyed visits to the which had started in 1975, to His writings are ultimate in parishes of Newtownstewart be a dynamic and prayerful revelation. The mission of The and Claudy, during some missionary life, like that lived Brothers of St John is to teach time home with his family by the beloved disciple, St these truths and to be St John in Mayo, Fr Prendergast is John, who rested his head on in the Church.” now embarking on a time of the heart of Jesus. He was the He went on to say: “Jesus ministry in America, with his only disciple who was faithful remains in the world in a Order in Illinois. and was with Mary when she special way through the Adoration normally takes place received Jesus’ body at the foot Eucharist. Like St John, we in St Patrick’s Church, Claudy, of the cross.” want to be close to the heart on Tuesdays from 10 am until Touched by the contemplative of Jesus, and the way to do this 8 pm, and in St Joseph’s Church, and missionary aspects of is to do what St John did; to Craigbane, on Wednesdays, The Brothers of St John, be present to His presence in from 10 am until 8 pm. Fr Prendergast remarked: the Eucharist, and be silently “When I was very young, I present to adore Him. Fr Anthony Prendergast with some members of the Eucharistic Adoration Committee for the Claudy Parish thought that I would like to “St John was attentive to the be a Benedictine monk and at beating of Jesus’ heart. We EUCHARISTIC Adoration Sometimes we are not present tell Him about your problems. the same time I wanted to be a can live this experience in our has become an important part enough to the mystery of the “This is what He wants you missionary, as I was influenced Eucharistic Adoration. That is of the faith life of many in the Ma s s .” to do. He says, ‘Come to me all by the missionary priest what Jesus wants of us; that, Parish of Claudy since weekly Fr Anthony went on to talk who are burdened and I will who came back to my home like St John, we rest our heads Adoration was introduced about when Jesus was dying give you rest.’ He is the only parish in the summer. In the close to His heart of love which eight years ago by the on the Cross and said “I thirst”, one who can give you rest in Community of St John, I found is an infinite fire of love for us. Derry Diocesan Eucharistic explaining that while He had this world. Come before Jesus both, as it is contemplative and “He wants to be close to us, Adoration Apostolate, and its thirsted for water because He so that you can go out and missionary.” so He takes the form of a tiny fruits were promoted further had lost blood, Jesus was also bring love to other people. “Our community really loves piece of bread so that we not amongst parishioners when Fr talking about His thirst of love. “If we don’t come to Him our the Gospel of St John,” he only can adore Him but can Anthony Mary Prendergast, “Jesus died in a thirst of love hearts become cold like a block of The Brothers of St John, for you and me. We must begin of ice. Who wants to have spoke passionately about the to understand and believe a block of ice inside them? Eucharist. this,” he urged. Come to the source of love; Celebrating weekend Masses “Jesus has found a way to Jesus in the Eucharist.” in St Patrick’s Church, Claudy, be with us,” continued Fr Fr Anthony went on to talk and St Joseph’s Church, Anthony, “His love for us about Jesus’ agony in the Craigbane, Fr Anthony spoke cannot separate Him from us. garden, saying: “There was of the unbroken link between When the priest gives you the nobody there with Jesus when priests today in the Catholic Eucharist, you then become a He took on all the sins of the Church back to the Last Tabernacle for your God. Jesus world from Adam to the last Supper, when Jesus said to His is amongst us.” person ever made. He was disciples...“This is My Body... Noting that there were weekly crushed. This is My Blood”. opportunities to adore Jesus in “His three disciples that He “Jesus said that it is His body the Blessed Sacrament in the chose to be with Him were and we believe that it is His parish, he said: “God is not asleep, but He could see all the body, because Jesus doesn’t lie,” far away in Heaven, He is here faithful people down the ages said Fr Anthony, adding: “We with you in the Eucharist. You who would come to spend do not have to understand it, are not looking at an object, time with Him in Adoration. but we do have to believe it. but Jesus. He is truly present He said, ‘Could you not watch When the priest says, ‘This is and you can come and make a one hour with Me?’ My Body...This is My Blood’ Holy Hour with Him. Thronged then it is Jesus, it is no longer “You can bring Him all your “The Church should be bread and wine. sufferings. In times of trial, for thronged with the faithful “The mystery that takes place yourselves, your children, the during hours of Adoration, if on the altar is so beyond our best thing to do is to come into people fully understand what comprehension it will only the church and go before Jesus it is. How many hours do be understood in Heaven. in the Blessed Sacrament and you watch television and do other things? Is one hour too much to spend with Jesus in Adoration? “No mind could possibly imagine the joy and glory that awaits us in Heaven. Could we not spend one hour with Him?” Born into “a very Catholic family” in Louisburgh, Co Mayo, 61 years ago, Fr Anthony had a desire in his heart as a child to be a missionary priest. Recalling getting “distracted” from this thought for a few 12 THE NET | APRIL 2020 This summer, the Long Tower Folk Group hope to celebrate their 40th anniversary...reflecting on this, Rita Moore shares how they have come to discover that... Singing in chapel is prayer put to music THE founding of Long Tower up the acoustic guitar for the start, we practised twice a Folk Group 40 years ago folk group. Music was always w e e k”. not only led to romance and important in Richard’s family While Rita taught the singing, marriage for dynamic duo, and ours. While Richard was Richard played the guitar, and Richard and Rita Moore, but the first in his family to get Tony Carlin, whose parents four decades of firm friendship involved in singing at Mass, my had set up the Colmcille Ladies’ between its members and a family were always involved in Choir and who was in charge deepening love for their faith our church and singing. of the big choir that sang at the and singing at Mass, to the “I sang in the Creggan Choir, 12 noon Sunday Mass in the extent that it has become for at the 12 noon Mass, and Long Tower, volunteered to them “prayer put to music”. through this I met Fr Frank play the keyboard for the folk Joy radiates from the smiling O’Hagan, who wanted to set group. He later immigrated to eyes of Rita, who is the up a folk group in the parish America. current principal of St Mary’s, around the time of Pope John “When we started off singing Long Tower Folk Group in Disneyland, California in 1990, including parents who came as chaperones Limavady, as she recalls many Paul II’s visit to Ireland. at the 11 am Mass on Sundays, happy memories shared with “Fr O’Hagan asked me if I we sat on the altar,” recalled her Long Tower Folk Group would like to join it and if I Rita. She added: “It was a family. knew Richard Moore, who very young choir; most of While her love of music and played the guitar. I didn’t. The them were in P1 and P2 and singing at Mass have grown first time I met Richard was the others were aged up to 13 during the last 40 years of when he became part of the or 14 years old. We had a few directing the choir, Rita told Creggan Folk Group, so we boys in the early days, as it was ‘The Net’ that the seed was have Fr O’Hagan to thank for cool enough at that stage. Most sown within her home and bringing us together. Richard of them were musicians in the nurtured during her school had a girlfriend at the time but group and others helped to years. then started going out with me; carry the gear. Originally from the Long he was my first boyfriend. Five “We sang at this Mass for Tower Parish, where she was years later, we got married.” many years and then the born in St Patrick Street, Eventually drifting awaySaturday night vigil Mass was Rita actually grew up in the from the Creggan Folk Group, introduced, and we sang at Creggan area, where her family though still wanting to play at that as well. At one stage, we moved in 1968. Mass, Rita and Richard then had so many members that “I was a pupil at St Joseph’s came to the attention of Fr we were able to have a junior PS,” she said, “and then with Con McLaughlin, who was and a senior folk group, with Rita and Richard with their Choir family on honeymoon in Boston, in July 1984.. the Sisters of Mercy at Artillery thinking of introducing a folk the junior one singing at the Street, and they always had us group to the Long Tower. 11 am Sunday Mass. Christine singing at Mass and liturgical “When Fr Con mentioned to Healey and Louise Starrett events throughout the year, Richard’s late brother, Pearse, from the senior group, took and we learnt the hymns to St that he would like to have a folk over the junior one. Columba and to St Patrick. group formed in the parish, “As they got older, the girls “So, I always associated Mass he was told that Richard and started going to university and with singing; it was always I used to play in the Creggan we ended up losing a lot of our part of my faith. Alongside the folk group. So, he asked us to members through this, while prayers at home and school, I start one in the Long Tower,” others got married and had also learnt hymns. Therefore, said Rita. children and then left as well. it was natural for me to join Recalling that Fr Michael The ladies we have in the choir the choir when I went to Mass. Collins had been the today have all been with us Richard and I did the same administrator in the Long for 25-30 years and now their with our children from they Tower at the time, she added: children are members too, were infants.” “Before we could sing at Fr including my own children. As for Richard, the well Collins’ Mass, we had to sing “Our eldest daughter, Niamh known founder of Children through every hymn we were leads the Junior Folk Group Richard and Rita’s 25th wedding anniversary celebration with the choir, Fr Michael Collins, Sr Marie Therese and Fr in Crossfire, Rita noted that going to do before he gave at the Children’s Mass in the Con McLaughlin. he had always been interested us the nod to go ahead. He Long Tower, and our youngest, in music too, and had learnt went on to become a fantastic Enya sings in the Senior Folk to play the guitar shortly after support and a good friend to G r o u p”. losing his sight. u s”. “Sometimes young people Adding that he had been “To recruit members for the rebel and go through a phase in a band called ‘The New group,” continued Rita, “we where they don’t want to go Cortelles’, she recalled: “This went around the primary and to Mass”, remarked Rita, “but band was run by a man called post primary schools, and got when you are in a choir, you ‘Joker’ Finlay and a Mickey it announced at Mass. There feel more involved and are Doherty. Richard was about was a great response and we more committed. However, 14 or 15 years old at that time, asked them to come to the Wee with attendance at Mass and they took him under their Nuns’ School to audition. Then diminishing, it is harder to wing when he was out playing we began to sing at the 11 am get new members, so it is not with the band to earn a few Mass on Sunday mornings. as easy for folk group leaders pounds. “Back then, the people were n o w ”. “When I met Richard, he all going to Mass and when Social was playing the electric guitar they joined something, they Reflecting on the success of in the band and he then took were committed to it. At the the Long Tower Folk Group Long Tower Folk Group after singing at the Saturday night Vigil Mass. THE NET | APRIL 2020 13 in keeping going for 40 years, the importance of that”. have developed. When our she talked about how they The good times away together youngest daughter, Enya got A few days after celebrating his 93rd birthday... introduced a social aspect and continued throughout the married in Spain, the choir went on holidays together. years, and included an came to her wedding. This has “We took about 30 children to opportunity to get up close to been the same for all our big Fr Michael Keaveny celebrates Butlins, in Mosney,” said Rita, Pope Francis. family events down the years, remarking: “For most of them, “We had always wanted to go such as baptisms, First Holy it was their first holiday”. to Rome,” said Rita, “and we Communion, weddings and 69 years of priesthood! She continued: “When did this about three or four funerals, and a lot of us go on Richard and I got married, all years ago. While there, Bishop holidays together every year. of the Folk Group members Donal celebrated Mass with The Folk Group is really an were at our wedding, and us in the Irish College and we extension of our family and they came with us on our also got great tickets for the we are always there for each honeymoon too! We went to Papal Mass on the Wednesday, o t h e r ”. Boston and did a singing tour. getting seats right up beside Rita went on to express “When Richard first lost his the altar. We sang in the Irish appreciation for the great sight, a family in America took College and in a number of support always shown by the him over there to try and help other churches while we were parents and the priests of the get his eyesight back. They there, and we did a tour of parish. and Richard’s family kept in Rome. Finding it hard to take in contact over the years, and “We had such a great time that the Ruby anniversary of we stayed with them when we together there that we decided the choir’s first Mass is fast went to Boston. The year after to plan something for the approaching, she remarked: “If we got married, we returned 40th anniversary of the Folk anyone had said 40 years ago, there with the Folk Group to Group. We started saving over to Richard and me, that we make an album”. a year ago and 18 of us were would still be doing the choir Rita went on to recall some supposed to be setting off to now, we would have laughed; THE inspirational Fr Michael and to joining the ministry. Thank to die for. He also has a great wit great times had camping in Washington on Easter Monday we were only 18/19 years old”. Keaveny, now retired and living God I am still able to celebrate and is steeped in knowledge of the France and travelling all over for a holiday, but that all Richard, who is currently within the Faughanvale Parish, Mass and get around, and thank Scriptures, especially the Psalms. Ireland as well: “We rented changed with the coronavirus, working out instrumental marked the 69th anniversary of God for all of you here to help me “He has been a good and faithful Linsfort House, in Donegal, Covid-19”. versions for some of the older his ordination to the priesthood celebrate this day.” servant, always providing a great by celebrating morning Mass with Congratulating Fr Michael on service to all. I wish him many and took the Folk Group away She added: “We usually take hymns, is now accompanied parishioners in St Mary’s Church, his 69th anniversary, Mgr Andy more years of blessings and that for weekends there. I did all the summer off, finishing with on guitar, in the choir, by Mallabuoy, on March 10. recalled first meeting him when he will get a couple of cheques in a the cooking. When we went the last Mass in June. This was Maria Clarke, while Stephen The 93-year-old was joined on he was a first year at St Columb’s few years time!” camping in France, I took to be our 40th Anniversary Long plays bass guitar, and the altar by Mgr Andy Dolan, PP, College. Saying that he hoped “to last a suitcases full of food. Mass this year, with the choir eldest daughter, Niamh, plays VG, and the current and former He went on to tell the bit longer”, Fr Michael prayed for “The guitars also camemembers gathering for a wee the keyboard when required. parish priests of Faughanvale, Fr congregation: “Everybody who protection for the world from the wherever we went and we had celebratory cuppa afterwards, Despite Covid-19 leading to Noel McDermott and Fr Patrick came through St Columb’s had coronavirus. sing-songs at night as well as but that will now depend on the public not being present in Mullan. very kind memories of him; a “God will take care of us. Trust games. It was all about having the situation with the virus”. church during the celebration He told those gathered: “I am man of great ability. He is much in God,” he told those gathered fun together. We never had Today, there are 24 members of Mass, the Long Tower very glad to be back here on this respected, and that was the case any bother with the children. in the Folk Group, with about Folk Group family have been special occasion when I celebrate no matter where he went.” the 69th anniversary of my Mgr Andy noted that Fr They would moan when I said 20 of them singing together in keeping the faith and looking ordination, which took place back Michael had taught at St Columb’s we had to go to Mass while we the choir at any one time. forward to the day when they in Rome on this day in 1951.” from 1951 until 1976, before were away on holiday, but it “We don’t rehearse in the can embrace each other again Recalling that there had been becoming administrator of the was important to show them chapel now”, said Rita, “but in and sing with one joyous voice six other Irish priests ordained new parish of St Joseph’s Galliagh, that their first role was to sing our house on a Tuesday night. within their beloved Long along with him, Fr Michael added: and then moving to the Parish at Mass and that everything So we have a bit of craic, a Tower Church of St Columba... “The ordination started at 8 am of Donaghmore (Crossroads, else comes from that”. cup of tea and a natter, as well calling on the Holy Patron of and didn’t finish until mid-day Killygordon), followed by a Rita pointed out that the as learning songs, and new our town to “make us share because there were many others period as parish priest of Omagh. children fundraised in order to members are always welcome”. thy deep devotion to this being ordained that day too. He has enjoyed wherever he has go on these holidays, adding: She added: “Music makes Sacrament Divine,” so when he “Travelling wasn’t as easy then, been over the years, including “It was a great way of bringing Mass more meaningful for all “speaks of Jesus, when his lips though we have some restrictions being here with you in the with the coronavirus now, but parish of Faughanvale,” said Mgr the families together. There was of us, and as we get older we pronounce His name, every I was very glad that my elder Andy, adding: “He has always a lovely sense of community notice the words of the songs word with love is burning and brother, who was ordained three kept himself well, physically and because everybody was more; they have become more his hearers catch the flame”. years before, and my parents were spiritually, and had a golf swing involved and it kept them important. Out of our 300- In the meantime, they are there for my ordination”. going to Mass, especially as 400 songs, the folk group find keeping up their Tuesday Saying that he had recently teenagers. It was great for the Lenten music and that for night rehearsals via the Zoom celebrated his 93rd birthday, Fr keeping them involved in the Easter liturgies the most App, which allows up to 100 Michael added: “I had thought the Church. They were also uplifting. people to communicate at the thanks be to God that I have a wonderful support to each “Singing in the chapel is a one time, via video, with an managed to live this long. I other growing up during the prayer put to music. They option of a 500 add-on, as well thought I was doing well, and time of The Troubles. Strong say if you are singing you are as keeping in touch with each then I saw a picture in the Africa magazine of a priest aged 94 years friendships developed and as praying twice. We really enjoy other via their Folk Group old, who had spent all his life on the children got older they saw the music and friendships that Whatsapp group. the missions and was still working in a parish! He was only 68 years ord ai n e d .” Thanking God for the years he spent teaching in St Columb’s College and then ministering in parishes, he said: “I thank God that I have lived so long and, hopefully, I have done the best I can. I pray for vocations to the priesthood as they have dropped off considerably. “So, pray for vocations and please God there will be plenty of The choir at the special Mass in the Long Tower celebrated by Fr Michael Collins to celebrate Enya’s wedding, after Irish hearts open to the Holy Spirit she got married in Spain in July 2018. 14 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Derry youth inspired by uplifting ARISE event by Yvonne Rooney to ‘Arise’ and discover what Maghera, said: “Even though the the responsibility for nourishing God is asking of them. It was an beauty of our faith isn’t measured the faith of our youth and young interactive and engaging day with in numbers, it can still feel adults, while supporting youth a varied programme. disheartening to feel you are in ministry workers. Amongst the Derry youth the minority in your local parish, CYMI is made up of over 20 present was Leanne McRory (21), being a younger adult living dioceses, as well as numerous from Cranagh, Co Tyrone, who out your faith and receiving the religious congregations, youth commented: “I had a really lovely sacraments regularly. movements and networks experience going to ARISE in “I went to the ARISE event throughout the country. Knock Shrine. I got to meet new hoping to lift my spirits and grow Its goals are to develop, sustain people from different dioceses, further in my faith. It offered and promote a national vision along with being privileged to that and so much more! I was and strategy for youth ministry in read at the first official CYMI encouraged to see so many young the Catholic Church. It also aims event. Catholic adults passionately living to shape and promote quality “The day was filled with so their faith in a very real and training and formation for Youth many different talks and activities meaningful way. Ministry workers. Leanne McCrory, from Cranagh, Co Tyrone, did the first reading at the celebration of Mass. that really got me thinking in a “Hearing testimonies and The annual training event this different way, and the passion networking with others who year will take place in Dublin on ON Saturday, March 7, a group would like to rediscover their Trócaire, Drumming, Friends of of those speaking really shone experience the same joys and May 25. For more information from the Derry Diocese headed to Catholic faith. Africa and Prayer (Lectio Divina) through. struggles of our faith really revived on CYMI, or Youth Ministry in Knock, in Co Mayo, for the first Key elements of the day to choose from. “Overall, I thought it was a my spirit and my hope, and it our diocese, please contact me, Catholic Youth Ministry Ireland included excellent music, keynotes There were testimonies from very enjoyable day and I will look helped to reaffirm my faith”. the Diocesan Youth Pastoral event, ARISE, which aimed to from Sr Susan Jones, CHF, and Fr various young people and Mass forward to going again in the This was the first such gathering Leader by email yvonne.rooney@ engage young adults, 18 years and Brendan Kilcoyne, Archdiocese of was celebrated by Bishop Michael f u t u r e”. in Ireland organised by Catholic derrydiocese.org or ‘phone over, who are actively involved Tuam, and workshops on Music Duignan, Diocese of Clonfert, Reflecting on the day also Youth Ministry Ireland (CYMI) 00442871264087. with their faith and those who Ministry, Alpha, Youth 2000, who encouraged young people Cait Glass, from the parish of - a national network that shares

