THE NET | APRIL 2021 1

ISSUE 64. APRIL 2021 PRICE - £1.50 The NET /€2.00 Sharing fruits of faith in Diocese

See inside... Fr Michael McGoldrick OCD delighted to return to lovely Derry on the banks of the Foyle

Youth passion performance – St Eugene’s (Story on page 10)

RTE Lough Derg Mass – Cappagh Youth

Church Prayer – St Eugene’s

Mother’s Day – Long Tower ‘Blessed is She’ – Termonbacca Remembrance Vigil – St Eugene’s Palm Sunday – Omagh in focus in People

.Roisin McCullough – Greenlough Máire McAteer – Aghyaran Niamh Fox – Donegal The late Sean Friel – Waterside Fr Michael Keaveny – Moville/Faughanvale

Also featuring: Derry Youth April webinars, Great interest in Sr Clare retreat, Young writers feature, Bishop Donal shares thoughts on Synodal Church, Eucharistic Adoration & Divine Mercy feature with comments from around the Diocese, Irish Page, Dunree feature, Children’s Catechism Club, Quiz....and much more... 2 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Fr Shay Cullen SSC, an Irish missionary and founder of the Philippine human rights social Contents development organization, Preda, reflects on the Pope’s prayer intention for the month of April...

CopiesParish of ‘The Net’ will deliveries be available in parishes again after restrictions, as a result of Covid-19, are lifted. supports human rights defenders Pope Francis supports human by Fr Shay Cullen SSC...... p2 Moving journey through The Passion by Derry youth.....p3 April webinars with Derry Youth by Niamh McLaughlin...... p3 Cappagh youths on live RTE Lough Derg Mass rights’ defenders by Davog McCaffrey...... p3 THE strong words of Pope those killings have taken place wing political parties to stop Aghyaran native, Máire McAteer shares joy Francis spoken in solidarity since 2016. Also, 86 journalists it, and largely succeeded. Some of serving God through Youth 2000...... p4-5 and support for all the and reporters have been killed Catholic countries slammed Colourful celebration of Palm Sunday in Omagh...... p5 Great interest in Sr Clare anniversary retreat...... p5 human rights defenders, since 1992. shut their doors with dark, environmental activists, social They are accepting serious compassionless hearts and Bishop Donal pays tribute to ‘The Net’ young writers.....p6 Some thoughts on synodality from Bishop Donal...... p6 workers and truth journalists risks defending victims of built fences to keep out the Young writers share thoughts on... on the front line, and fighters abuse and violations of their refugees; thousands of them - Sr Nathalie Becquart interview for justice and equality human dignity and rights. They homeless children. If of - Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq everywhere, has encouraged suffer hardship and abuse, Nazareth and His parents had - Trocaire Lenten Talk been arrested at the Egyptian - World Water Day and inspired millions of people rejection, imprisonment and - Inspiring Iskaheen & Upper Moville youth...... p6-9 to reach out to help. Prayer is a death because of their work for border and deported to the Fr Michael McGoldrick OCD delighted public way for a Pope to make human rights in supporting cruel baby-killer, King Herod to be back in Derry...... p10 a social and political statement the downtrodden and abused for a death penalty, there would April Grandparents’ Faith Cafe...... p10 of great importance. victims. They are survivors have been no Christianity. ‘Blessed is She’ – A source of strength and support by Aoife O’Neill...... p11 “We pray for those who risk themselves. They have that ‘Flourish’ – helping women grow together their lives while fighting for most fundamental love of Protection through scripture study by Niamh Fox...... p11 fundamental rights under others to uphold the dignity Under international law, a Greenlough one of many parishes benefiting dictatorships, authoritarian and rights of every human person fleeing persecution from lockdown’s unleashing of talents...... p11 regimes and even in being. Without those rights we seeking asylum has a right Diocesan prayer for loved ones lost during Covid year...... p12-13 democracies in crisis”, he said. are just as the animals are. to reach the country of Pope Francis is very aware destination and choice by any Let us always be a voice for the voiceless and vulnerable in our society by Mary McMenamin...... p13 of the struggle and needs of Sacrifice means available, to ask for Palliative care respects totally the sacredness of human these dedicated human rights We can see this spirit of protection, shelter and asylum. life activists fighting for justice sacrifice around the world. Many hard hearted see them by Fr Colum Clerkin...... p13 and peace and the human In Syria, the volunteers and as parasites, pests and vermin Faughanvale celebrates Fr Michael Keaveny’s dignity. Those standing for medical workers in hospitals to be rejected. The newly 70 years of priesthood...... p14-15 racial equality in the ‘Black are being bombed by the cruel proposed UK asylum law is Diocesan Vocations Prayer...... p15 Prayer for Priests...... p15 Lives Matter’ campaign and dictator, Marshal Bashar al- suggesting doing just that, by Pope’s Prayer Intention...... p15 those fighting for women and Assad. They risk their lives declaring asylum seekers who A Tribute to late Sean Friel...... p16 children’s rights in the ‘Me Too every day defending and reach the UK as “Illegals”. Colmcille – A hymn by Sean Friel...... p16 Movement’. saving the wounded and sick Long Tower ladies pray Mothers’ Day Rosary...... p16 in war torn Syria. Lenten Rosary outside Cathedral...... p16 Recently Assad’s troops fired Under Cuimhní Cóivide 3 Pope Francis mortars on an underground Irish Page by Fr Oliver Crilly...... p17 international law, Fr Shay Cullen SSC is very aware of the hospital and killed a child Knock’s new status welcomed a person fleeing autocratic leaders have Francis, and thousands of by growing number of Eucharistic adorers...... p18 struggle and needs and seven people. Assad, with Easter feature on Eucharistic Adoration Russian help, has destroyed persecution seeking emerged in recent decades. human rights defenders, to and Divine Mercy Message of these dedicated Syria. He has arrested, asylum has a right Pope Francis’ prayer is badly campaign on social media and – with comments from around the Diocese...... p18-23 human rights murdered and tortured to to reach the country needed in Myanmar, as the sign petitions in their support. Mary – Model of Grace by Oliver Barrett...... p23 activists fighting for death thousands of Syrians and people have shown courage If ever the tyrant’s goons come Everyone should meet the Father’s Mercy of destination and and bravery in facing down the for us, may we have human in those who claim to follow Jesus by Bishop Donal.... p24 justice and peace and has driven 350,000 people into choice by any means military that staged a coup six rights defenders at our side. Mercy messages from St Faustina’s Diary...... p24 the human dignity. exile, among them courageous Bishop Donal to lead Creggan Divine Mercy Devotions...... human rights workers. The available, to ask for weeks ago. The defiance and p24 Those standing for number of dead vary between protection, shelter resilience of the people and (A member of the Missionary Divine Mercy Conference - Put your trust in is inspiring, and as many by Rose Ann O’Donnell...... p25 racial equality in the 388,650 and about 594,000 as and asylum. Many Society of St Columban, Fr Shay as 260 have been killed by the founded the charitable People’s The First Easter Morning ‘Black Lives Matter’ of March 2021. On April 23, hard hearted see by Fr Stephen Quinn OCD...... p26 campaign and those 2016, the United Nations and military, with thousands more Recovery Empowerment them as parasites, arrested and detained. Development Assistance This Easter let us be messengers of hope wherever hope fighting for women Arab League Envoy to Syria put is lost... out an estimate of 400,000 that pests and vermin to The cries and voices of the (PREDA) Foundation in Bishop Donal reflects on... and children’s had died in the war. According be rejected. oppressed and imprisoned Olongapo City, in the Philippines Return of public worship, Uyghurs are being heard and Year of St Joseph and the Family, and rights in the ‘Me Too to the United Nations High in 1974. A human rights social Sr Clare Crockett anniversary...... p27 Movement’. Commissioner for Refugees supported by the human development organisation, Priestly ministry role of today in lead up to Good (UNHCR), as many as 5.6 There can be no “illegal” rights campaigners. They will its mission is to win freedom Shepherd Sunday be encouraged by the prayer and new life for children in Nine days of prayer for vocations...... p27 million Syrians have fled the entry to a country by an He addressed all people. eight years of war and are asylum seeker. Many Germans and support of Pope Francis, jails, in brothels, in hunger, on Exploring Dunree a world-renowned voice for by Vera McFadden...... p28-29 Christians, non-Christians, living in tents in neighbouring escaping East Germany seeking the street, abandoned youth, the voiceless and oppressed and those mired in poverty, ‘Do not be afraid’ people of all religious beliefs countries. There are 6.6 million asylum in the West during the by Fr Joseph Varghese...... p29 or those with none at all, but internally displaced and Cold War would have had to people. Many are calling as well as helping battered for an end to what they call Preparing for the Holy Spirit who have dedicated their lives another 2.98 million besieged be declared illegal entry and women, indigenous people and – Sundays after Easter by Fr Johnny Doherty CSsR...... p30 serving humanity and giving and sheltering in remote areas. returned to the communist genocide. Millions of Uyghurs protecting the environment, This New Life by Fr John McLaughlin SSC...... p30 unselfish service withoutMany others have escaped to East, if such crossing the are allegedly imprisoned and alleviating poverty by Children’s Catechism Club – C3 seeking reward. They need and try and reach Europe in search border seeking asylum was in re-education camps by micro-credit and fair trade. by Veronica Harley...... p31 the communist regime and www.preda.org) Quiz Time with Lawrence...... p31 deserve our support when we of a new life. Pope Francis said to be illegal. Such escapes can’t help the victims of abuse has prayed and appealed for were cheered and encouraged. women forcibly sterilized, directly. European countries to open The proposed law by the UK raped and killed, according to The ministry of They do the vital work for their borders to welcome the wants to make illegal what escaped witnesses interviewed us defending victims of rights war refugees. Germany and under international law is right on world media. The NET violations and courageously some nations did. Canada has and legal and just. To deport In every country where was dedicated to Our Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese give their lives doing it. In the received thousands of refugees an asylum seeker without due tyrants and dictators arbitrarily Lady, through the Philippines, 318 human rights and many from Syria in recent process and evaluation would arrest and imprison their own intercession of Contacting us: workers and activists were years. be a violation of that refugee’s people, and kill them with St Maximilian Kolbe, in a If you have a story that you would like to share or an event you killed between July 2016 and However, the anti-asylum human rights, according impunity, the voice of protest would like covered by The Net, just drop an email to ceremony celebrated by 30 June 2020. As many as 110 people and Neo-Nazis of to some UK human rights denouncing the evil deeds can [email protected] Bishop Donal McKeown lawyers were killed from 1972 Europe rose up and opposed lawyers. be heard. We are all challenged or ring/text 07809292852 on August 14, 2019. to the present. Sixty-one of any welcome and grew right- More dictators and populist to join the Prayer of Pope THE NET | APRIL 2021 3 Cappagh youths’ musical talents broadcast live on RTE Lough Derg Mass by Davog McCaffrey FOR many years my family I also became involved in the Lough Derg has embraced the and I had travelled to Lough Basilica Team, particularly with virtual world and, once again, I practices in preparation for our Derg’s Family Retreats and later the Music Ministry and have been was delighted to be involved with live broadcast from RTÉ in Dublin April webinars with Derry completed the traditional Three Cantor during the Three Day the online One Day Retreats and on March 21, the fifth Sunday of Day Pilgrimage. When I came of Pilgrimage and One Day Retreats. the ‘Doing Lough Derg Wherever Lent. age and the opportunity arose to To me, this is a really privileged You Are’ Three Day Pilgrimage. With our travel exemption letters Youth by Niamh McLaughlin work on the island, I jumped at role as you get to journey with I was also blessed enough to be at hand, Patrick, Catherine and DERRY Youth will be hosting We want to hear from you, the the opportunity! pilgrims for the duration of their part of a small group of young I travelled alongside the Lough a series of webinars during young people, so if anyone has From Summer 2018, I worked pilgrimage and you often have the people that had the opportunity to Derg Team, of Msgr La, Mary, the month of April. We will be any questions that they would like in the First Aid Department opportunity to connect with them be among the very few who got to Sharon and Maureen, to RTÉ’s discussing topical issues for young addressed during these webinars, providing basic medical needs and hear their life stories. Working travel to the island during Summer Television Studio in Donnybrook. people in our Church today, and please send them prior to the talk to Pilgrims; everything from on Lough Derg is far more than 2020 for a Youth Retreat, which After plenty of technical and each week we will be joined by into the Derry Youth Instagram some hot Glucose if they were simply a job – it is a prayerful and, was a truly wonderful experience musical rehearsals we were ready guest speakers. page, or by emailing Lizzie at particularly weak during the Night indeed, often deeply touching drawing together young Catholics to go live and celebrate Mass with The first webinar will discuss [email protected]. Vigil or cleaning and bandaging experience. from throughout Ireland. In the nation at 11am. vocation and will take place on The online programme wounds they had sustained as they As many readers will be aware, a year of so much sorrow and It was a very special occasion April 14. The second will discuss continues and will commence walked barefoot on the Penitential during the Covid-19 pandemic, disappointment, this was certainly and, even though there were only the concept of compassion and after the Easter holidays on Beds. like so many other organisations, one of the highlights for me! a small number of us in the studio, will take place on April 21. Monday, April 12. I maintain regular there was a real sense that we The third webinar will discuss If anyone has any questions or communication with Monsignor were connecting with the Lough the following quote from Pope queries, do not hesitate to get in La Flynn, the Prior, and Mary Derg family throughout Ireland Francis’ Exhortation, ‘Christus contact either by messaging @ McDaid, Pastoral Team Leader and beyond. This was reaffirmed Vivit’: “You are the now of God.” derryyouth on our social media from Lough Derg, throughout the by the thousands of messages This webinar will take place on platforms, or by emailing Lizzie year and was delighted to receive a received by us individually and by April 28. at the address above. Thank you message from Mary shortly before the Lough Derg team in the days The webinars will be broadcast all for your participation and Christmas 2020, inviting me to that followed. at 7 pm each week onto our support. join with Patrick McCrystal, from One thing is for sure, as we Facebook page @derryyouth. the same parish as me, Cappagh, continue to travel through the in Co Tyrone, and Catherine Covid-19 pandemic, people are McLoughlin, from Enniskillen, in more desperate than ever to the Clogher Diocese, in providing return to this place of beauty and the Music Ministry for a very tranquillity in Co Donegal. For special Live Mass from the Lough some reason, the idea of being Derg team to be broadcast in barefoot, with no sleep and only March. black tea and dry toast to sustain In the midst of all the chaos of you seems more appealing than the world, we were able to connect ever before! virtually and arrange a few Moving journey through The Passion by Derry youth

YOUNG parishioners in the narrated by Ava and Oran, Cathedral Parish gave a moving while Rachel and Niall sang, presentation of the Passion of accompanied by Luke on the Christ on Palm Sunday, welcomed organ, under the direction of by Bishop Donal. Maghnus Monaghan. Due to Covid restrictions, St Commending all involved, Fr Eugene’s was unable to have the Paul Farren, Adm for St Eugene’s, usual performance of The Passion. said: “This journey through The However, under the direction of Passion was like a liturgy, as it was Mary Murphy, five very talented a prayer from beginning to end. young people gave a beautiful “Last year we couldn’t have a alternative presentation through presentation of The Passion, so Scripture, reflection and song. this tonight is a great symbol of ‘A Man of Sorrows and h op e .” Acquainted with Grief’ was 4 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Reflecting on a faith journey that has led to helping bring young people to the heart of the Church through the Eucharist... Aghyaran native Máire McAteer shares her love for God and serving Him through Youth 2000 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) May. was filled with a love for them. I to start a Youth 2000 prayer group, passion. I saw the same passion for “I loved my faith. I remember didn’t become best friends with which kept going during my four evangelisation in the Franciscan hearing about that person, but the hate didn’t years there and continued for a Friars and Sisters of the Renewal in Paris in 1997 and would love consume me anymore. I was able while after I left, but then stopped”. when they were on the Youth 2000 to have gone, but I was too young. to let go of it. Reflecting on how Youth 2000 retreat, and I thought that maybe Then, in the year 2000, Fr McGinn, “Afterwards, during thehad helped her on her faith I was to join them. They weren’t who would have seen that I loved healing service, the priest was journey, Máire said: “In my early based in Ireland at the time, but God and being part of the parish, walking around with the Blessed childhood I loved God very much had come over to do a mission. came to our door and asked me if Sacrament and you could reach and Youth 2000 put flesh on the “Sr Christiane encouraged me I would like to go to World Youth out and touch the humeral veil. bones of my faith. Faith went from to check out the CFR Sisters, who Day in Rome. I said that I would When I touched it, I just knew my heart to my head. It formed me were based in New York then but love to, so the parish paid for me that God was real...that conviction in actual understanding of why I now have a house in Drogheda. I to represent it amongst the large of how deeply loved I was by God believed in what I did, taught me went to visit them in New York in group of young people attending came to me and I have never what the role of the Pope is, etc, the summer of 2004. I remember WYD from the Derry Diocese”. forgotten”. and helped me to understand the giving the Lord an ultimatum. I It was during one of the monthly Discovering that there was teaching of the Church in such a said to Him, ‘I have been thinking preparation meetings in Derry a Youth 2000 prayer group in contemporary, simple way”. about this for so long now, if I like for this that Máire first heard of Omagh, Máire joined it and She added: “Looking back with them I will enter but if I don’t, I Youth 2000: “One of the leaders remains deeply grateful today to regards to vocation and call, when will join the Youth 2000 Mission Maire with her parents, Felix and Pauline, and brother, Ruairi, on the occasion of was Clement Kennedy, who was the leaders, Clement Kennedy, I was discerning what God wanted Te a m”. her profession in in 2016 also involved with Youth 2000, Siobhan Sweeney, John McSorley me to do in life, even in childhood Falling in love with the life of the WE often hear that God can turn of it.” and he announced about an up and Emmett Murray, who did the I wanted to be a Sister. When I Sisters of the Renewal, she entered every situation into a good, we just It was through the parish priest and coming Youth 2000 retreat in music ministry, for their teaching was about four or five years old, I in 2005: “I was with them for eight have to have faith, and this has of Aghyaran at the time, the late Sligo. I tried to get my friends to of the Catholic faith and their remember my teacher asking me years and loved every minute of it. very much been the experience Fr Brendan McGinn, that she go but no one wanted to. I was still support. what I wanted to be when I grew I had an incredible journey with of Máire McAteer, from the Co was introduced to the youth dying to go, so my parents, bless She recalled: “We met every up and I said, ‘A nun!’ the Lord and received an excellent Tyrone parish of Aghyaran, who movement, which was founded by them, said that they would go for Thursday evening for Eucharistic “During my Youth 2000 time formation. has gone through a few twists and a young Englishman following an a family break and drop me off at Adoration. I couldn’t get enough before the Blessed Sacrament and “It was how they evangelised turns in her faith journey before inspirational message from Pope the retreat. So, off I went with my of being with Jesus. We had a great reading Scripture that desire was about the Eucharist in particular finding herself involved full-time John Paul II during World Youth mum, dad, Ruairi and . social time as well and I made so reignited, so I entered a period that really attracted me. When I in a mission that has always had Day in Santiago de Compostela, “The retreat was in St Angela’s many really good friends. of discerning what it was that was there, I realised that another a special place in her heart...youth Spain, in 1989, with the aim of College, Sligo, and I found it God wanted me to do. I looked part of their mission was with the ministry. helping young people discover really exciting and breath-taking. Grow at different religious orders and poor. I worked in a soup kitchen Blessed with having experienced their calling to live the Christian It changed everything for me “After the experience of the went to visit The Spiritual Family and clothing pantry in their life as a Sister with the Franciscan life through rediscovering the because I had an experience of a retreat you need to keep the of the Work of Christ (FSO) in outreach to the homeless in New Sisters of the Renewal in New Mass, Adoration of the Blessed real Confession for the first time. relationship alive, and so the Letterkenny. They are an Austrian York City. York and with the Adoration Sacrament, the Scriptures, the While Confession is always real prayer group is essential to keep Order and were based in Bishop “I also took a lot of classes in Sisters in Belfast, Máire is now Sacrament of Reconciliation and and God is always there, and I had the relationship with Jesus going ’s house at that time. Theology and the Catechism, etc. development/fundraising officer devotion to Mary, the Mother of grown up going to Confession, and to grow in your faith, with They helped me to understand It was very similar training to and national prayer group co- God, and the Church’s teaching. for me it was the first time I other young people to support you what it was like to be a Sister and that of a seminarian. A lot of my ordinator for Youth 2000, an Thankful for the great nurturing experienced God’s touch and how who are genuine friends”. what it would entail. work in the States was with young international Catholic movement she got in her faith growing up real He is in Confession. Máire had been in her final A “I became aware of the Order people. We were involved with for young people, aged 16-35, from her parents, Pauline and “During that Confession at the ‘level year at Loreto, in Omagh, when I met Sr Christiane Fritsch Youth 2000 there and I was struck which has been active in Ireland Felix, Máire said: “Our family Youth 2000 retreat, I realised that when she attended her first through Youth 2000. Sr Christiane by how I had gone from being a since 1993, and she is hoping were very much part of parish life. I was able to forgive someone Youth 2000 retreat, and she was was a group leader during one of retreat participant to giving talks to help develop it in the Derry Mum and dad would have helped in my life who had hurt me very determined to continue the faith the many Youth 2000 retreats I at the retreats as a Sister”. Diocese as a way of enabling out in the parish and encouraged much. It was a wound from my experience when she set off to the used to go on and she helped me Máire went on to say that while young people here to lead young my younger brother, Ruairi and I childhood and it was healed in University of Ulster campus, in a lot with my discernment about she had spent eight years with the people to the heart of the Church. to get involved too. I remember the confessional. It wasn’t a sin , to do Irish Studies. what it was that God wanted for CFR Sisters, she didn’t take final Recalling that she had first got responding to an announcement that I had committed, but it was “One of the first things I did was m e .” vows with them. involved with Youth 2000 as a by Fr McGinn for volunteers to a letting go. I let go of the hate to go straight to the chaplaincy”, When Youth 2000 launched a “If you are in God’s Grace, as 19-year-old, Máire remarked: pray the Rosary. I think I was I felt for the person...for what she said, “as I wanted to know mission team, Máire felt a draw you are when in the Sacramental “This youth ministry is going the only young person who they had done. When I thought what they were doing on campus towards that: “I had such a desire life”, she remarked: “then you are almost 30 years now in Ireland volunteered and I led the Rosary of the person’s name, I couldn’t for the faith. With the permission to evangelise and tell people always where you are supposed and it is incredible to see the fruits before Mass during the month of hate them anymore, but instead of the campus chaplain, I was able about the Eucharist; that was my to be. I was in Temporary Vows,