Thornhill Spiritual Book Club Reviewby Gerardine O’Doherty. THORNHILL Ministries of Pope Francis’ by Aidan the family fell on hard times, within the Presbyterian accolades he holds the Chair of Spiritual Book Club has Donaldson. The book, itself, John Henry was granted a Church. Scott was a Minister Biblical Theology at the New discussed a range of religious is relatively short – 91 pages scholarship to continue his in his church and Kimberly’s Evangelization at Franciscan reading materials over the past in total. In the first section studies at Oxford. father was also a Presbyterian University, Steubenville, USA. year. Some of the materials of it, the author provides an He was baptised into Minister. They were both top As a group, we enjoyed have been our personal insightful reflection on each the Anglican Church and students in their respective reading this book. It was a choices and some books have of the Beatitudes as told in St was ordained an Anglican colleges and influentialrelatively easy read and we felt recommended to us by Friends Matthew’s Gospel. Deacon in 1824. He was also scholars on scripture and we could relate to the couple as of Thornhill House. In the second section of his a renowned theologian and theology. they struggled with their faith. We have been meeting book, Donaldson introduces poet. However, he struggled However, Scott began to The first year of our Book once a month, on a Tuesday the reader to Pope Francis’ six with a number of issues within experience doubts about Club has been quite successful. morning, in the Coffee Dock new Beatitudes, which were the Anglican Church and felt his faith and felt a calling to We are pleased with the range in Thornhill House, and we unveiled on All Saints Day at a drawn to the Catholic Church. Catholicism. This decision of texts we have read. Some have enjoyed the discussions Mass in Sweden, in 2016. He was ordained a Catholic caused serious concerns in his people have suggested we generated by the books we The author clearly states that Priest in 1846, beatified in relationship with his wife. The change the time of the Book have read. In this review, I Pope Francis’ new Beatitudes 2010 by Pope Benedict, and harder he tried to ignore the Club to accommodate those The book awarded ‘Second would like to highlight our are not a replacement for the canonised by Pope Francis in feelings of God’s calling to the who are unavailable in the Place’ is ‘Heart Speaks to ‘Top Three Books’ of the year. Beatitudes in the Sermon 2019. Catholic Church, the stronger morning. New dates and times Heart’ by Dermot Mansfield. on the Mount, but rather as As a group, we realised to it became until he accepted will be arranged. This book challenged us both “Fresh Signposts towards discuss this book in one session God’s Call. He was welcomed spiritually and academically. the continued realisation of would be doing ‘Heart Speaks into the Catholic faith at We chose this book as our Christ’s call to discipleship in to Heart’ a great disservice. We Easter 1986. His wife took a October read in honour of everyday life”. returned to it the following little longer to accept her call. the imminent canonisation He profiles a number of month for a more in-depth She became a member of the of St John Henry Newman in individuals who have answered discussion and we decided to Catholic Church at the Easter October 2019. Jesus’ call to discipleship read the book again. Vigil in 1990. The book tells the story in the modern world. In The book awarded ‘Third Since their conversion, the of the life of John Henry writing about ‘Forgiveness’, Place’ was ‘Rome Sweet Home: family has travelled extensively, Newman from childhood to for example, he highlights the Our Journey to Catholicism’ bringing the message of God Beatification. He was the eldest work of Richard Moore and by American couple, to the faithful. Dr Hahn is of six children in a home were others, who are living out the Kimberly and Scott Hahn. The an exceptionally popular religion and education were Gospel message in a selfless context of their conversion speaker. He has delivered important. He was a gifted and practical way. story tells of their personal numerous talks, nationally student, excelling in Music Never more has this struggles as they journeyed and internationally, on a range and the Classics. He was challenge of Jesus been from Presbyterianism to of topics related to Scripture given a place at the renowned ‘Top Book of the Year’ was presented to us as we currently Catholicism. and the Catholic Faith. He is a Ealing College and, even after awarded to ‘The Beatitudes respond to the coronavirus. They were both very active prolific author and among his THE NET | APRIL 2020 15 Great sense of community in Cappagh as parish reaches out in current crisis his parents and was worried about who was going to look after them if he took sick, rang me to say that such a weight had been lifted of his mind when he read the leaflet that came through the letterbox. In appreciation, he volunteered to help in whatever way he can. “We have had telephone calls from people saying that they didn’t have a connection with the parish, didn’t go to Mass Fr Declan recalled that, in in the community of mental etc, but wanted to help. There thinking about a community health, loneliness, vulnerable has also been a great response response, he was aware that children being off school, on social media, with people there were a number of strains on family budgets saying they really appreciated different groups throughout with people out of work or the support network that had the parish already doing good on massively reduced wages, been set up at this time. work in their response to the and domestic abuse going “It has brought out a real virus. unnoticed. sense of community in the “There were collections for “These are all things that parish and we are reaching food banks, and some groups we need to be aware of in our people through this that we Fr Declan McGeehan were organising grocery community, but the main had not been able to reach collections, etc,” he said, thrust of what we are doing before. People have been so THE community response, adding: “I was thinking about in response to the virus is to generous. My garage is full in Cappagh, to an appeal what Ronan had told us; that ensure that people know that, of food because the response for various groups to come a prolonged effort was going should they wake up with a by local businesses to the together in a coordinated to be needed over a number cough or a fever, etc, they are SVP food bank has been so approach to tackling any issues of months, and that we had to not to run out to the shops to staggering that they ran out of arising locally, as a result of make sure that whatever we stock up, but get in contact storage space.” the Covid-19 pandemic, has did was sustainable. with the community response Delighted at how inventive amazed the priests of the “I spoke to Fr Kevin about team, who are there to get people are being too, Fr parish. having a meeting of all the them whatever they need so Declan said: “I know of one Cappagh curate, Fr Declan groups in the community, and that they can stay in the house. parishioner who is trying McGeehan told ‘The Net’ that we asked representatives of “We got five mobile phones, to get funding to buy tablet the appeal had gone out from these groups to come to this, gave one to a representative computers, so that people the parish following a meeting including the sports clubs, the in each of the five areas that who don’t have a computer that he and parish priest, various parish ministries, the make up the parish and put or internet, can watch Mass Fr Kevin McElhennon had St Vincent de Paul, the Legion the number of the phone for in their homes. Another attended, at which the manager of Mary, local business people, each area on leaflets. This parishioner is cooking dinners of the Omagh and South West council representatives and means people will have a local for families that are struggling, Hospital, Ronan O’Hare spoke elected representatives.” person, whose familiar voice and cafes and restaurants that to local school principals about Fr Declan said that he was will be a comfort, if they need have had to close are cooking the coronavirus situation and also very aware that many of to ring the number. We have dinners every night at cost the need to put plans in place the SVP members were in the delivered the leaflets around price. This whole situation to cater for children of key vulnerable category and would the community, urging people is bringing out the best in workers. have to think of ‘cocooning’. to stay at home if they develop p e o p l e”. “He relayed the reality of the “The SVP Conference in any virus symptoms, and to Commenting on another situation and gave some facts our parish is very active and call the number for their area positive, he said: “The SVP and figures regarding what have a steady workload”, he if they are in need of anything, have had to scale back but they were expecting, and gave remarked, “but I realised that not just groceries or medicine, people are now expressing models of how the situation their resources and manpower etc, but also if they feel lonely an interest in joining the was going to impact people,” was going to be under a o r i s o l a t e d ”. society after this, and others said Fr Declan, adding: “He serious strain as a result of the Volunteering have taken it on as their local told us that the Health Service coronavirus.” “The response,” he noted, charity. was not going to be able to Feeding back to the “has been unbelievable. In “The people are really solve this, but rather it was community meeting what the addition to all the volunteers rallying around the SVP here are being so generous.” over, but they know now that going to take a community hospital manager had said, signing up through the various now, having come to realise Fr Declan went on to say he we are there for them.” response. and acknowledging the great clubs, about 100 people signed the great service they provide. had been “blown away” at how “At this time, when we can’t “The number one response, work already being done, Fr up from within the parish to Confidentiality is central to the people have come together be in the chapels praying,” he he said, was isolation and Declan suggested that they help out. People who have work of the SVP. They are very under the parish banner: “I added, “I think the Holy Spirit social distancing, and that “galvanise together and pool gone into isolation have also discreet, so people don’t know have never had as many people is saying that we can still live communities would have to resources to ensure that no one been volunteering to ring what they do; they don’t know wave and call across the street our Christianity by being out step up to ensure that people in the parish slipped through around parishioners to see if about how the Conference to me, saying hello and asking there helping people. We can’t were able to isolate. He the net”. they are alright or to answer helps people throughout the how I am. I have met people be content with just being in asked Fr Kevin and I to use He continued: “Ronan telephone calls from anyone year in a thousand different that I would never have met our churches, we have to be our influence in the parish had said to expect two crises wanting someone to chat to. ways. But now, with people in my ordinary day-to-day life out living our Christianity as to organise a community happening simultaneously. I know people who have used getting involved in helping the in the parish. It really has been well. Maybe this is a call to re s p on s e .” One being the virus, for this service really appreciate SVP because of the situation, a great tool in reaching out to us not to be cocooned in our Saying that their primary which the Health Service was that there is someone there on they are seeing firsthand the people. They might not come churches, but to go out.” focus was the schools, and to primarily responsible, and the the other side of the phone. spirit of their work and they back to Mass after this is all support the head teachers, other being resultant cases “One man, who looks after 16 THE NET | APRIL 2020 The Morning of the Resurrection by Fr Stephen Quinn OCD NE can ever so easily picture The business that they footsteps, but they suddenly have planned is one that is become aware that there the scene that early Sunday in no way a pleasant one! is definitely someone back morning so long ago; the They have to wash the cold, there behind them. As that dead body down, to cover thought dawns on them, wholeO city lies in darkness and silence him with sweet ointments they put it aside as not after the great festival of Passover. and spices in trying to hold being the priority just at off corruption as long as that moment. It could be There is hardly a candle burning in any possible, and then wrap anyone at all: a gardener window, it is so early in the morning. him in a bright new, linen, starting his morning’s work winding sheet. Then, all that or some anonymous passer- There is a singular exception interfere in the task that they will be left to do is to try by who just happened into to this quiet. In a large upper have set themselves. On and and roll the stone back over the garden. The person keeps room of a small house there on they go, without so much the entrance and try, as best coming, the footfalls come is the stir of life. Behind a as a whisper. as they could, to forget their closer, the person is now but locked wooden door some By careful footwork, they loved one as soon as possible; a few feet away. The person purposeful women are make it to the wall of the to forget his ignominious is coming up to meet them busy at their work. They are city and one of the gates that death and how he looked in and so they are forced to gathering linen garments and leads outside the walls. At those last moments. respond to his persistence. clothes, putting spices into the gate, they are forced to As they enter the garden As they turn around to meet pots, and collecting some explain their business but they find nothing as they the oncoming stranger, I water and soap. They are just they manage to negotiate expected it to be. There is am sure that their vision about to do for their loved that with a few diplomatic not the slightest sign that and comprehension of the one what millions, before words. As soon as they get the soldiers were ever there. moment is exactly as it and after, have sought to do, outside the gate, they realise The place is deserted and should have been. Their eyes to give to their loved one this that they are now taking almost as ‘dead’ as the rest go from general information full last measure of devotion, the same path that they had of the city. Now they are left to specifics. that in death his body may taken on Friday, retracing the in a real quandary; without They see, very clearly, a be a seemly thing as it hadn’t steps that he took, carrying the soldiers, who will roll the man wrapped in a tunic. He been in the last moments of the instrument of torture. stone away that they might is making a vigorous step life. The women put on their Bits and pieces of his clothes do their devotions? toward them, and their eye cloaks and pull their veils and body still litter the way. That thought has had barely picks up that there is some down over their faces. They are forced to walk past time to percolate when they similarity to someone in Then, ever so quietly, one of the place of execution, where are thunderstruck by the their past; the man reminds them goes to the front door the old blood has become scene. The tomb that they laid them of someone. Yet there laughed and joked with. The at once! Mary’s mind is is caught very well by and, with an incredibly light ingrained into the wood and, him in three days previously is something very different very same is again talking to swimming with questions. Magdalene, who falls to her touch, pulls open the door; goodness, how it stinks! The lies open to the elements and about this figure than any them. Yet how could that be? She knows only that what is knees before him and adores, giving us the impression that stench of death lies heavy on seems to have been rifled. man they have ever met That voice had been silenced standing before her very eyes saying to him “Rabunni”, or these women are seriously that little hill outside the city. Their hearts sink down deep before. It is the face that forever with...“My God, My is so much more than even “Master.” Words that give concerned about being seen In response, the women pull in their chests, wondering is most striking. There is God why have you forsaken what she had seen in Bethany voice to all her questions and who could have carried out something about it, a beauty me?” That voice was dead with Lazarus. Lazarus had all the answers that come to such a vile desecration? The that goes beyond skin deep. and gone. How could they simply been resuscitated; her in her vision. shock and horror of the Transfiguration now be hearing it? They Lazarus was going to live There is one more important moment is almost palpable! If they had been on must, at first, want to pinch a normal life and then was point to bring out. The point Even in death, his enemies the mountain for the themselves just in case it is going to die again. Nothing stands implicitly stored up in could not leave their Lord Transfiguration, theyall a dream. They pinch and in this world is anything like what Jesus said to her. When in peace; they had to heap a would have recognised pinch, as sharply as they can, what walks towards Mary he spoke her name, surely, we further indignity upon him. some similarities with that but He is still there. out of the tomb. can see that there is a claim The women rush to the experience. Suddenly, the light from his A new existence is born of intimacy and an offer of door and see that a few of There is luminosity. It is a face starts to dawn inside of from the empty tomb of friendship. All that separated the clothes lie scattered on human face, no doubt, but them. All the words that he Jesus Christ. The one who and alienated humanity from the ground and the shroud there is so much more to it; it had spoken about himself has come out of the tomb will God is put to flight. All that lies folded up neatly in the vibrates with life and light. It start to come thick and fast. never die again. The normal matters is for him and us to corner. As to the body, is the face of the Rising Son. There were the threehuman rhythm of living and come to terms. The Risen there is absolutely no sign. As they look at him, they are separate times in which he dying no longer applies to One will give peace to those Where did they place the increasingly struck with awe had warned that he was him at all. He lives another who mourn. The Risen One and identified. The one who their veils down closer to body? That is now the key and wonder. It is a moment destined to be rejected by the life. In the womb of the will give light to those in opens the door carefully their faces, trying their best to their thoughts. There is a not unlike Sinai or Horeb; the people, be put to death, and Virgin, divinity had united darkness. The Risen One will scans the dark street outside, to block out the vile sights real danger that Jesus, their presence of God is tangible, that he would do something itself to humanity in the give joy to those who are sick taking in the slightest detail, and desperate memories, beloved friend, is lost to them and you can almost reach out mysterious called “rising person of Jesus Christ. On to their very heart. When he peeling her eyes, craning pushing on to get past the forever. Shocked out of all and touch it. again”. Then there was that the cross, that divinity had spoke Mary’s name to her, he her ears for the slightest spot as soon as they can. knowing, the group of ladies Their first reaction is to fall whole mysterious episode loved humanity to wellness, is not only speaking to her movement or noise. Not a Not far from that little hill stand facing the horror of an to their knees and worship when he spoke of destroying removing the marks that had but with her speaks each of creature is out on that street, there is a garden, and, in empty tomb, not knowing the One approaching them the temple and in three days so deformed its existence our own names. so she beckons to her friends that garden, a newly carved what to do next. as the Living God. Yet still, raising it up again. from the beginning. Now, The moment in the Garden to move. One by one they tomb has been hewn out As they stand there the mystery remains as to It must click with them that in the Resurrection, Christ of the Resurrection has noiselessly file out into the of the rock. They had been dumbfounded, they probably who this person is who is this is the third day after the draws humanity away from not gone anywhere. It has street. They pause for just one forced to place their friend do not notice the first rays of approaching. It is only when cross. Was he now the temple its creaturely anchorage not been lost by space and moment to take stock that in that tomb in the frenetic the rising sun come up from he speaks to them that the of God’s presence...the focus in this world to an eternal time. There is no past or they have got everything they effort to bury him before behind them, nor do they first flicker of light comes point of God’s life with existence, to a life shared with future to it. It is present. It need. Someone whispers, the Passover. As they arrive feel the warmth of the sun to their minds. The person us? They can’t forget what the Blessed Three Persons, to is always. It lives because “ready”, there is a click of a at the garden gate, they stop as it touches the back of their speaks one of their names - happened at Bethany, when live the life of God Himself. he lives. He lives, so it lives latch and they are away. to take a breath. They sigh necks. Given the trauma “Mary,” he says. A familiar Lazarus came out of the In the Resurrection of with him. Magdalene nor Like mice, they scurry heavily with relief that they of the previous numbers voice...a voice that they tomb and Jesus’ commentary Jesus, divine life has become any of those faithful women along the walls, keeping to have managed to make it of days, it is a wonder that have heard so many times upon it...that he was the “the human life, where the three have exclusive rights to that the darkest shadows, giving this far without any disasters. they pick up on anything at before...a voice that had Resurrection and the Life.” share and exist exactly in that experience of Resurrection. the impression that they But they still have business all! Something behind them spoken some of the greatest Their minds must beplace is humanity destined to The Resurrection plays out definitely do not want to ahead of them and they are starts to impinge on their and yet most mysterious swimming with every word be. A whole new future has again and again for those be noticed or recognised, probably aware that there consciousness. It may have words that they had ever and detail. It is a moment dawned because of the Risen who want to know Christ deathly afraid that some are going to be soldiers been a fleeting glimpse of a heard...and a voice that, on of sensory and intellectual One. and the power that He offers unfriendly hand will somewhere in that garden. movement, or the sound of so many occasions, they had overload. It is all too much The whole momentto us all. THE NET | APRIL 2020 17 Eangach Ár nDúchas Fód na Cásca Colm Cille agus