Máire with some of her cousins as a novice with the Franciscan Sisters of the Máire as a Franciscan Sister of the Renewal in 2011, with her friends, Martina Renewal in 2006. Wilson and Lorraine Simpson. Máire in her current role, with some members of Youth 2000 in Maynooth. THE NET | APRIL 2021 5 Great interest in Sr Clare anniversary retreat happened since the news broke about her sister’s death, aged only 33 years, Shauna Gill remarked: “Those five years have just flown. We lost mammy in the middle of it, which was very hard. We didn’t really get time to think much about mammy’s death as it was all go about Clare. “It has been fairly non-stop with people contacting us to say that they have had favours granted THE ‘Friends of Sr Clare’ group, 18, the eve of the opening of the after asking Clare to intercede, set up in response to the growing week-long retreat. This will be especially about infertility and devotion to the Derry-born streamed via the Termonbacca cancer. People are naming their Home of the Mother Servant YouTube page. babies after her! We have heard Sister following her sudden death During the week, the retreat will stories from all over the world and as a result of an earthquake in get underway each evening at 7.30 every time we go up to her grave, known as Simple Vows, and I loved serving His people and is everything for me. God works Ecuador, has been amazed at pm in St Columba’s Church, Long it is filled with flowers that people while journeying along that being His Bride, now I get to do the all things for the good for those the great interest in the week of Tower, and will be streamed live have left. Sometimes there are road, in prayer and discerning ultimatum that I had given Him who love Him. It is an absolute prayer organised to mark the fifth at http://longtowerchurch.org/ more flowers on the grave than in with my spiritual director and previously in working full-time privilege to serve Him now anniversary of her death. webcam/ and on the Long Tower any florist’s shop!” the community, it became with Youth 2000, which has grown through Youth 2000.” Seating in Sr Clare’s home parish Facebook page. As well as being kept busy more obvious that there was a since and continues to expand, She continued: “It is a young Long Tower Church is limited to Fr Aidan Mullan, Adm Long responding to requests from near deeper call within me to a more drawing more and more people to person’s movement and so it will 200 due to Covid-19 regulations, Tower, will celebrate the Monday and far for the Sr Clare prayer contemplative life. His Eucharistic Heart. I can draw always fluctuate. Young people so tickets were allocated for each evening Mass, when the speaker cards and candles, and the book from the richness of sitting at His grow up, get jobs, get married night of the retreat to try and will be Sr Clare’s sister, Shauna telling the story of her life, ‘Alone Understand feet in the contemplative world, etc, and we have to be able to accommodate as many of those Gill. Fr Joe Gormley, PP Creggan, with Christ Alone’, Shauna said “This was very difficult, as I was in helping now to bring young adapt. Youth 2000 is a foundation looking to attend as possible will be the Tuesday evening that there are also many requests on a path and loved it but then had people to Him”. for them. It has led to very good throughout the week, and these celebrant, and the speaker will from people to have the statue to change that path and do what “It is amazing the way the Catholic marriages and helped were all booked within a short be Sr Clare’s close friend, Sharon of Our Lady, which had been God desired me to. It was like job came up with Youth 2000,” people find different apostolates to time of the phone lines opening. Doran. The Wednesday evening donated to the Sr Clare Novena what Jesus said to Peter, ‘You do remarked Máire, “As a Sister of be involved in, within the church April 16 is the anniversary of celebrant will be Fr Patrick Lagan, Group that had met regularly each not realise now what I am doing, Adoration, I was going to be and other charitable works. Sr Clare’s death, which will be St Eugene’s, and the speaker will Monday night for prayer at the but later you will understand’. giving the women’s talks at the “So, while young people grow marked privately by her family, be Gretta McTaig, a teacher at St Iona Centre, before the Covid-19 (John 13:7) These words came to Youth 2000 summer festival at up and move on, they bring their and the retreat will run from Cecilia’s College, which Sr Clare lockdowns and restrictions. my mind and heart in prayer over Clongowes in 2019, but that was experience with them. What is April 19-25, focusing on her life, had attended. “People miss not being able time and, with guidance, I began the year the Adoration Sisters in beautiful about Youth 2000 is that from her childhood in Derry, The Thursday eveningto go to the prayer group,” said to seek a more contemplative life. Belfast stopped the formation it always has the same structure. friendships, and love for acting, to ceremony will include a healing Shauna, “and want to have Our “It was painful leaving the of novices. I see it now as Divine It is always contemporary, with her vocation and life as a Servant service celebrated by Fr Michael Lady’s Statue in their homes for Franciscan Sisters and, because Providence that I was going to be young people of the now involved. Sister, through short talks by McGoldrick OCD, and Fr Gerard a few days, especially if there’s I wasn’t fully professed, I had to speaking at the event. Youth 2000 “Youth 2000 is definitelyfamily and friends each evening of Mongan will celebrate the Friday something they want to pray start the journey again when I is a family that is always there for expanding and, while there are the retreat. evening Mass, when the talk will about. So, since around June last entered the Adoration Sisters in you. When they heard what was two full-time staff now, it is still Fr Stephen Quinn OCD, who be given by either one of the Home year, the statue has been going to Belfast, on the Falls Road, in 2013. happening, they gave me the offer very much run by volunteers has walked closely with Sr Clare’s of the Mother Servant Sisters or people’s houses, and many have With my experience of religious of the job as someone who knew who love young people and have family and friends over the past Servant Brother, Fr Colum Power. said that they find a lovely peace life, I had no problem settling in. about the mission of Youth 2000. a passion for youth ministry, and five years, offering a monthly Over the weekend, Mass will in the house when it is there”. I was very happy and made my “First, I went to a Benedictine want to bring young people to Mass in the Carmelite Priory and be celebrated in the Long Tower Commenting on the vows on August 6, 2016. Monastery for a month in know the love of God in their Retreat Centre for the opening of chapel at 3 pm on Saturday, April forthcoming retreat, Shauna’s “I was with them for six Holland, where I had great priests h e ar t .” her cause for canonisation to be 24, by Fr Colum, and at 6 pm on hope is that it will be “a lovely wonderful years, making altar helping and directing me, and I Sharing her favourite Scripture looked upon favourably by the Sunday, April 25, by Bishop Donal week” when her sister’s life will be bread, praying and interceding just knew in my gut that I was to quote, “And so we know and rely Church, will celebrate Mass in McKeown, bringing the week of remembered and celebrated, and for the needs of the world, and work with Youth 2000 until I see on the love God has for us” (1 John Termonbacca with the Crockett prayer to a close. that it will create a great buzz to especially for young people and what God has in store for me next. 4:16), Máire said: “I have come family at 7 pm on Sunday, April Looking back on all that has help lift people’s spirits. the Church. Unfortunately, due It is very fulfilling to bring young to know and believe, and I want to circumstances outside of people to the heart of the church young people to come to know THE Polish community in the anyone’s control, I had to leave the through the Eucharist”. and believe in the love God has for Colourful celebration of Diocese added a wonderful and Adoration Sisters without making In her role as development/ them, and the only way I can do welcome touch of colour to the my final vows. By that time, I had fundraising officer and national that is by sharing my experience. celebration of Palm Sunday. had 14 years of religious life in prayer group co-ordinator for “Youth 2000 is very much of the Palm Sunday in Omagh Fr Ignacy Saniuta, Omagh t o t a l ”. almost two years now, Máire said: apostles, when they say ‘Come curate and chaplain to the Polish Máire was one of four Adoration “My mission is to try to create new and see’. We are just instruments community, explained that Palm Sisters in the Belfast Convent who prayer groups and assist existing in bringing people before the Sunday is celebrated in many had to leave without making their groups. Currently, a parish in Blessed Sacrament. We say to different ways in Poland. final vows, two of whom were Tuam, Co Galway, wants to start young people, ‘Come and see’ this “It depends which part of the high profile former political Youth 2000 and hopefully there beautiful, vibrant community... the country you are from,” journalist, Martina Purdy, and will be one starting in Derry very that Jesus is there for you and in added Fr Ignacy, saying: “The former barrister, Elaine Kelly. soon too, with the grace of God. the Eucharist He is food for the most common folk custom is a Commenting on this, she “I want Youth 2000 to be made journey”. competition for the tallest, plaited reflected on Jesus’ call to “Come, known - that is my mission at this Anyone who would like to palm. follow me” (Matthew 4:19), time. I have always loved young financially support the mission of “The palms can be made of saying: “The word ‘vocation’ people and the Eucharist, and now Youth 2000 can contact Máire via willow canes and decorated with literally means ‘a call’. Someone is I have this great opportunity. God email – [email protected]. bulrush juniper lingonberry calling. Who is calling? The voice branches. The tops are crowned that John the Baptist spoke of was with a crest of colourful, crepe obviously God. I have to listen to paper flowers, ribbons and strips”. where the voice is coming from, He added that, according to where it is telling me to go and tradition, it is believed that the how I get there. You listen for the height of the palm reflects the size still, small voice. and wealth of its owner’s estate. “A vocation is not mine; it is His Fr Ignacy was delighted to see because Jesus says ‘Come, follow that some members of the Polish Grażyna with her granddaughter, Julia, community living in Omagh were me’. So, I had to follow Him in who live in Omagh, with the beautiful another direction. Not only have palm they created to celebrate Palm continuing with the tradition of Photographed at a Youth 2000 retreat in Belfast in 2001. Sunday according to Polish tradition. their homeland. 6 THE NET | APRIL 2021 THIS month, Hollie, Peter, Oisin, Gemma, Zara and John, ‘The Net’ youth contributors from the Co Tyrone, Some thoughts on synodality from Bishop Donal... Inishowen, Co Derry and Derry City Deaneries, have remade for today’s world, but power blocks square up to each In ‘Christus Vivit’, Pope Francis reflected on their recent Zoom interview with Sr Nathalie how God is remaking us, like other to win votes and promote is clear that young people want Becquart, of the French Congregation of Xavieres, who the potter remakes the jar (cf their human agenda or the to know that Jesus is alive. In the has been appointed by Pope Francis as the first female Jeremiah Ch 18). Any generation popular ideas in secular society. Derry Diocese, that means seeing that thinks it is not in need of Synodality, whether at parish, where the Holy Spirit is leading Under-Secretary to the General Secretariat of the Synod of reform has not heard the first diocesan or worldwide level – is us so that we can “proclaim the Bishops in Rome. message of Jesus, “Repent and discerning where the voice of Gospel to the people of today, Hollie also reports on Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq believe the Good News.” the Holy Spirit is calling us to, who are buoyed up by hope but and the annual St Patrick’s College Maynooth Trócaire In ‘The Joy of the Gospel’, Pope not where the call to popularity at the same time often oppressed Francis emphasised the need might be tempting us to go. by fear and distress” (Evangelii lecture given by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, of the for renewal, not to follow some The Synod of Bishops on young nuntiandi,1). Philippines, who is the Prefect of the Congregation for the modern social trends but to make people promoted the concept of Only with hearts that walk Evangelisation of Peoples, which she attended virtually. us fit for purpose in our modern ‘missionary synodality’. Unless together, open to the Holy Spirit technological world. synodality is focussed on re- can we let God make us fit for the Oisin shares his thoughts on reading Pope Francis’ Thus, it is not a question of us energising the mercy mission of mission. If we do not, we will be World Water Day message, while Gemma talks about her asking how we should change. Jesus through the Church, it risks failing the Lord of the harvest beautiful painting of The Holy Family that she created For people of faith, the question become a curious talking shop and the people of our time. is always, “How is God changing that is going nowhere. to mark this special Year of the Family, and Peter writes Sr Nathalie Becquart, Under-Secretary to the General Secretariat of the Synod us?” about how the youth of his parish, Iskaheen & Upper of Bishops The current emphasis is Moville, continue to lead parish prayers and interview on synodality, which means Planning to hold a National Synodal Assembly inspiring people, including the Bishop of Argyll and the THERE is an old theological ‘walking together’. That is how within the next five years, the Bishops of Ireland have phrase ecclesia semper Isles, Scotland, Bishop Brian McGee. the early Church discerned God’s announced an initial submission phase of the Synodal reformanda (the Church always way forward. St Stephen, the first in need of being reformed). martyr, was ‘prompted by the Pathway for the here. The Church has constantly Spirit in what he said’ (Acts 6:10). This follows conversations parish hall meetings, focus changed to respond to the needs We find later in the Acts of the at local, regional and national groups, questionnaires, deep- of the mission. The Church in Apostles that it was in prayer that level, which led to the listening sessions, written the early centuries was based on St Paul discovered where the Holy establishment of a dedicated submissions, family-focused communities who met in homes Spirit was driving them, firstly to subgroup of the Irish Bishops’ gatherings, summary of or even in catacombs. The world go to Cyprus (Acts 13:2) and then Conference, who have findings of assemblies that of St Columba and the early Irish to travel to Greece (Acts 16:7). been greatly encouraged by have already taken place across monasteries was different from In 1975, Pope Paul VI Cardinal Mario Grech and dioceses and/or conferences. the age of the Reformation or encouraged a new emphasis Sr Nathalie Becquart, of the People are invited to visit the the Penal Laws. The activity of on evangelisation (‘Evangelii General Secretariat for the Synodal Pathway webpage – the Church in the vast tracts of nuntiandi’). In 2001, Pope Synod of Bishops in Rome. www.catholicbishops.ie/synod the Amazon is not the same as John Paul II wrote about the Hollie Frystal, Oisin Mulhern, Peter Grant, Submissions of no more - and respond to the following Co Tyrone Deanery. Co Derry Deanery. Inishowen Deanery. the Church in Europe with huge ecumenical and inter-religious than 300 words, reflecting on question: What would be numbers of church buildings. dialogue that was needed if we what methods or models to your preferred option for There was not one unchanged are to have “a joyful proclamation adopt in the next two years of engagement in a conversation model of Church from St Peter of a gift that is meant for all,” and conversations are requested process about the Synod? until a few decades ago. The “avoid those wars of religion to be submitted by Pentecost The responses will be Church has constantly recognised which have so often bloodied Sunday, May 23. It is hoped considered by the task group, where sin lurked in the human human history.” (Novo Millennio that the submissions will focus to be put in place by the heart, and the ongoing need for Ineunte para 54-56) on how to best to go about the bishops this summer, to plan reform and renewal. Pope Francis is quite clear initial phase of establishing and oversee the first steps The question for today’s Church that synodality does not mean a the conversation, for example, along the synodal pathway is not whether we need to be parliamentary approach, where Treasuring the memory of interviewing Sr Nathalie Becquart, the first Gemma , Derry John Agustine Joseph, Zara Schlindwein, City Deanery Derry City Deanery. Derry City Deanery. woman appointed as Under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops by Pope Francis, Hollie is looking forward to the synodal Church... Bridging the gap between generations