Ghlanaidís an simléir fadó Aoine an Chéasta, Eoin Soiscéalaí Agus d’fhágaidís gan tine é Go dtí an lá dár gcionn “Bíodh eadraibh choíche Go bhfuair siad aibhleog bheannaithe Ó thine na Cásca fíor-ghrá is síocháin”. Ar an Satharn Naofa. Aiséirí an Tiarna Ar an 9ú lá Meithimh i mbliana, a thugann lasadh don tine teallaigh 2020, tosóimid ar bhliain go cionn bliana eile, ar a laghad. ullmhúcháin don cheiliúradh mór a bheas sa Deoise ar an 9ú Brúitíní Creidimh Meitheamh 2021, cothrom 1500 (Buíochas le Foilseacháin Ábhair bliain ó 521, nuair a rugadh Naomh Spioradálta) Colm Cille. Nuair a amharcaimid siar go 521, ní comhaireamh ama atá ar bun againn, ach oilithreacht An Phaidir Absorbeat, ar lorg fréamhacha creidimh le Naomh Proinsias Assisi ár nDeoise. Táimid ag iarraidh tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar an Go dtarraingí, oidhreacht a d’fhág Naomh Colm impím ort, a Thiarna, Cille agus muintir na luath-Eaglaise brí bheodhearg in Éirinn againn. Agus táimid ag mhilis do ghrása iarraidh spiorad na hoidhreachta mo mheon aniar sin a athbheochan agus a chothú as an uile ní atá faoi neamh, arís i measc ár muintire. Cros Eoin, Í Cholm Cille Siombail Naoimh Eoin, Machaire Eadar Ghabhal chun go bhfaighinnse bás le mo ghrá do do ghrása, Luíonn spiorad na filíochta agus a dúirt Antoine de Saint-Exupéry óir dheonaigh tusa Oidhreacht Cholm Cille spiorad na paidreoireachta in ina leabhar An Prionsa Beag: ‘Is le do ghrá do mo ghrása, aice a chéile. Agus cónaíonn an ón chroí amháin a thig amharc na 1. Fíor-ghrá is Síocháin ar an teagasc a bhíodh de shíor ag bás a fháil. creideamh agus an tsamhlaíocht fírinne — tá súil an duine dall ar an Nuair a bhí Colm Cille ag fáil Naomh Eoin, Soiscéalaí: ‘A chlann gar dá chéile chomh maith. Mar rud a bhfuil fíor-thábhacht leis’. bháis, bhailigh na manaigh uilig ionúin liom, bíodh grá agaibh dá (Mise Proinsias bhur mBráithrín. isteach sa tséipéal, agus bheannaigh chéile’. I Soiscéal Eoin, caibidil 15, Buíochas le Cló Iar-Chonnachta.) sé iad. Seo an teachtaireacht a deir Íosa lena dheisceabail: ‘Is í bhí aige dá lucht leanúna: ‘Bíodh seo m’aithne: sibh a thabhairt grá Is é Dia an Grá Go dtuga Dia saor sinn eadraibh choíche fíor-ghrá is dá chéile, faoi mar a thug mé grá ‘A chairde cléibh, tugaimis grá dá mbeadh ina íobairt sásaimh ar ár síocháin’. Macalla atá sna focla sin daoibh’. Ní de thaisme a tharlaíonn chéile mar gur ó Dhia an grá agus bp e a c aí .’ Go dtuga Dia saor sinn go bhfuil teachtaireacht Cholm an té a thugann grá is ó Dhia a (1Eoin4:7-10) ó thrioblóidí an lae, Cille ar leaba a bháis ina macalla rugadh é agus aithníonn sé Dia. An mar a thug sé saor sinn ar theachtaireacht Eoin Soiscéalaí, té nach dtugann grá ní aithnid dó ó bhás codlata na hoíche. nó bhí an-aird ag muintir na Dia, mar is é Dia an Grá. Mar seo luath-Eaglaise in Éirinn, agus ag a foilsíodh grá Dé inár measc gur (Ár bPaidreacha Dúchais, 13.) mainistreacha Cholm Cille go sheol sé a aon-Mhac sa saol le go háirithe, ar Naomh Eoin. mairimis-ne trídsean. Seo é an grá — ní gur thugamar-na grá do Dhia 2. Filíocht agus Samhlaíocht ach gur thug seisean grá dúinne File a bhí i Naomh Colm Cille. agus gur sheol uaidh a Mhac go Maidin Chásca, Caisleán na Finne Gnás na Comaoineach: saibhreas na hurnaí Is iontach an t-am é seo — i ndiaidh agus an brón, an t-aoibhneas agus Is cuimhin liom lá nuair a rinne Ba é sin an bomaite ba chorraithí Comaoineach a ghlacadh — le an t-áthas lonnaithe. mé Aifreann a cheiliúradh istigh i mo shaol creidimh, ach tháinig bheith ag guí go pearsanta chun i dtuama Íosa in Iarúsailéim, sa mé amach as an tuama leis an Íosa Críost. Níl mé ag maíomh gur Lig dó siúd seilbh a ghlacadh orthu tuama fholamh. Bhain muid úsáid chinnteacht go raibh an rud seo an t-am le bheith ag argóint le sin uile agus ar gach rud eile atá ag as an leac mharmair ar luigh corp céanna fíor in eaglais ar bith ar hÍosa ná ag tabhairt amach dó. Níl cur as duit nó ag líonadh do chuid Chríost uirthi ó Aoine an Chéasta domhan agus ag am ar bith a mé ag maíomh go gcaithfidh tú dul ama. Suigh leis go ciúin agus lig go dtí Domhnach an Aiséirí mar nglacaim Comaoineach. Níl sé trí mhéid áirithe paidreacha atá de dó siúd suí leatsa, mar a bheadh altóir. Ag deireadh an Aifrinn, anseo; tá sé aiséirithe! Is fiú i gcónaí ghlanmheabhair agat. Níl rud ar cuairteoir chuig duine tinn. Má tá nuair a ghlac mé Comaoineach am a chaitheamh ag meabhrú faoi bith cearr le ceachtar den dá rud sé doiligh agat coinneáil i dtiúin Naofa istigh sa tuama thit mé ar mo fhírinne seo na hEocairiste agus sin, ach uaireanta d’fhéadfadh sé a leis agus gan rud ar bith á rá agat, dhá ghlúin agus mé ag meabhrú go faoi thábhacht na Comaoineach ag bheith níos tábhachtaí fós a bheith abair a ainm go ciúin arís agus arís raibh an Críost aiséirithe ar ais sa an am seo san Aifreann. Cuirfidh ag éisteacht le hÍosa atá beo istigh eile go dtí go nasctar le chéile sibh tuama fholamh, agus istigh ionam sé saibhreas le do chuid urnaí. ionainn, ag cur faoi i gcochall do i ngrá Dé. féin. chroí, áit a bhfuil an t-uaigneas 18 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Buncrana couple feel greatly blessed through Divine Mercy devotion approach the fount of My mercy. of ways to express this. At one Sopocko. The soul that will go to Confession time, he had kept owls and had Finished last summer, the grotto, and receive Holy Communion built an aviary for birds of prey which can be lit up at night- shall obtain complete forgiveness in the back garden. Due to lack time, was blessed by Fr Michael of sins and punishment. On of time to look after the birds Sweeney on one of the nights that that day all the divine floodgates properly, he had stopped keeping the Divine Mercy Prayer Group through which grace flow are them, but still had the wooden was meeting in Mickey and Tina’s opened. Let no soul fear to draw structure he had built as an aviary. house. near to Me, even though its An idea began to form in Feeling blessed to have a Divine sins be as scarlet. My mercy is Mickey’s mind about building a Mercy Grotto in their back garden, so great that no mind, be it of bigger grotto, and when he and the couple are looking forward to man or of angel, will be able to Tina went to Medjugorje, two sharing it with others, saying that fathom it throughout all eternity. years ago, they brought a 98 cm people are welcome to come and Everything that exists has come tall Divine Mercy statue and a spend some time in prayer there. THE power of the Divine Mercy down pictures of Sr Faustina ‘Endless Mercy’ by Fr Michael forth from the very depths of My statue of Our Lady of Grace home “This grotto is not about Tina and message, given to the world by during the 50s, when the Divine Sopocko, who was Sr Faustina’s most tender mercy. Every soul in with them. I. We believe that it has been built Jesus through apparitions to the Mercy messages were under spiritual director. This led to him its relation to Me will contemplate “After this, I started to work on for a reason...what that is will be Polish nun, Sr Faustina Kowalska investigation. It was April 18, 1993 studying any writings he could My love and mercy throughout a bigger grotto, with the help of revealed in God’s time.” in the early1930s, has drawn many before she was beatified by Pope find on Sr Faustina, and also to eternity. The Feast of Mercy some fellas I work with. Robert Their devotion to the Divine souls back to God over the years John Paul II, who then canonised him and Tina going to Poland in emerged from My very depths of Callaghan did the block work, Mercy has led to them taking and continues to be a source of her and established Divine Mercy 2013, which was followed by trips tenderness. It is My desire that it Martin McGavigan did the wood over leading the praying of the great consolation for many today. Sunday – the second Sunday of to Vilnius in 2014 and 2015. be solemnly celebrated on the first work, and Emmet Friel did the Chaplet on the first Monday of One couple whose Divine the Easter season - as a feast on the “I wanted to go to Vilnius,” said Sunday after Easter. Mankind will stone work,” said Mickey, adding each month, at 6.45 pm, in St Mercy experience changed their same date, April 30, 2000.” Mickey, “where Sr Faustina had not have peace until it turns to the that the only expense was the Mary’s Church, Cockhill, before lives in a profound way is Tina Reflecting on his faith life, lived in the convent house of the Fount of My Mercy.” materials because the men didn’t the celebration of Mass. and Mickey Bradley, who have a Mickey said that, up until he did Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, from He went on to highlight another charge for their work. “The two ladies who had been beautiful outdoor Divine Mercy his Cursillo weekend in 2003, 1933 to 1936. She had visions of entry in Faustina’s Diary that Mickey was also delighted when leading the Divine Mercy Chaplet grotto within the grounds of their his practice of the Catholic faith Jesus there, and this is where Jesus had greatly impacted on him: Fr Joe Gormley gave him one of prayer have retired and Tina and I Buncrana home. had entailed going to Mass on a gave her the prayers for the Divine “Faustina writes about working the church seats from St Mary’s have taken on to lead it, with their Both formerly from the Carnhill Sunday. Mercy Chaplet. in the kitchen and how she found Church, in the Creggan, when it guidance,” said Mickey. area of Derry, the couple have been “I enjoyed my Cursillo weekend, “In 2014, we went to Krakow and it difficult to lift large pots, as she was undergoing refurbishment, Leading a very different life now living in the Inishowen seaside but the penny didn’t drop until visited the Divine Mercy Chapel, was growing weaker. She found it for seating at the Divine Mercy from that of his youth, Mickey is town for 33 years now. Preparing the fourth day; the Monday after Sr Faustina’s convent and her particularly difficult to drain the Grotto. open to whatever God’s plan is to celebrate 42 years of marriage my weekend. I went back up to tomb. We also went to the home potatoes because of the weight and The Grotto has a statue of St for him, as is Tina. They are both this year, Tina and Mickey have Termonbacca for the Cursillo where Fr Sopocko had lived and the other nuns noticed when she Faustina, from Krakow, and one grateful for the revelation that the two daughters, four sons and 10 Wednesday friendship night and to the home of the painter of the tried to avoid this. She prayed to of Fr Michael Sopocko, made in Divine Mercy message has been, grandchildren, with whom they there was talk about grouping. A Divine Mercy image. It was great God about her weakness and she Buncrana, as well as an image and continues to be for them, and passionately share their Divine couple of boys asked me if I would to be in the room where the actual heard within her that she would of the Holy Spirit, which was look forward to continuing their Mercy devotion. like to join them in a friendship painting was done; it is now the be strengthened from that day donated by Fr Frank Bradley, faith journey with others. Reflecting on her faith experience group, and we started to meet home in which the Sisters of on. That evening, she rushed to be and wall mounted quotes from growing up, Tina said: “I always every Tuesday night. Merciful Jesus live. the one to drain the potatoes and the writings of Sr Faustina and Fr had faith, even as teenager when “We started out meeting in “When I came back home, I kept found that she was able to easily I was involved with the Legion each other’s houses but then reading more and more books on lift the pot. After she had drained of Mary. That came from the we asked for a room to meet Divine Mercy, including ‘God is the water, she lifted off the lid example of my mother and, in in at Termonbacca. This group Mercy’ by Fr Sopocko, and I have and saw beautiful roses instead of particular, my father.” eventually became what is now also recently read his diary”. potatoes in the pot.” She recalled first becoming aware known as the Matt Talbot Prayer More trips followed and, last “I have been struck by the of the Divine Mercy Devotion over Group, and it is open to men year, the couple went to Poland to humbleness of St Faustina and the 30 years ago, when she received a and women. You don’t have to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine Mercy message, and how leaflet about it during a visit with be in Cursillo to be in it, and you Describing the experience as we just need to keep it simple,” said her sisters to Mount Melleray, in can come and go. Some have the “amazing”, Tina said that they Mickey, adding: “Our Lord uses Co Waterford, where a number wrong impression and think it is had booked to return there this the innocence of people; Faustina of local people claimed, in 1985, only for people with addictions, year for Divine Mercy Sunday as was from a good prayerful family. to have seen Our Lady appear at a but it’s not. It is an open group for well, as part of a group of 13 from She was the third child of 10 and grotto set up by the monks of the whoever chooses to come along.” Derry. just had three years’ education. Cistercian Monastery there. The group meets in Termonbacca “Divine Mercy Sunday is a big “Her goodness and the way she “I started doing the Divine Mercy all year round, on a Tuesday night day in Krakow; it is jam-packed silently suffered with tuberculosis Novena on Good Friday every from 7.30-8.30 pm, and for the with pilgrims from Poland and really made me think. Life is short year from that,” said Tina, adding last few years it has been meeting other countries. The celebration enough and so we have to make that she now loves to pray the in the oratory, with the Blessed takes place within the setting of St the most of it. It is important to Divine Mercy Chaplet every day. Sacrament exposed. Faustina’s convent, where there is a help others as best you can, even if Tina’s faith journey also led Mickey and Tina are also big, new basilica dedicated to The it is just in small ways, like people her into Cursillo, and she will members of a Divine Mercy Prayer Divine Mercy”. asking you to pray for them. celebrate the 21st anniversary of Group that has been meeting for Tell the whole world Divine Mercy is lived in prayer, her Cursillo weekend during April prayer for over 20 years. Tina has Commenting on Faustina’s word and deed.” this year. been part of this group for 20 years powerful Diary, Mickey noted Mickey and Tina love spending “Faith, for me,” said Tina, “is and Mickey for eight. that the passage that stands out time praying at the Divine Mercy a constant learning process. It Mickey explained: “Members for many people is 699, in which Grotto in their back garden, which has taught me a whole lot about from Derry and Buncrana take Faustina records Jesus saying to first began to take shape when Divine Mercy and has deepened turns hosting the prayer group in her: “My daughter, tell the whole Tina was given a small ready- both Mickey’s faith and mine. their homes for half an hour on world about My inconceivable made grotto from Pennyburn Our lives are definitely more faith- a Friday night. This is an open mercy. I desire that the Feast of Youth Club by a friend. This was based now”. group, too, and we have found the Mercy be a refuge and shelter for added to by Mickey, and Tina Named after St Faustina, she prayer to be very powerful, with all souls, and especially for poor brought a statue of Our Lady back remembers her mother having many prayers answered.” sinners. On that day the very from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje a large picture of the nun on the Desiring to read more about depths of My tender mercy are to put into it. wall of their home: “However, the Divine Mercy story, Mickey open. I pour out a whole ocean As his devotion to the Divine the Church told people to take said that he bought a book called of graces upon those souls who Mercy grew, so did Mickey’s ideas THE NET | APRIL 2020 19 Divine Mercy quotes from Sr Faustina’s Diary Pray for Divine Mercy - Bishop Donal pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy more needed for the whole world. God who takes the burden of sin Communion on the Feast of Divine Mercy is obviously at the on his shoulders. Centuries before My mercy. Then He said to me, heart of Jesus’ message. As Pope Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote of My daughter, fear nothing. I am Francis’ opening message for the one who would suffer for people. always with you, even if it seems to 2016 Year of Mercy says, ‘Jesus is He would be you that I am not. Your humility the face of the Father’s mercy’. “A man of sorrows and familiar draws Me down from My lofty In Jesus’ time there were so with suffering...despised and we throne, and I unite Myself closely many who thirsted for mercy in took no account of him. And with you (Diary, 1109). their scarred lives – we have the yet ours were the sufferings he tax collectors and sinners, the bore, ours the sorrow he carried.” Jesus looked at me and said, Samaritan Woman and the Good (Isaiah 53:3-4) Souls perish in spite of My bitter Thief. Key parables include the He prophesied a God who was Passion. I am giving them the last stories of the Prodigal Son and the prepared to suffer and be crushed hope of salvation; that is, the Feast Lost Sheep. for those whom he had created of My Mercy. If they will not adore It is so much needed in our own in love. He would be the Lamb time when many people’s lives are of God who would take away the My mercy, they will perish for all Bishop Donal McKeown eternity. Secretary of My mercy, The Divine Mercy, the conclusion marred by things they did and sins of the world. All people had to PARTICULAR devotions in the At the hour of their death, I write, tell souls about this great of the Jubilee of Redemption. places where they ended up. They do was to bring their sins and lay Church have come as gifts because defend as My own glory every mercy of Mine, because the awful When we went to take part in the have a deep desire for forgiveness, them at his feet. of particular needs. soul that will say this chaplet; day, the day of My justice, is near celebrations, my heart leapt with so that they can be at peace with Jesus did die on the Cross but Sr Faustina’s adult years were or when others say it for a dying (Diary, 965). joy that the two solemnities were their past rather than tormented the Resurrection proved that sin person, the pardon is the same. so closely united. I asked God for lived between two terrible events by it. A forgiving Jesus is the face and death would not have the of the 20th century. She was a When this chaplet is said by the Everything that exists has come mercy on the souls of sinners. that they want to see. upper hand in the battle between teenager during the First World bedside of a dying person, God’s forth from the very depths of My Toward the end of the service, Divine Mercy is also a challenge good and evil, God and the devil. War, which directly or indirectly anger is placated, unfathomable most tender mercy. Every soul in when the priest took the Blessed to the secular world. Young people Thus the Divine Mercy led to perhaps 50 million deaths mercy envelops the soul, and its relation to Me will contemplate Sacrament to bless the people, I saw are exposed to a glorification of Novena (Good Friday – Sunday in five years. And, she died a year the very depths of My tender My love and mercy throughout the Lord Jesus as He is represented violence and a cut-throat culture. after Easter) does not stand in before the outbreak of the Second mercy are moved for the sake of eternity. The Feast of Mercy in the image. The Lord gave His Public discourse is often coarse opposition to the Easter message. World War, which caused over 70 the sorrowful Passion of My Son emerged from My very depths of blessing, and the rays extended and confrontational. Anger and It celebrates what flows from the million deaths. (Diary, 811). tenderness. It is My desire that it over the whole world. … I heard mockery of others seems to be the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. These two merciless conflicts be solemnly celebrated on the first a voice, This Feast emerged from default position in many political And this year, more than ever, I took place because imperial This prayer will serve to appease Sunday after Easter. Mankind will the very depths of My mercy, and issues. Angry words can easily invite people across the Diocese to powers wanted to assert their My wrath. You will recite it for not have peace until it turns to the it is confirmed in the vast depths lead to angry deeds. pray for Divine Mercy ‘on us and pride or avenge their losses. There nine days, on the beads of the Fount of My Mercy (Diary, 699). of My tender mercies. Every soul But Divine Mercy speaks of a on the whole world’. rosary, in the following manner: believing and trusting in My was never a time when mercy was First of all, you will say one OUR On that day all the divine mercy will obtain it (Diary, 420). FATHER and HAIL MARY and floodgates through which graces the I BELIEVE IN GOD. Then on flow are opened. Let no soul fear I am very surprised that You the OUR FATHER beads you will to draw near to Me, even though bid me to talk about this Feast say the following words: “Eternal its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is of Mercy, for they tell me that Father, I offer You the Body and so great that no mind, be it of man there is already such a feast and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your or of angel, will be able to fathom so why should I talk about it? dearly beloved Son, Our Lord it throughout all eternity (Diary, And Jesus said to me, And who Jesus Christ, in atonement for our 699). knows anything about this feast? sins and those of the whole world.” No one! Even those who should On the HAIL MARY beads you My daughter, tell the whole be proclaiming My mercy and will say the following words: “For world about My inconceivable teaching people about it often do the sake of His sorrowful Passion mercy. I desire that the Feast of not know about it themselves. have mercy on us and on the Mercy be a refuge and shelter for That is why I want the image to whole world.” In conclusion, three all souls, and especially for poor be solemnly blessed on the first Chaplet of Divine Mercy times you will recite these words: sinners. On that day the very Sunday after Easter, and I want it The Chaplet of Mercy is recited from evil, Amen. Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, depths of My tender mercy are to be venerated publicly so that using ordinary rosary beads of five Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Holy Immortal One, have mercy open. I pour out a whole ocean every soul may know about it decades. The Chaplet is preceded by 4. Hail Mary - Hail Mary, full Jesus Christ, in atonement for our on us and on the whole world” of graces upon those souls who (Diary, 341). two opening prayers from the Diary of grace. The Lord is with thee. sins and those of the whole world. (Diary, 476). approach the Fount of My Mercy. of Saint Faustina and followed by a Blessed art thou amongst women, The soul that will go to Confession closing prayer. and blessed is the fruit of thy 7. On the 10 Small Beads of Say, My daughter, that the Feast and receive Holy Communion womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother Each Decade - For the sake of His of My Mercy has issued forth from shall obtain complete forgiveness 1. Make the Sign of the Cross - In of God, pray for us sinners, now sorrowful Passion, have mercy on My very depths for the consolation of sins and punishment (Diary, the name of the Father, and of the and at the hour of our death, us and on the whole world. of the whole world (Diary, 1517). 699). Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. 8. Repeat for the remaining I want to grant a complete Low Sunday; that is, the Feast of 2. Optional Opening Prayers - 5. The Apostles’ Creed - I believe decades - Saying the “Eternal You expired, Jesus, but the source in God, the Father almighty, Father” (6) on the “Our Father” of life gushed forth for souls, and Creator of heaven and earth, and bead and then 10 “For the sake of Be at peace the ocean of mercy opened up in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our His sorrowful Passion” (7) on the At this worrying time I think Father who cares for you today sorrows, Jesus help me. for the whole world. O Fount of Lord, who was conceived by the following “Hail Mary” beads. everyone has their part to play, will take care of you tomorrow When others fail me and your Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin we are all cogs in the wheel, no and every day. Either he will shield grace alone can assist me, Jesus help envelop the whole world and Mary, suffered under Pontius 9. Conclude with Holy God matter how small or large. If one you from suffering, or he will give me. empty Yourself out upon us. Pilate, was crucified, died and was (Repeat three times) - Holy God, cog falls out of line then the wheel you unfailing strength to bear it. When I throw myself on your (Repeat three times) buried; He descended into hell; Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal won’t function well, or correctly, as Be at peace then and put aside all tender love, as my Lord and O Blood and Water, which on the third day He rose again One, have mercy on us and on the with our guidelines from the HSE; anxious thoughts and imaginings.” Saviour, Jesus help me. gushed forth from the Heart of from the dead; He ascended into whole world. if even one person doesn’t adhere My daily prayer has always When my heart is cast down by Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I heaven, and is seated at the right then it puts the whole wheel of been, and even more so in these failure at seeing no good coming trust in You! hand of God the Father almighty; 10. Optional Closing Prayer society at risk. The oil that keeps unknown and uncertain times: from my efforts, Jesus help me. from there He will come to judge - Eternal God, in whom mercy the wheel turning smoothly is our “Jesus Help me. In every need When I am ill and my head and 3. Our Father - Our Father, the living and the dead. I believe is endless and the treasury of faith and the wonderful priests let me come to you with a humble hands cannot work and I am lonely, Who art in heaven, hallowed be in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic compassion — inexhaustible, and religious guiding us. trust saying, Jesus help me. Jesus help me. Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Church, the communion of look kindly upon us and increase My comforting quote is from In all my doubts, perplexities and Always, always, in spite of Thy will be done on earth as it is saints, the forgiveness of sins, the Your mercy in us, that in difficult St Francis de Sales and it gives temptations, Jesus help me. weariness, falls and shortcomings of in heaven. Give us this day our resurrection of the body, and life moments we might not despair me strength daily as a frontline In hours of loneliness, weariness every kind, Jesus help me and never daily bread; and forgive us our everlasting. Amen. nor become despondent, but with healthcare worker: “Do not look and trials, Jesus help me. forsake me”. trespasses as we forgive those who great confidence submit ourselves forward to what might happen In failure of my plans and hopes, (Helen, Iskaheen) trespass against us; and lead us 6. The Eternal Father - Eternal to Your holy will, which is Love tomorrow. The same everlasting in disappointments, troubles and not into temptation, but deliver us Father, I offer you the Body and and Mercy itself. 20 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Paying tribute to the Men’s Divine Mercy Prayer Group for bringing the Divine Mercy message to the Parish of Creggan – the epicentre of political conflict in Derry over last 50 years – parish priest, Fr Joe Gormley writes... The message of Mercy is so necessary for healing wounds in our parish, city, country and world mankind, but I desire to heal it His heart by trusting in His love pressing it to my merciful heart. and mercy. The world, by trusting Before the day of justice, I am in his love and mercy, would be sending the day of mercy.” prepared for the Lord’s second Later in her visions and coming. allocutions, the main message Sr Faustina initially felt that this given by Jesus to Faustina is to message of preparing the world trust in His mercy. This message for the second coming of Christ is written at the base of every was too much for her to carry. Yet, image of the Divine Mercy today. Jesus showed her that she was not On that image, we read the words to carry it by herself. Poland, her Jesus I trust in You. Sr Faustina country, would be used by Christ said that we need to be healed of to prepare the world to hear the the distorted image we have of message of mercy before the final God. This distorted image arises coming of Christ. as a result of our sins, which Sr Faustina died on October causes us to run from Him and 5, 1938. Less than a year later, in not trust Him. That is why Jesus September 1939, Poland became asked Faustina to have this Image the opening venue for the worst painted. In the image, Jesus is love conflict the world has ever seen, and mercy itself. In the image World War II, when the German Jesus is pleading with us to trust Nazis invaded. Him as He is the love and mercy When someone hears about of God in human form. visions and dreams purporting This message of the boundless to come from Jesus and saints, mercy of God was given to the it is only natural to be wary. The world literally on the brink of Church is naturally wary because the events of World War II. In of the damage that it can do to this war, the mercilessness of faith in God. Every message that human beings to their fellow comes from such occurrences human beings reached depths needs to pass through the lens humanity had never seen before. of doubt and questioning in Fr Joe Gormley No country experienced this order for it to be believed to be mercilessness more than Poland, authentic. The message of Divine ST Mary’s Church, in Creggan, as Auschwitz. Here, almost three through the death and suffering Mercy would go through this lens recently took two delivery of two million people were subjected and hardships of its population. in a number of ways. new statues, one of St John Paul to the merciless treatment of the In addition, it was used as the site Firstly, after her death, the II and St Faustina for the Divine Nazis, the vast majority of which of the merciless extermination of message began to be promoted Mercy Chapel. This Chapel was were God’s chosen people - the the innocent. by Sr Faustina’s spiritual director, completed in 2018 as part of Jews. Fr Michael Sopocko. He saw that the general renovations, which In the years prior to these the form of the devotion, namely finished on the 60th Anniversary terrible, merciless events, a the chaplet of Divine Mercy, of the Church on May 31, 2019. young, obscure nun in Poznan, The Divine Mercy the Divine Mercy image, and These two saints are central to the in Poland, Sr Faustina Kowalska, Novena in preparation for Divine message of Divine Mercy. began to have visions of Jesus. message is not Mercy Sunday, were all channels The Divine Mercy message is In these visions, which began merely a pious to receive the mercy Jesus so not merely a pious devotion from in 1932, Jesus proclaimed God’s wanted to share with men and Poland. It is, in fact, at the heart unfathomable mercy for the devotion from women. The message of Divine The new statue of Pope St John Paul II in the Divine Mercy Chapel, within St of the way in which the Gospel world. Prior to these visions and Mercy brought great consolation Mary’s Church, Creggan. of Jesus Christ is proclaimed allocutions, St Faustina was deeply Poland. It is, in fact, to many in Poland at a time of him. in the 21st Century. In order to inspired by the greatest saint of great evil, pain and suffering. Yet Vladivostok. There, he hoped to at the heart of the However, he said for him to understand this, it is necessary the 19th century, St Therese of it became difficult to spread the take a boat to Japan. truly believe in the message, God to understand the pivotal role Lisieux. As a novice years earlier, way in which the message after the war had started. Throughout the journey, he was would have to allow him to travel that Poland and these two saints St Therese had appeared to her in The question was who could questioned by different Russian Gospel of Jesus back to the United States during had in the proclamation of the a dream and told her to trust in spread it now. God used someone security agents as to why he did war time. Moreover, his proposed message of mercy. This message the boundless mercy of God. This Christ is proclaimed who was initially sceptical of the not have the right papers. He route in 1940 seemed impossible. has been recognised by all Popes, was in relation to an issue that message to spread it. constantly told each group of in the 21st Century It was by land from Poland, from St John XXII on, as being at had caused her much pain in her Doubts agents that they would be waiting through vast areas of the Soviet the heart of the proclamation of inner life. In the dream, St Therese A priest, Fr Joseph Jarzebowski at the next stop for him, but Union to Japan, and then onto the the Gospel for the 21st century told that if Sr Faustina trusted in from the Marian Missionaries of amazingly they never checked United States. If he made it, he and the third millennium. mercy, that is Jesus, she would the Immaculate Conception, in that he collected them. A miracle! told Fr Sopocko, he would count Let us begin with Poland. Of become an apostle of mercy for Sr Faustina tells us in her Diary Washington DC, in the United When he arrived in Vladivostok, it as a miracle and a sign as to the all the nations of Europe, Poland future times. that she had a certainty that her States, heard about the message Fr Jarzebowski applied for a authenticity of the message. suffered the most as a result of In Sr Faustina’s visions and mission of mercy would, like that among seminarians of the Order. Japanese transit visa, knowing the What made his journey doubly World War II. Out of a pre-war allocutions, she heard Jesus of St Therese of Lisieux, continue He was visiting Poland and met Fr fact that his American Visa had difficult in war time was that population of 35 million, six speak to her saying, “In the Old after her death. She would be used Sopocko, who asked to him bring expired would have disqualified he did not have the appropriate million of its citizens were killed Covenant I sent prophets wielding by God to draw doubting souls the message to the United States. him. He prayed to the merciful Russian visas and permits to outright. This was almost 20 thunderbolts to My people. Today to God to convince them of His Fr Jarzebowski admitted that he Jesus and gave the consulate his travel. Nevertheless, filled with percent of Poland’s population. I am sending you with my Mercy mercy and goodness. Then, they had doubts about the message, American visa without the sheet trust, he began travelling by train Poland was also used as the site of to the people of the whole world. will no longer continue to wound but said that he would bring the containing the expiration date. through Russia via Siberia, and infamous Nazi death camps, such I do not want to punish aching Jesus’s heart, but would console literature about the devotion with The Japanese consulate did not hoped to reach the port city of seem to notice and they gave THE NET | APRIL 2020 21

the Message of Divine Mercy to six months later, the Bishop who mercy. Mercy, according to St taught by them. They brought the the World. had acceded to the requests of the John Paul II, is God and Love’s message of Divine Mercy to the Yet, it could still have been Laity was to become Pope John second name. Mercy is God’s love parish. argued that the message was Paul II in October 1979. when it means poverty, weakness, Since then, through their just a pious devotion not really In all these trials, the words of brokenness and sin. Mercy has inspiration and encouragement tested by the Church. Therefore, Faustina were fulfilled: “There the power to bring something from family members, I have the message was soon tested by will come a time when this work, greater out of such evil. Where sin visited Krakow twice and led its’ popularity. The fact that the which God is demanding very abounds grace does even more a pilgrimage to the shrines of message gave great consolation led much, will be as though utterly abound (Romans 5:12). Now is Divine Mercy, St Faustina and St to many people wanting copied undone and then God will act the time that mercy needs to be John Paul II. I am convinced that extracts of the message from St with great power, which will give proclaimed more than ever. it is the message for our time and Faustina’s Diary. However, this evidence of it’s authenticity. It St John Paul II believed that it for our parish. copying was not done carefully will be a new splendour for the was his task to proclaim mercy. It is through God working in enough. This led to it being C h u r c h”. He spoke of this on his first visit a providential moment in our printed with many omissions and It was through St John Paul after his convalescence from the parish that convinces me of errors. This erroneous literature II that the splendour of this attempt on his life on May 13, this. This providential moment came to the attention of the Holy message of Divine Mercy began 1981, the Feast of Our Lady of occurred in the renovation of our Office in Rome. In 1958, the Holy to shine out. He said: “In the Fatima. He had undertaken to church of St Mary’s, which began Office cautiously recommended designs of Providence there are read the whole diary of St Faustina in 2016. Part of the plans involved to Pope Pius XII to prohibit the no coincidences”. It is no surprise during his convalescence and creating a small day chapel for Divine Mercy Message. Yet, the that He became the foremost spoke these words at the Shrine daily Mass. To build it would have decree was not signed as Pope promoter of Divine Mercy for our of Merciful love in Collevallenza, cost £400,000! We did not have Pius XII died. time. This proclamation began in Italy, on the Feast of Christ the enough funds to begin, and I said: His successor, St John XXIII, saw with His second great encyclical, King in that year, 1981. He saw “If you want it Lord, You are going the problem with the erroneous ‘Dives in Misercodia’ (Rich in that his pontificate was the means to have to find the money for it!” literature yet did not want to Mercy), in November 1980. by which the message would go to Fr Paul Fraser, who was here suppress the message totally. He Mercy the whole world... with me at the time, suggested saw that there was something This letter is the clearest “Right from the beginning that if we ever got the money to profound in the message and expression of Pope John Paul II’s of ministry in St Peter’s See in build it, we should dedicate it to yet would only proceed one way pastoral soul. The deepest insight Rome, I considered this message the Divine Mercy in honour of or another on the advice of the comes in the famous last chapter my special task. Providence has the men’s prayer group. Two days Polish bishops. which is a sustained meditation assigned it to me in the present after Fr Paul had said this, an Unfortunately, due to the on calling out for God’s Mercy. situation of Man, the Church anonymous donor came forward communist regime in Poland, In it he speaks of a world that is and the World. It could be said and provided over half of the communication between the undergoing unprecedented evil precisely this situation assigned money for the Day Chapel! Vatican and Poland was very and is in desperate need of the that message to me as my task It was duly dedicated to Divine difficult. As a result, no definite mercy of God... before God”. Mercy on May 31, 2018 by Bishop decision as to the message was “The more the human The first Saint of the new Donal McKeown. This was surely made. This cloud of indecision conscience succumbs to millennium canonised by St John providence not coincidence, meant that it was easily dismissed Paul II was St Faustina, in the and a sign that Jesus wanted His and mocked by intellectual Great Jubilee of 2000, which was message of mercy to be heard in theologians as the ravings of a to be a Jubilee Year of Mercy. At Creggan! crazy mystic. Right from the the canonization of St Faustina on The message of Divine Mercy Yet, God was not to allow His first Sunday after Easter, which, is so important for our parish, message to disappear. This is beginning of that year was April 30, 2000, he city, country and our world. where he used the Polish people, ministry in St Peter’s declared that, from then on, that Pope Francis recognised this in whom He had told St Faustina Sunday was to be called Divine proclaiming an extraordinary would be instrumental in bringing See in Rome, I Mercy Sunday. He wanted all Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015- the message into the light. The considered this people to discover the true face 2016. Our parish was at the Polish people began to petition of God which overcomes the epicentre of the political violence (in his own words “bombarded”) message my special distorted image of God, that is, and conflict which lasted over 50 the young Archbishop of Krakow, task. Providence has the God of retribution, coming years, from 1969. The message of Karol Wojtyla. In their petitions, from original and personal sin. mercy is so necessary for healing they told of the many graces and assigned it to me in He wanted to show that the the wounds of this conflict blessings they received through message of God’s mercy was and violence. This message the message of Divine Mercy. The the present situation addressed above all to those is important for victims and message of Divine Mercy was of Man, the Church afflicted by a harsh trial. It was for perpetrators. As one person who being promoted through the faith those crushed by the weight of the was involved in the conflict said to of the laity who truly valued it. It is and the World. sins they have committed. It was me: “Terrible things were done to the laity from then until now who for those who lose all confidence us, but we also did terrible things.” The new statue of St Faustina in the Divine Mercy Chapel, Creggan are the biggest promotors of the in life and are tempted to despair. Living with the pain of the message. secularization, loses its sense of To them, the gentle face of Christ past takes its toll on the physical, him the Japanese transit visa. A considering all the hoops he had In 1965, Archbishop Karol the very meaning of the word is offered, whose rays from his psychological, spiritual and miracle! come through miraculously, he Wojtyla, having met Fr Sopocko, ‘mercy,’ moves away from God heart touch them and shine upon emotional lives of many people; As he was boarding the boat to was convinced of the authenticity Sr Faustina’s spiritual director, and distances itself from the them. These rays warm them, victims and perpetrators. It Japan, the officials were checking of the message. The Franciscans began Sr Faustina’s process for mystery of mercy, the more the show them the way and fill them wounds souls. The image, bags for religious items and much asked him to give a retreat to them Beatification and Canonisation. Church has the right and the duty with hope. The simple act of trust, message and Devotion to Divine material was being seized. He on Divine Mercy, during which Fr This was another way to reopen, to appeal to the God of mercy Jesus I trust in You, dispels the Mercy have led many in our prayed that they would not seize Jarzebowski told them all that had in the church, the discussion into ‘with loud cries’. These ‘loud clouds of doubt and despair and parish, and world, to rediscover the bags containing the Divine happened. One member of that the message of Divine Mercy. cries’ should be the mark of the allows a light of hope to penetrate the face of God as loving and Mercy material. A customs Franciscan community was not Archbishop Wojtyla decided Church of our times, cries uttered every life. merciful. When we gaze on the official took his breviary from his there; its founder, Fr Maximillian to open the cause for Sr Faustina to God to implore His mercy, the The final non co-incidental, face of God in the Divine Mercy hand for a moment looked at it Kolbe, who was being detained in Rome at the closing session of certain manifestation of which but providential fact, that surely image, we truly begin to live curiously and handed it back to in Auschwitz by the Nazis, and the Second Vatican Council. He she professes and proclaims as corroborates the authenticity of mercifully and bring His mercy Him. The Customs official then where he gave up his life for was given the encouragement having already come in Jesus the message is that John Paul II to others. We honour in St Mary’s made a mark with chalk on the another man who was to be of Cardinal Ottaviani, head of crucified and risen, that is, in the died on the Vigil of the Feast of Creggan, therefore, two great bags to mark them examined! executed by the Nazis. the Holy Office, and eventually Paschal Mystery. It is this mystery Divine Mercy on April 2, 2005. saints, St Faustina and St John Another miracle! In May 1941, when he reached the process of examining her which bears within itself the most Some may ask what Divine Paul II, whom God used to enable On arrival in Japan in March Washington, he knew that the life began. Through this process, complete revelation of mercy, Mercy has to do with St Mary’s us to receive Divine Mercy. 1941, he went to Nagasaki - merciful saviour had brought him officials at the Vatican became that is, of that love which is Creggan. To be honest, I never where the Americans would home to his brothers, and then set better acquainted with Faustina more powerful than death, more thought I would be drawn to the Bishop Donal will lead the drop the second atomic bomb to about spreading the Divine Mercy and the message, so much so, that powerful than sin and every evil, message in the way I have been. Divine Mercy ceremony from be used to end World War II. He Message around the country. the cloud of suspicion and doubt the love which lifts man up when However, it was a group of men in the Divine Mercy Chapel, at wished to thank the Franciscan Eventually from their base, in began to lift. he falls into the abyss and frees the parish, who started a Divine St Mary’s Creggan, at 3 pm community there who had Stockbridge Massachusetts USA, On April 15, 1978, Pope St him from the greatest threats.” Mercy Prayer group in 2016, who on Divine Mercy Sunday, April financed his journey back to the Marian Missionaries of the Paul VI approved the devotion The great unprecedented evil God used to inspire me. This 19, which will be broadcast the United States. At this stage, Immaculate Conception spread to the Divine Mercy. Just over in the world today is the lack of is a lay lead devotion and I was via the webcam. 22 THE NET | APRIL 2020 During the Covid-19 pandemic, people of faith around the Diocese share how they are... Finding solace in prayer... Roisin (St Eugene’s) – I am have our being” (Jesus, my ‘God Within’, helps me to stay been full of prayer requests well as evening Mass, Rosary Liam (Three Patrons) – This finding great hope in these Lord). calm – “Closer than the touch every day for years. Sadly, the and night prayer. is a time for true faith in God. days through saying the of your skin, deeper than the oratory is now closed due to At times, I feel overwhelmed By all means, this is a trying Rosary and thinking of Padre Mandy (Three Patrons) breath you draw in, stronger the corona virus, but we still and anxiety creeps in because time for us all; worrying about Pio’s advice – “Pray, Hope and – The availability of on-line than a hurricane wind, is the hold people’s intentions in our of fear of the unknown. Then, our loved ones. Fear now Don’t Worry. Worry is useless. services has been fantastic in presence of God within”. daily community prayers and I remind myself that we are all knocks on the door of our God is merciful and will hear really helping to keep the faith offerings. in this together and I thank hearts...let Jesus open it for He your prayer”. I also like to pray alive. I have probably been Tony (Claudy) – Through God for each new day. I ask our has all power in this life and – “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I taking part in more things HOPE Claudy-Craigbane, an Annie (Claudy) - We are Blessed Mother to intercede the next. Let us do what He place all my trust in Thee”. than I normally would have, online Rosary support group in challenging times right for us that this virus will be asks - pray together, and I am like evening Mass and the was set up on WhatsApp, now in our modern world as contained and the world will sure that God will do the rest. Berni (Omagh) – I have a Rosary with Bishop Donal. called HOPE Claudy 6, as 6 pm we endure this suffering of be healed. I pray that the world Be not afraid and praise God little prayer which I keep on I’m finding my favourite Bible is the time the parish Rosary corona virus. We are aware will be united in prayer. Jesus I always. my window to remind me verse particularly comforting is led by our parish priest, Fr now that God is God and we Trust in You. to say it every day – “As I live now – Ecclesiasticus 3: 1-8. David O’Kane via the webcam are not. God is real. Christ Aoife (Three Patrons) – My each day, may I do my part in the chapel. Prayer is, at its is alive and longs to be in a Jim (Long Tower) – I get favourite prayer is ‘Everyday I to make one difference to Oonagh (Maghera) – I root, simply paying attention personal relationship with great comfort from this need you Lord’ – touch one heart, and through have found Psalm 91 really to God. How powerful for us, each one of us. Jesus suffered reading from St Paul’s Letter “Every day I need you Lord, each day may it be my goal powerful and say it morning as a community, to set some and died for us – no doubt to the Ephesians (3:14-19) – But day especially, I need some to encourage one mind and and evening for protection time aside for paying attention He is with us now. We need “This is what I pray, kneeling extra strength to face whatever inspire one soul.” for family, friends, parish and to God, especially in this to be a loving community of before the Father, from whom is to be. This day more than country. I also have to say difficult time when we may faith. We need to respond to every family, whether spiritual any day I need to fee You near, Sean (Holy Family, that the prayer programme find ourselves isolated, and God and say ‘yes’ to His will. or natural, takes its name: ‘Out to fortify my courage and to Ballymagroarty) – Although from St Eugene’s Cathedral is know that we are together in We see God’s will today in the of His infinite glory, may He overcome my fear. By myself, we are on lockdown and absolutely wonderful. Having our own way paying attention outpouring of love and charity give you the power through I cannot meet the challenge find ourselves without daily Mass, Rosary, Stations of the to God at the one time. We towards our brothers and His Spirit for your hidden self of the hour, there are times and Sunday Mass, I feel my Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, sit still, listen, think, rejoice sisters who are in need. Do we to grow strong, so that Christ when humans help, but we spiritual life has been steered Adoration, Morning and and ponder in His presence. understand the reality of who may live in your hearts through need a high power, to assist us in another direction and is Evening Prayer each day The WhatsApp group allows we are? We are children of faith, and then, planted in love bear what must be borne, and still being fed and nurtured gives us all great comfort. It people to post an emoji or God. Do we really understand and built on love, you will with so dear Lord, I pray – hold on through the power of the is especially a great blessing a prayer around 6 pm each the sacred presence of God all the saints have strength to my trembling hand and be webcam. I can take part in all during our fast days. Thank night, so everyone on it will within us? Christ alone must to grasp the breadth and the near me today. Amen” that our churches are offering: you to all the priests in our be able to see these and feel be our life. We spend too long length, the height and the There is a piece of Scripture Mass; the Angelus; Divine Diocese who continue to bring connected. worshipping creatures instead depth; until, knowing the love that brings me comfort as well, Mercy; Stations of the Cross; the Mass to us every day via of our Creator, who desires of Christ, which is beyond all from Isaiah 43:10 – “Do not and the Holy Rosary. This time the webcams. God bless you Martin (Faughanvale) – My to create in us a new heart. knowledge, you are filled with fear, for I have redeemed you; I is time for all of us to reflect on all. go to spiritual reading is Ezk Through the most Holy name the utter fullness of God’.” have summoned you by name; our spiritual journey. It is a 37: 1-10. This is an important of Jesus we need to proclaim you are mine. When you pass time to nurture and enhance Fr Noel (Faughanvale) reading for me because I the glory of God, and with Joey (Omagh) – My through the waters, I will be our relationship with Jesus, – I find this St Francis de got it during an all-night Mary our Mother, through the morning prayers are very with you, and when you pass our Saviour. Let your faith be Sales (1567-1622) quote Columba Community vigil at power of her Holy Rosary, as important to me, the first of through the rivers, they will bigger than your fears. encouraging: “Do not fear the St Anthony’s years ago. I had a Nation let us cry out to our which I say is to the Holy Spirit. not sweep over you. When you changes of life. God, whose asked Fr Neal Carlin what Father in Heaven to bless us At this time, the Rosary is a walk through the fire, you will Marguerite (Columba very own you are, will deliver God wanted from me. He with His Divine Mercy. Our prayer that my wife, Patricia not be burned, the flames will Community) - In these days you out of them all. He has told me to ask God a direct hope is to come out of this and I have started to say every not set you ablaze. For I am the of reflection, I have been looked after you till now question and simply wait for strengthened and renewed night together, which is not Lord your God, the Holy One praying the prayer attributed and He will lead you safely the answer. The words that with trust in our saviour who something we did on a regular of Israel, your Saviour...” to St Columba: “Alone with through all things. And when came were...“speak on my said, “I am who I am”. To God basis up to now. We are finding none but thee my God, I you cannot stand it, God behalf son of man”. Since then, be the Glory. that it brings a feeling of calm Charlotte (Templemore) journey on my way. will bury you in His arms. I have always invited the Holy to us that I can’t find the words – With everything that is What need I fear when thou Do not be afraid of what will Spirit into any situation or for Myra (St Eugene’s) – The to explain. So, the Rosary is going on in the world at the are near, I King of night and happen tomorrow. The same person that I have asked to prayer that helps me now is our very special prayer during moment, I’m finding it more day? More safe Am I within everlasting Father who cares pray for. – “I entrust our lives to You, these difficult days, including important and more difficult your hand, than if a host did for you today will care for you That reading took me by My Jesus; our weaknesses, our the Fatima prayer at the end to pray these days. With not round me stand...It’s not from then and every day. He will surprise because I had always anxieties, our fears. Keep us all of each decade – “O My Jesus, being able to live our normal chance our comfort springs, shield you from suffering or felt that it was somebody else’s safe throughout each day and for us our sins, save us from everyday lives, it’s hard to focus Thou are our trust, o King of give you unfailing strength to job to pray for people and their night, especially my family the fires of hell, lead all souls on anything, apart from what kings. bear it. Be at peace and put various needs and intentions. I and friends, the vulnerable, to Heaven, especially those we hear on the news, what is aside anxious thoughts and had thought I wasn’t good at and those alone. Give us hope. who have most need of your happening in our homes and Pauline (Claudy) – I find imaginations”. praying, and that priests and Give us strength. Give us inner Mercy”. what is happening with our saying the Rosary and Divine ‘holy people’ had that covered, peace. Give us joy. Give us love. I recently read a quote on families that aren’t near us. Mercy Chaplet has been my Tina (Buncrana) – I find so why would God need me O Guardian Angel protect us a ‘Little Penny Thoughts’ However, it is comforting for saving grace. Jesus I trust in watching Mass and the prayer to get involved. It is a very and keep us safe”. calendar – “People are lonely me to reflect on these words You. services on the webcam in the humbling experience when I feel very blessed to be able to because they build walls from Isaiah 43:2, “When you Cathedral very comforting. It someone puts their trust in still be part of the celebration instead of bridges” (Joseph go through deep waters, I will Rosemary (Columba is very easy to get anxious with you and asks for prayer, and it of Mass, and especially find the Fort Newton). I feel that be with you”. This comforts Community Auxiliary) - all the news about Covid-19, is often in their darkest hour Mass very comforting that is that is exactly what has been me to know that no matter Psalm 91:1-4 is a great comfort but I try and keep my focus that they do so. celebrated on RTE at 10.30 in happening with the world; how worried we may be, God to me and I keep this in mind on God. Praying the Rosary, As a member of the the morning. I look forward to people building walls and is always a constant in our lives daily. A friend tells me that Divine Mercy Chaplet and Columba Community, it is joining in the Rosary, Divine not bridges with family, with that we can always rely on. the following words help her the Stations of the Cross something that we do daily. Mercy, and Stations of the friends, with the Church, but And, in these days and weeks through this difficult time - all bring me comfort, and The petition basket in the Cross, and get great comfort most of all with God. when we find ourselves having “It’s in Him we live, move and reading this little verse, called oratory at Columba House has from saying these prayers, as more time on our hands, this THE NET | APRIL 2020 23 is a great opportunity for us frenetic pace of ‘normal’ life current crisis: “All shall be well, to spend more time in prayer is unforgiving on the soul at and all shall be well, and all with God and deepen our times. Some of us may now manner of things shall be well”. A time of Grace by Bishop Donal relationship with Him”. be struggling to make ends THIS has been a strange time. comforting at times like this... myself,to surrender myself into meet. Many of us are also Paddy (Fahan) – My But I marvel at the grace of Father, I abandon myself into your hands without reserve,and Dale (Glack, Limavady) now blessed with the ability favourite prayer is TheGod in the resilience of faithful your hands;do with me what with boundless confidence,for - During this difficult time to spend more time with our Surrender Novena. people and the creativity of you will. Whatever you may do, you are my Father. many of us are taking a long family. At a time like this, we (The Surrender Novena was parishes. It is at a time like this I thank you: I am ready for all, hard look at our lives; what all probably find ourselves written by Fr Don Dolindo that the widespread depth of I accept all. Let only your will And, this quote from we have accomplished so far contemplating, to some degree Rutolo, a Franciscan priest faith comes to the surface. We be done in me,and in all your Vaclav Havel is particularly and whether our lives thus far and in some manner, what the born in Naples, Italy in 1882, will face challenges – but this is creatures – I wish no more than inspiring...“Faith is not merely have been truly worthwhile. true purpose of our relatively who Padre Pio described as a time of grace – and it is our this, O Lord. hoping that everything will Have we enhanced the lives short life on earth is. I have a “saint”, and it has brought job to see where God is calling Into your hands I commend my work out well, but believing of others? Have we protected found this quote by St Julian comfort to many down the us in this. soul: I offer it to you with all that, no matter how things our families and spent quality of Norwich to be of some years.) I find the following prayer, the love of my heart,for I love work out, all will be well”. time with our loved ones? The reassurance in relation to the of Charles de Foucauld, you, Lord, and so need to give This, too, shall pass I suppose, like everything in God on a daily basis, with I cannot meet the challenge of God is always with us in this world today, we can my husband, Michael, being the hour, there are times when Especially being stripped of our to practice her faith the normal take our faith for granted. We a paramedic and staring this humans help, but we need a daily routines and our need to way, as she always did, and she hurry through our hectic lives, corona virus right in the face. higher power. To assist us bear practice our faith, but we have also misses seeing the family. and rush our morning/daily I will admit that sometimes what must be borne, and so found alternative ways. What has consoled her recently My alternative to this is found was Pope Francis’ famous Urbi et prayers, and when we do not it is difficult, very difficult. I dear Lord I pray, hold on to in my enthusiasm to take part Orbi blessing, which she watched get time to fit in any prayers have to place my trust in God, my trembling hand, and be every evening in the 7.30 pm on television. In the meantime, throughout the day, there is and through the intercession near me today. Amen”. Mass, in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Granny is keeping herself active always the “I was that busy, I of Our Blessed Mother, And, my Michael and I find Derry, followed by the Rosary, by charitably knitting hats for never got the time”. that Michael and his work this quote from a sermon given via the webcam. I also engage newborn babies for Atnagelvin Then suddenly, all thecolleagues will stay safe when by Fr Paddy Doherty, when he with the daily Derry Diocesan hospital, making use of her time things that we are rushing carrying out their life saving was our parish priest – “For Youth activities via Facebook and in isolation, rather than letting it around doing stops and our role. This, too, shall pass, and every Good Friday, there is Instagram. It really lifts my spirits pass. very existence on earth is until then Hope, Trust, and always an Easter Sunday”. up and keeps me active. However, we are all grateful for threatened; it has forced us as Blossom. Hope and Trust are the two Mummy works full time in the technology today, that we can a nation, a town, a community, The prayer that brings me words that are coming to me, retail, and she cannot be isolated communicate with each other and while she is needed. She tells us access everything online, except as a family, and as a person to great comfort is – “Every and my belief in God, In Jesus During this pandemic, I am when she comes home that she is receiving Holy communion, stop. Stop, and take stock of day I need you Lord, but this Christ His Son, and the power accompanied here with my pleasantly surprised when hearing which is very sad and deeply where we are in life, and what day especially. I need some of the Holy Spirit, reassures mummy, Melanie and my granny, that other people are also engaging missed. I’m so thankful that I God means to us. strength to face whatever is me that we can, and will, Gwendoline. We all belong to with prayer on the online masses come from a faith-filled family. I thank God for my faith to be. This day more than any conquer any battle that this St Mary’s Parish, Melmount. and services. She feels a real sense Even though there has been huge and for the deepening of my day, I need to feel you near, world throws at us. (Donna, Three women of three different of unity, hope and support, and disruption due to the virus, we do spirituality. With being able to to fortify my courage, and to Waterside). generations all feel deeply that no doubt everything will go not fear, as we believe that God is connect through the internet overcome my fear. By myself, saddened about how life has back to normal, if not better. always with us and He will get us changed. In this awfully difficult to Church services, Masses Granny says that she misses through it in His own way. (Hollie and devotions, God is even time, there is no doubt that we going to Mass and being able – Strabane) are all struggling with isolation. more alive in my home. We are spiritually connected now, not just with my family, friends, and fellow “Let nothing disturb you” parishioners, but with Christians all other the world. are natural. y o u ”. God gives me the courage and This challenge brings out If you are on your own in strength to face a new day. the best as well as the worst. isolation, it might be good We, as a family, place our trust I prefer to stay with the best. to pray and listen or to offer The best is not to give in to the a listening ear to somebody fear; I know it is a challenge. who is suffering. I stress the Grateful to be able to connect via social media Instead, reflect on what God is word ‘listen’ because often saying to me in this situation. people just want somebody to been really good to take time There is a great comfort in This too, will pass. Trust. ‘listen’. Listen to God without in the morning to join in with being present in the situation The courage I am witnessing interruption and listen to the celebration of the Mass on we are in; to find ourselves. around me is so encouraging. others. Some of us have plenty the webcam, and I’m surprised We just need to be present to My sister, Maria and my niece, of time to listen now. I’m at how prayerful this actually our own families, in our home, Camille work in the health avoiding watching constant is. So, I am really grateful that and be the best that we can service and are just two of the news; it doesn’t help. Masses are available in this way be in the situations that we brave warriors on the frontline I will take advice from in our Diocese at this time. find ourselves in. I am finding in the hospitals. My heart goes someone who knew all about It has also been very social media really good in out to those who have lost suffering and joy, St Therese challenging to not be able to helping me to connect with loved ones and have not been of Avilla. “Let nothing disturb go to wakes and funerals. A everyone and I’m finding it able to be with them during you. Let nothing frighten you. family member died as well good to be able to work from the final hours; we believe the All things are passing away; as a close friend’s mum, and home; that has given me life. Lord was though. God never changes; Patience I wasn’t able to go to their The Scripture quotation that The word ‘surreal’ keeps I heard an American priest obtains all things. Whoever wakes or funerals. So, it is very I am finding most comforting popping up when I speak to today saying, “Don’t say I’m has God lacks nothing; God IT is challenging being difficult to not be there at a now is – “Do not let your people today; we are all in a bored, you are alive now and alone suffices”. at home with everybody in time of death to sympathise hearts be troubled...Trust in place that we haven’t chosen God has work for you today, Our Lady Queen of Peace lockdown, especially with and comfort the families. Me”. That has become my for ourselves, some are ask him, what do you want me and St Joseph Pray for us. young children; getting time However, I’m grateful to have mantra, particularly every suffering immensely, some to do?” Isn’t that what Mary to fit in everything and give been able to connect on social time I hear news about the seem to be enjoying the new said at the wedding feast at (Shaun – Columba the children structure in the media and watch the funerals pandemic getting worse. reality, and both experiences Cana - “Do whatever He asks Community) day. So, spiritually for me it’s on the webcam. (Yvonne – Desertmartin) 24 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Former Derry Youth Community member, Sebastiano Pellizzari The virus separates us but, shares a special message of hope from his home in Italy... through God, we come together Be light and hope for others Lock down for us began await them and their carers, in on Saint Patrick’s Day. When the months ahead, as each day news about Covid-19 broke, presents challenges that wear the greatness of small things other people happy. These are we are Christians and the everyone rushed for bacterial parents down to near despair. and values when they are beautiful signs of the love of mission of each Christian is soap, groceries and masks. My But through the difficult taken from us and not when God. to live the faith as a light also first thought was how were we moments, what did I see? we possess them. I believe this During my experience in difficulties, where the light going to cope indoors with a People in their thousands difficult period is paradoxically in the DYC (Derry Youth seems to have gone out and the special needs adult for 14 weeks, in Poland coming onto the providential and all the Community), in which I darkness seems victorious. or now perhaps six months? To streets to pray the Rosary, troubles we consider with our lived for two years, I felt the The Gospel of John says: “In lose all our outdoor freedom, holy Rosary beads made from eyes’ limits, in the eyes of God welcome that I received from him was life, and the life was social contacts and day-to- balloons being released into they are possibilities to show you, especially from the parish the light of all people. The light day activities, not to mention the skies around the world, His Love for us. communities of St Eugene’s shines in the darkness, and the daily Mass, was about as bad communities coming together, I had experience of all of which Cathedral and the Long Tower. darkness did not overcome it. as it could get, then the word NHS workers risking their I write. In this period, really I I asked myself several times (John 1:4-5). Jesus is the Word ‘refugees’ popped into my head lives in the service of others, rediscovered the importance of what made you so welcoming of God made flesh because He and I felt a tinge of guilt. businesses working together Dear Friends from Derry, prayers in the family, with my and generous, and I found the wants a relationship with us. I suspect that God has a huge and without pay to build parents and my brothers and answer when a person said to Jesus became a man to save life lesson for all of mankind ventilators for the public, and I would like to write few sister. We can’t go to Mass or me: “I like to be generous, kind us from sin. Salvation is life in using this virus. This was churches remaining open with words from Italy (Vicenza, visit a church for a prayer, but and to give HOPE to others, fullness, which is the answer to confirmed for me when I came all day services and Masses Veneto) in this difficult period each family, with the strength and I do it because the other the dialogue that God wants to across a clip by a priest and his flooding into people’s homes. for the world, and especially of baptism, is called to be a people are gentle and kind with weave in us. interpretation of The ‘Corona’ God is so good because, even for my country, about the domestic Church. Also, Jesus m e”. Life in God gives meaning to of Mercy, better known as in the midst of our sometimes ‘Coronavirus’. in the Gospel said: “For where This is so beautiful because, our life and, in difficulties, the The Divine Mercy. The word self inflicted pains and It is over a month since we two or three gather in my with the example of others, Light of Christ in us always corona means crown. Having struggles, He comes rushing in have been “forced” to stay at name, there am I with them”. that person became, herself, shines. We are called to be listened to him, I went to bed to help us. Did God send this home to avoid contagion of the (Matthew 18:20) kind and lovely with the next light in the world to reflect the happy, knowing that God had affliction to punish us...I don’t Coronavirus. A month without We are created to love, but person, and this is a trait of the splendour of God. It is thanks all in hand and amazed at how believe so. I think He is using seeing our family, relatives, we can love only if we have Irish people. to the light that I become aware the world can be brought to a it to save us. Save us from our classmates, friends from my felt love. We are the beloved of I think the only solution to of the darkness, because if standstill overnight. total dependency on the world seminary and, particularly, a God and His love is so great for living life in this moment is to we were born in darkness we Is living with the corona and all its different ‘crowns’ of month without going to Mass. us that He left his Son Jesus to be joyful and to give hope to would not know the light. virus still difficult...definitely, temptation, which lead us away We passed, in a few days, die for us. Are we able to show the other people with a simple Sin is to not be in dialogue especially for those who have from Him. from an ordinary life to an our love for our neighbours? smile. Hope is contagious. with God, and only with the lost loved ones, and for those He is bringing out the best in extraordinary life. What How? I’m trying every day, step by eyes of faith can we see and of us with special needs family us while we are at home, in the could we do? Two possible I have seen this love step, to be welcoming and kind discover the communion with members at home, or people community and in the world, options were: Stay at home, do particularly in this difficult with others, especially for my the mystery of God, Jesus. The suffering from dementia,to remind us of who we really nothing and continually think period. I have been impressed future, because a priest has to Mystery could be illuminated cancer or any other affliction. are, in and through Him. In the negatively about this time; or at how the Italian people, in be welcoming and able to listen but not eliminated. As part of our group midst of this global pandemic, stay at home and rediscover this moment, put aside their to the Word of God to be a In this moment of darkness, Dayspring Special Community, St Patrick continues to call us the importance of our life, pride to be helpful for the good minister of God. we Christians are called to give I see the struggles of our back to God. His words echo in a particular way about the weakest, not only buying basic In this difficult moment, I to other people that light which members with complex needs as they did hundreds of years strength of our faith and the necessities but also giving them wish you to observe the rules is Christ, and which God has via WhatsApp. They areago – “Christ with me, Christ important values of the family a sign of hope. Also, on the that the Government and the given us. wide-eyed as they look at us before me, Christ behind me...”