I first met Sr Nathalie via Zoom a woman to hold such a high such an exciting and an amazing at the October 2020 book launch position in the Church. opportunity that I will be forever by Veritas of ‘Exploring Christus Additionally, Sr Nathalie’s new grateful for, and most definitely Vivit’, which was inspired by Pope position grants her full voting will never forget. I focused Zoom interview panel with Sr Nathalie Francis’ post-synodal Apostolic rights in the Synod, which is particularly on asking Sr Nathalie Exhortation, ‘Christus Vivit’. momentous and will have a a couple of questions regarding Bishop Donal pays tribute Published in March 2019, profound impact on the future of youth in a synodal Church, ‘Christus Vivit’ is a fruit of the Church. It is a pivotal point ‘walking together’ with the older the 2018 Synod of ‘Young in the Church’s mission, and it generations. to The Net’s young writers... People, Faith and Vocational gives a clear reflection of the Holy It was on March 19, the Feast of Discernment’, which Sr Nathalie Father’s intentions to increase the St Joseph, that The Net’s young YOUNG people in the Diocese the Synod of Bishops. had attended, and it is a personal role and involvement of women in writers from the four deaneries Hollie with her grandmother, have risen to the challenge of The six budding journalists favourite of mine. the Church, which is both positive of the Derry Diocese interviewed Gwendoline Curran, Strabane. growing in faith together during had framed interesting questions On February 6, 2021, the and promising. Sr Nathalie, accompanied by whenever you had to make this pandemic. The six young and the 45-minute interview Vatican announced Pope Francis’ Following up on the Vatican’s Bishop Donal McKeown, Mary important decisions and choices writers for ‘The Net’ have shown gave a great insight into the faith appointment of Sr Nathalie announcement, I was speaking O’Donnell, the editor of The in life that could shape your great dedication and courage journey of the first woman to have Becquart to the position of about this wonderful news to Net, and Diocesan pastoral co- future?” Interestingly, Sr Nathalie in their reflections on various such a high voting position in the Under-Secretary to the General the editor of ‘The Net’, who ordinator, Tony Brennan. shared with us an opportunity aspects of our faith journey. Synod of Bishops. Secretariat of the Synod of told me that she was going to Celebrating the Feast of St she had as a Catholic Girl Guide It was thus a special gift that our And she has promised to meet Bishops. Significantly, in the enquire about the possibility of Joseph, we opened our interview to help organise a summer camp six were, I believe, the first people with our Derry Six the first time Church’s history, never was there The Net’s young writers getting with a prayer and began our that would take place in Ireland. in Ireland to have had a chance to that they are in Rome! Who before a woman who was called an opportunity to interview Sr conversation by delving into At almost 15 years of age, Sr interview Sr Nathalie Becquart, knows what God has in store for to this position, and on a wider Nathalie. To my astonishment, Sr Nathalie’s roots, asking her Nathalie had an obvious interest one of the two undersecretaries to each of them! scale, there has never before been that actually happened! It was “What was life like as a teenager in travelling and pilgrimage, THE NET | APRIL 2021 7 Inspired by what Sr Nathalie had to say about walking together as a synodal Church, Oisin believes... We should all strive to achieve togetherness ALONG with the other youth Nathalie had said, I grew to really explained that not only does writers for ‘The Net’, I recently got appreciate the entire experience. she simply enjoy working with a chance to interview Sr Nathalie Sr Nathalie told us what had led children, but that she also works Becquart, who has been appointed her to focus on youth ministry, in youth ministry to help younger as an Under-secretary to the what had put her on her current people discern how the Holy Spirit General Secretariat of the Synod of path in life, and many other is working through them in their ‘Christus Vivit’ is to “serve better Bishops of the Catholic Church by equally important topics, such as life as well. This led me to think the world”, which she suggests can Pope Francis. Christus Vivit, leaving me much to about how God and the Holy Spirit be done by promoting togetherness The entire experience was one think about. affect me daily through what I do in the world. Sr Nathalie related that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite An area that especially stood out and say. this back to the church at large, being quite nervous beforehand. It for me was what she said about The Synod and its relation to suggesting that society and the Welcoming Sr Nathalie’s was actually quite surreal as I had her path from a teen to where young people were also discussed. church should work as one rather never expected to receive such an she is now. She recalled a visit to Sr Nathalie described this as a than separate entities. appointment as the first female honour when I started writing for Ireland as a Catholic girl guide, sandbox for discussion between The final topic that Sr Nathalie ‘The Net’. when she had climbed a mountain bishops and young people around discussed with us was that of Synod of Bishops’ Under-Secretary, In discussions prior to the in the Kerry area. She likened this a variety of issues. This made her appointment as an Under- interview we agreed what questions experience to having to choose me think about my relationship secretary to the General Secretariat Zara is hopeful regarding... each of us would ask, and I was the correct path and roads during with my local clergy and how of the Synod of Bishops, making happy to ask about her work with life to end up where you want to discussion could be facilitated her the first woman in the position. The role of women youth ministry. Putting all my be. This made me think about the between different groups. She talked about how well she attention into what I would ask and different roads that I may have to ‘Christus Vivit’, Pope Francis’ was welcomed and how men and discuss with Sr Nathalie, I wrote a take to reach where I want to be in Apostolic Exhortation to Young women should endeavour to fix within the Church long list of questions. Whilst doing life, especially at this point in my People, written after the synod on issues together rather than apart. this, a feeling of excitement began life when I am doing A-levels and youth, was one of the major talking She also mentioned noticing DURING our interview with Sr applied to many aspects of society, to come over me and the last of choosing universities. points during the interview and Sr many people coming together Nathalie Becquart, I asked about but many are still awaiting my apprehension relating to the Sr Nathalie also talked at length Nathalie used the time to discuss in sisterhoods, and felt sure that her experience as the first woman evolution. situation disappeared. about both St Ignatius and her it in detail. Two years after its religious life would continue to to hold the role of Under-Secretary Sr Nathalie’s story gave us hope All of this led up to the interview work with other young people release, Sr Nathalie was asked to exist for a very long time. This led to the General Secretariat of the that we can achieve what we are itself. With my questions set up in Lebanon, which she said had discuss it in the second chapter of me to look at interactions between Synod of Bishops. called to do, as long as we are next to me, I waited patiently influenced her as well on the a book called ‘Exploring Christus both genders and how we can Her response provided an tenacious. for my turn to speak; as we had journey to where she is now. This Vivit’. She wrote about ‘Jesus, Ever endeavour to be more helpful than insight into the progression of However, we can only hope decided beforehand the order the resulted in me thinking about the Young’ and in our interview she detrimental to each other. the Church. She highlighted that that our talents and work ethic questions would be asked in. many people who have impacted was asked how she would keep the In my opinion, Sr Nathalie’s whilst men and women were determine the decision of success, When the interview ended I felt my faith life, saints or not. church youthful in the sense that it main theme throughout the entire created differently, their right to and that gender will not influence a wave of relief, as did the rest of In regards to her focus on youth does not become inaccessible. interview was togetherness, which, opportunities should be equal. our possibilities. the group. Afterwards, when I ministry, which was the first She also talked about how the as a final thought, is what I believe This idea has already been had time to think about all that Sr question I posed to her, Sr Nathalie main message of the synod and we should all strive to achieve. continued from page 6 which mirrors the concept of dialogue, you need people who Interested in seeing where synodality synodality that she is promoting can be bridge-builders, who know today in her new role. The seeds of both generations.” will lead the Church, John highlights Sr Nathalie’s vocation had already My hope post-interview is that Sr Nathalie’s view that... been clearly planted and were we can try to use Sr Nathalie’s blossoming. advice on ‘bridging’ the gap In relation to her experience of between generations by bringing Young people want to be working with young people for them together on a common over 30 years, Sr Nathalie was project, for example, a history and asked about her favourite aspect heritage project where the young protagonists in the Church of working in these roles and what and old together reach back to LAST month, I was quite “true experience of synodality” she enjoyed most about events their roots. honoured and humbled by the and that the 2018 synod had Listening to Sr Nathalie speak like World Youth Day. In her Lastly, when asked how she opportunity to interview, along convinced her of the idea that response, she mentioned that “a felt on being appointed as with the other youth writers for “young people were an engine of about her faith, new role and key point to be with young people Under-Secretary to the General ‘The Net’, Sr Nathalie Becquart, synodality”. is teamwork...we have fostered Secretariat of the Synod of who is quite high up in the By this she meant that young youth, Gemma feels inspired to... and implemented a model of co- Bishops, Sr Nathalie commented administration of the Church in people don’t want to just be in a responsibility.” that “it was a great surprise” her new role as Under-Secretary hierarchical vertical church that Find joy in the little things In addition to this, in reference and that she “would never have to the General Secretariat of the tells them what to do or what not to ‘Christus Vivit’, Chapter 6, imagined” that she would be in Synod of Bishops. to do. She says that young people LISTENING to Sr Nathalie talk, with God. I noticed as well how it ‘Young People with Roots’, I the position that she is in today. I asked Sr Nathalie to explain want to be “protagonists” and I got a great sense straight away of came so naturally for her to speak asked Sr Nathalie, “How can we She spoke of how she has what the 2018 Synod of Bishops to be involved, and that the only how much she loved doing what about her faith. bring the young and old together come to learn more about how on young people was about, and way to do this is to be a synodal God has called her to do. She also talked about how she to discern the way forward? Is the Holy Spirit is working in how it related to young people church. I found our interview with her loves working with young people there anything we can introduce our lives, telling us: “I often tell in the church today. She briefly Sr Nathalie went on to elaborate a great source of guidance with and that she prays for them to our parishes with the aim of young people that a very strong explained her role as an auditor that the way to be the church today regards to making sure that I am during this hard time. I found encouraging intergenerational important motto is that ‘God is for the 2018 synod and how she is by being a synodal church. She always happy doing what I want this very comforting and it filled relationships?” always giving you the grace to worked with young people by referred to this as “a call of God”. to do in life, and to find joy in the me with hope for the future. Interestingly, she acknowledged follow the call you receive’.” listening to their opinions. Emphasising that the next little things. I found Sr Nathalie such an that “what is difficult nowadays is Personally, this interview was an She said that “young people Synod, which will be on I asked Sr Nathalie about her inspiration and I will always that intergenerational dialogue... once-in-a-lifetime opportunity spoke frankly about their vision synodality, is to implement thoughts on religious life, and remember her grace and her love is mainly like intercultural that I am so grateful to have of the church and gave their synodality in all areas of the from her response I could tell for God. dialogue.” In other words, we been part of. Sr Nathalie is a true critiques about it”. She also spoke church, Sr Nathalie said that to she has a beautiful connection have to learn how to understand inspiration and I believe that she about the need for the church be a missionary church today you and communicate with others will do a brilliant job as the first to “accompany young people need to be a synodal church. who are from culturally different ever woman Under-secretary towards Christ”. I’m not as well informed as I backgrounds, in the same way, of the Synod of Bishops. I look I went on to ask Sr Nathalie would like to be on this topic the young and old must try to forward to next year’s Synod what she expected future synods of synodality, however, I am understand each other from on Synodality, as the theme to accomplish and what her interested in seeing where different eras. chosen is “For a synodal Church: thoughts were on synodality. She synodality will lead the church Sr Nathalie added: “I think, Communion, Participation, began with the response that the to. I pray that everything may go to help this intergenerational Mission”, and what is to follow. synod on young people was a well. 8 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Encouraged by the inspiring conversation with the new female under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops in Rome, Peter is confident that...