. and of friendship. Internet, it is possible to find Church shall give you to protect wondering why their world The virus separates us Often we, Italians, are strange, a lot of videos of Italian people you and your neighbours from Be light and hope for others. and routines have changed but, through God, we come but I think this is so for all on their balconies, who spend the Coronavirus because it God bless all of you, so much overnight. Hard and together and there is the human beings, because we find their time singing to make is not a joke. Remember that Sebastiano Pellizzari stressed filled days and nights miracle! (Anne – St Eugene’s) People are living out the greatest Commandment – loving one another for an end to this pandemic to help with groceries, medicine to have the privilege of and further afield, I personally Shields, who was a former and for all who have died and/ etc, and keeping in touch by joining our parish priest, Fr have drawn great strength and parish priest in Greencastle. It or are suffering as a result. ‘phone and social media. While Eddie Gallagher, for the live consolation from my devotion is simply, “God writes straight Despite the many challenges being disconnected from the streaming of our Masses, to the Divine Mercy, Our Lady with crooked lines.” It reminds which have been presented normal routine of daily life, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary and all the Saints. Whilst I don’t us that our lives are in God’s by this virus, I see the hand I would have to say that, in and Stations of the Cross want to single out any particular hands and we entrust ourselves of God at work in that people another way, I have never been on Facebook. These are also saint, I would like to share with to His loving care, knowing are living out the greatest more connected. I can never saved on Facebook, so that you one of my favourite quotes, that He sees the bigger picture. Commandment of loving one thank my family, neighbours you can access them at a which is that of Padre Pio, Perhaps, in these testing times, another, by reaching out to help and friends enough for the love time convenient for you. It is “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry.” He is showing us what really not only the most vulnerable and concern they have shown amazing to be able to join with For me, and I’m sure, for all of matters and is drawing us in our society but the whole at this time, but, rest assured family at home and abroad, you also, this quote has never closer to Himself. community in general. that you will be in our thoughts with neighbours and friends to been more meaningful than We can only pray and I have first-hand experience and prayers every day. In our pray together. I would also like at this present moment. It has support each other as best we of this, as our home is one of the family, we have set up ‘Ring- to acknowledge the support helped me through many dark can, and keep the hope alive many in isolation throughout A-Rosary’ on ‘WhatsApp’, so we have received from mum’s days, particularly after the loss that we will overcome this While Covid-19 may have the country. My mum, Josie, that those who are free can join parish priest, Fr John Forbes, of of my husband, Michael, after a dreadful virus and that there kept us apart socially, I feel will soon be 94 years old, with mum in praying the daily the Lower Badoney Parish. very short illness. will be better times ahead. that it has definitely drawn us suffers from dementia and is Rosary. As well as joining with our The other quote which I (Maria, Greencastle) together spiritually as we pray in a wheelchair. We have been We are truly blessed here parish and, indeed, various would like to share with you inundated with people offering in Greencastle, Co Tyrone, other parishes in our Diocese is from the late Fr Seamus THE NET | APRIL 2020 25 Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust in me! and our megaphone out into a In his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ address, Pope parish and a city that is getting Francis urged all of us to put into used to separation, isolation and practice the solidarity and hope social distancing. And so we keep that springs from our faith. That praying with and for the faithful is why, amid all of this, I feel so every single day - Liturgy of the blessed to be here and to be able Hours, Mass, Angelus, Rosary, to do all that I can to help our Divine Mercy, Stations of the community in their prayers. It Cross and Adoration, to sanctify keeps me sane, because we all need the whole day from morning a community: “A branch cannot until night, to “pray constantly” bear fruit all by itself, unless it is (1 Thess 5:17) to our Father who part of the vine” (Jn 15:4). is in Heaven. In a time when our Let us do as Jesus tells his own vulnerability, helplessness disciples in His hours of agony: and impotence is shown to us, it “Stay awake and pray” (Mk 14:38). is the only thing we can do. It is Pray for a miracle to end this virus! founded on the sure hope in Jesus Pray the Memorare to implore the who promised us: “Ask and it will help of our Lady! Pray St. Patrick’s It had taken me a few months be given to you.” (Mt 7:7) and Breastplate, as Archbishop Eamon to settle into the new environment assures us: “Do not let your hearts Martin has asked us to, so that we in the seminary in Maynooth. But, be troubled. You trust in God, trust and all our loved ones may always after six months, I finally felt like also in me” (Jn 14:1). be surrounded and protected by I had arrived. I had found friends, Seeing this virus and the Christ! was engaged in the formation devastation it creates all over the Pray with us, by partaking in programme and even was enjoying world, we might wonder, where the Mass online via the webcam! my studies. Furthermore, Easter is God in all of this? Personally, I am aware that not being able to was approaching, the most special I do not believe that the timing receive Jesus in Holy Communion time of the year. of this calamity is a coincidence. is a source of great pain for many. And then disaster struck. A It came to us during Lent, as we The Easter Triduum will be new, deadly, incurable virus was were approaching Holy Week especially difficult, since it is the St Mary’s PS, Draperstown, principal, Corinne raiding first China, then Italy and and Easter. In these weeks we pinnacle of our faith and normally was unstoppably approaching remember how “Jesus was led a time of great joy and celebration. Coyle reflects on very different school days... Ireland. Then it all happened very by the Spirit out into the desert” However, despite all adversities, we quickly. The university was closed, (Mt 4:1) and later made His way can still mark it as a special time, the Seminary followed suit, my towards Jerusalem, knowing the source of our hope and the brother had been coming to visit exactly what was about to happen. anchor of our lives, as the Pope Parents grateful to have me from Germany but now his Our God did not stay above called it in his address. Pray with trip was cancelled, the shelves in suffering, no, he entered fully into us and we will be united, even the supermarkets were suddenly it - His soul was “sorrowful to the though we are apart! support of familiar school empty and we were all sent home. point of death” (Mt 26:38). He is St Athanasius wrote about Where was I to go? Germany was with us in our aguish, our fear and the Easter festivities: “This feast not safe, but then nowhere was. our pain on the way to Calvary. guides us through the trials that community Finally, I came to Derry, to St This time invites us to unite our meet us in this world. God now Eugene’s Cathedral, the place and own sufferings with those of Jesus. gives us the joy of salvation that “As the wind loves to call things Together’. In our school, these education. the people that had become home And yes, it is going get even harder, shines out from this feast, as He to dance, may your gravity be are not just words. They are Our staff is going to every to me. as isolation and confinement brings us together to form one lightened by grace.” the life of our community. Our length to ensure that our The decision was made to close continues and tensions rise, as assembly, uniting us all in spirit ONE of the benefits ofstaff members have given their parents are supported the church for Masses to prevent the virus has reached our city and in every place, allowing us to pray working in a school is that the time and energy selflessly over emotionally and practically, large gatherings of people. Mass our homes, as health care workers together and to offer common gravity is often lightened by the the holiday period, and into the and that our children are reach the end of their strength: thanksgiving, as is our duty on should still be celebrated, but grace of a child. When we focus weeks that followed, to embrace distracted with fun and “And from the sixth our there was this feast. Such is the wonder of without a congregation. It was on our children, we see what is familiar technology and new engaging challenges and heart-breaking. All of us, especially darkness over all the land until the His love. He gathers to this feast ninth hour” (Mt 27:45). those who are far apart and brings important and we understand learning platforms, which activities. The teachers post the priests, who had dedicated their our calling very clearly. It is our enable us to communicate with daily tasks and assignments entire lives to bringing Jesus Christ As people of faith and hope, we together in unity of faith those job to care for, encourage and our children and their families and they have created rooms among the people, now had to shut must bring light into other people’s who may be physically separated the doors to keep them out in the lives with all the means available from each other.” protect our children and their on a daily basis. f course, there where the children can remain time they need us most. However, to us. Here, in the Cathedral, we For just as the power of God in families, and, in return, they do are activities and tasks posted connected, have fun and there was one thing we could do. invite people to approach us if the love of Jesus overcame death, it the same for us. every day, but this is not the chat with their school friends A few years ago, a webcam had they feel lonely, so that we will will overcome our separation, and What a few weeks we have sole purpose of our new online and staff members in a safe been installed in the Cathedral, call them regularly to assure them it will overcome this virus! (Willy all had. We find ourselves in a learning hub and it is certainly environment. now it has become our window that nobody is alone in this crisis. Krause, St Eugene’s) position that we could never not the main focus. Instead of being frightened have imagined a short while Whilst communicating with at the prospect of our school Finding stability on the rock of faith ago. We watched it unfold our families over the last few closing indefinitely, we decided faith, knowing that God is always We cling to the message of the in other countries without it weeks, it has become clear to seize back power and view with me. Gospel as we tune in remotely registering that soon we would that fear is looming large in this as an opportunity to When restrictions are imposed to daily Mass on a webcam. The be suffering the same fate. many homes at this worrying explore the possibilities of from without, forcing us, for silence of these days gives us new As we, at St Mary’s, assessed time. Our parents are grateful technology. We will spend our own good, to make radical ears to hear God’s voice in His the fast-moving situation, our to have the support of their this time productively, learning changes, to withdraw from one Word and in the music of nature. priority became clear very early familiar school community. together and transforming how another, to isolate, my strength Our eyes see more clearly as we on. We agreed that the focus Families are dealing with we interact and support each wells up from that deep place seek to find God in all things; for our school community children and other members other as a school community. within my soul where God is things perhaps we had started to would be that we should stay who have underlying health Everyone has been pushed out always present, waiting and take for granted. connected by whatever means conditions, making this an of their comfort zone and we unchanging. I listen frequently to Margaret In these times of uncertainties, possible, to enable us do what isolating and terrifying time await the transformation that when the very ground beneath Birdsong seems to be sweeter Rizza’s beautiful piece ‘You are and clearer, the bleating of spring the Centre’ – “You are the centre, we always do…support each for them. Key Worker parents has just begun. our feet seems to shake and shift other, pray together, learn are operating under extreme “Within this limited space may with each new daily update on lambs sounds louder, evening You are my life. You are the centre, together and laugh together. pressure. Other parents are you learn to harness the stretch current events, I find myself skies at sunset appear to be more Lord of my life…”. (Grainne, drawn to a place of depth within magnificent, the crescent moon’s Moville) Our mission statement is worried that their children are of time.” to find stability on the rock of my light is sharper and more defined. ‘Learning, Caring and Sharing going to fall behind in their 26 THE NET | APRIL 2020 Sr Clare Crockett still touching lives four years after her passing... I have so many questions.” Mass and really misses not being time to be there that weekend special going on. Shauna also had many able to go to Mass now with the and it really changed me. I’m “Another lovely gesture was by questions, when she watched the coronavirus restrictions. Before not religious like the way Clare North West Memorials, in Muff. film, about how the Servant Sisters she did her Cursillo weekend she became, but I say my prayers and We had got the headstone and had managed to have so much hadn’t gone to Mass and now she love going to Mass now. I actually statue of Our Lady for Clare’s footage of her sister: “I just kept can’t wait until all this is over, so miss going to Mass and am looking grave from them, and when wondering about that. It’s like it that she can go again. I hope to be forward to going back after all this. the prayer group started, they was all part of God’s plan for her. like Megan and get drawn to go I have three wee girls and every donated the statue of Our Lady The Sisters told us that the idea for back to Mass again.” night, after dinner, I say a decade that we have for that. It is the the film came about as a result of Feeling greatly encouraged on of the Rosary with my six-year-old same as the one on Clare’s grave, all the communications they had this journey with the help of Fr and eight-year-old, while the one- and it is absolutely beautiful. The received from people whose lives Stephen, and the prayer at the year-old just runs around us.” Bogside Artists painted it for us, had been touched by Clare, during monthly Mass and weekly Rosary Comfort and Michael Condren built a glass her life and after her death. They group, Shauna said: “At the Rosary All the communications she has box to encase it. At the end of the said that they had felt guided to group I hear people’s stories – one been receiving from around the prayer gathering, someone takes make the film in response to this.” girl had been trying for so long world on Facebook since Clare’s the statue home for the week, and She added: “Watching the film to have a baby and had many death has been a great source of then it is brought back for the next on Clare has also been a great miscarriages, and now she is six comfort and inspiration to Megan: Monday night prayer group.” comfort; to see all that she had months pregnant, and she puts “I find it very touching that these Having the statue of Our Lady Sr Clare Crockett with her sisters, Shauna and Megan achieved and how much she was this down to Clare’s intercession. people have taken the time to look for a week in their home has been WHEN the family of Sr Clare celebrate Mass for Sr Clare’s fourth loved, and to hear how people had When I heard this, I found myself me up on Facebook and message a wonderful blessing for some. Crockett, the young Derry nun anniversary via Termonbacca - been helped in their faith through thinking if Clare hadn’t died, then me to share their stories about One evening a young lady arrived who was killed in an earthquake in YouTube, having quickly exceeded knowing her. So, I am hoping that maybe that girl wouldn’t have got asking Clare to pray for them, and at the Monday night prayer group Ecuador on April 16, 2016, reflect the 1,000 subscribers required, she will be able to help me now.” pregnant. telling me how they have been gathering looking very sad and on the loss of their loved one on thanks to all who responded Response “Then we had a man in painting helped. she was asked if she would like to the fourth anniversary of her when the call went out. Further Shauna and Megan have also our kitchen and he asked me if “Many people visit her grave take the statue home with her for death, they will be joined in spirit information regarding this will been greatly comforted at the I had known ‘the wee nun who too. I rarely go up to pray there the week. It turned out that it was by many in her home town and be posted on the Termonbacca response to the monthly Masses had died’. When I told him she and not find others praying at her the lady’s birthday and her face lit Diocese, and in countries across Facebook page. celebrated in Termonbacca by Fr was my sister, he told me that his grave as well.” up as she said that it was the best the world, such has been her effect This is a challenging time for Stephen, and to the Monday night daughter had been at school with Shauna and Megan have been birthday present she had ever got. on people before and after her everyone and, like many others prayer group, which has been held Clare and that when one of his comforted also by the many people On returning the statue of Our passing from this life. who take comfort from praying in the Derry Search Youth Group other daughters was told that she who have been requesting copies Lady the following Monday night, Together with Fr Stephen at the graveside of their loved premises at the Iona Business would not be able to get pregnant, of the Sr Clare novena prayer card. she said that she had had the best Quinn, the Carmelite Father who ones, Sr Clare’s family have been Centre, but is to move up to the the whole family decided to do “We can’t get them printed quick week of her life as it had been filled has been celebrating Mass at 7 further saddened at not being able Monastery when it is deemed safe a novena to Sr Clare, asking for enough as people are constantly her with so much joy, love and pm on the second Sunday of each to visit the graves of their sister for people to gather together again. her intercession, and his daughter looking for them,” remarked peace. month in Termonbacca, for the and mother, with the news that “When it was first mentioned ended up giving birth to twins! Shauna, adding: “The last print With regards to the 2,000 intercession of Sr Clare for special cemeteries have also been closed to to us about celebrating a monthly I laughed thinking about that... was for 2,000 and they are nearly novena cards, Shauna said: intentions; the sisters of the Home the public. But, they take comfort Mass for Clare and then the weekly how it was so like Clare’s sense of all gone. “Mickey Doherty has been great in of the Mother Order to which from knowing that this time will prayer group,” said Shauna, “we humour...not just one baby but “There is a lovely story about the helping with the Prayer Group and the 33-year-old Servant Sister pass and that their loved ones are were a bit worried that people two! She was always dramatic in latest printing. I had gone to City he put up on Facebook that we had had belonged; and members of praying and interceding for them. might think it a bit much and that the house when we were growing Print to order mammy’s memorial 2,000 more prayer cards available. the Derry-based Sr Clare Novena Sr Clare was the eldest of three not many people would come, but up.” card and I asked for a quote to My ‘phone started ringing like Prayer Group, her sisters, Shauna daughters born to Margaret and there has been a great response Reflecting on how her sister’s print the novena cards too. The mad and I spent the evening and Megan had been planning Gerard Crockett, and her younger and the number of people coming death had impacted on her faith woman suggested getting 2,000 going around houses delivering to mark her anniversary with sisters, Shauna and Megan have to both keeps growing. There were life, Megan said: “I went back to printed. I was worried about how the cards to some of those who a Rosary procession from the been amazed at not only how their 50-60 people at the last prayer Mass not long after Clare passed, much that would cost, but when I had asked for them. People from Brandywell Grotto to the Iona own faith life has developed but at meeting we had, and the room for but I lost my way a bit when went to collect them she told me places like Limavady, Carndonagh Carmelite Retreat Centre, for the the stories other people have been the monthly Mass in March was mammy got sick and then died. I that they were donating them. She and Dublin have also been asking anniversary Mass. sharing, especially how prayers fuller than I had ever seen it. felt completely lost. told me, ‘Our work is done, now for copies.“The printing and While the arrival of the have been answered after asking “People are saying how much “Then I did something I had it’s your turn to go and hand them delivery of those 2,000 prayer coronovirus, COVID-19, in for Sr Clare’s intercession. good they get from the Mass and been putting off for years. I had out. I couldn’t believe that the cards happened just before the Ireland, has meant that public “When we were younger, we the prayer group, and are telling been asked many times over the 2,000 cards were printed for free. news broke about the virus. I think gatherings such as this cannot were always made to go to Mass on others about how special they last 11 years to do the Cursillo “That’s the kind of lovely this was Clare’s way of helping now take place at this time, the a Saturday evening with mammy find them and so new people are weekend and I kept saying no. gestures people are making, and to keep us all going during this invincible spirit of the people of and daddy,” recalled Shauna, coming along each time. Seeing There was a Cursillo weekend it is all making me think...about time; she would have known what Derry has found a way to be united adding: “When we got older, this and hearing people’s stories after my mammy died and the Clare, mammy and my faith... was coming at us and that people in thought and prayer as they mammy sent us on our own, giving have really helped us in our faith week before it took place, I was and it feels like there is something would need to and want to pray”. remember their beloved Sr Clare us £2 for the collection basket, but and in living with her death too, asked if I would like to go on it, as part of a new on-line rosary via we just went in to see who was knowing that Clare is still able to and I said yes. It was the most Facebook. saying the Mass and to get the help others.” beautiful experience. I hadn’t been Organised by representatives bulletin to bring back to mammy, When her mother died on to Confession for a long time, but of prayer groups such as Cor and and then we went to the shop to September 1, last year, just three I went during that weekend and Search, a decade of the Rosary spend the £2. Clare bought 10 fags years after Sr Clare’s death, Shauna it was like a great weight lifted off is led each night from different for her and Megan to smoke and a said that all the questions came me. I felt so close to Clare over that family homes and people can join Taz chocolate bar for me, to keep flooding back again: “Mammy was weekend and talked to her a lot. in by going on to the Derry Search me from telling. only 58 and Clare had been only “I believe that was just my time Facebook page. “So, I hadn’t been going to 33. I asked why God he let this to do Cursillo, and that Clare sent One of those taking part is Patsy Mass for a long time when Clare happen. Why, when my faith was me. When I went up to my room McCallion, who is involved with died, and her death just left me gradually getting stronger, did we on the first night, I was thinking the Monday night Sr Clare Prayer questioning all the more. Why have to be hit again with mammy’s to myself, ‘What am I doing Group, and the McCallion family her? She was so young and a nun. death, I asked. It broke mammy’s here?’ Then, when I was taking have chosen to lead the decade Watching the film ‘All or Nothing’, heart when Clare died; she wanted my clothes out of the bag, Clare’s of the Rosary on Monday nights, which the Servant Sisters made nothing more than to be with her wee prayer card fell out. I didn’t and dedicate it to the people who on Clare, also left me questioning again. even know I had it with me, so I normally would come to the Sr why God had let Clare die when “My sister, Megan has been was surprised when it was the first Clare night of prayer. she was doing such great work. It’s greatly helped in her faith through thing to fall out of my bag when I And, Fr Stephen is hoping to not that I don’t believe in God, but Cursillo. After she did heropened it. weekend, she started going back to “I really feel that it was my Sr Clare with her mother THE NET | APRIL 2020 27 Remembering Sr Clare Maria of the Trinity and the Heart of Mary by Home of the Mother, Servant Sisters for her, and there was nothing whatever he wanted.” After the intense school day is could be difficult fills me with joy, that would stop her. She herself In Valencia, Sr Clare’s main over and the extracurricular because it brings me closer to the explained, “At first, I was tempted apostolate was attending the activities have finished, the Sisters Lord… I spent a good amount of to look back and say, ‘I want it spiritual needs of terminally find time to work in the parish and time in front of the cross asking back.’ But I understood that I had ill patients in the Hospital to attend to many poor families. for the grace to never, never forget found an even greater love.” in Mislata. It was a difficult Under the scorching sun or in the everything that the Lord and Our Following her years as a apostolate, and it required a torrential rains, the Sisters visit the Lady have suffered for me.” candidate and novice, she took her constant self-forgetfulness to try impoverished houses in the rural The earthquake that put an end first vows on February 11, 2006. and understand the heart of each area to evaluate the basic needs to the lives of Sr Clare and five During the month-long spiritual patient to guide them in the last of each family and thus be able young aspirants, began at 6:58 exercises that she made during her moments of their lives. to give them Jesus Christ and the pm on Saturday, April 16, 2016. novitiate, she received a grace to In 2011, Sr Clare returned to hope of Eternal Life, together with Due to the strong floods that in comprehend what the Lord had Belmonte. This time her superior food baskets, medicine, and many the previous days had devastated said one day to Saint Catherine was Sr Ana Maria Lapeña, who other solutions to their material Playa Prieta, the Sisters had lived a of Siena: “You are the one who is very accurately sums up Sr Clare’s problems. very difficult week. Just two weeks not, and I am He who is.” It was spirituality in these words, “She Evangelise before the start of a new school SR Clare was born on was a simple gesture, but it was a something that transformed her gave everything with a great sense Several times throughout the year, they found themselves with a November 14, 1982, in Derry, changing point in her life. When interiorly and helped her, as she of humor.” year, the Communities of Servant school that was in a state of total Northern Ireland. She entered the the service was over, a sister found matured humanly and spiritually, Sr Ana Maria admires to this Sisters and Brothers of the Home disaster: all of the classrooms Servant Sisters of the Home of the her crying as she repeated, “He to put the many gifts with which day Sr Clare’s obedience and of the Mother, along with a group were flooded; the recently painted Mother on August 11, 2001, at the died for me. He loves me! Why she was endowed at the Lord’s affirms, “I still do not know what of young people, would visit walls, chairs, tables, doors, and age of 18. She took her first vows hasn’t anyone ever told me this service for evangelization. things she liked to do and what Puyo, located in the Ecuadorian a large quantity of teaching on February 18, 2006, taking the before?” Clare had understood Zeal things were hard for her. I could Amazon, to evangelize. Sr Clare materials were destroyed by the religious name of Sr Clare Maria how much the Lord loved her When she was still very young never tell. And when I would ask also took part, trekking for water, because the Sisters had not of the Trinity and the Heart of and how much He had done for and with many things to learn, her to do something, her answer hours through the treacherous had time to rescue them. Mary. She took her perpetual her. She understood that “Love is she arrived at her first assignment was always, ‘Of course!’ And paths with mud up to her knees For that reason, as soon as vows on September 8, 2010. repaid by love alone,” and that the in the community at Belmonte, on top of that, she was always and crossing the tributaries of the water level began to recede, From the moment of her first love the Lord asked of her meant a in Cuenca, Spain. There, the observing to see what was needed, the Amazon with water up to the Sisters got busy cleaning and vows, she served in the Servant complete donation. Servant Sisters of the Home of and so offer to help. At the end her chest, until she reached the trying to fix the disaster. They Sisters’ communities in Belmonte, It was not easy to take the step. the Mother direct a residence for of that year, I thought to myself, humble villages of the Shuar, the worked with joy and generosity. Cuenca (Spain), Jacksonville, When she went back to Ireland, girls that come from families in ‘I want to learn how to obey like greatly feared ‘Jivaroans’ of long The work was hard, because, as Florida (USA), Valencia (Spain), she participated as a secondary difficulty. It is hard work, because h e r ’.” ago. the water subsided, it left several Guayaquil (Ecuador), and Playa actress in the filming of ‘Sunday,’ the girls arrive from difficult In October of 2012, Sr Clare The Shuars live in small layers of mud. They were also Prieta, Manabí (Ecuador). directed by Charles McDougall. family situations that mark them received a new destination communities of no more than worried about the many poor She passed away during the She got caught up again in the painfully. Sr Clare began to show where she would be able to put thirty people. They cultivate the families in the area that had lost earthquake in Playa Prieta on whirlwind of superficiality and sin her special gift to reach the souls into practice her potential for land with ancestral methods and everything, or almost everything, April 16, 2016. that the world of cinema offered of children and young people, evangelization: Ecuador. She live in great poverty. Sometimes as a result of the floods. In the Clare Crockett was born into her. She expressed herself in these teaching them the truth and the was sent to the recently founded the Sisters reached villages where face of an extreme situation, a Catholic family. She received terms, “I lived very badly; I lived in love of the Lord, guiding them community in Guayaquil. The the indigenous had never heard they reacted with total donation. the Sacraments of Christian mortal sin. I drank a lot, I smoked in the personal process to heal Servant Sisters had only been in the Gospel and still practiced Contemplating the events in Initiation, but, during her teenage a lot, I began to smoke drugs. I their interior wounds. Her zeal Guayaquil for one year. The Sisters polygamy. There was practically hindsight, it seemed as though the years, she no longer frequented continued with my friends, with for souls, especially those of the there give classes in a few different no knowledge of the faith even in Lord was preparing them. the Church. In Holy Week of the my boyfriend. I continued in youth, was immense. schools in very poor areas, and the villages which had occasionally The earthquake began shortly year 2000, at 17 years of age, she the same way. I didn’t have the Sr Clare spent only a few they work in a parish, evangelizing received a visit from a priest and after they had come back from arrived at a Home of the Mother strength to break with all these months in that house, because she the youth and children. They whose inhabitants were baptized. Mass at the village’s parish. It Retreat. She seemed both joyful things, because I didn’t ask the was sent to the new community put on retreats, summer camps, Everyone always remembers was already dark. Sr Clare and and superficial. She was looking Lord to help me.” that was about to be opened in weekly formation meetings, etc. Sr Clare with a guitar in her the group of young women who for sun and boys in Spain, and However, the Lord insisted the United States, in Jacksonville, There was a lot of work to be done, hand, her great companion in passed away were on the first she found herself with a group on ‘pursuing’ her. One night, at a Florida, in October 2006. The and the excruciating Ecuadorian evangelization. They remember floor. They had had guitar class of people who were celebrating party, she over drank once again. sisters began pastoral work at heat, in addition to the various her singing and singing, even to and were about to pray the Rosary intensely the Passion, Death, and When she was vomiting in the Assumption Parish and School. tropical diseases she suffered, was the point of losing her voice, and, with the rest of the sisters and Resurrection of Our Lord. bathroom, she felt that Jesus said The parish priest, Fr. Fred Parke, exhausting. even then, she continued to sing, girls. The heavy quake caused the That was not what she was to her, “Why do you continue to explains, “The children picked up Sr Clare, herself, talked about in spite of the heat, fatigue, and building to collapse, with four expecting. From her childhood, hurt me?” on the enthusiasm that she had the disposition she had when she migraines. Her way of singing Sisters and seven girls inside. Only she had always dreamt of God’s presence was so strong for the Eucharist. She overflowed reached Ecuador. “When I arrived reflected the way she lived. five were rescued alive. Curiously becoming a movie star, and she that she could not ignore it. Not with enthusiasm for the Lord. in Ecuador, we were listening to Sr Kelly Maria Pezo recalls, enough, they had been talking was working her way towards that long after, she was in her room Once you had been with her, you the life of John Paul II, and in one “When she sang, she kept nothing about death during lunch that dream. She knew that she had in an important London hotel, knew you had to pick up that same of his apostolic visits they asked back. And when she lived, she very day. Very convinced, Sr Clare qualities: a great artistic talent, reading her taping schedule for enthusiasm. It was so catchy.” him, ‘Holy Father, are you tired?’ kept nothing back.” had said, “Why should I be afraid a beautiful voice, an attractive the next day. She felt such a great On September 8, 2010, Sr and he answered, ‘The truth is…I Despite the hustle and bustle of death, if I’m going to go with the physical aspect, and an astounding emptiness that she realized that Clare came back to Spain from don’t know.’ It was my first week and joy that always surrounded One I have longed to be with my personality. At the age of 15, she her life had no meaning if she the United States to make her here in Ecuador and I wanted to her, as the years passed by, Sr whole life?” had already been contracted to did not give it to Jesus Christ. perpetual vows. Afterwards, she use that quote from John Paul II Clare’s need for silence and To our surprise, the news of Sr host a show for young people on Neither her family’s pleas, nor her was sent to the community that not as my motto, but as my way of moments to be alone with the Clare’s death began to circulate Channel 4 – one of the biggest in manager’s promises could stop the Servant Sisters of the Home life here. Sometimes you get tired, Lord increased. It was evident to on the mass media worldwide. the United Kingdom - and at the her. On August 11, 2001, she gave of the Mother were opening in of course! Work tires you out, but the Sisters to what extent Sr Clare We began to receive messages of age of 17, the American channel her life to God as a candidate in Valencia, Spain. even though I am tired, I hope to was giving of herself. prayer and support, but above all, Nickelodeon had shown interest the Servant Sisters of the Home of Her superior, Sr Isabel Cuesta, not feel sorry for myself and to To her, nothing seemed enough testimonies of people who had in her. the Mother. remembers: “Sr Clare had just keep giving.” for Christ. This is shown in an been touched by Sr Clare’s story She spent the first days of the Clare had to change many taken her perpetual vows. She Two years later, Sr Clare was e-mail she wrote to the founder and had decided to return to the Holy Week Encounter sun bathing things in her life. With the bloody had given herself completely to sent on a mission to another of the Servant Sisters, Fr Rafael, Sacraments and to live their faith and smoking. On Good Friday, struggles for Northern Ireland’s Lord and she did so with all her community in Ecuador: Playa on April 8, 2015: “Even though with greater intensity. someone said to her, “Clare, today independence from the United strength...There was an example Prieta. There the Servant Sisters Good Friday is a sad day, I don’t you have to go into the chapel. Kingdom, the difficult atmosphere that Sr Clare used a lot, which of the Home of the Mother know how to explain the joy and (Thanks to Sr Rachel, Servant It’s Good Friday.” She went into in Derry, her hometown, had helped her to place her life in run a school, the Holy Family enthusiastic desire I have to suffer Sister, for permission to publish the chapel, but she stayed in the wounded her heart deeply. This God’s hands. It was the example Educational Centre, where poor for the Lord. Everything seems this biography of Sr Clare on the last pew. During the Good Friday was the first wound in need of of a ‘blank check.’ Each day she children can receive a high quality little to me: the lack of sleep, occasion of her anniversary, as it liturgy, the faithful adore and kiss healing. Yet Clare had surrendered would give a blank check to the Catholic education, thanks to the fasting, the heat, having to attend appears on the Home of the Mother the Crucifix. Clare joined them. It to Jesus Christ’s immense love Lord, so that He could ask of her sponsorship of many benefactors. to the people… Everything that website) 28 THE NET | APRIL 2020