SISTER Nathalie Becquart teenager in France, where she South Lebanon clashes in the The faith will flourish with was recently appointed by the attended many different schools country, and then for two years Pope as an Under-Secretary to as her family moved to live in as a consultant in marketing- the General Secretariat of the different parts of the country, Sr communications. She also went more involvement of young people Synod of Bishops, making her Nathalie told us that faith was on many missions that helped the first woman to hold this post very important in her family her to come closer to vulnerable in the Church. I was given the whenever she was growing up people, especially the youth. opportunity, along with the other and as a teen. She was faced with Her involvement with young youth writers for ‘The Net’, to other influences but she remained people has led Sr Nathalie to interview her via Zoom about her very loyal to her faith growing up. believe that “the youth are the life and role in the Church. I also asked Sr Nathalie to share Church’s future”. I took in a lot My first question to Sr Nathalie her thoughts on receiving the of what she said and feel that the was, “What was life like as a Call of God at a young age and youth really are important to the teenager whenever you had to how it inspired her to undertake future of the Church, letting the make important choices in life His work. She responded that, faith flourish through using all that could shape your future?” initially, it wasn’t a call from kinds of technology to modernise Her response revealed her to have God but a sign that she must it. been like any teenager today. help vulnerable people across the In her new role as an Under- She told us that she had travelled world. secretary to the Synod of Bishops, around the world, and shared After she graduated from the I feel sure that Sr Nathalie with us experiences about a visit international business school, Becquart will strongly support to Ireland with her friends and HEC Paris in 1992, with a young people and their actions in Peter with Bishop Donal during his parish visit to Iskaheen after the first lockdown. going on long cycling trips in the Major in Entrepreneurship, the Church today, to help us learn Irish countryside. she volunteered in a school in from others and come together to Reporting on the St Patrick’s College Maynooth Talking about her life as a Lebanon for a year, just after the support each other. annual Trócaire lecture, Hollie writes... Youth of Iskaheen & We are all called to care for each other and Upper Moville continue all of God’s creation parish prayer and inspiring Gaudium’; a Church that is distant to us, therefore, Christ is was not hopeless, he asked: interviews by Peter Grant missionary, a Church that goes distant, as He is on the margins “How could Israel’s prayers and forth.” with the suffering. sacrifices be acceptable to God DURING the Nine Day When they asked him, “Are In keeping with the concept of He said: “Personal encounter again?” Isaiah states, “Wash Novena to St Joseph in March, there any positives to Covid?”, ‘Synodality’, the Church must with the wounded earth, and yourselves clean! Put away your young people from the Parish of Bishop McGee immediately “walk together” to discern the personal encounter with the misdeeds from before my eyes; Iskaheen and Upper Moville led responded that technology was right way forward and to carry wounded poor, who bear the cease doing evil; learn to do their parish in prayer to mark wonderful tool to help keep in out the will of God. Reflecting wounds of the earth, should be good. Make justice your aim: this ‘Special year of St Joseph’ contact with people living in rural on our rich Irish missionary part of our continuing formation redress the wronged, hear the proclaimed by Pope Francis. areas through weekly prayer and roots, the big question we must in caring for our common home orphan’s plea, defend the widow.” Each of the young people Sunday Mass. He also said that ask ourselves, in a country that and in social friendship.” Cardinal Tagle’s third and final involved said the Prayer to St he hoped to keep using this going has become poor in its ability to ‘Personal encounter’ does point was ‘building peace’, for Joseph every day and reflected on forward, after Covid, in his rural evangelize is: How can we, today, not begin in the comfort of which he focused on the impact his living and experiences. Many Diocese. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle be a missionary Church in the an armchair, dictating and of war and violence on human of them have been participating Another positive Bishop McGee ST Patrick’s College, year of Our Lord 2021? giving orders but, and again I beings and the environment. in their Pope John Paul II Award found during Covid was that “it Maynooth, held its annual Cardinal Tagle’s lecture make reference to the idea of Interestingly, he made the point, and their Papal Cross Award has taught us to trust more in the Trócaire lenten lecture via a focused on three great points, ‘Synodality’, ‘personal encounter’ “It is sad to note that in some during these difficult times, and Holy Spirit, as a lot of good things webinar for the first time due to the first of which was “the need requires listening and the ability cases, religion is invoked as a they often help out in the parish are happening at the same time in the coronavirus pandemic. The to get in touch with reality, and to leave ourselves open and justification to start and spread through the Parish Facebook the Church and in the world also, theme of the lecture was ‘Caring the need to develop a culture of accessible to the service of others. violence.” page. For example, they have because the Holy Spirit is at work for the Human Family and personal encounter.” Interestingly, Cardinal Tagle We recently learnt about this in been involved in the weekly as well.” our Common Home’, and the The Cardinal pointed out: described his ‘encounter’, or Pope Francis’ first ever Papal visit interviews with people working After the interview, he invited guest speaker was Cardinal Luis “We see how the Covid-19 witness, of many disasters, such to Iraq, where the country was on the frontline, and many the young people to come visit Antonio Tagle, the Prefect of the Pandemic has exposed social, as “earthquakes, typhoons, sorely devastated by many years other inspirational people in and him in Scotland after Covid and Evangelization of Peoples since cultural, economic and political floods, toxic wastes and wars”, of Christian persecution inflicted outside of the parish, with the to travel with him across the February 2020. weaknesses that have been as disturbing, awakening and by extremist groups. These help of modern technology like islands. Pope Francis also made existing for a long time in our informative. He notes that “these groups claim that they are doing Zoom, which is looking to be the The Nine Day Novena to St Cardinal Tagle a member of countries and in international encounters have been occasions this in the name of God, which we future of the Church for the next Joseph got great views through the Administration of the relations, but they have remained of formation, and a change of know is far from being true. Our generation. the Parish Facebook page and you Patrimony of the in largely ignored.” thinking and priorities”. loving and compassionate God During their Nine Day Novena can watch them all, including the 2021. In addition, the Cardinal, The impact of the pandemic, The second point Cardinal taught us to “love our neighbour” to St Joseph, they got the chance interview with Bishop McGee, on who was the 32nd the attitudes and destructive Tagle shared was “the call and not to hurt them. Peace is to interview Bishop Brian McGee, the Iskaheen, Drung and Muff of Manila, from 2011 to 2020, actions of human beings, have to conversion to justice”. He not achieved through vengeance who is Bishop of Argyll and the Parish Facebook page. serves as the President of Caritas sorely affected our neighbours referred to the prophet Isaiah, but by forgiving, respecting and Isles in Scotland. Once again, The young people are now International, of which Trócaire and the environment. Pope whom we heard very often caring for others. Through this this shows how these young beginning plans for future events is the Irish branch, and of the Francis expresses his worry and during the Lenten season. The we can build bridges of peace and people took advantage of modern in the parish and are hoping to get Catholic Biblical Federation. fear in his new book, ‘Let us prophet Isaiah describes the develop positive relationships, technology so that they could everyone involved, from both in Reflecting on the Holy Father’s dream: A path to a better future’, people of Israel as “a people laden with the aim of ‘journeying interview Bishop McGee during and outside the parish encyclical’s Laudato Sí, on care that the world will not take this with wickedness”. together’ towards a brighter Covid. for our common home, and opportunity to reconstruct Cardinal Tagle asked: “What is future. They asked Bishop McGee how Bishop Brian Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and society whilst emerging out of the root of this wickedness?” We ‘Caring for the Human Family he was coping during lockdown McGee, Bishop of and they were amazed to hear Argyll and the Isles, social friendship, Cardinal Tagle this global crisis! There seems to learn from the prophet that the and our Common Home’ is a Scotland. opened his lecture by remarking: be an obsession with fame, power, people suffered from idolizing collective mission and a shared that he was learning how to play “It is often said that St Francis of trend, celebrities, etc, the most everything that was not God, and vocation of the entire Church. the tin whistle! He also mentioned Assisi has been inspiring Pope dangerous being self-idolization. that meant their offerings and We are all called to care for that he couldn’t travel as much Francis in the choice of topics The present day culture, or the sacrifices were worthless. Why? each other and for all of God’s to different islands in his parish for his encyclicals. St Francis’ ‘me’ culture, is losing sight of Because the hands that offered creation. It is a responsibility either, which he felt very strange, calling to rebuild God’s Church what matters most, and the cries these sacrifices were “full of that we are entrusted with and, and that he felt limited as to what is connected to ‘Evangelii of the poor on the peripheries are blood!” Adding that the situation therefore, must take it seriously. he could do. THE NET | APRIL 2021 9 Hollie writes about historic papal visit to Iraq... Young people are the hope for renewal and rebirth in the land of Abraham – Pope Francis POPE Francis embarked on There is a common stereotype young people of Iraq know the connection and unity between his historic four-day pilgrimage regularly used towards native hardships that their country religions, with the aim for to Iraq on March 5, arriving in middle-easterns deeming has endured, therefore, they are peace, fraternity, tolerance and Baghdad, the country’s capital. them to be terrorists, which firmly connected to their roots. dialogue. This reflects Pope The next day, the Holy Father is dehumanizing and In journeying together with Francis’ intention for visiting travelled to Najaf, in the South of discriminative. This native Iraqi the elderly, Pope Francis states Iraq, as a ‘Pilgrim of peace’ Iraq, and then voyaged onwards hopes that the Pope’s visit will in ‘Christus Vivit’: “If the young hoping to repair relations by to Nassiriya, home to the ancient shine a light on the good people, had knowledge and the old encouraging the restoration of city of Ur. who had welcomed His Holiness strength, there would be nothing peace and forgiveness. His Holiness then travelled to with open arms, love and peace. they could not accomplish.” This Lastly, the Holy Father travelled Erbil in the Kurdistan Region, A lesson that we can take from is a trait that every nation can to Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh on and from there he travelled by this man is that we shouldn’t tar possess, having both distinct and the last full day of his pilgrimage. helicopter to Mosul, in Northern everyone with the one brush. We shared histories. At Mass in the Franso Hariri Iraq, and then to a Christian city should help our neighbour in ‘Our Father’ Stadium, in Erbil, Pope Francis called Qaraqosh. The Holy Father need. His Holiness concluded his spoke of how he was able to “see concluded his trip, on March 8, On the day of Pope Francis’ first day in Iraq, reciting the firsthand that the Church in Iraq with a farewell ceremony before arrival in Baghdad, he visited ‘Our Father’ in Arabic, whilst is alive, that Christ is alive and at his departure for Rome. the ‘Church of Our Lady of wearing a stole that the women of work in this, his holy and faithful The papal trip to Iraq was Salvation’, which had been the Qaraqosh had made for him. people”. groundbreaking, as there never scene of a terrorist attack in 2010, Significantly, after Pope Christ is present with those was before a Pope that set foot on where six ISIS suicide bombers Francis’ meeting on inter who are in need and are Iraqi soil. Iraq had suffered years killed 58 people including the religious tolerance and dialogue suffering. Often we find him on of war, persecution, violence and priest. There were Christian and with Shiite leader, Grand the peripheries with the outcast, terrorism. Currently, there are at Muslim victims. Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, in Najaf, rejected and marginalized. Pope least 13,000 people who have died In reference to the 2010 terrorist the Holy Father left there for Francis remembered, prayed from the coronavirus throughout attack, Pope Francis said: “I also Nassiriya for an inter religious and honoured many Christians Pope Francis in Iraq. the country. So the visit to want to remember all the victims meeting in the ancient city of who were martyred as a result of Iraq was both a difficult and of violence and persecution, Ur, the place we believe was remaining faithful, who strived Anyone who watched the Mass, visit to Iraq has been both dangerous voyage, considering regardless of the religious group the birthplace of the prophet to build a better society in Iraq. or saw photographs that were groundbreaking and significant the current pandemic and the to which they belong.” Pope Abraham. Abraham is a popular In the Northern region of Iraq, taken, will remember a wooden in many ways. The minority danger of still-existent extremist Francis acknowledged victims on figure in the largest monotheistic in a town called Karemlesh, cross standing on the altar. The of Christians and other faiths groups. both sides as a result of violence religions of Christanity, Judaism in Mosul, Pope Francis stood 10-foot wooden cross was built in Iraq have expressed their On his arrival in Baghdad’s perpetrated by extremist groups, and Islam. in the very spot where ISIS by a group of worshippers who optimism on the impact of the International Airport, a 30-year- and therefore tried to help repair Pope Francis told the religious promised that they were going used the remaining material of St Pontiff’s trip. On his way back old Baghdad resident picking up the relationship by building a leaders that it was fitting that they to conquer Rome and behead Adday’s Church. to Rome, he told journalists, relatives at the airport reflected bridge of peace and trust. had come together in Ur, “back the Pope. The Holy Father Similarly, Pope Francis visited “Fraternity is the way forward.” on the significance of the Holy In addition, the Holy Father to our origins, to the sources of recited a prayer for victims and the Church of the Immaculate We pray for the innocent men, Father’s visit by saying, “It might reflected on the impact of God’s work, to the birth of our then released a white dove as Conception in Qaraqosh, which women and children of Iraq, not change much on the ground, intergenerational relationships religions”. We learn that we share a sign of peace. In Karemlesh, was restored after it had been that they will keep faith, unite in but at least if the Pope visits, saying that, “...together with the one and only God, and we Pope Francis celebrated Mass burnt down and made into a peace and forgiveness, and strive people will see our country in a the elderly, they are the point share the belief in the prophet on the remaining platform of St firing range by terrorists in 2014. towards a brighter future with different light, not just bombs of the diamond in this country, Abraham. Adday’s Church, which had been Pope Francis’ historic papal help and support. and war”. the richest fruit of the tree.” The Pope Francis demonstrated set on fire by terrorists in 2016. Reflecting on Pope Francis’ World Water Day message, Oisin writes... We must make more effort to properly utilise and value water valuing water, Pope Francis the point of how these lower the said that instead of consumption brings up the point on how it is quality of water, contribute to a we should refer to it as sensible such a fundamental element for ‘throw-away’ culture in regard use; that is, only using it the preservation of our planet to water and the globalisation of according to our real needs and and how detrimental misusing it indifference on the subject. respecting the needs of others, in any way, that is, contaminating Pope Francis goes against this being in solidarity with them. it, can be. He added that this is by instead instigating a call to He noted that this would allow sadly already a stark reality. action to us all, telling us to us to protect wetlands, reduce Throughout my reading this think, as I mentioned previously, greenhouse gas emissions, and article on the Pope’s thoughts, I about people having no access enable smallholder irrigation found myself resonating deeply to water. He further asked us and more. POPE Francis recently released with what he was discussing to try and combat issues such Furthermore, he connected a message on World Water and realising how I added to this as pollution of seas and rivers, water quality with food security Day; a commemoration held misuse of water in my own way. through working to a common by explaining that through the on March 22 every year since There have been many times goal. theme of ‘valuing water’, they are 1993 to celebrate water and raise where I have taken the resource When I read this, I immediately intrinsically linked, as water is a awareness of those living without itself for granted and not used related it to my experiences and part of many food systems. it. In his message, the Holy it properly or wasted it, while how perhaps, despite taking Pope Francis ended his address Father discusses the year’s theme knowing full well that many measures to avoid this throw- by reiterating all his points of valuing water and what he had Gemma’s beautiful Holy Family far away from me have no, or away culture, such as by recycling relating to water and climate, to say interested me greatly. minimal, access to safe and clean and trying to use less overall, and calling all to action in order One of the first ideas he brings water. This made me realize even donating to charities which to stop the pollution, unruly image marks special year up in this address is calling for the social debt that I and many help to rectify this issue, there consumption, etc, of water. WHEN creating this piece of important to me as it makes me responsibility and care in the use others owe to people living in are still many times where I have In conclusion, after thinking art featuring The Holy Family, think of my own family and the of water, which is a large problem poorer regions. contributed, and fell into this about what the Pope said in I linked my thoughts and my love I have for my family. in the modern world. He further Another point that the Pope culture of indifference that the his message, I believe that I personal love for The Holy Family I think it is so important to stay explains how access to clean, safe raised in relation to the event Pope rightly brought up. and many others must make a through colour and tone. close to loved ones and family at drinking water is not available was the effects of climate The last point that was brought further effort in order for us to I decided to do the piece in a way this time, during the Covid-19 “within everybody’s reach” and change on water, particularly up by Pope Francis in this address properly utilise water and follow that blended them into each other, pandemic, and that is what how we should hurry “to give a through disasters such as floods, was to change our language used, the theme of World Water Day to show that they are all one. inspired me to do this piece of drink to the thirsty”. droughts etc. He raised, rightly, from ‘consumption’ to ‘use’. He and value our water as well. The Holy Family is veryartwork on The Holy Family. Discussing the theme of 10 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Returning to the town he loves so well, Fr Michael McGoldrick OCD is delighted to find... Derry’s volunteering spirit and devotion to faith still strong Church life in Derry now for gable wall in the Brandywell, with Michael is looking forward to the those who took the opportunity to almost 40 years, Fr Michael Sr Clare’s beautiful smile, surely various faith groups returning to pray and walk more closely with commended his fellow friar, Fr brightens the day for passers-by. Termonbacca for their meetings, God during this time of challenge Stephen Quinn, who is the new So many lives are being touched and to witnessing a new energy and change that Covid-19 has prior in Termonbacca, for the by Sr Clare’s story, even the lives bursting forth in the faith lives of brought about. recent wonderful prayer initiatives of her two sisters, Meghan and undertaken, such as the Divine Shauna, have been changed so Child Novena in the lead up much. They are both so committed to Christmas, and the Novena to the cause for her canonisation to Sleeping St Joseph, which and I would love to see Sr Clare concluded on his Feast Day. canonised. I think they will meet an open door in Rome when they Revitalising become aware of her story”. “Fr Stephen is revitalising the Looking forward to meeting place now,” he said, “and when more people at Termonbacca it is safe to do so, we are looking when it is deemed safe to do so, Fr forward to the various groups Michael has been amazed also at coming back to meet here. Fr John the number of people ringing the Grennan did a great job in getting priory to ask for prayers. the place done up during his time “We wouldn’t have anywhere THE return of Discalced Canada, Fr Michael did retreat here. He was looking to the future. near the same number of prayer Carmelite, Fr Michael McGoldrick work in Dublin until he was “Please God there is a great requests in our other houses. I just to Termonbacca has been warmly transferred to London in 2007, future, one involving lay people a find that precious,” he remarked, welcomed by the many whose where he spent four years lot more in our retreats, etc. I have adding: “I am really struck by lives he touched, during his time commuting between a parish in heard some great talks delivered to the number of people who have at the Iona Retreat Centre on the London and the Carmelite Retreat the ‘Blessed is She’ group during been asking me to pray for their banks of the Foyle, almost 40 years House in Boars Hill, near Oxford. their online Sunday night time children and grandchildren who ago. Then, in 2011, he was asked together. I believe that is the way have drifted away from their faith. The Offaly native was nine years to come back to be prior of the forward. That has been a good “Groups like Cursillo have an ordained when he arrived in Derry Retreat House in Dublin, where thing about this Covid time. There extraordinary outreach to people as a 34-year-old with his fellow he spent three years before being has been a lot of time to pray and who have fallen away from the Carmelites in 1982, including the elected Provincial in 2014. He discern about future initiatives”. faith. Derry Cursillo held its late Fr Gerry Fitzpatrick as prior. served in that role for six years, The ongoing story of the late Sr weekends and meetings here The Order had been invited by up until last July, and after a few Clare Crockett, who was born in before lockdown, and I have heard Bishop to open months’ break decided to spend the neighbouring Brandywell area, so many wonderful stories of a priory in Termonbacca and the rest of his days amongst the is another source of amazement people being brought back to their become involved in the faith life of people of Derry who have a for Fr Michael: “I was bowled over faith through them. the Diocese. special place in his heart. when Fr John Grennan showed “There is a huge spiritual hunger Such was the wonderful “I have great memories of Derry,” us the video on Sr Clare’s life. We and it is a question of finding welcome they received from a said Fr Michael, “though the City just said that this is a saint. I was ways of responding to that, as large gathering of priests and laity has changed a lot and for the really amazed that there was film the traditional way doesn’t cut it in St Columba’s Church, Long better. It is much more beautiful of every stage of her life; that tells anymore. Please God, the Lord Tower, that the memory remains a now, with the Peace Bridge, the me that it was all part of God’s will direct us how to respond in a clear one for the now 73-year-old. Quay and the new shops, and plan. I also found her writings to positive way to this. I feel strongly “There was a massive welcome there is no tension like there was be beautiful and very profound. that we need to involve young for us in the Long Tower from when I was first here. It’s lovely to “I can see parallels with St people more in the Church. We Bishop Daly and about 70 priests, see the difference”. Therese of Lisieux with their need to have more faith in our and there were so many people While his return has coincided similar heroism and the interest in young people”. that the Church was chock-a- with the more quiet time of Sr Clare. I tell people about her as With light at the end of the tunnel block. It was a great experience lockdowns due to the Covid-19 much as I can and spend a good regarding the easing of restrictions that I will never forget,” said Fr pandemic, Fr Michael has been bit of my time sending out the Sr and lifting of lockdowns, Fr Michael. particularly struck by the great Clare prayer cards and the book Fired up by the welcome, volunteering spirit in Derry. on her life, ‘Alone with Christ he recalled wholeheartedly “It was there when I was here Alone’. It sells out as quickly as we embracing the opportunity to do before and it is still there,” he get it in, and it’s the same with the retreats in schools and work with noted, adding: “The help we prayer cards and candles. There the Diocesan Commission: “I was get from volunteers is amazing. has been something like 26,000 quite heavily involved with the Whenever I tell people about the Sr Clare candles sold. I am just Diocesan Youth and Vocations extent of the volunteering spirit amazed by it all. Commissions, which were both here, they can hardly believe me. “A chaplain in a Birmingham very active at the time. I have experienced something a Children’s Hospital wrote asking “We had Diocesan youth bit similar in Nigeria, at our house for 50 prayer cards, and 30 copies gatherings, and I remember a there, but I have never seen it in of the book were ordered by a gathering of a few hundred young any other part of the world I have priest in Dublin. I got 100 of the people from all over the Diocese been in. books and they were gone within in Buncrana, for a retreat in the “The financial generosity of a week, so I got another 200 and Mercy Convent School there. It people in Derry is really wonderful there is about 100 left. I’ve said was a marvellous experience to see and we could not have survived that we will need 500 more but it is so many young people gathered here without it. There was £17,000 out of print at the minute”. together. raised for us through a draw at “It is lovely to see what is “I spent three years doing Christmas, which helped us to happening,” added Fr Michael, this and then I got depression, pay for lighting and heating, etc, “the Friends of Sr Clare probably from overworking. I for the winter, so we didn’t have to Committee has organised a had to take time out for treatment worry about that. retreat, in association with the and, unfortunately, had to leave “The goodness and generosity Long Tower, from April 18-25, to Derry. It was tough undergoing of people is so humbling, mark the fifth anniversary of Sr the treatment but I got a lot out especially when you think of the Clare’s death. of it and have never really looked unemployment levels here. I am “When I hear people giving out back.” just amazed by it all”. about what is going wrong, I like Returning to Ireland in 1998, Thankful that the Carmelites to say that there is a lot of good after his treatment finished in have been very much part of going on too. The mural on the THE NET | APRIL 2021 11 Finding it difficult to be Catholic in today’s world, Derry women feel encouraged in coming together to pray through... ‘Blessed is She’ – a wonderful source of strength and support by Aoife O’Neill ‘BLESSED is She’ is a sisterhood topics, and how they are essential more. wonderful source of strength and found it hard being locked down of women who want to grow for Catholic friendships. The group were just two weeks support for me throughout the last and away from Mass and the together in the Catholic faith, Amanda Kelly Young, one into their second programme, y e ar.” Sacraments. that was founded in the Diocese of the leaders, said: “I love the looking at Fr Jacques Phillipe’s When restrictions lifted“This has been a way to keep of Phoenix. I had subscribed opportunity to be able to bring treatise, ‘Searching for and briefly, the group relocated to engaged and invoke St Michael to to its daily devotionals and Christ to other like-minded Maintaining Peace’, when Termonbacca, as the space was protect us, our families and our also welcomed its eight-week women; to be able to build lockdown came due to the larger to allow for social distancing whole city and beyond throughout sisterhood series of emails, which connections and identify similar coronavirus pandemic. As again but, once again, lockdown made this pandemic. It has truly helped looked at different elements struggles throughout all of our 30 women had signed up for this continuing with the programme keep us active in our faith life.” of sisterhood, for example, lives and support each other.” programme, we decided to move impossible. With the approach of Lent, competition and support, gossip To complete the series, we online. The group was split into After the second lockdown, we we wanted to offer something and communication etc. arranged a weekend retreat, three and, from Sunday, March began an online prayer evening different so, in collaboration with I found these emails really useful entitled ‘She Walks in Beauty’, 22, each group started meeting on on the Sunday nights, which were Fr Stephen Quinn OCD and Fr and, after talking to the other girls in Termonbacca Retreat centre. Messenger video call to pray the streamed live from Termonbacca. Michael McGoldrick OCD, we put ‘Blessed is She’ Derry leaders, Aoife O’Neill, Michelle McDaid and Amanda in my prayer group, we decided Sr Coleen Mattingly, from the Rosary. During these, we prayed the St on a series of talks on the person Kelly Young. that it would be great to gather Apostles of The Sacred Heart, was These groups are still continuing Michael Chaplet followed by of Christ and what He reveals to some women together to explore the keynote speaker. This retreat today, with video calls every Adoration and Benediction, for us about God, by examining some real privilege for us to have the these. weekend was really special for evening to pray the Rosary the protection of everyone during of the “I AM” statements. The opportunity to come together as Fr Joe Gormley kindly provided every woman who came. There together. this pandemic. talks were also streamed live and women and support one another a meeting space and we were able is something great when women One member, Sinead Doyle Michelle McDaid remarked: “It can be found on the Termonbacca on the journey of faith. to make this a reality. In October come together to support one commented: “My Rosary group was really important to continue Youtube channel. We look forward to brighter 2019, we advertised the group another in faith, and it energised has been such a gift during praying the St Michael Chaplet It isn’t easy being a Catholic days ahead when, hopefully, we and quickly the 30 available slots and motivated everyone who lockdown. We have laughed, and this was made even more woman in today’s world. Faith can offer more opportunities were filled. The women who attended. We were able to carry cried, prayed and grown in special in front of the Blessed and God are being pushed aside and experiences for women to came along enjoyed eight weeks this forward into the sisterhood authentic relationship with God Sacrament, with the addition and good support can seem gather together in prayer and of exploring and discussing these and it gave us all a desire to do and with each other. It has been a of Benediction as, personally, I non existent at times. It is a community. Flourish – helping women grow Greenlough one of many parishes benefiting from lockdown’s unleashing of talents together through scripture study now lives with her family in those who help. by Niamh Fox neighbouring Portglenone, she was Saying that she had a more born and reared in the Greenlough modern approach to flower and you could see that using Sharing her experience of Bible Parish and continues to attend St arranging than traditional, Roisin Zoom meant you could reach far study with ‘Flourish’, Shauna Oliver Plunkett’s Church, where is appreciative of the compliments more people, particularly in rural Fitzsimons said: her aunt, Rosemary McCamphill she has received from people, Ireland, but also internationally. “When I was invited to join this took care of the floral displays for happy that they are getting as When I started the ladies women’s Bible study group, I knew many years, until she retired in much out of looking upon the Bible study, ‘Flourish’, last May, I it was something that I was meant January 2020, in her 80th year. displays as she does creating them. expected about three people to to do. The churches had closed and It was through helping her Aunt For Roisin, it is more than a join but, on the first week, there all aspects of life and community Rosemary over the years that labour of love...it is like a prayer were 12 people. The numbers had seemed to come to a halt the 55-year-old practice nurse offering to God and a giving back Roisin McCullough, Greenlough. fluctuated through lockdown due with the lockdown, which left me developed her floral arrangement to the parish in which her faith was to people returning to work and wanting for something in my life, WHILE most activities have been skills, when she and a friend nurtured and where she received time changes, and at one point we another way to connect. So I was either on hold or greatly restricted offered a helping hand on Saturday the Sacraments, and so she has had two girls from Australia. thrilled at the thought of the Bible over the past year, this strange mornings. refused offers of payment for the It’s been amazing watching the study. time of lockdowns has brought the “When my aunt retired, I was flowers from the parish. group grow and getting to know “There were women from all over talents of many to the fore, much approached about doing the floral “When I am in the chapel everyone, seeing how God is the north, and also the south, who to the benefit of parishes around arrangements, but I was waiting working with the flowers, it is like healing through His Word and had joined ‘Flourish’, reminding the Diocese. on a hip replacement so I couldn’t. a different way of praying,” she giving us revelation each week. me of the Scripture quote, ‘I was With webcam viewing of Church After I had the operation and said, adding: “I am very conscious Niamh Fox The Word is really coming alive as a stranger, and you welcomed me’ services having become a regular recovered, my mother put my that I am in the sanctuary and, A few years ago, God put an we discuss it. It’s been a real place (Matthew 25:35) Taking part in feature of parish faith life for name forward to do it, following a while I may not be saying many image of a ladies Bible group for vulnerability too; as we grow the first meeting, I was reminded many, the resultant focus of the conversation with Fr McGirr, and prayers when there, I am aware on my heart; a safe space where together, we share burdens and that Our Father has plans for each faithful is now very much on the I said that I would, as I know how and respectful of where I am. women would grow together pray for each other. and every one of us. The sense of sanctuary, which has been a great much it means to people,” said “It has been a real privilege to be and support one another. I had Watching everyone growing in belonging and purpose was great source of consolation during these Roisin, who has been taking care able to do this during lockdown, forgotten about this image until the gifts of the Holy Spirit has been and flourished throughout each challenging months of living with of the flower arranging in St Oliver as it has given me an opportunity lockdown started and God started so exciting too; how every gift is so session. all that the Covid-19 pandemic has Plunkett’s since last July. to help lift people’s spirits and reminding me about it again. unique to the way God made that “Each week, as we studied brought about. Highlighting the invaluable help to enhance their experience in One morning, He woke me up person. It’s an honour to witness Matthew’s Gospel, it was Realising the importance of that she gets from her family in the visiting the chapel virtually. My at 6 am, my hands were burning these women growing, many of amazing how the Holy Spirit was spiritual experience in the lives creation of the various beautiful hope was that the beautiful flowers and my heart was racing. He told whom I believe God is calling working in each one of us. We of the many who could only visit altar displays that have enhanced would enrich the visual and give me now was the time and to start many into leadership in different grew in friendship, community, their church virtually, and the the sanctuary, particularly during s om e j oy.” with Matthew. I asked Him for a areas. It has been a real safe space understanding, and in love of need for it to be uplifting as well special times in the Church name and I kept getting an image to grow and encourage each other. scripture. We prayed together and as comforting, parishioners with a calendar, she said: “I couldn’t do of beautiful flowers growingWe laugh a lot and I love that we during the whole experience there flair for floral displays have stepped it without the help of my father, perfectly in the right conditions... can cry too, if things are tough. was an overpowering sense of joy. forward and enabled their Creator who loves working with wood. If I they were flourishing. So, the It has been such a learning curve We continue to pray as a women’s to bring the joy of nature into the need a pot stand, crib or cross, etc, name of the Bible group became for me to be obedient to what God community for the needs of each sanctuaries of many churches. made, I just show him a picture of ‘Flourish’. is asking me to do, even if I don’t other and of others. When I think And this has been the case in what I am looking for and he will At the time, I was a regular feel ready, qualified or confident of ‘Flourish’, there is one quote that St Oliver Plunkett’s Church in make it exactly as shown”. at a prayer group called ‘Living enough. This is exactly where springs to mind: ‘Where two or the parish of Greenlough, where As well as appreciating the Disciples’, which was run by Fr God shows up, when we submit more are gathered in my name, Roisin McCullough has not only contributions of her father Peter, Columba Jordan CFR. I explained ourselves to Him, He does the rest. there I am also’.” been volunteering her creative of McCann’s Clady Carpet and to him what had happened and Everything that He asks us to do (‘Flourish’ will be meeting online talents but generously donating Furnishings, Roisin says that it is he encouraged me to go for it and will be what is best for us and for again after Easter and any woman the beautiful flowers she uses for very much a family effort, with her gave me his blessing. We had just those around us. He is such a good who would like to join is welcome to her altar displays. mum, Brigid, sister, Maria, and her moved the ‘Living Disciples’ group Father. email [email protected]) While Roisin (nee McCann) own grown-up children, amongst online, via Zoom and Facebook, 12 THE NET | APRIL 2021 2,040 names of loved ones lost during Covid year remembered at Diocesan vigil beginning of lockdown, how some key workers had to stay away from their families because they had to go to work, and how nobody died without experiencing compassion. He said: “We think of those who sat by hospital beds and held the hands of those coming to the end of their lives, just like Simon helped Jesus to carry His cross. In His time of great suffering, Simon was there for Jesus. Simon who was a stranger became a friend. ONE of the greatest heartaches Donal introduced the First Station thing we want to be is on our own, of NHS staff. They, and all those Station – ‘Jesus receives His Cross’. “We think of all the Simons and during the Covid-19 pandemic – ‘The Last Supper’. but we had to isolate.” who died from other illnesses, “It was March that we received Veronicas. We think of all those for many has been suffering the During this Station, Bishop The 158 deceased duringmade the journey to death during the cross of Covid-19 lockdown; who showed compassion and loss of loved ones, from not being Donal reflected on the word the past Covid year in the the most difficult circumstances. the fear of illness and death, fear tenderness.” able to be close to hold their hand ‘ordinary’. Noting that the ordinary communities of Carnhill, Galliagh “Jesus was unjustly condemned for our loved ones, then anger During the Ninth Station – ‘Jesus to not being able to grieve as a had “stopped about 12 months and Pennyburn, within the Three to death. It wasn’t fair but the against everything,” said Bishop meets the women of Jerusalem’ family and a community, and for ago”, he said: “That was cruel and Patrons Parish, were remembered mob wanted it. Pilot was too Donal, adding “How did we react – the deceased of the parishes of our priests not to be able to give painful. We did not know what during the Third Station – ‘Jesus is afraid. All our loved ones who to that cross? In the Stations, when Drumquin, , Burt, Inch the love and prayerful support was ahead of us, but, at The Last a r r e s t e d ’. died were innocent too, and it Jesus receives His Cross, He is & Fahan, and Faughanvale were they desire to the sick and dying, Supper, Christ did know what “It is a deep, deep hurt when wasn’t fair, especially during a depicted with his hands held out. remembered. and to the bereaved. was ahead of Him. He wanted His people let us down, people whom pandemic. As we remember those There is awareness that this is the Aware of this deep pain, Bishop friends to join Him, to be close to we had trusted,” remarked Bishop who had to face death during this way it has to be, to live the cross, Frightened Donal led a touching Vigil of Him, so He gave them the gift of Donal, adding: “It can be hard to time of restrictions and isolating, to give into the reality of the cross. “There is always a danger at a Remembrance in the mother Himself under the form of bread trust someone again. It can feel we contemplate Jesus being We extend the reality of the Cross time like this to get frightened,” church of the Diocese, St Eugene’s and wine.” like being abused or abandoned. condemned to death.” to our lives; the Covid cross and said Bishop Donal, “sometimes Cathedral, as the first day of the re- He added: “We pray that we It is when we lose our friends that Parishioners who died in other crosses in our lives.” we think too much about how opening of churches in the north will never take the ordinary for we need friends most; to be loved the parishes of Holy Family, During the Seventh Station it affects us and do not think for public worship came to a close granted”. for who we are and especially to be Ballymagroarty, and St Mary’s – ‘Jesus carries His Cross’ - the about others. Some think that and into the early hours of the eve During the Second Station loved when we are weak, and that Creggan, were remembered by deceased from the parishes of restrictions are for everyone else of Palm Sunday. – ‘Jesus, in the Garden of is what we have been called to do name during the Fifth Station – Buncrana, Carndonagh, Ardstraw and that they can do whatever With the weather turning wintry Gethsemane’ – those who have in this pandemic. ‘Jesus is scourged and crowned West & Castlederg, and they want. again outside, many watched the died in the Long Tower, Ardmore “Jesus was betrayed in His with thorns’. were remembered. “The Women of Jerusalem were beautiful ceremony online from and parishes were deepest hour of need by a friend, Reflecting on the increase “The Cross has taken so many crying for Jesus but He wasn’t the comfort of their homes as remembered. whom He had trusted. When in domestic violence during forms,” said Bishop Donal, adding: thinking about Himself. We pray Bishop Donal reflected on prayer Reflecting on the word ‘isolation’, Jesus was arrested, He lost His lockdown, Bishop Donal spoke “One of the biggest is the cross of that the Lord’s grace will help us Stations based on St John Paul II’s Bishop Donal said: “We can’t visit freedom. A lot of people during of the “horrible reality of the separation from loved ones when to focus on others and their needs, Scriptural Stations of the Cross, because we or our loved ones are the pandemic lost their freedom. pain some experienced in being dying. Jesus falls three times. It and not on our own.” as an act of consolation for the isolating. We have to keep our People in homes couldn’t get out. beaten up, abused, humiliated and was just too much for the human Deceased from the parishes sorrowful hearts afflicted by the distance. Yes, there are ‘phones and People having to stay in their ridiculed, and not being able to body to bear. of Errigal, Gortin, Greencastle, Covid-19 coronavirus throughout other means of communication, homes to quarantine or isolate.” escape or defend themselves”. “Those who couldn’t be with Greenlough, Iskaheen and the Diocese. but sometimes we just want to The Fourth Station – ‘Jesus “Jesus was tied to a pillar and their loved ones when they were were prayed for during the Tenth Beginning at 9 pm and closing hold each other, but we can’t. is condemned to death’ – was scourged,” he added, “the pain dying, or go into the church for Station – ‘Jesus is crucified’. with the celebration of Mass at “It’s terrible in times of dedicated to those who had died was intense. He was laughed at, the funeral, have had their cross to Bishop Donal remarked: “For 4.30 am, the ceremony included bereavement to not be able to in the parishes of Glendermott, humiliated and mocked for being carry. We think of all those in pain those in Covid wards waiting the reading out of names of be hugged or held while we cry. and Our Lady of a ‘king’. Every time that we abuse because of the manner of their to recover it is a long road to those who died over the past 12 Jesus cried in Gethsemane. He Lourdes, Steelstown. or torture others, we torture Our loved one’s death and funeral.” Calvary”. months in each of the Diocese’s called out to His Father for His Lord again. Deceased parishioners from the During the Eleventh Station – 51 parishes, as the 14 Stations of Cup to pass. Every time we ask to Journey “Let us pray for those who face parishes of Clonmany, Coleraine, ‘Jesus forgives the repentant thief’ the Cross were reflected on and 20 be released from this, we too are “The last thing anyone wants to violence, who live in fear day and Culdaff, , Urney & – the deceased of the parishes of decades of the Rosary prayed. calling to be free from our Garden hear from a doctor are the words, night, especially from domestic Castlefinn, and Dunamanagh, Cappagh, Lavey, Leckpatrick and Fr Paul Farren and Fr Patrick of Gethsemane.” ‘We could do no more for him/ violence. Jesus knows what it is to were prayed for during the Eighth Clonleigh were remembered. Lagan took it in turn to read out He added: “It is so hard to her’,” said Bishop Donal, adding: be scourged and mocked”. Station – ‘Jesus is helped by Simon Commenting on how the two the 2,040 names, parish by parish, endure pain when we are alone, “Many people heard that during The deceased from the parishes of Cyrene’. thieves crucified on either side of starting with the 158 who died in but we had to isolate. When we are this past year. Those who died of Aghyaran, Ballinascreen, Reflecting on this, Bishop Donal Jesus had behaved in very different the Cathedral Parish since the first lonely the last thing we want to do with Covid often only had the Banagher and were recalled the great community ways towards Jesus, Bishop Donal lockdown last March, as Bishop is isolate. When bereaved the last wonderful, gentle, caring presence remembered during the Sixth spirit that came to the fore at the said: “One of the thieves sees Jesus THE NET | APRIL 2021 13 Let us always be a voice for the voiceless and vulnerable in our society by Mary McMenamin Ireland. While we have been why he did not avail of euthanasia euthanasia? Here is some of what in lockdown this past year and or did he even know about it. is said: preoccupied with Covid-19 Kristina Hodgetts, a Canadian “Those whose lives are statistics, some members of Dáil nurse who worked at a large diminished or weakened deserve Éireann have been working Ontario hospital as well as a rural special respect. Sick or disabled tirelessly on passing a bill which nursing home, explains in her persons should be helped to would make it legal for doctors to own words, “I killed people for lead lives as normal as possible. help a person who is terminally ill 20 years”. She eventually began Whatever its motives and means, to die by euthanasia. The TD who to see that what she was doing direct euthanasia consists in proposed the legislation states was wrong and on reflection, putting an end to the lives of that he wants to assist people she asked herself, “Was I helping disabled, sick or dying persons. It who are in unbearable pain people die or making them die?” is morally unacceptable. Thus an and suffering. However, the bill She said, “We were making them act or omission which, of itself or doesn’t in fact mention the word die”. by intention causes death in order Mary McMenamin pain or suffering. Some 56% of people who were to eliminate suffering constitutes Dáil Éireann has proposed a This bill will make it possible for killed by euthanasia said that a murder gravely contrary to the bill entitled ‘Dying with Dignity’; people to die by suicide if they are being a burden on family, friend dignity of the human person and “an act to make provision terminally ill. If we look at other and care givers was a reason to to the respect due to the living for assistance in achieving a countries that have legalised end their lives, according to a God and his creation. The error dignified and peaceful end of life euthanasia/assisted suicide, we 2017 study in Washington State. of judgement into which one can to qualifying persons and related can see how it has brought a We are talking about giving fall in good faith does not change matter”. Doesn’t this sound disturbing change in attitudes doctors the legal right to end their the nature of this murderous act compassionate and caring? Let us towards people who are ill or who patients’ lives. A doctor’s job is to which must always be forbidden look a little closer. have profound disability. alleviate their patients suffering and excluded”. It is incredible that the same I recently watched an interview and do no harm. No one has the Let us always be a voice for the people who say they want to of a man in Belgium who was right to decide who lives or dies, voiceless and vulnerable in our protect the vulnerable in our defeated in being nailed to the of Drumragh, Camus and out for a walk with his disabled only God can decide and we are society. society from Covid-19 are the very cross, but the other doesn’t and Killygordon were remembered in daughter, who was wheelchair not God. same people pushing the Assisted asks to be with Jesus when He prayer. bound. He was approached by What does the Catechism of Holy family of Nazareth, pray Suicide Bill in the Republic of comes into His Kingdom. Jesus “Sometimes, we think this is several people who asked him the Catholic Church teach about for us. tells him, ‘Today you will be with never going to end,” said Bishop me in Paradise’. We pray that in Donal: “We wonder when our our suffering we will be able to city centre will be full of life focus on Jesus.” again. We see closed shops, bars Palliative care respects totally the Those who died in the parishes and restaurants. The streets are of , , quiet and eerie. We have hand by Fr Colum Clerkin and Malin were remembered sanitising and masks. We seem to sacredness of human life during the Twelfth Station – ‘Jesus be entombed in Covid world. persistence all those years ago. denominations in Ireland, Sunday Mass in Foyle Hospice speaks to His Mother from the “When Jesus’ body was in the Dr McGinley often recalled North and South. The Hospice celebrated by the late Bishop cross’. tomb for those three long days, that the impetus to found Foyle Chaplains from the four main Edward Daly who became full- “It was done through FaceTime. everything was quiet and eerie. Hospice came from the chronic Churches hold joint Services at time Hospice Chaplain after his It was done through the window. It Everybody was in their homes, lack of facilities available in his different seasons of the year, and retirement as , was done in the weirdest of ways. afraid. Then Jesus rose, the Spirit early years as a GP in Derry, when provide regular pastoral care to and dedicated the rest of his Children looking at their parents, came and doors were unlocked. he was treating a young man who the patients and their families, life wholeheartedly to the Foyle their grandparents, through a We pray that we will never lose was terminally ill at home. He when requested. Hospice. window. hope and always believe in the not only saw the need for what The priests from Culmore The present COVID pandemic “Parents buried their children. power of God. Jesus always has the we now know as palliative care and Steelstown parishes act as has curtailed normal chaplaincy That is so unnatural; children last word and that word is Eternal in these critical circumstances, the Catholic Chaplains to the duties over the last twelve should be burying their parents, L i fe .” but Dr Tom personally drove Hospice, visiting the patients months, and Chaplains are not as not the other way around. Mary During the ceremony, candles the campaign to raise funds, regularly during the week. The free to make their regular visits to stood at the foot of the cross as were lit and rose plants were with the help of so many willing role of the Chaplain is mainly the Hospice as usual, but the staff Fr Colum Clerkin her son was dying. She could do placed beneath the Cross in volunteers, to establish the Foyle about listening to people who still contact the priests to attend nothing else. She knows what it is the Sanctuary to represent each IN January this year, Dr Tom Hospice which has now cared for are often at various stages of a those patients who are criticality like. We pray for grieving parents.” parish, as the names of deceased McGinley died in the care of many thousands of patients in terminal illness, praying with ill, so that they can receive the The deceased parishioners of the loved ones were read out. Bishop the dedicated medical and its In-patient Unit and Day-Care them and for them and offering Last Rites of the Church. parishes of Melmount, Moville, Donal explained that these would nursing staff of Foyle Hospice, Unit over all those years. the Sacraments to those who wish It is a privilege for the Hospice Ardstraw East & Newtownstewart, remain in place during the Holy in accordance with his express Palliative care aims to provide to receive them. Chaplains to be with people who Plumbridge, Sion Mills and Week ceremonies, with each rose wishes. I remember thinking at the best quality of life for patients The Sacrament of the Sick, of are at the end of life’s journey, , were remembered to then be planted in a special the time of his death that there with a terminal illness, providing course, is particularly appropriate and to accompany them with during the Thirteenth Station – Remembrance Garden near to was something quite providential welcome pain relief in the final for those who are in hospice care, our pastoral care on their passing ‘Jesus dies on the cross’. the Lourdes Grotto within the rather than merely coincidental months and weeks of life, together and the holy anointing gives from this world into eternal life “Our primary purpose during grounds of St Eugene’s. about the fact that Dr McGinley with the medical, nursing and spiritual strength and comfort with God, and in the wonderful this vigil has been to pray for should have chosen to be spiritual support they need and to those who are terminally ill, care of the dedicated staff of Foyle those who have died over the past admitted there shortly before he deserve at the end of their life’s not just at the point of death but Hospice. year, during this pandemic,” said died, surrounded by his family journey. Palliative care also throughout the course of their Bishop Donal, adding: “We have and in the care of those who had respects totally the sacredness of illness, whether it is long or 2,040 names of people of all ages; known him and worked with him human life. short. Many patients who had that is 2,040 families all touched by since the doors of Foyle Hospice Foyle Hospice welcomes been accustomed to attending death in a time when they cannot opened exactly thirty years ago. patients from all backgrounds Mass on a weekly, or even daily mourn without restrictions. In After all, the Hospice and and religious beliefs. The image basis in their home parishes, silence, we entrust those who have Dr Tom McGinley are really of the Foyle Bridge nearby is the also look forward to receiving died to the Lord”. synonymous. It was his original logo for the Hospice, a symbol not Holy Communion during the During the final and Fourteenth vision and inspiration, and I am just of crossing from this life to week, whenever their medical Station – ‘Jesus is laid in the tomb’ sure that it would not have been the next, but of a bridge between condition allows. – the deceased of the parishes founded without his energy and the different communities and For many years, there was a 14 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Thankful for long priesthood, Fr Keaveny hopes for a few more years to spread God’s Word Photographs by Jack Logue

privilege to be able to be present as Fr Michael celebrated Mass, exactly 70 years since he was ordained in the Basilica of St John Lateran, the Mother Church of the Catholic world, in Rome. The world has changed immeasurably since he left Moville, in the summer of 1947, to travel across war-ravaged Europe in order to begin four years of studies in Rome. “But, despite the very different world of 2021, he has retained his sense of joy and vocation down through the years. He was known as a popular teacher for 25 years in St Columb’s College. He was a keen sportsman. Diving was CELEBRATING 70 years of spread God’s Word” in whatever one of his interests and he was priesthood, Fr Michael Keaveny way he can. a member of the sub aqua club continues to be an inspiration At the end of the ceremony, which located the La Trinidad to many. His steady, determined Bishop Donal presented Fr Valencera wreck, which had lain footsteps as he slowly walked up Michael with a Papal Blessing in Kinnagoe Bay since 1588. the aisle of Star of the Sea Church parchment and Nancy with a “Fr Michael brought that towards the altar to celebrate his bouquet of flowers. energy to his love of scriptures Platinum Jubilee Mass reflected Congratulating Fr Michael, - especially the psalms - and to his life-long commitment to Bishop Donal remarked that his commitment to serve God’s his vocation, just as the loving the Moville native’s fire had not people as a faithful priest. We attentiveness of the sacristan in dimmed in the slightest over the have all been blessed by God to aiding him up the steps into the last 70 years, and expressed relief have the witness of his faithful and sanctuary reflected the love and that he had not been in charge of joyful service.” respect of the parishioners of the seminary when Fr Michael The ceremony came to a close Faughanvale for the Donegal- was there, with his liveliness. with Fr Michael asking for God’s born pastor. Thanking him for his priestly blessing on those joining in via The Mass was celebrated under service over the years, Bishop webcam as well as those present in Covid restrictions, with the Donal also expressed appreciation the Church, with a special blessing church webcam enabling his to Fr Michael for his ‘father of for his housekeeper, Nancy, about family members from further the house’ sharings during the whom he said: “I think a lot of the afield, fellow priests and the many Diocesan priest conferences, in credit for me still being here in this whose lives have been touched by giving his insights into the Psalms. world goes to Nancy”. Fr Michael’s ministry over the past He told ‘The Net’: “It was a Fr Michael’s 70 years of priesthood 70 years, to join in. Parish priest, Fr Noel McDermott and retired parish priest, Fr Patrick encouraging for all who have taken vows Mullan concelebrated the Mass with Fr Michael, while Bishop by Fr Noel McDermott, PP Faughanvale Donal presided, and amongst the few present in the church for the FATHER Michael Keaveny’s “Marriage is final; the priesthood celebration of his 70th anniversary ceremony was his housekeeper of Platinum Jubilee of priestly is final; religious life is final. It is of priestly ordination puts flesh on 43 years, Nancy. ordination was an occasion to one of the worst aberrations of our the words of Cardinal Daniélou, As the Mass got underway, Fr which the parish of Faughanvale times to hear said that one can be a as well as the encouragement it Michael expressed his deepest and Lower Cumber had been priest, a spouse, or a religious, for a gives to all people who have taken thanks to God “for all the years looking forward for some time. time. This is the very denial of the vows or promises of one kind or spent in His service,” and hoped True, we were not able to mark gift. Under such conditions, one another. When one considers the that he had done so “without too it in the public way that we would be only lending himself, physical and spiritual journey many faults or failings”. would have liked due to the not giving himself. that he has made, one cannot but He went on to note: “A man has restrictions imposed by the Covid “This means one would remain be impressed and greatly moved to be 24 before he is ordained a 19 pandemic. However, as Fr his own owner, since he has by his breadth of experience and priest, so that means he has to be Michael wryly noted in his homily reserved the right to himself his depth of human and spiritual 94 before he can have the privilege at the Mass in Star of the Sea on to take himself back when he insights. Not to mention the of celebrating his Platinum the evening of March 10, he was wants to. What is definitive in the enthusiasm that Fr Michael retains Jubilee!” not sure the last time a priest religious (and the priestly) vow for living, for the priesthood, for And he expressed the hope that from the Diocese reached his is precisely that, by a definitive others and above all for God and he will have “a few years yet to 70th anniversary of ordination, commitment, we are expressing His service. but he was sure that he had not this profound desire of being The words of Psalm 92 come celebrated it via the webcam! totally in the service of God in to mind “Those that be planted Thankfully, the modernregard to all the eventualities of in the house of the Lord shall technology enabled many radical doubt, of questioning, flourish in the courts of our God. parishioners and friends of Fr and of temptation. It is a way of They shall still bring forth fruit in Michael to participate in the being sure that whatever may old age...to show that the Lord is Mass of thanksgiving. But there be the troubles that could be upright; he is my rock and there is no technology to substitute for experienced, we have truly put is no unrighteousness in him.” the age old taking and keeping of our life at the service of the infinite (vv13-15) one’s promise to God to serve Him plan of God’s love.” (‘The specific As Fr Michael commences faithfully in the sacred priesthood. character of Religious Life’ - the eighth decade of his priestly Speaking to Religious shortly Reprinted from L’Osservatore service, may he long continue to before his sudden death in 1974, Romano, 6 June 1974) bless us with his presence and his Cardinal Jean Daniélou said this: Fr Michael’s life and the witness of faith and faithfulness. THE NET | APRIL 2021 15 Seventy years a priest... A reflection by Fr Michael Keaveny