All Creatures Great and Small by Vera McFadden to see the conditions of the Holy That is not the way”. He was then Family on that first Christmas given an allegorical dream. The night. That was the first crib, field was full of savage animals One time, when people of Gobio of all kinds. They were jumping, were being terrorised by a wolf, rushing, snapping, and snarling. Francis went to the animal and Then the scene changed and the made a bargain with it. If it would field was full of sheep and lambs. stay away from their village, the He saw Mary and Jesus in the people would leave food for it just dream. He understood that work outside their settlement and, so, that he would be doing when he there was peace again. The birds grew up was to be changing boys of the air were never very far from from aggression, by treating them Francis. gently and educating them. St Anthony of Padua, called As a boy, Don Bosco had herded “my preacher” by St Francis, animals on the farm. When he sometimes used animals to teach began to go about the work that JESUS was born in a stable, which his fellow Romans lesson. He God had directed him to do, he sheltered an ox and a donkey. was a very gifted teacher, but the was subjected to many attacks These animals were part of his people of Rimini would not listen from people who wished to exploit heavenly Father’s creation. When to him. So, he went by the shore children either by carrying them He was still an infant, an animal – and faced the sea and began to into gangs or using them as cheap probably a donkey – transported give a homily. The fish swam labour. Once, a hired killer was his family as they fled into Egypt in and popped up their heads, attacking him with a dagger when to escape from the soldiers. They listening. When people came to he was out after dusk. The stranger would have journeyed back to watch this amazing sight, they got was getting the upper hand in the way of escape was to climb over was Our Lady.” I think that Mary safety with the help of a donkey the benefits of the sermon too. struggle when, suddenly, a big dog symbolised souls. Once, when he the rocks, and this needed to be had a lot to do with it. Who knows too. Another time, a farmer told ran in angrily and came to the was celebrating Mass on the boat, done very quickly. When I got as what the bull saw? When Jesus began his public life, Anthony that he did not believe priest’s assistance. The would-be fish gathered round and remained far as I could go, I wondered how Our small collie, Patch was a He knew exactly where the shoals in the true presence of Jesus in killer was terrified. The struggle there until he was finished, when deep the water was. The would-be genius. He observed how we of fish were, and pointed out how the Blessed Sacrament. The saint over, the repentant man confessed they swam away again. assailant was stomping his hooves, opened the window by lifting nature intended our heavenly asked him to bring his donkey and that he had been paid money and Stories sending sods flying, and butting its the catch and pushing it out, and Father’s Providence – “consider some hay and he would soon find was tempted to take it. The saint We all have our own stories of head. Then the farmer came down he was opening it, using his nose the birds of the air”. the truth. The man did this. Then called the dog ‘El Grigio’ and it animals. Once, when I was four and said, “Yup!” It was incredible, and head. Then he would jump When it was time to go to the Blessed Sacrament was carried stayed with him for many years. years old, I put a baby’s dress on there was an instant docile animal, out and run across the field to Jerusalem, He told the apostles past and the animal ignored the When there was danger outside, our marmalade cat. The animal which went back up the lane to play with his friend. When I had exactly where they would find a hay and knelt in front of the Lord. it lay behind the door and` would subjected itself to this treatment rejoin the herd. the catches replaced with stronger colt tethered. He went on its back Dominican, Martin de Porres not let him out. Don Bosco was and did not fit, spit or struggle, On another occasion, I was ones, he went upstairs and jumped into the city. often brought people or animals sure that it had been sent from or scrape or scratch. It must have walking along a country road, out of my son’s bedroom window. The saints had that same that were sick or wounded from heaven to protect him. known that I was only a baby and praying the rosary as I went. I ran outside to attend to the needs understanding of the animal the streets into the Monastery The early Christian saints lived did not know that I was annoying Suddenly there was a large herd of what I expected to be a badly kingdom as their lord and master. and take care of them until they close to the natural world and it. However, once dressed and of bulls all over the road and wounded animal, but he was not It was, of course, a gift from God. were better. Everybody loved there are many stories of them and in the pram, it was no longer three tractors were being driven there. He must have landed on the There are many stories about their him, and the cats and dogs knew the animals which lived nearby. prepared to endure anymore behind them. There was no room bush below the window, and by interacting, sometimes even with he was their friend and played One writes about Panguar Ban, and jumped out and ran down to walk. The only place to get out now he was across the field. The savage beasts. We can only think him around everywhere. In his which about a scholar and his cat, the lane in the strange outfit. of their way was on the grass bank only way to prevent another high of some of them here. presence, there was no inter- another about his hut surrounded Disappointed, I watched it go. I beside me. I went up there until jump was to keep the bedroom St Francis of Assisi was born in animal fighting and even the cats by trees and beautiful bird song. had that not known that I was they passed, but one bull went up doors closed. From then on, he a stable also. A passing stranger and mice were well-behaved in his The great Columba had an being cruel. All I had wanted was there too. I had been walking very needed to wait until I let him out. knocked at the door of their home company. He told the mice to go intuition about an exhausted a real, live, walking, talking, living slowly and now he was walking in When it came to lock-up time, I and told his mother to go there for to the bottom of the garden and heron from Gartan, collapsing on doll. The cat remained my friend. my direction. What could I do?? I would whisper, “Please God, give the birth of the baby. It is there, that he would see that they got the beach in Iona. They took care When I took my terrier pup for remembered my mother’s advice, Patch a homing instinct,” and a only a little way down the lane, plenty to eat. of it for three days and then it flew a walk on the Coshquin Road, I “Never run away from a mad dog. minute later the dog was standing that a church is built on the site As a child of nine, Don Bosco off again. Our Creator sometimes always turned back before a white Look it in the eye.” This was not outside the door. of their house, and there is a little was shown his future career. He inspires animals in a powerful cottage. A big bad-tempered black a mad dog, and I could not run The Creator communicates with altar in it. had a dream of a big crowd of way. On the day of Columba’s dog lived there. One day shortly away, anyway. Still, I kept walking his creatures. We remember this When he became a friar, Francis boys in a field. They were fighting death, a white horse was made after we turned back, there was towards it and looking at it in the strongly when we experience used a friend’s barn in Greccio, his savagely. He was about to rush aware of the coming bereavement a thundering noise. Several bulls eye, while inwardly I was terrified. unexpected protection or a ox and his donkey, one Christmas, in angrily to tell them to stop, and it nestled its head against him had galloped through the field and The animal continued to approach close cooperation with the and everyone climbed up the hill when he heard a gentle voice say,” and wept. were jumping and crashing against Stories are told about otters and the hedge, which was shaking me, also looking me in the eye. other inhabitants of our planet. St Kevin. When he came out the under their weight. I looked at my When it was two feet away, I knew Providence, protection and mercy, water of the river after doing his little pup and decided that passing I had to do something, but what? inspiration, reassurance and penitential prayer, these little the dog might be safer. It didn’t I found myself reaching out my empowerment, and much, much animals came to dry him with seem to be about but, when we right arm, pointing with the hand more - all come from our Creator. their hair. An otter recovered St were almost past, the preliminary that held the rosary beads, and in a The Lord is always with us. Kevin’s scroll of the Psalms from charge was sounded. I turned very quiet voice, almost a whisper, the lake, where it had dropped and made my protest, “This is a said, “Go over there.” Not only when he was chanting. It carried it public road!” I had been saying did it go to the other side of the back in its mouth and it was not in the rosary and my beads were in road, but went into a field on the any way damaged. the hand that pointed at him. I other side of the road, and without When he was a slave in Ireland, was surprised at what happened causing any disturbance to the the boy Patrick tended sheep on next. He stopped the angry act, other animals as it walked through an Antrim hill. When he returned stood on his hind feet, put out his them. to bring the good news to the Irish forelegs and begged. One of the farmers said, “Mrs, people, sometimes he needed One day, when I was on retreat you’re very lucky. Those boys quiet prayer and meditation for at Linsfort House, I went on a would knock you down as soon himself and once, as he prayed different kind of retreat. I had as look at you.” I think the farmers on a hillside, he saw a big flight of gone for a prayer walk along a had thought that any rapid white birds. Seeing this raised his cul de sac beside the lough. At intervention from them would spirit. the end, I turned back and then I have caused a serious situation. St Brendan also saw a lot of white saw a herd of cattle coming from a When I told my friend what had birds in the upper reaches of the field at the other end. One of them happened, she said, “That wasn’t river. He understood that they charged towards me. My only you that said ‘Go over there’, that THE NET | APRIL 2020 29 What is the reason for the hope that you have? (1 Peter 3:15) My faith journey by Stephen Doherty Y earliest encounter with faith was College. He advised me to leave were ministering. In preparation my phone and go away for a few for parish missions, we engaged very much the traditional Catholic days. It was Holy Week 2002. with the parish councils about upbringing. My father, Leo, took the I came back after a few days two or three months beforehand timeM every morning to pray with me on my way to and, at that point, I knew in to plan the programme. We felt school, at Rosemount Primary School. He taught in my heart that I was where God that it was important to listen to wanted me to be as lay chaplain the needs of the parish and then St John’s Primary School. We used to start off in St in Lumen Christi, and diocesan try to create a programme for the Eugene’s Cathedral and he would walk me around youth director for the Lourdes mission that suited the particular explaining the Stations of the Cross, and sometimes pilgrimage, along with Fr Joe circumstances of each. Gormley, at the request of Bishop With the decline in attendance he bought a book for me. The Life of St Columba Hegarty. I was also on the Derry at Mass, one of the questions was my favourite; I must have read it 20 or 30 times. Diocesan Vocations’ Council we were asked was how you get and attended prayer meetings people back to Mass. We always At that time, my prayer life Hand all over it. If we came home of the Third Order of Discalced felt that it wasn’t going to be hadn’t progressed from “Dear in a bad mood after a bad day, Carmelites in Termonbacca. The straightforward, that it was going God, bless my mammy and daddy we took one look at our mother feeling I had was that I had plenty to be about good, steady witness and me. May we live happily and it refocused us. Anyone in of opportunities to live out my and raw evangelisation. We felt for 40 years and die together.” I her presence left her feeling that vocation and answer God’s call. that what was needed was to get developed a superstition about they had been in the presence of In 2006, based primarily on our out there with a personal invite, this and became afraid to not someone very close to God. I am Lourdes experience of leading an and that was met with dread say it in case something would so blessed to be able to say that overland pilgrimage to Lourdes by the parish council members happen to us. I didn’t know that about my mother. with the youth, a group of like- because of the magnitude of the my mother, Mary, had been While we were growing up, our minded individuals came together task. diagnosed with MS. Then, when father was the model of faith in and formed the Iosa Community, We ended up giving parish I was in P7, my sister, Fiona was our lives, but in the last 14 years modelled on some of the charisms missions to those who were born, and I knew that I had to of her life, my mother became a of the Columba Community, regular Mass-goers, who, of change my prayer as it wouldn’t model of faith that I would never which a number of us had been course, also need to be nourished be fair on her. It was the greatest have believed could happen. It Stephen Doherty associated members of for about and built up as much as those thing when Fiona was born, as it was a complete submission to two or three years. who do not go to Mass. During took the focus off me a bit. God and it was so powerful. asked, which are clearly relevant Community, which normally The Iosa Community was our mission, people wished that I was 16 years old when I found I have found on occasions that and important to where people meets on a Wednesday, with formed in 2006 as a young lay those who didn’t go to Mass had out that my mother had MS. I met during what should have been are at. members who live too far away faith community to deepen our witnessed the mission as they the announcement with some the most difficult times of my I have been teaching RE joining in through Skype. own relationship with Christ; felt it would have brought them relief as she had seemed unwell life, God’s presence was never and History at Lumen Christi We all have our places of to accompany others on that back. This was lovely to hear but with her balance, etc. I was scared more real to me. I have had College for 21 years, and I am employment and, at various journey; and to reach out to young it wasn’t addressing the issue of it was cancer, so I was glad that numerous encounters with the also responsible for chaplaincy, times throughout the year, we people and help bring them into getting people back. that wasn’t what she had. What I Lord and a number of events counselling, outreaching, are also called at various levels to the faith. For about four or five Bellaghy is the latest parish we didn’t realise at that time was that that were impossible to explain enrichment programmes and witness as a community to those years, we hosted monthly Taize have worked with on a mission my father’s health was starting to as other than miraculous. When public relations. However, I have around us. We see ourselves as prayer meetings at the IOSAS programme, and we found deteriorate because of a genetic I look back, I see this as God’s always known that the most doing ordinary work with the Centre’s Celtic Prayer Garden. great willingness amongst the disorder. He ended up dying Hand very much in my life; He important role that I can bring to extraordinary grace that comes The response was very positive parish council members to put 14 years before my mother. His was strengthening me. If I ever the school is that of chaplain. It is with mission work. We do our and heart warming. There was a in place action steps regarding prayer had been that he would be have doubt about faith in my where the greatest need is. daily job but then we have this particular group of young people our suggestions on how to spared to look after my mother. life, I just have to cast my mind I believe passionately that the great gift of living our faith within at that time that had been to reach people who had made the Throughout my father’s illness back to those times when God employment of lay people is the a community of like-minded Lourdes with us, who helped decision not to live Church life. and that face-to-face encounter had actually been bellowing His future of the church. I think, people. spread the word and we had 30- We came up with what we called with suffering, I was fortunate that presence at me. in Ireland, we are still slow to Fr Frank Bradley is our spiritual 50 young people gathering in St a GAA event – an acronym for through my upbringing in the During my time in St Columb’s engage with that; there may be director. We became friendly with Canice’s Oratory, within the Celtic Gone Ask Anything. I don’t know faith I was able to accept it. I could College, I took a great interest in nervousness that lay people will Fr Frank during our time leading Prayer Garden, for a Taize style how many of those who came see God’s Hand in it. Even close to Religious Education. I was taught not be able to do the job as well as the Diocesan youth pilgrimages to prayer meeting on the first Friday along on the night go to Mass, but my father’s death, I felt there was RE at GCSE level by Fr Aidan the clergy. As people of God, we Lourdes, from 2001-2005. When of every month. the discussion that was had was always hope. Mullan, who inspired a love of are all called to service. it came to the idea of creating When the Diocesan youth one that needed to take place. My father died at the young the Scriptures in me. I also went I think there are some great this community, he expressed overland pilgrimages to Lourdes Scott Hahn, a former American age of 59. It was an event that I to Mass in St Mary’s Oratory, models of lay leadership in the an interest in becoming part of stopped, the Iosa Community Presbyterian who converted to had dreaded my whole life but at Newbuildings, several days a Catholic Church, particularly in what it was we were trying to do. started its own youth pilgrimages Catholicism, says that millions when he died I felt an amazing week with my father. the United States. As a Church There are currently 10 of us in the to Lourdes. These were powerful of Catholics have a problem with strength. My sister and I had to I decided to do A-Level RE and in Ireland, that is historically Iosa Community. As a lay-faith faith experiences, not just for the what they think the Catholic make a decision regarding care go on for teaching, which is a bit dependent on clergy to deliver all community, we are always open young people but for all of us. We Church teaches, and that there for our mother, who was very ill; of a tradition in my family, from things faith related, I think there to welcoming new members or always came back with a deeper would only be a few who could the doctors didn’t think she would my grandfather, father and uncles needs to be more empowerment anyone who would like to explore desire to create opportunities to have a problem with what the survive. We decided to renovate to cousins involved in teaching. of the laity to deliver. what it is to live within a lay faith bring others to the Lord and to Church actually teaches. A large the house so that we could care RE was the only subject that I feel privileged to have had the community. I believe that this is a deepen our own faith too. percentage of baptised Catholics for her properly at home. interested me at that time. opportunity to deliver Scripture model for the 21st century. do not know the faith well During her debilitating illness, I was also confronted with the courses and faith programmes in Holy Spirit enough to be part of the new my mother suffered from periods possibility of priesthood, which I my own parish in the Waterside (The Iosa Community can be What happened after this, we evangelisation. of depression. However, when think should be a natural thing for over the last 10 years, as part of contacted through its website – feel, was guided by the Holy The GAA event in Bellaghy was she came out of that illness after every baptised male to consider. a team, and to belong to the Iosa www.iosacommunity.ie) Spirit. As time went on, when a ground-breaker in the sense my father’s death, there was a So, I was trying to discern we advertised events for young that it was creating a setting for peace about her and a whole new whether or not I was being called people maybe four or five were a dialogue about faith. This was demeanour that I saw as complete to be a priest. Once or twice, I turning up, so we decided to reach just a start; it’s at the embryonic acceptance and awareness that was close to going to study for the out to everybody, recognising stage. I think that having had comes from being close to God. priesthood. I met Bishop Seamus that there was every bit as much this engagement with the people, We had an incredible 14 years Hegarty and afterwards I just felt hunger for faith development before the Mission gets underway, with our mother at home, with that it wasn’t for me. Nothing to within adults as well as the young. will help us to feel more part of the the help of a great care team. do with Bishop Seamus! So, we embarked on a parish parish. She was bedridden for the I also spoke to my father about mission crusade. The first was in We have added an evening of last five or six years of her life, this, as I was close to writing my Steelstown, where Fr John Cargan teaching to our parish mission but that whole time was a most resignation letter regarding my and Fr Frank Bradley, the spiritual programme, at which we will give amazing blessing. It had God’s teaching post in Lumen Christi director of the Iosa Community, teaching on the questions people Some members of the Iosa Community 30 THE NET | APRIL 2020 A Word of God for your Family Life April – Faithfulness by Fr Johnny Doherty, CSsR ONE of my (many) pet hates is One of those words is faithfulness. all, He is faithful in giving His life Church that the two disciples There are several aspects of this decide to love and not just on how the glib way that so many people, The society that has developed for us. whom Jesus walked with on faithfulness to attend to: you may feel at particular times. especially politicians and media around us would not have much 2. April 12th: Mary of Magdala the road to Emmaus were a • Faithful to oneself – and the people, speak about Brexit as a use for this word or concept is heartbroken and despairing married couple. It is certainly in goodness by which you were able Limits to faithfulness divorce and the Brexit negotiations because society is largely built on because she cannot even find the the Sacrament of Marriage that to make this commitment. Unfortunately, marriage – and as divorce negotiations. You each person being the centre of body of Jesus – someone has taken faithfulness is most clearly seen • Faithful to your wife/husband all other relationships – can cannot have a divorce without their own life. Your body is your it away. Jesus, in his faithful love, and becomes a sign of what we are as she/he needs to be loved in the fail. When they are destroyed having had a marriage. And the own to do with it what you want. calls her by name and reveals to all called to as the Church. present so that you, as a couple, by violence of any kind, or by EU certainly never was nor ever her that He is still with her and his can move on together. addictions, or by infidelity, will be a marriage but rather a Faithfulness of God disciples. Faithfulness in Marriage • Faithful to your marriage as separation or divorce may be the union established by many treaties Our whole understanding of 3. April 19th: The Risen Lord One of the most amazing your main way of life and your only way to go for the safety or and agreements, which now God, as revealed to us in the reconciles with his disciples and statements that is ever made is vocation in the sacrament of health of those involved. When Britain is removing itself from. Scriptures and ultimately in Jesus gives them a fresh impetus in their what a couple say to each other on marriage they end because of the inability Marriage is something totally Christ, is God who is faithful to faith in him, an impetus that is to their wedding day: “I take you as • Faithful to God in Christ who of one of the partners to deliver on different and something much His love for His beloved people be characterised by peace. “As the my wife/husband and I give myself lives in you and through you in their commitment, annulment is a more significant in the lives of through thick and thin. It is Father sent me so am I sending to you as your husband/wife for your sacrament of marriage. possibility for beginning again. people. that faithfulness of God that we you.” Their mission is to bring his better, for worse; for richer, for • And faithful to the Church, the But those are questions for celebrate in a very special way this faithful love to all. poorer; in sickness and in health Body of Christ, of which you are another day. God however never Faithfulness month in the Sunday Liturgy each 4. April 26th: Jesus walks with all the days of my life”. such an important part because of abandons us. We, as the Body of Now that I have that rant off my week. two of his disciples who are now These marriage vows are made your sacrament of marriage. Christ, should never abandon chest, I can get on to the topic convinced that it is all over. And in a context of strong feelings and At different times one or other of one another no matter how things of this article! Although what I 1. April 5th: Passion/Palm yet their hearts are broken because emotions, and rightly so! But they these will become the main focus turn out. have said about marriage and Sunday: Passion Week is a they love him and believe in him. are obviously not about promising of your decisions. It is vital that divorce in relation to Brexit has wonderful summary of the story Again, he reveals himself to them to always have that level of feeling, you make those decisions of love to do with what I have in mind. of God’s love affair with humanity. as alive and, with a renewed hope, as our feelings change and change and life. We live in a society in which We follow Jesus in His journey they go back to the others where very often. words are not what they used to among people who one day are they find that hope confirmed: The marriage vows are a pledge Much broader than marriage be. New words are introduced calling Hosanna for Him and, “Yes, it is true; the Lord has truly to be faithful to one another no Marriage is the paradigm for and gain acceptance, from where soon afterwards, are calling crucify risen and has appeared to Simon”. matter what happens on the road faithfulness. The qualities are true we will never know. Countless Him; among disciples who pledge They are to bring the faithful love ahead. Because of that, they are a in all other human relationships words like marriage and divorce their love for Him and yet one of God in Christ to the world by commitment to put each other at also – in family life; in human have their meaning changed and of them betrays Him for money, being faithful to one another and the centre of their lives whatever friendship; in the relationships we are expected to accept the another denies ever knowing to him. the circumstances, whatever life of people in the community of changes without any objection. Him, almost all of them abandon brings to them. Faithfulness needs faith in parishes etc. Faithfulness And other words are in danger Him; and He even wonders if God Faithfulness, our call to be developed into a whole way in these relationships is built on of disappearing from lack of use. has abandoned Him. Through it There is an old tradition in the of life of loving one another. basing them on the ability to