time a bomb fell on Derry was at was our home for the next four Easter time, when we were on our years with students coming and holidays. going. In my third year in Saint After my ordination and a Columb’s, I was appointed holiday at home, I was told by assistant sacristan. Shortly after my Bishop, Dr Farren, that he that appointment, the sacristan was appointing me to the staff got ill and had to go home. The of St Columb’s. I may have been result was that I was sacristan for thinking of going to some parish two years. I never heard of anyone as a curate, but I soon got used else having that privilege. As to the routine in the College. sacristan, I had close associations I suppose I had to because I with the priest members of the eventually spent twenty-five years staff. Little did I think that I there. As well as mathematics, would be joining them in a few I taught Religious Knowledge. years time. Hopefully I was an influence At that time I was thinking of for good on many of my pupils. becoming a priest, though the At that time there were twenty main intention in my mind was priests teaching in the College. to go as a missionary to Africa. Now there are none, and there is Then I remember one day in a scarcity of priests in parishes. class, Dr Eugene O’Doherty, our How things have changed! Latin teacher and later Bishop of It was in 1975 that I moved Dromore, said: “If any of you boys out of the College to become are thinking of the priesthood Administrator of the newly- you should think of your home formed parish of Galliagh. I IT may seem a long time ago of a private audience with Pope diocese first”. That started me had had plenty of experience now, but the morning of my Pius XII, in the Vatican. This thinking, with the result that I of pastoral work, both at home ordination is still fairly vivid in was organised by the College did what was then known as the and abroad, in Scotland and in my memory. It took place in the authorities. Bishop’s Exam for priests for the Florida, during my extended Basilica of Saint John Lateran in However, it was back to class diocese, was accepted and went to vacations from the College Rome March 10, 1951, and was the following week, as I still had Maynooth. during the summers, so I was no performed by Cardinal Micara, to finish my theological studies in novice, and Galliagh was a great the Pope’s deputy who was in the Lateran University. It wasn’t Rome place to start. Word of justice, love and truth. charge of the actual diocese of until the end of June that I left It was in Maynooth that I got my Then I went as parish priest Bless, in a special way, Rome. Rome, and it was early in July Science degree, as well as doing to Killygordon, in Donegal. Your servant With me were many others to before I got my big reception back Philosophy and other subjects After that, I was ten years as be ordained, six other students in my home town in Moville. deemed necessary for a priest. parish priest of Omagh, before Father.... from the Irish College, as well as That was where my journey to Then, while on holiday after my retiring and becoming a curate in Send your Spirit upon him students from Czechoslovakia, the priesthood had started some third year there, I was suddenly Faughanvale in 2002. Four years So that he may always walk a large number from the Italian years before and my ordination told that I was being transferred later, I suffered a stroke with the in the path of faith, hope and love, seminary and some from was, of course, the culmination to the Irish College in Rome. result that I had to completely in the footsteps of Christ, Religious Orders. And, as if that of a whole series of events and That college had been closed for retire in 2008. Since then I have the eternal priest, who offered wasn’t enough, some seminarians key moments in my life up to that a number of years because of lived in Faughanvale, but thank Himself on the cross for the life of were given Minor Orders and point. the war. Now it was re-opening God, I have reached seventy years the world. Amen. there were some given Sub- I was brought up in a very because of the strenuous efforts of of priesthood. diaconate. religious family, where prayer the rector, Msgr McDaid, a Derry As I begin to realise today that Remember in prayer: The ceremony started about was very much part of everyday priest. I have completed seventy years in seven in the morning and didn’t life. We lived also very close to Twenty students made their the priesthood, my first reaction All priests (April 1st) finish until near noon. I was the local Church, a Convent way out to Rome that September, is to thank God from the bottom Fr Con McLaughlin (2nd) fortunate in having my parents chapel. In fact, you could see the by Channel Ferry and Rail across of my heart for the great privilege Fr George McLaughlin (3rd) at the ceremony, as well as an sanctuary lamp in the chapel war-torn Europe. It took us the that that has been. I know that All priests (4th) older brother who was a priest, from the kitchen window. I and best part of a week, with stops in there must have been many Pope’s monthly ordained three years earlier. my brothers were altar boys from Fr Peter McLaughlin (5th) London, Paris and Switzerland, priests who have reached this We were all well ready for the a very early age. I think I had the Fr Kevin Mulhern (6th) until eventually landing in Rome. milestone in other places, but I intention reception held afterwards in the idea from that time that I might Msgr Ignatius McQuillan (7th) It was an immense change, from can’t think of any that have done Irish College, just a short walk become a priest. Fr Peter Madden (8th) a College with about five hundred so in recent years in our own The Holy Father has asked for away from the Basilica. By virtue of a scholarship, I Fr Anthony Mailey (9th) students to one of only twenty, diocese. One thing I am certain of prayer during April for: In the following days, I said went as a boarder to St Columb’s and to a life with a new climate, is that they haven’t celebrated the Archbishop (10th) Mass in a number of different College in Derry, where I spent a new language, new food, and fact over the webcam! Fr Gerard Mongan (11th) places, including the Church four years. Those were the war Fundamental Rights: so many other differences. Rome There certainly was no webcam All Priests (12th) of Saint Mary Major and in years and often our sleep was We pray for those who risk itself had been spared the worst of when I was ordained in the All Priests (13th) the Catacombs. We also had disturbed by air-raid sirens, with their lives while fighting for the bombing, but you hadn’t to go Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Fr Aidan Mullan (14th) the privilege, that is, the newly a hurried scramble down to the fundamental rights under far outside until you found towns Rome on March 10, 1951. Fr Kevin Mullan (15th) ordained Irish and their relatives, basement. Luckily for us, the only dictatorships, authoritarian and villages wrecked. The College regimes and even in All Priests (16th) democracies in crisis. Fr Patrick J Mullan (17th) Fr Sean O’Donnell (18th) Prayer for Priests Fr Seamus O’Connell (19th) Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless Fr Joseph O’Conor (20th) our bishops and priests and to Fr Colm O’Doherty (21st) confirm them in their vocation of Fr Kieran O’Doherty (22nd) service. Fr Brian O’Donnell (23rd) As they stand before us as Fr Francis P O’Hagan (24th) ministers of Your Sacraments, Fr Patrick O’Hagan (25th) may they be channels of the love Fr David O’Kane (26th) and compassion of the Good Fr Patrick O’Kane (27th) Shepherd, who came not be served Fr Peter O’Kane (28th) but to serve. All priests (29th) Give them the grace they need to Fr Arthur O’Reilly (30th) respond generously to you, and the courage to proclaim your 16 THE NET | APRIL 2021 A tribute to the late Sean Friel SEAN Friel, a native of the closely with Fr Michael Conway, Office each day. He was dedicated classes on classical music at Magee Waterside Parish in Derry, died the first Parish Priest of Ardmore, to his Parish and Church and gave College. He was a contributor peacefully at home with his to grow and develop the school, selflessly of his time and talents. to programmes on religious and family on March 29. He was a visiting local families personally classical music on Radio Ulster, committed family man who had and encouraging them to send Music working with Reverend Bert Tosh. a great involvement in community their children there. Organist and choirmaster at St He also wrote reviews of musical throughout his life. A man of As the first principal ofColumb’s Church, Waterside for events in Derry for the Belfast great faith in God, people, prayer, Lenamore PS, which opened in over 31 years, he formed a new, Telegraph and adjudicated music Church life and parish were 1983, he continued to ensure four-part choir to sing at all of the competitions at Letterkenny Feis. important to him. that there was a strong blend of main liturgies and celebrations He was a man who was Sean worked as a teacher and Church, school and home life for over that time. He provided the interested in everything. He had a principal in a number of schools the children under his care. From music at the opening of the Church love of books, cooking and eating in Derry. He was also the organist the start, he worked closely with of the Immaculate Conception, different foods, and gardening. and choirmaster in St Columb’s parents to choose the colour and Trench Road, the rededication His family home was always Church, Waterside. design of the school uniform, and of St Columb’s Church, Chapel filled with music. He enjoyed Born in the Waterside Parish in local parents worked to design Road, and at many ordinations, going to concerts and went to 1935, he lived there for nearly all and make the new school jumper. weddings and funerals. He was the Edinburgh Festival for a week of his 85 years. He was married He believed in the importance of a calm presence and one parish each year to hear and see famous to Celine (nee Mullan), who all families celebrating together priest commented that he never as well as upcoming orchestras, passed away in 2011, and had with school and Church after the said no to any request. Sean spoke conductors, singers and choirs. two daughters, Anne and Karen, sacraments of First Communion of choir members as his second This was a chance to experience of whom he was very proud. and Confirmation. He ensured family and that bond still exists once-in-a- lifetime productions, His loving and very close family that everyone in the community between members today. He was a and to chat and compare notes always came first. was welcome in the school, gifted musician, being able to play with other concert- goers. It was by Sean Friel Sean was a man whose life including inviting older people to and harmonise any piece of music also an opportunity to eat out and Colmcille merged all parts of his Christian a dedicated school carol service having heard it just once. enjoy new tastes! faith. He had a great respect, belief each year and establishing art He loved music and continually While Sean had a strong sense Colmcille, saint of Gartan, in and love for the people that were classes from a local artist for brought new music to the liturgy, of family roots in parish, he Silent waters, lonely hills, part of his life and did everything parents. He was respectful of including some of his own also loved to visit Coolaney, Forests where soft breezes whisper, that he could to help them to grow everyone and everyone was equal. compositions, arranging music in Co Sligo, where his mother to be the best that God intended. Sean was a kind and caring to suit the vocal range of choir was born, and the area around Deep slow rivers flowing still, We all reached higher and worked teacher. He allowed no child members. His own compositions Kilmacrennan, from where his As when there you played your childhood, harder because he believed in us. to stand outside a class as included music to all the psalms father’s family moved to Derry in In the years so long ago, He taught in Rosemount punishment. Past pupils regularly of Sunday and Holy Day Masses, the early 1900s. He used to fish the And in all that land’s soft beauty, Primary School and St Brecan’s came up to him to thank him for a Mass, a setting of Ecce Sacerdos River Leannan with his father at Secondary School, where he taught his teaching and great kindness to Magnus for the rededication of weekends as a child. First your God you came to know, Music and Mathematics, and was them as children St Columb’s Church by Bishop At his funeral, Parish Priest, Fr First your God you came to know. principal of Glendermott Primary In the Waterside Parish, he Daly, in 1986, and a hymn to St Michael Canny said that Sean School, Ardmore, and Lenamore was a member of one of the first Columba in 2012. When he retired was, “a great man, a family man...a Primary School, Galliagh, now Parish Pastoral Councils, set up as church organist in 2014, our gentleman in every sense of the Colmcille, man of exile, known as St Therese’s. Sean loved post-Vatican II in the seventies. loss was not just one of an organist word. Individually and collectively Far from home you lived your day, and respected the children that He was on the editorial group for but of the sense of celebration, the as a Parish, our lives have been Working, striving, all for others, he taught and worked hard to get the parish magazine along with chords, harmonies, history and enhanced by his life. He was a By your toil, your God to praise, grants and bring investment into Lawrence Moore and others. He love that he brought to the liturgy. faithful and committed member the schools. He encouraged his also sat on the Diocesan Liturgy As well as his contributions to of our Parish who gave of his time, But the silk of Gartan’s waters, teachers and all his staff to develop Group at that time, and he was a church music, Sean wrote and his talents and of his resources And the Lenan’s peaceful flow, their own educational interests lay reader. presented The Music Makers, a very generously and today in faith, In your memory held a sadness, and use these to bring high quality A prayerful, thoughtful and series of half hour programmes we return him to the Lord”. For the land you used to know, education to pupils. conscientious man, Sean attended on classical music on Radio Foyle Sean is survived by his daughters, During his time as principal weekly Eucharistic Adoration in in the early 1980s. He linked Anne and Karen, and by his sister, For the land you used to know. of Glendermott PS, he worked the parish and prayed the Divine these programmes to evening Bernadette Long Tower ladies pray Mothers’ Day Rosary

A small group of prayer friends who came to pray the Rosary outside St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, every Sunday morning during Lent. Lenten Rosary outside Cathedral EVERY Sunday during Lent, a to public worship during the latest public Mass”, said Liam. small group of prayer friends from Covid-19 lockdown. He added: “People long to be Derry City and Inishowen prayed “We wanted to come and pray able to come to Mass and receive the Rosary together outside St the Rosary outside the Cathedral the Eucharist in their chapels. It is Eugene’s Cathedral. during the mid-day Mass on great that they can do so now in Liam Grant, from Buncrana, Sundays during Lent, in support the north and we pray that the day told ‘The Net’ that it was in of our Bishop and priests, and for will come soon for the same in the response to the closure of chapels the re-opening of our chapels to s out h .” On Mothers’ Day, ladies of the Long Tower Parish prayed the Rosary at the outside altar in memory all mothers. THE NET | APRIL 2021 17 Eangach Ár nDúchas Cuimhní Cóivide 3 Seacht Suáilce na Maighdine Muire caor is call’ ina chúlbhrat againn. An chéad suáilce a fuair Chruinnigh muid i lagrach cnoic an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar mar phobal an Aifrinn ag Éadan na go bhfuair sí a Mac amháin. hAltóra ag tabhairt adhradh agus Loinneog: seirbhís do Dhia ár gcruthaitheoir mar a rinne ár muintir romhainn i Beannacht Dé ’na timpeall, ré na n-altóirí faoin spéir. is ise ’bhí go sólásach, is beannacht Dé do gach aon duine Bhí na daoine go buanseasmhach a ghabhas na suáilcí ina honóirse. dá gcreideamh sna laethaibh sin. Bhí a gcreideamh fíor-thábhachtach An dara suáilce a fuair daofa, mar a bhí dá sliocht, agus an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar Dearadh Ceilteach do shliocht a sleachta ina ndiaidh. go bhfuair a Mac an chaint. Bhí orm bheith liom féin go Char dhiúltaigh siadsan don Loinneog: laethúil ag léamh Aifrinn i dtithe chreideamh, agus muid féin mar an pobail a bhí fuar, fann folamh, gan gcéanna, ag ceiliúradh le bród an An tríú suáilce a fuair a’n Chríostaí beo i mo chuideachta, oidhreacht fhíor, fhiúntach a shín an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar ach ‘Mo Thiarna agus Mo Dhia’ a siad anuas chugainn. go dteachaigh a Mac a shiúl. An Sagart Brian Ó Fearraí, Doirí Beaga bhí liom i sacraimint ró-naofa na Loinneog: haltóra. Bhí cúrsaí mar sin go dtí Is cuimhneach liom bheith ag gur thosaigh mé ar na hAifrinn freagairt glaonna gutháin ó Árus An ceathrú suáilce a fuair agus na paidríní faire a chraoladh Ghaoth Dobhair, teach banaltrais an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar beo ar na meáin shóisialta. Ag an phobail, agus banaltra ag lorg gur léigh a Mac an bíobla. an phointe sin bhí pobal fíorúil paidreacha chomh maith leis an Loinneog: creidimh ag cruinniú le chéile, ‘go ola dhéanach d’othair bhochta a digiteach agus i spiorad’ agus muid bhí ag saothrú an bháis, agus mé An cúigiú suáilce a fuair ar scáth a chéile ach scartha ó chéile ag déanamh ar aghaidh chomh an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar san am chéanna. gasta agus a thiocfadh liom. San go bhfuair an dall an t-amharc. Árus domh, bhí mé clúdaithe ó Loinneog: Cuimhne chinn eile atá agam, bhun go barr le trealamh cosanta tráth a raibh iarsma na bpéindlíthe pearsanta, mar a bheadh radharc An seisiú suáilce a fuair air, agus mé ag ceiliúradh íobairt as scannán ficsean eolaíochta ann. an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar ró-naofa an Aifrinn amuigh Is cuimhneach liom bheith ag gur éirigh a Mac ó mhairbh. faoin spéir. Bhí sagart agus pobal leagadh cois ar thairseach an Áruis Loinneog: cruinnithe le chéile i gcuibhreann, agus ag siúl isteach, agus a bheith ar láthair bheannaithe íobartha idir dhá chomhairle bomáite beag An seachtú suáilce a fuair agus adhartha ár sinsear. Bhí muid amháin, ach ag gabháil ar aghaidh Carraig an Aifrinn an Mhaighdean ghlórmhar faoi scáth na gcrann ag carraig i bpearsa Chríost a fhad leis an daofa ina laigeacht dhaonna. go dteachaigh sí chun a Mic chruaidh an Aifrinn, le ‘Loch Dhún té a bhí go beag de mhaith. Cha sna hoibrithe sin, an Críost céanna (Buíochas le Foilseacháin Ábhair ’un na bhFlaitheas. Lúiche go ciúin sa ghleann ina luí, ndéanaim dearmad go bhfaca mé i a thug aire do dhaoine tinne, ag Spioradálta.) Loinneog: agus an Eargail ard ina stua os cionn súile lucht cúraim agus leighis agus tabhairt uchtach agus misneach

Bí Linn i do Thinneas Thug Dara Comhairle nachaitear amach thú, ná ní gá duit Shacraimint na n-Easlán de — rá nach bhfuil ann ach beannacht, Vatacáine tuiscint nua ar d’aghaidh a chur le balla agus do ní bhíonn ullmhúchán déanta nó go bhfuil an sagart ag dul cúpla Shacraimint na n-Easlán. Ba léir go dhroim leis an phobal. Bí linn roimh ré ag an duine atá ag dul paidir a rá. Cuimhnigh go bhfuil dtiocfadh leat an tsacraimint seo a i do thinneas. Agus ní hamháin í a ghlacadh, agus ní bhíonn an t-othar i gcónaí ag éisteacht. ghlacadh níos mó ná uair amháin, go leigheasfar tú le grásta Dé, ach ullmhúchán déanta acu siúd atá Tabhair seans dóibh páirt a agus nach ullmhúchán don bhás a tiocfaidh grásta agus buntáistí páirteach leis an othar sa tinneas. ghlacadh sa tsacraimint. bhí ann, ach leigheas ón tinneas a chuig an phobal dá thairbhe sin. Uaireanta is go tubaisteach a iarraidh. Is é an rud atá taobh thiar Nuair a ghlacann tú Sacraimint tharlaíonn droch-thinneas, agus Go minic is iad na daoine di, go bhfuil muid ag dul in araicis na n-Easlán tiontaítear na pianta uaireanta eile tagann an riachtanas muinteartha thart ar an leaba is an duine ina thinneas ionas nach ina urnaithe de chineál eile, agus gan mórán rabhaidh. Is cóir i mó a mbíonn eagla orthu. Ach mbeidh sé fágtha leis féin, agus ag bíonn tú ag guí tríd an fhulaingt. Ní gcónaí a insint don othar gurb í is féidir páirt mhór a bheith ag tabhairt comhluadar Chríost dó bhíonn Críostaí ar bith díomhaoin, seo Sacraimint na nEaslán, agus na daoine muinteartha chomh lena leigheas. agus is iontach an neart atá le gurb í seo an urnaí agus an impí maith sa cheiliúradh seo. Is fearr hurnaí na ndaoine tinne. is láidre dá bhfuil ag an Eaglais go i gcónaí na daoine muinteartha Iarraimid ar an duine tinn a bheith dtiocfaidh biseach orthu. Ba mhór agus na banaltraí a bheith istigh tinn in éineacht linn, mar chuid Tá éagsúlacht amháin soiléir an trua díspeagadh a dhéanamh ar don cheiliúradh. Níl fáth ar bith go den phobal. Nuair atá tú tinn, ní cheana féin ó thaobh cheiliúradh an tsacraimint agus tú ag iarraidh a n-imeoidís. 18 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Reflections on Knock’s new status welcomed by growing Eucharistic number of Eucharistic Adorers found themselves, have expressed Adoration and their faith and devotion to Our Lady of Knock.” He added: “You have been a Divine Mercy missionary people. We cannot forget how many priests left their FOLLOWING the beautiful ceremony in Knock on the homeland in order to become Feast of St Joseph, during which Pope Francis officially missionaries of the Gospel. Nor elevated the Co Mayo Shrine as an International can we forget the many lay people Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic and Marian Devotion, who emigrated to far-away lands but still kept their devotion to Our some members of the Derry Diocesan Eucharistic ON the Feast of St Joseph, Pope Lady. Adoration Apostolate and Parish Adoration Committees Francis elevated Our Lady of “How many families in the have shared their thoughts on the news and their Knock Shrine to an International course of almost a century and a your Father who sees in secret Virgin Mary who made herself a experience of spending time regularly adoring Jesus in the Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic half have handed on the faith to will repay you. In praying, do not pilgrim of the Gospel of her Son. and Marian Devotion during a their children and gathered their babble like the pagans, who think May she protect us and console us Blessed Sacrament. special ceremony broadcast from daily labours around the prayer of that they will be heard because of with her merciful countenance”. Others have reflected on the great message of Divine the Apparition Chapel. the Rosary, with the image of Our their many words. Do not be like The designation came two Mercy, to be celebrated on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 11, The news was especiallyLady of Knock at its centre. The them. Your Father knows what years after the Vatican officially welcomed by faithful adorers of arms of the Virgin, outstretched with some going on to express their thoughts on the ‘Dying you need before you ask him’.” recognised the miraculous healing the Blessed Sacrament in parishes in prayer, continue to show us (Matthew 6:6-8) of Marion Carroll, who had been with Dignity’ Bill currently being considered by the Irish across the island who, before the importance of prayer as the Stating that the elevation of the bedridden for years with multiple Government. Covid-19 restrictions, travelled message of hope which goes out National Sanctuary of Our Lady sclerosis and was healed during a Bishop Donal also shares his thoughts on the new status in large numbers to Knock for from this Shrine. As you know, of Knock to an International blessing with a monstrance at the the annual National Eucharistic in her apparition at Knock, the granted to Knock Shrine, and welcomes the growth of Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic Shrine in 1989. Adoration Apostolate’s Pilgrimage Virgin says nothing. Yet her silence and Marian Devotion was a Archbishop Neary described the Eucharistic Adoration, paying tribute to all those around day there, and amongst them is a language; indeed, it is the most great responsibility, Pope Francis announcement as “a momentous the Diocese who spend time praying before the Blessed many from the Derry Diocese. expressive language we have. The said: “You accept to always have event”, adding that it was “most Sacrament. The historic occasion saw the message which comes from Knock your arms wide open as a sign of fitting that it would be announced Holy Father address the Shrine is that of the great value of silence welcome to every pilgrim who and celebrated on the Feast of and the country in a video for our faith. may arrive from any part of the Saint Joseph in the Year of Saint message during the concelebration “It is this silence in the face of world, asking nothing in return Joseph, because alongside Our of Mass by Archbishop Michael mystery, which does not mean but only recognizing him as a Lady, Saint John the Evangelist Great growth in Neary, Archbishop of Tuam and giving up on understanding, but brother or a sister who desires and the Lamb of God, Saint Joseph custodian of the Shrine, and Fr understanding while aided and to share the same experience of also appeared here on that August Richard Gibbons, parish priest of supported by the love of Jesus who fraternal prayer. evening in 1879”. Knock and rector of the Shrine, offered himself for all of us as the “May this welcome be joined The Archbishop went on to pray Adoration of the Lamb sacrificed for the salvation on the evening of March 19. The with charity and become an that “pilgrims from all over Ireland Apostolic , His Excellency of humanity. It is this silence in effective witness to a heart which and from across the world who Archbishop the face of the great mystery of a is open to receiving the Word of come here, carrying their crosses, Blessed Sacrament was also in attendance. love which cannot be reciprocated God and the grace of the Holy will ‘experience deeply God’s Commending the Irish as “a unless in trusting abandonment Spirit which gives us strength. May closeness, the tenderness of the by Bishop Donal missionary people”, Pope Francis to the will of the merciful Father. the Eucharistic mystery which Virgin Mary and the company of noted that since the Apparition of And, finally, it is silence which unites us in communion with the the saints,’ so as to be encouraged Pontiff to pray at the Co Mayo Our Lady, St Joseph, and St John Jesus asks of us when he teaches: Risen Lord and with one another and enabled to return home with Shrine. The Eucharistic focus the Apostle to some villagers at ‘When you pray, go to your always be the rock on which to a more buoyant faith, with hope in of Knock re-emphasises the Knock on August 21, 1879, “the inner room, close the door, and live out faithfully our vocation to their hearts and a more ardent love centrality of the Lamb of God who Irish people, wherever they have pray to your Father in secret. And be ‘missionary disciples’, like the for God and neighbour”. takes away the sins of the world, as we read in St John’s Gospel. The centrality of the Mass is the summit of all Christian worship, Adoration calms my fears and gives me for we join with the angels and saints in one unending hymn of praise to the Father, through courage to follow Jesus more closely by Annie Mullan the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Sacrament is WE behold the splendour of When we are in the presence of building barriers. Life gets the sacrament of the sacrifice of God, shining on the face of Jesus, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we complicated. Hurt, pain, and the cross. Any separation of the on the face of the Son. are in the presence of God; we are suffering enter the picture. We Blessed Sacrament from the Cross Our Holy Father Pope Francis in the presence of the Kingdom of are all in need of God’s love and misunderstands what Jesus did at reminded us in the Year of Mercy Heaven. What a friend we have healing. With our blessed Mother the Last Supper. that Jesus is the face of God’s in Jesus. To what can we compare Mary, St Joseph and all the Angels There has been a great growth mercy. He said, “We need to this wondrous gift? and Saints, let us trust in Jesus, let in adoration of the Blessed understand how tender God is, When we see the children adore us adore reverently so that we can Sacrament. People silently how He caresses us, He touches Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, let the rays of the Son of God shine KNOCK has played a large part worship the mystery of the Cross, our woundedness, He loves us so their wee faces are radiant. Here we on us and bless us abundantly. in the Irish Church since 1879. made present among us. In a very gently and when we receive that it see the building of God’s kingdom I pray that we may all find our The apparition shows a silent superficial culture, Adoration brings us real joy and peace.” on earth. The children are so pure, way to Him, truly present and Mary, Joseph and St John the draws us into the mystery of God This peace I, personally, receive so tuned in, and they desire to hear yet hidden, but waiting patiently Evangelist looking at the Lamb of and into the mystery of the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. It is an all about Jesus. When we instil into to share His love and peace with God on the altar. Mary and the who gives his life for us. amazing gift from Jesus. It is a children the truths of the faith, each one of us. He will grant us saints always point to Christ, never If we are to be renewed as a gift which the world cannot give, especially an awareness of the many graces and bless us with His to themselves. Whatever they have national Church, that will not a calming of my fears, courage Lord’s true presence in the Holy Divine Mercy. is a blessing and a gift from God, come without loving adoration to follow Him more closely, Eucharist, they will grow up with Come to Jesus and adore Him, never something of their own Annie Mullan, Claudy of the mystery of the Cross. I and a desire to offer praise and that, they will take that into their He loves us. To God be the glory. making. I love you and I miss you my Jesus, commend all those Adoration thanksgiving for His awesome adulthood. Even if they fall away, The recognition of Knock as from the very core of my heart. groups around the diocese who love. Jesus loves each of us, but they will remember those precious In these days when we can no an international Marian and When I’m in your kingdom in come to know Jesus better and with a personal relationship all at moments as a child with the Lord. longer receive Jesus, I watch and Eucharistic shrine comes after Heaven, we will never again be who pray for all the many graces the one time. As we grow older we start pray, Pope Francis became the second that we need. apart. THE NET | APRIL 2021 19 Silence of Knock Apparition mirrors silence of Eucharistic Adoration by Catherine Sharkey VISITING Knock Shrine with the Children of the Eucharist difficult times. We need not say that the way to Him is through the has always been a very special group, love their pilgrimage to or do anything; just being in His Sacrifice of the Mass. occasion for me, so I am very Knock. I find that children love presence is enough. The silence of the Apparition at happy with Pope Francis’ granting spending time adoring Jesus, there In this ‘Year of St Joseph’, it is very Knock mirrors the silence during it recognition as an International are no questions, no expectations fitting for Knock to be given the Eucharistic Adoration, where we Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic and, through their purity, a honour of International Sanctuary listen to Jesus and just be in His and Marian Devotion. relationship begins between two of Special Eucharistic and Marian presence. I have been going to Knock friends. Devotion. No doubt, St Joseph May this year dedicated to St on pilgrimage since I was eight To adore Jesus in the Most Holy had something to do with this. Joseph bring hope to all of us and years old, the first time being the Sacrament is such a privilege Our Blessed Mother is calling us may St Joseph guide us in our summer I made my First Holy for us all and when given this to The Lamb. She is showing us journey home. Communion. Now, to visit as opportunity to adore Jesus present an adult on the Apostolate of in the Eucharist you receive Eucharistic Adoration’s Pilgrimage consolation and peace, because He Day, and to be part of a group of is there waiting for us, waiting to adults and children for this is extra distribute His graces to us. He is special. We travel together, pray the Lamb of God, as real today as together and sing together. He was over 2,000 years ago. He The Eucharistic Adorationloves all of us with an eternal love, pilgrimage is a day of celebration with a forgiving love. at Knock for Eucharistic adorers Our Jesus is all merciful and He from all over Ireland, where we is with us in a very special way in all come together as one family in Eucharistic Adoration. To sit in Christ. front of Jesus and soak in His rays, Children taking part in the National Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate The children, who adore Jesus in I find heals us, renews us and gives Children receiving a blessing after time spent in Eucharistic Adoration at Pilgrimage procession in Knock Basilica, pre-Covid. the Blessed Sacrament each month us strength to journey on in these Knock Shrine, Co Mayo, pre-Covid. There is a very special connection with God Time in Eucharistic during Eucharistic Adoration by Gwen Lagan Adoration Church, in Maghera, after school parishes as a way of giving back. to have God to trust in and seek to wait for his father to finish work Personally, I get a lot out of comfort from. every evening. He would spend Eucharistic Adoration. That hour The Diocesan Eucharisticbrings peace and over an hour there and it was no with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Adoration Committee has been bother to him. every week is very special not only unable to meet during lockdown Eucharistic Adoration became to me but to many other people, and this has also been greatly familiar to us because of this, who really missed not being able missed by me and other members. consolation so when Fr Colum Clerkin to go during lockdown. It has been As well as giving you a sense by Siobhan Sweeney mentioned about starting it up comforting to be able to join in of fulfilment in knowing that during his time in the Ballinascreen online, through parish webcams, Eucharistic Adoration was being taking any problems to Jesus in Parish, Bernadette Toner and but it is not the same fulfilling introduced to more and more the Blessed Sacrament. So, when myself said that we would love to experience. parishes, the monthly meetings in I went through a personal crisis, be part of that. We then went to a There is closeness, a very special Termonbacca were a lovely social or knew of anyone else in need of meeting in the Everglades Hotel connection between you and God occasion. Hopefully, we will be prayer, I would go to Eucharistic regarding starting up a Eucharistic during Eucharistic Adoration. able to meet again soon. Adoration and hand it over to Adoration Apostolate in the And there is also a great feeling It is great that Knock has now Jesus. You do get peace and Diocese, which was attended by of unity, knowing that so many been elevated to an International consolation from doing this. many people. other people are also praying in Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic Gwen Lagan, Maghera Knowing the benefits of I feel that if God gives you silent Adoration before the Blessed and Marian Devotion. I am very Eucharistic Adoration, when I EUCHARISTIC Adoration has something you should be open to Sacrament, in other parts of the fond of Knock and have missed heard about a meeting in Derry always been important in our giving something back. So, with Diocese, country and the world. terribly not being able to go there, to set up a Eucharistic Adoration family, especially when my son, God giving us Patrick as a priest, In these times, when we are all but I watched this ceremony Apostolate in the Diocese, I knew Patrick, started going into the little I saw the opportunity to help experiencing so many problems online and thought it was really that I wanted to go to it and went Adoration Chapel in St Mary’s promote Eucharistic Adoration in in our world, it is very comforting lovely. on to become a presenter, talking at Masses in parishes about Eucharistic Adoration. Our Lady drew me to Eucharistic Adoration Personally, I feel that spending time in adoration of Jesus in the Siobhan Sweeney, Omagh Blessed Sacrament is just what is through the Rosary by Jack McLaughlin MY first memorable experience needed at this time, for the deep FOR me, Eucharistic Adoration There was no regular Adoration the words Jesus spoke to the drew me to Eucharistic Adoration. of Eucharistic Adoration goes peace that it can bring. has been an invitation to grow in my parish, Moville, or apostles in Gethsemane came to back to the Youth 2000 retreats I also find it very timely that in this in God’s love. I was first drawn neighbouring Drung at the time, mind – “Can you not watch one I attended, particularly during Year of the Family and St Joseph, to spend time in Eucharistic and the only place we could think hour with me?” the healing services. This was the whom I have long had devotion Adoration after a period of of was St Anthony’s Retreat Centre. I was always a spiritual person, highlight of the retreat weekend to as all my prayer intentions Monday evening prayer with a With Fr Neil Carlin’s approval, we particularly from my 20s, and I and it was a very emotional offered through his intercession soul friend. started spending an hour a week have come to know God more experience for people. have been answered over the We were meeting to pray the in Adoration there, so when I through Eucharistic Adoration. It I used to wonder at how I years, that Knock has now been Rosary and read Scripture in received a letter from my parish is my rock, my anchor, my fortress, could have sat there all night in recognised as an International each other’s homes, and one night priest, Fr O’Hagan, asking me if I and I think many people would Adoration, as if it was just Jesus Sanctuary of Special Eucharistic I was looking out the window would like to attend a meeting in benefit from it. and me, with the rest of the people and Marian Devotion. St Joseph and saw a big, full moon shining the Everglades Hotel regarding I am delighted that Knock in the room blocked out. I realised was part of the Apparition there between the trees, which brought the setting up of a Diocesan has now been recognised as an later that it was because it was and I think that it is fantastic that to mind the reference in Scripture Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate, International Sanctuary of Special happening after I had been to we have a Eucharistic and Marian to the narrow gate. After sharing I decided to go. I felt the draw of Eucharistic and Marian Devotion. Confession. Shrine here in Ireland, where the this with my prayer friend, we the Lord really to Adoration. It is a very special place and this Over the years, at various Holy Family appeared. I am really decided that we would like to I found it hard to focus at times, news ties in with my own faith retreats, priests talked about looking forward to making a visit start spending time in Eucharistic and sometimes I found the time a experience, because it was Our the importance of Eucharistic there again when we get out of Adoration. bit long, but I stuck with it when Lady, through the Rosary, who Jack McLaughlin, Moville Adoration and recommended lockdown. 20 THE NET | APRIL 2021 Being in God’s ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening’ presence quietens (1 Samuel 3:10) by Martin Callaghan