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me Please look a little deeper, Look a little deeper Just try and see the light, and sit quietly and try to remain This comes to mind, but Love has no perimeter, in God’s presence for a planned naturally I find it hard to say it by Stephanie Murray - Carnhill Together we’ll be alright. length of time and pray as best and mean it: “There is no need to I can. I would not say that it is a worry, the Lord is very near”, and I close my eyes tightly Let laughter prevail inside your home, very nice or pleasurable time. But “Do not be afraid”. And wish that this is just a dream, Don’t let this kill your spirit. I want to do it and I believe my day I listened to Rita Connolly Our vacant streets are echoing but Sing and dance with the little ones, goes better for it. I do the same in singing “I Arise Today” and I always There’s no-one to be seen. Until we no longer have to fear it. the evening for a planned amount find that inspiring...“through the of time. My wife does the same strength of Heaven, light of sun, The walls cry out for humankind, Then the street will fill so merrily, and that is good. radiance of moon, splendour where’s the ordinary, daily show? With music and with chatter, Any text from Scripture can of fire...stability of earth...I arise Shoppers scurrying while folk embrace, Those silent walls will hold us tight, nourish me if I just take a little time today through God’s strength to With laughter always aflow. Our hearts no longer shattered. During the coronavirus and let it in. Texts that just come to pilot me...God’s shield to protect pandemic, I am taking all the me sometimes these days are: “I me, from all who shall wish me Right now our Fear is hungry We will run to hug our loved ones, necessary precautions and find am the GOOD Shepherd. I know ill, afar and a-near, alone and in And our hearts are filled no more, Cherish them like never before, that I have more time on my my own and my own know me”; a multitude. Against every cruel, For broken pieces lie behind And never take for granted, hands. I am not under the usual “He is the image of the invisible merciless power that may oppose Each and every door. What’s outside our own front door. pressure to get things done, eg, God....and in Him the fullness of my body and soul. Christ with me, go to meetings. So, I use the time God was pleased to dwell”; “Let Christ before me, Christ behind by starting my day with quiet this cup pass from me...but if I me, Christ in me, Christ beneath Give them the grace they need to Fr Peter Madden (8th) time for prayer. I live opposite have to drink it, let your will not me, Christ above me”, etc. (Noel - respond generously to you, and Fr Anthony Mailey (9th) the chapel, so I just go over there mine be done”. Buncrana) the courage to proclaim your Archbishop Eamon Martin (10th) Word of justice, love and truth. Fr Gerard Mongan (11th) Lady of All Nations be our Advocate Bless, in a special way, All Priests (12th) Mass, the Rosary and daily Prayer preserved from degeneration, Your servant All Priests (13th) of the Church. In this current disaster and war, and may the Fr Aidan Mullan (14th) situation of the COVID-19 Lady of All Nations, the Blessed Father.... Fr Kevin Mullan (15th) pandemic, some of these things Virgin Mary, be our Advocate. Send your Spirit upon him Fr Michael F Mullan (16th) have become more difficult, but A m e n”. So that he may always walk Fr Patrick J Mullan (17th) not impossible. Each day, I tune A quote that has really in the path of faith, hope and love, Fr Sean O’Donnell (18th) in to the local parish webcam for comforted me in this time of in the footsteps of Christ, Fr Seamus O’Connell (19th) Mass. We pray the Rosary together worry comes from Mother Teresa: the eternal priest, who offered Fr Joseph O’Conor (20th) as a family and we are blessed to “We cannot all do great things, but Prayer for Priests Himself on the cross for the life of Fr Colm O’Doherty (21st) Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless have Adoration continuing in our we can do small things with great the world. Amen. Fr Kieran O’Doherty (22nd) our bishops and priests and to parish for the time being. l ov e .” Fr Brian O’Donnell (23rd) confirm them in their vocation of One of my favourite prayers In these testing times, it can be Remember in prayer: Fr Francis P O’Hagan (24th) service. All priests (April 1st) in this challenging time is the our simple actions that show the Fr Patrick O’Hagan (25th) As they stand before us as Fr Con McLaughlin (2nd) ‘Lady of All Nations’, which I find greatest love to our neighbour. A Fr David O’Kane (26th) ministers of Your Sacraments, Fr George McLaughlin (3rd) These are very strange times we particularly powerful: “Lord Jesus ‘phone call, a text, staying indoors Fr Patrick O’Kane (27th) may they be channels of the love All priests (4th) are living in. Being a member of Christ, Son of the Father, send and, above all, prayer for those Fr Peter O’Kane (28th) and compassion of the Good Fr Peter McLaughlin (5th) Derry Youth Community, I had a now your Spirit over the earth. Let who need it most at this time. All priests (29th) Shepherd, who came not be served Fr Kevin Mulhern (6th) very good routine of prayer each the Holy Spirit live in the hearts (Elaine – DYC) Fr Arthur O’Reilly (30th) but to serve. Msgr Ignatius McQuillan (7th) day, which included a Holy Hour, of all nations, that they may be THE NET | APRIL 2020 31 ten children. When she was almost of mercy, bringing joy and peace to Children’s Catechism Club - C3 twenty, she entered the convent and others. She wrote about God’s mercy joined the Sisters of Our Lady of and she encouraged others to trust in by Veronica Harley Mercy, who devoted themselves to God and prepare the world for His Hello children. Welcome to the month of April. This month is the care of troubled young women. coming again. dedicated to the Holy Eucharist. During this month Lent comes On February 22, 1931, Sister Faustina During her life, Faustina wrote and received from Jesus a message of suffered in secret, without many to an end with the wonderful celebration of Easter in the Church. mercy that she was told to spread knowing that anything special was ‘Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “Feast of throughout the world. She was asked taking place in her life. After her feasts”. (CCC 1169). We also celebrate a special feast called to become the apostle of God’s mercy, death from tuberculosis in 1938, Divine Mercy Sunday in which the great gift of God’s mercy is to be a model of how to be merciful even her closest friends were amazed given to all who come to him with a sincere heart. to others. The message was that God to discover what great sufferings adoration it is kept safely in its lunette loves us, all of us, no matter how and mystical experiences she had The Eucharist within a strong container known as a great our sins may be. God wants received. She had listened carefully The month of April is dedicated to pyx in the Tabernacle. us to know that His mercy is greater to God’s Gospel command to “be the Eucharist because Holy Thursday, When the monstrance contains than our sins, therefore we should merciful even as your heavenly Father the day which Catholics celebrate the the sacred Host, the priest will not always call on him with trust, receive is merciful”. The message of mercy Institution of the Eucharist, usually touch the vessel with his bare hands. His mercy and let it flow through that Sister Faustina received has been falls in the month of April. This year Out of respect for the Eucharist, the us to others, so that all will come to spread throughout the world. we celebrated Holy Thursday on the priest holds the monstrance with a share his joy. Jesus asked Faustina that a special last week in March. humeral veil, a wide band of cloth Jesus showed Faustina an image of Feast day be set aside to celebrate On Holy Thursday night, Jesus that covers his shoulders (humera) himself which He wanted painted so God’s wonderful gift of mercy to the shared an important meal with his and has pleats on the inside, in which that all could see the abundant mercy world. This feast day is called ‘Mercy apostles. This meal was called the Last he places his hands. A humeral veil is which flows from His heart. Under Sunday’ and it falls on the Sunday Supper, as it was the last meal Jesus a liturgical vestment normally made the image, He told her to write “Jesus after Easter. On this day, God pours Saints of the month- shared with his disciples before He of silk or gold cloth and is used by I trust in you”. out His mercy on all those who come Faustina lived her entire life in to him. St Vincent Ferrer- April 5th was crucified and died. At this meal priests during Benediction of the imitation of Christ’s; always making The novena prayers which we say for St George, martyr - April 23th Jesus took bread and wine, blessed Blessed Sacrament. sacrifice as Jesus did for others. At nine days prior to Mercy Sunday is St Mark the Evangelist - April 25th them, gave them to the apostles and We are invited to come and spend the request of Jesus, she willingly called the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. St Catherine of Siena - April 29th told them that the bread and wine time with Jesus in the Blessed which they were given to eat was Sacrament. When we come to spend offered her personal sufferings with We say these prayers as part of our now his Body and Blood. At the meal time with Jesus in adoration we Jesus to atone for the sins of others; daily prayers to always ask God’s Easter Trivia Questions Jesus instructed his apostles that they praise and adore him. We thank him in her daily life she became a doer mercy to come upon us. 1. When Jesus entered Jerusalem should do the same in memory of for all the wonderful things in our during His Triumphal Entry, what him. lives and the many gifts which he has Fill in the blanks with the words from the Word Bank was He riding on? At Mass, the bread and wine offered given us. When the angel appeared to Puzzle 1. The Holy Eucharist is a Sacrament and a ______2. What was the Jewish feast being up by the priest becomes the actual the children at Fatima he/she showed 2. Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the ______celebrated the week Christ was body and blood of Christ. The them how they should worship Jesus 3. The Substance of the bread and wine becomes the Body and crucified? bread and wine do not change in in the Eucharist. He/she bent low in Blood of _____ through transubstantiation. 3. Where was Jesus arrested? appearance but remain the same. worship until his forehead touched 4. The Eucharist continues to be offered through the ministry of 4. When Jesus was arrested who cut However they are transformed the ground. He/she taught the the _____ off the ear of the high priest’s servant? beyond our human understanding children a beautiful prayer to say to 5. Jesus is truly ____ in the Eucharist. 5. Judas betrayed Jesus for how many into the body and blood, soul and Jesus. Please try to visit Jesus in the pieces of silver? divinity of Jesus Christ. This is called Blessed Sacrament and spend some Word Bank: Last Supper, present, priests, Sacrifice, Christ

6. What was the name of the high Transubstantiation (CCC 1376) and precious time with him.

5.

priest’s servant who had his ear cut it happens at the celebration of every Eucharist. the in present truly is Jesus

4.

off by the disciple Peter? Priests the of ministry the through offered be to continues Eucharist The

Holy Mass. 3.

Divine Mercy- Saint Faustina transubstantiation through Christ of Blood and Body the becomes wine and bread the of Substance The

7. What sign did Judas use to betray 2.

The Eucharist is the most important Saint Faustina was born in Poland on Supper Last the at Eucharist the instituted Jesus 1. Answers:

The Holy Eucharist is a Sacrament and a sacrifice a and Sacrament a is Eucharist Holy The Jesus? act of worship. All Catholics are August 25, 1905. She was the third of 8. How many times did Peter deny bound to attend Mass every Sunday Christ? and are encouraged to receive Holy 9. Which prisoner was released Communion. Some practising instead of Jesus? Catholics go to Mass every day to with Lawrence 13. What periodic sighting is visible from earth only 10. Who carried the cross for Christ? Quiz Time once every 75 years, the last time being in 1986? receive the Eucharist. 1. Which actor played the role of Dr Who between 1974 11. Where was Jesus crucified? and 1981? 14. On which street is Derry’s oldest pub? 12. Who ordered Jesus to be arrested? 2. Which sea is often referred to as the world’s largest 13. Before his crucifixion what was Eucharistic Adoration 15. Which European city is served by Marco Polo The Catholic Church has also lake? placed on Jesus’ head? airport? developed the beautiful practice of 3. In 2001, the official winning score in a table tennis 14. On what charge was Jesus v16. For what 1980’s band was Roger Taylor the Eucharistic Adoration. This practice set changed to how many points? sentenced to death? original drummer? is centuries old, dating back to the 4. Which singer/songwriter released the album 15. Who were the three disciples 17. What is the national currency of Dubai and UAE? apostles, when the Eucharist was ‘Graceland’ in 1986? who were with Jesus when he was carried in to the homes of those 18. According to the 1960’s song, who ‘frolicked in the arrested? 5. Which is the only letter in Scrabble to have a value people who could not attend Mass. of 5 points? autumn mist’? 16. What colour was the robe that the Eucharistic Adoration is a sign of Romans placed upon Jesus? 6. Which Biblical figure was said to have fathered 12 19. Cheltenham racecourse is set in the shadows of devotion and worship of Jesus, who is which English mountain range? 17. What did the soldiers offer Jesus sons to his 4 wives? truly present – Body and Blood, Soul to drink while on the cross? 7. Who were the last team to win the old English First 20. What is the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet? and Divinity – in the Eucharist. 18. What was written on the sign Division before it became the Premier League? The Holy Eucharist is placed in a very 21. What does EE stand for in mobile phone network above Jesus’ cross? 8. Which TV personality presented the first ever ‘live’ terms? special vessel called a monstrance. 19. Who wanted to see the nail marks UK Lottery draw? This is made of a precious metal and 22. Who were Liverpool’s opponents on the day of the in Jesus’ hands before they believed 9. The Spanish word ‘Iglesia’ translates to what in is shaped like the sun to symbolise Hillsborough disaster in 1989? he was alive? English? the resurrection of Jesus. The centre 20. What was the name of the man 10. Who starred opposite Robert De Niro in the 2015 23. Name Marge’s twin sisters in TV’s ‘The Simpsons’? of the monstrance has a round glass who requested Jesus’ body for burial? movie ‘The Intern’? 24. What is the highest value card in a game of Bridge,

through which the sacred Host

20. 11. David Myers and Si King are collectively better excluding ‘Trumps’? Joseph of Arimathaea of Joseph

19. 18.

17. can be seen. Behind the glass is Thomas, Thomas, Jews, the of King Vinega,

Purple, Purple, known as whom? 25. Which electronics company used the advertising

16. 15. 14.

John, James, Peter, Blasphemy,

thorns, thorns, a round container made of glass slogan ‘The appliance of science’?

13 12.

11. 12. Lincoln is the capital of which US state? . A crown of of crown A . Herod, Golgotha,

of Cyrene, Cyrene, of called a lunette. The lunettte holds Cotswalds. 20, Epsilon. 21, Everything Everywhere. 22, Nottingham Forest. 23, Patti and Selma. 24, Ace of Spades. 25, Zanussi. 25, Spades. of Ace 24, Selma. and Patti 23, Forest. Nottingham 22, Everywhere. Everything 21, Epsilon. 20, Cotswalds.

10. 9. 8. 7. Simon Simon Barabbas, times, 3 kiss, A Malchus,

The Hairy Bikers. 12, Nebraska. 13, Halley’s Comet. 14, Shipquay Street (The River Inn). 15, Venice. 16, Duran Duran. 17, The Dirham. 18, Puff the Magic Dragon. 19, The The 19, Dragon. Magic the Puff 18, Dirham. The 17, Duran. Duran 16, Venice. 15, Inn). River (The Street Shipquay 14, Comet. Halley’s 13, Nebraska. 12, Bikers. Hairy The

6. 5. 4.

silver, of pieces 30 Peter, Gethsemane, Gethsemane, the host securely in place. When the

Quiz Answers: Quiz

1, Tom Baker. 2, The Caspian. 3, Eleven. 4, Paul Simon. 5, Letter K. 6, Jacob. 7, Leeds United. 8, Noel Edmonds. 9, Church.10, Anne Hathaway. 11, 11, Hathaway. Anne Church.10, 9, Edmonds. Noel 8, United. Leeds 7, Jacob. 6, K. Letter 5, Simon. Paul 4, Eleven. 3, Caspian. The 2, Baker. Tom 1,

3. 2. 1. Answers:

Garden of of Garden Passover, Donkey, Host is not in the monstrance for 32 THE NET | APRIL 2020

Aghyaran, Ardmore, Ardstraw West &Castlederg, Ballinascreen, Ballymagroarty, Banagher, Bellaghy, Buncrana, Carndonagh, Claudy, Clonmany, Coleraine,Creggan, Culdaff, Culmore,Desertmartin, Donnyloop, Drumquin, Dunamanagh, Dungiven, Fahan, Faughanvale,Garvagh, Gortin, Greencastle,

Celebrating five years of sharing fruits of the faith

“In our culture, we have spiritual Gaviscon! And there gotten used to sad news, is so much creativity and hope tragic photographs and being generated all around information, twisted to suit the Diocese. particular agendas. All that ‘The Net’ is a private can have an imperceptible mission and initiative. But it is effect. A never-ending wave not intended to be a money- of sad, mad and bad news making enterprise. It was can condition us all to expect born out of and sustained by nothing but negativity. And a prayer-led sense of calling it can create the impression to serve the Diocese of Derry that human beings really are a with this unique piece of mixed-up lot. communications ministry. Five years ago, ‘The Net’ I wish to thank those who was born out of a desire, not work for this important just to find good news but to contribution to sharing the celebrate just how many good Good News. And I encourage things are happening every parishes to both contribute day in the Diocese of Derry. articles – and ensure that ‘The If we are to be carriers of Net’ reaches those people who good news and hope, we need can be encouraged by the to be fed by an antidote to the initiatives of others”.

Moville, Newtownstewart, Omagh, Plumbridge, Sion Mills, Steelestown, Strabane, Swatragh, Templemore - Long Tower and St Eugene’s, Three Patrons, Waterside Waterside Patrons, Three Eugene’s, St and Tower - Long Templemore Swatragh, Strabane, Steelestown, Mills, Sion Plumbridge, Omagh, Newtownstewart, Moville, negativity which dominates. ‘The Net’ wants to be a sort of Bishop Donal

Greenlough, Iskaheen, Killyclogher, Killygordon, Kilrea, Lavey, Leckpatrick, Lifford, Limavady, Maghera, Magilligan, Malin, Melmount,