WHEN I go to Eucharistic I stayed in Fatima for two days, around and saw me standing your spirit by Mary Harkin Adoration, I think on what Samuel spending time going to Mass and there, she asked if I wanted to go in said, “Speak Lord, your servant is Eucharistic Adoration. When I and if I was part of a group. When EUCHARISTIC Adoration is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10), and I was there, I read the story about the I told her that it was just me, she such a great gift. Anything that try to do just that, listen. This is Church of St Stephen in Santarem unlocked the big door again brings you closer to God and more what the Pope has said as well, that and recalled reading about the and led me through the Church into His presence is a good, and we go to Eucharistic Adoration to Eucharistic Miracle there in the towards the sacristy door. Then my time in Adoration brings a listen. So, I spend the time listening book of Eucharistic Miracles. she led me behind the altar, where peace into my heart. to get the answers to problems and When I realised that it was only there were steps like a stepladder It was because of this that I to give me more strength to work an hour’s drive from Fatima, I up to a small door in the wall joined the Diocesan Eucharistic in my parish. decided to go there and gaze upon about the size of a picture frame. Adoration Committee. It is a My experience in Eucharistic Christ in this Eucharistic Miracle. So, I climbed the steps and lovely Apostolate to be a part of for Adoration is like that of talking to After parking my bike in the town opened the little door and there Martin Callaghan, Burt. the good that it brings to people. a close friend; it is a conversation car park, I asked a police officer I saw the red Eucharist; the Body There is a deep peace that comes with a trusted friend that helps you about the Eucharistic Miracle but and Blood of Christ. I gazed at it I felt the same guiding hand when Mary Harkin, Sessiaghoneill from being in God’s presence; it come to a conclusion about what he didn’t know about it. I then for about one to two seconds and my parish priest at the time, Fr McGoldrick asked me to represent quietens your spirit. looked forward to each week. You to do, and I leave more settled and went into a cafe for a coffee and then closed the door again. The the parish of Burt, Inch & Fahan During lockdown, we have had can get it online, but it is not the clear in my thinking. I asked someone there, but they sacristan was flabbergasted at at a meeting about setting up a not had the Blessed Sacrament same. Some people still go along On one occasion, I was reading didn’t know about it either, so I this and asked me did I not want Diocesan Eucharistic Adoration exposed for Eucharistic Adoration to pray in the chapel for their hour, a book about Eucharistic miracles was beginning to wonder if I was to spend longer with it, after the Committee. I was delighted to do in my parish and this is something although the Blessed Sacrament and around that time I decided in the correct place. distance I had travelled. I had this. I believe that God has a plan I and others have missed, as it is not exposed. This special time to travel solo by motorbike to I saw a church building that had already believed about Jesus’ to bring you to a place where you was something we very much with Jesus means a lot to people. Portugal. I had no particular plan been turned into a museum, so I presence in the Eucharist and but everything unfolded the right decided to ask there and they were so I didn’t have to gaze on this blossom and then go out into the way. I arrived in Fatima around able to direct me to St Stephen’s Eucharistic Miracle too long. In world, like with Samuel. 10.30 pm with no accommodation Church, which was just on the faith, I feel His presence in the The meeting in the Everglades I always feel better booked, so I had nowhere to lay next street. When I got there, a Eucharist in Tabernacles around was in 2019 and the first meeting my head. I went to one of the woman was just locking the door. the world, and that He wants of the Derry Diocesan Eucharistic hotels but it was fully booked, The woman was the sacristan and people to come to Him. Adoration Committee was in after Eucharistic however, it had a sister house, a was closing up for lunch. I thought I was content when the sacristan February 2010 in Termonbacca, B&B, and there was a room there. about how close I had been to said she would open up again for with me as chairman. That was by Brendan Glenn When I got up in the morning, I seeing the Eucharistic Miracle me. It was as if Christ had been such a privilege to be involved in Adoration had the lovely surprise of seeing after travelling so far, because I guiding me to be there at that bringing Eucharistic Adoration to that it was beside the statues of the hadn’t long to stay if I was going to certain time, as had I been any more and more parishes around three children, Jacinta, Francesco catch my boat home. later the woman would have been the Diocese. and Lucia. When the woman turned away. The Holy Miracle of Eucharistic Adoration Knock Basilica during the 2019 National Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate deepens my relationship Pilgrimage. Santarem WHEN I discovered Eucharistic that others could benefit from it, to the sorceress’ cave, not noticing Adoration was on in my parish, I so I got involved in the Diocesan great drops of Blood falling from with Jesus by Maureen Nicholl found myself returning regularly Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate. her veil. BEING in the presence of the paradise. The difference lies only in to pray in the peace and the quiet. I remember going to Knock However, people who met her Lord in Eucharistic Adoration the veil that hides the vision of that Some days when I go to to experience the National and saw the blood asked why brings me a great peace and divine reality, of which faith gives Eucharistic Adoration, I could Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate she was bleeding so profusely. comfort. It is a quiet time of us unwavering certainty.” sit there all day. I get a great Day of Pilgrimage, and it was Confused by all of this, she ran reflection for me and it deepens I think the news about peace of mind and freedom from unbelievable how many Adorers home instead and hid the Host in my relationship with Jesus. Knock being recognised as an worries from being in front of the where there from other parts of a wooden chest. I find that I need this time in International Eucharisit and Blessed Sacrament. Every time I the country. It was great to see That night, they awoke to see the Eucharistic Adoration with Jesus Marian Shrine is great. In the go into the chapel for some time and I am delighted that Knock is house lit up by mysterious rays to keep me from the distractions Apparition there, Our Lady gave in Adoration, I always feel better now known as an International of light coming from the chest. of the world. It is a time when I a very powerful message about the when I come out from it. There is Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. Confessing to her husband what receive the graces that I know Jesus importance of adoring her Son in more to our faith than just going to Hopefully, this will draw she had done, the couple spent wants to give me, and I also know the Eucharist. To me, it seems that Mass on a Sunday. more people to come there on the rest of the night on their knees the powerful graces that everyone Mary is leading us to Jesus in the My experience led to me wanting pilgrimage. in Adoration. The next day, the receives in His holy presence. Eucharist. He waits for us always in to help promote Adoration so parish priest was told and people When I joined the Diocesan this sacrament of His love. started coming from near and far Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate, to the house to contemplate the I became more aware of the Adoration is most peaceful miracle. importance of enabling others to THE story of the Santarem The Blessed Sacrament wasshare in the power of Adoration, Eucharistic Miracle begins then taken, in procession, to St and receive the graces and and rewarding time with that of a woman living in Stephen’s Church and placed in blessings that it can bring. by Anne McCarter Santarem, Portugal, in 1247, a small case of wax. Later on, While we are in His presence, whose husband was unfaithful when the Tabernacle was opened Jesus resolves all the problems and THE most peaceful and to her. In despair, she consulted a for Adoration of the Blessed different worries we have in our rewarding time I have is that one sorceress, who promised her that Sacrament, another miracle had lives. hour with the Lord in Eucharistic all would be resolved if she would occurred, with the wax case found I love this quotation from the Adoration. I find that He is never bring her a consecrated host. broken in pieces and the Holy book, ‘Jesus, Eucharistic Love’ – outdone in generosity. Reluctantly, the woman decided Sacrament encased in a beautiful “The saints, the artists and experts Joining the Diocesan Eucharistic to commit the sacrilegious crystal pyx. of love were faithful, ardent adorers Adoration Committee, and act, and, after Confession in This pyx was placed in a gold- of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. helping to spread weekly St Stephen’s Church, she went plated silver monstrance and can Importantly, Eucharistic Adoration into parishes across forward to the altar to receive the still be seen today in St Stephen’s Adoration has always been the Diocese, has been one of the Blessed Sacrament. Removing Church. In 1997, the Church was considered the closest likeness greatest privileges and blessings in it later from her mouth, she consecrated as The Most Holy we have to Eternal Adoration, in my life. wrapped it in her veil and hurried Miracle Church of Santarem. which will consist the whole of our Maureen Nicholl, St Eugene’s. THE NET | APRIL 2021 21

Divine Mercy Sunday - Dying in dignity by Veronica Harley is described as a second baptism life what is not essential so that he being. an International Congress in 2004, as all our sins and temporal can turn toward that which is. Very Pope St John Paul II has provided directly spoke of how even though punishments are washed clean, often illness provokes a search for the Church with teaching on euthanasia may be motivated provided we have met the God and a return to him”. suffering, illness and death. He by sentiments of misconstrued conditions necessary for a plenary Illness and suffering is among was also a living testimony, a compassion or a misunderstanding indulgence. The merciful love and some of the most serious issues witness of his own faith in the on the preservation of human compassion of God the Almighty that people encounter during their face of suffering, illness and dying. dignity, that it actually eliminates flows generously on this great lifetime. Our need for suffering He taught us that we must first the person instead of relieving Feast Day to heal humanity. is often questioned when we understand death with dignity. In their suffering. Euthanasia is, Mercy experience pain and anguish not order to do this, we have to accept indeed, false mercy. True kind- Mercy is an act of kindness and only in ourselves, but in our loved the dignity of life. Human dignity heartedness and respect for a benevolence, which we show ones. The question of suffering is an undeserved gift that flows person’s dignity leads to caring for towards someone who is seeking can often seem incomprehensible directly from the loving action of the sick and sharing in their pain. forgiveness or pardon. St Thomas and unsolvable, but we can find an our Creator. Jesus’ mission reached to every Aquinas defined mercy in general answer to this situation when we In the first Letter of St Peter human being and He showed as “the compassion in our hearts turn our attention to the Passion we are told that we have been loving compassion when He healed for another person’s misery, a of Christ. ransomed not with perishable the sick, the suffering and dying. compassion which drives us to Jesus not only embraced things such as silver or gold, but Today, Jesus’ mission continues do what we can to help him” (ST suffering during His Passion in with the precious blood of Christ through the Body of Christ, the II-II.30.1). In Catholic tradition, an incomparable way, but He also (1 Peter 1:18-19). Church. The Church is our patient mercy means much more than just made suffering redemptive. He Everyone’s life is precious and advocate always working to ensure a cancellation of punishment. took all of the human suffering unique, it is beyond price. God’s that proper care is administered to Pope St John Paul II, in upon Himself and used it in order plan for human beings is that we the sick and dying, and constantly his encyclical letter ‘Dives in to accomplish our salvation. Jesus should “be conformed to the image promoting respect for the dignity Misericordia’ (Rich in Mercy, took suffering and placed it in a of his Son” (Romans 8:29), “for of each individual. The Church, 1981), described Divine Mercy new dimension, He used for good. God created man for incorruption, like the Good Samaritan, is the as Love’s second name and God’s His love transformed suffering and and made him in the image of his physician and nurse caring for the greatest attribute, Divine Mercy is turned it into a saving power. This own eternity” (Wisdom 2:23). abandoned, and the Innkeeper THE Church on the Second and receive Holy Communion God’s eternal love which is poured is how we, as Christians, can begin Pope St John Paul II spoke of who provides respite and care in Sunday of Easter celebrates shall obtain complete forgiveness out for us in our time of need and to find a meaning and purpose to all those who respected their nursing homes and hospices. The Divine Mercy Sunday. This year, of sins and punishment. On that brokenness. suffering. God given dignity as heralds Church is the healing hands of we celebrate Mercy Sunday on day are opened all the divine Corporal works of mercy Our suffering can become part of a “culture of life”. The world Christ who attends to our spiritual April 11. This marvellous Feast is floodgates through which graces We are called to be witnesses of Christ’s work of salvation. Our in which we live seems to have infirmities through the sacrament based on the private revelations flow. Let no soul fear to draw near of mercy and one of the corporal sufferings are no longer pointless cultivated a great confusion about of the Anointing of the Sick. of St Faustina Kowalska, which to Me, even though its sins be as works of mercy is to visit and afflictions but an invitation to death and dignity. Pope St John recommended a particular scarlet. My mercy is so great that no care for the sick. People suffering share in the Passion of Christ. Paul II rightly referred to this as a devotion to the Divine Mercy. mind, be it of man or of angel, will physical and mental illnesses When we unite our pain with “culture of death”, a total disregard The Lord expressed His Will with be able to fathom it throughout all sometimes endure despondency Christ’s suffering and offer it up for the sanctity and dignity of life, regard to this Feast in His very first eternity. Everything that exists has and feelings of isolation. to God, then God uses this in a a misunderstanding of dying. The revelation to St Faustina. The most come from the very depths of My Infirmities can cripple trust and mysterious and powerful way for culture of death perceives life as comprehensive revelation can be most tender mercy. Every soul in leave questions that crush belief the redemption of the world. only valuable to the extent that found in her Diary (entry 699): its relation to Me will contemplate in the very existence of God and Dying with Dignity it is productive and in state of “My daughter, tell the whole My love and mercy throughout make way for dubious pondering A new legal Bill has been wellbeing. Death is considered world about My inconceivable eternity. The Feast of Mercy on God’s love and mercy. Distress presented in Ireland for senseless if it interrupts a life that is mercy. I desire that the Feast of emerged from My very depths of and pain can muddle our consideration; Dying with still open to new experiences and Mercy be a refuge and a shelter tenderness. It is My desire that it reasoning and obscure our end Dignity. The Catholic Bishops possibilities. Indeed, according to for all souls, and especially for be solemnly celebrated on the first goal in life. have described this Bill as a this worldly perspective, from the poor sinners. On that day the very Sunday after Easter. Mankind will The Catechism of the Catholic flawed document. The title of this moment a person’s life encounters depths of My tender mercy are not have peace until it turns to the Church (CCC 1501) explains that document resonates sentiments pain and the prospect of greater Pope St John Paul II constantly open. I pour out a whole ocean Fount of My mercy”. although suffering can lead to of tranquilities. Unfortunately, it suffering, death is “a rightful turned in prayer to Our Virgin of graces upon those souls who On this day, Jesus promises despair and revolt against God, carries all the hallmarks of assisted liberation”. (Evangelium Vitae – Mother Mary, who stood vigil at approach the fount of My mercy. to pour out His Divine Mercy “it can also make a person more suicide, which is against the “The Gospel of Life“, no. 64). the cross of her Son. In his address The soul that will go to Confession upon humanity. This Feast Day mature, helping him discern in his inherent dignity of each human A culture of life rejects all forms on World Day of the Sick 2004, he of euthanasia, which is of itself entrusted the world to the most by intention to cause death with Holy Virgin and prayed ... “may the sole purpose of eliminating she help every Christian to witness Eucharistic Adoration has the power to all suffering. Every human being that the only authentic answer to has been created by God in His pain, suffering and death is Christ likeness and, therefore, does not our Lord, who died and rose for bring people back to the faith by John McSorley have the right to take his/her own u s .” life or that of another. Euthanasia On this Divine Mercy Sunday, WHEN I spend time in a great work to get involved in. Before the Covid restrictions, is a grave violation of the law of may the people of Ireland Adoration of the Blessed When St John Vianney arrived I would have gone to Knock God since it is the deliberate and contemplate the true abundance Sacrament I get a sense of peace. It as pastor of Ars and found that to spend time in Eucharistic morally unacceptable killing of a of Mercy that Jesus lavishes on all gives me an opportunity to bring the people were not practising Adoration once a month. Once human person. Everyone’s life is of humanity and strive to always my troubles to Our Lord and also their faith, he got a small group I had that hour of prayer in the precious and unique. promote a culture of life in a world to thank Him. together for Adoration and to pray Blessed Sacrament Chapel, no Catechism where despondency is often rife. As Sr Briege McKenna once said, for the parish, and our Diocesan matter what was upsetting me, my The Catechism explains that We are the People of God, the if you spend enough time regularly Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate peace would be restored. I think it ‘Euthanasia whatever its motives Body of Christ: in front of the Son, people will is involved in a similar mission. was St Francis who, if he lost his or means is morally unacceptable’ “Christ has no body now but begin to see something different Before lockdown because of peace, would have spent the day in (CCC 2277). Our Catholic faith yours. No hands, no feet on about you. Covid-19, we had introduced prayer in the chapel to get it back promotes respect for health, bodily earth but yours. Yours are the It is just nice to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration to around again, and when this happens to integrity and dignity in dying. The eyes through which He looks the week in peace, praying before 30 parishes out of 51. John McSorley, Omagh. me, I try to do the same. I immerse CCC speaks clearly of how life and compassion on this world. Yours the Blessed Sacrament, and I find I think that if enough people myself in prayer and by the end I physical health are precious gifts are the feet with which He walks it gives a bit of structured time to were spending time in front of Adoration praying for this. get my peace back again. entrusted to us by God, therefore to do good. Yours are the hands pray; otherwise the week could be Our Lord in Adoration it really And so, I welcome the news I’m looking forward to being able we must take care of them (CCC through which He blesses all the over before I would remember to would make a difference not only that Knock has been officially to meet again with the Diocesan 2288). It continues by asserting world. Yours are the hands, yours spend time in prayer. in our parishes, but in our Diocese, recognised as a Eucharistic as well Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate that “the dying should be given are the feet, yours are the eyes, you When I heard about the setting our country, and in the world. I as a Marian Shrine. Whatever it each month, and continuing this attention and care to help them are His body. Christ has no body up of a Diocesan group to promote believe many would be brought is about Knock, I find time spent great work in bringing the gift live their last moments in dignity now on earth but yours.” (St Teresa Eucharistic Adoration throughout back to their faith if more people there in Eucharistic Adoration a of weekly Adoration to more and peace.” (CCC 2299) of Avila.) the Diocese, I thought it would be were spending time in Eucharistic powerful experience. parishes. Pope St John Paul II, addressing Jesus, I Trust in You 22 THE NET | APRIL 2021

Christ manifested in remembrance by Noel Bradley Divine Mercy I went to a Charismatic meeting life. One strong memory was of a influence on all of us of the and found it strange, but I kept friend, a young mother of seven prevailing culture of autonomy. “I going back. Over time, I began to children whom I had prayed am the master of my fate: I am the try to pray again by going to the fervently for and with. I also captain of my soul” (WE Henley). and End of Life Blessed Sacrament, sitting and mustered all my friends to pray I want my freedom and dignity to by Martin Harran trying to pray. for her and I had accompanied her be protected and I want to protect On one occasion, while visiting while sick with cancer. She cried the freedom and dignity of others struggling with pain or other Assisi, I felt a strong nudge to get out in pain as she was dying and as far as possible. discomfort at the end of their some long period of time in prayer, waiting for the doctor to come and But there is a further question life, and they regard it as merciful so I booked myself into a retreat ease her pain with morphine. It for a Christian. What if “the aim kindness to offer such people the centre and spent a long period seemed to take hours. of the Christian life is not the opportunity to end their suffering. praying for I know not what, but I only realised some years avoidance of pain but the faithful We must remember, however, Noel Bradley, Buncrana knowing that there was something later how angry I was over God following of One who enters the that not just as Christians but part wrong with me. I happened to allowing all that experience to pain of those who suffer”? (David of human society, we must care ‘CHRIST manifested in meet two charismatic friends and happen and how difficult it was Begg, Doctrine and Life, Dec 2020, about people’s lives on a much remembrance’ is the title of a asked them to pray over me, and to share and tell Him how angry I p.40). wider basis than trying to deal sermon by Cardinal Newman. during that prayer a memory that I was. But I did eventually get it all ...An inverted pyramid and with one aspect at the very end God’s presence, he says, is not had buried in my subconscious for out directly to Him. I could not synodality of a person’s life. That is not to discerned at the time when it is 14 years came back to me. It was repeat the words that I shouted at My last major stepping stone minimise the suffering that some upon us but, afterwards, if we look an unjustified beating I got on the Him here! on the journey ‘home’ was people go through at the end of back at what has passed, we can backside from a priest in boarding I wanted to leave the retreat the influence of humanistic their life, but we should not just see it. You might think on how school. I was in the wrong place house and go home, but went to psychology and spiritual direction focus on what looks like a simple the two disciples on the journey at the wrong time and was too Mass that evening and deliberately (eg St Ignatius, C Rogers, A Martin Harran, Urney & Castlefin. solution without considering the to Emmaus missed the presence of frightened to stand up for myself. sat at the back, still a bit annoyed Maslow, C Jung) and liberation AS we approach Divine wider picture. God in the Passion but saw it later The prayer was for a healing of and not really with it all. The theology/option for the poor. This Mercy Sunday, we think about The Irish Catholic Bishops’ when Jesus spoke with them. memories and it was a healing that Gospel was very short: “Near the meant a shift from a ‘top down’ forgiveness and reconciliation, submission to the Oireachtas I have been asked to reflect on a manifested itself in an unexpected cross of Jesus stood his mother, way of relating to a more ‘bottom but we should always remember Committee on Justice about the journey I may have experienced flood of tears and a wonderful Mary...” (John 19:25). Tears just up’ approach, with more listening, that Divine Mercy is about much ‘Dying with Dignity Bill’ makes back to where I call ‘home’ and grace that released me, removed a flowed and I realised that, after all sharing, dialogue, individual more than just that. Jesus told St that point. The bishops point how my faith helped me along the blockage and transformed me on my anger and complaining, I was accompaniment, discernment, Faustina that He demands three out that the legal framework for way. to a new level in my spiritual life, a just being asked by God at that and group and team work. ways of exercising mercy: the first making such submissions restricts ...Stepping stones level of feeling and a new freedom. time to be with my friend who I am very excited and hopeful by deed, the second by word, and them to only addressing specific This is a request about my I can now see it as God partly was dying, to be with her, painful about the new direction and the third by prayer. issues with the way the bill is own journey so it is something removing “my heart of stone and or not, like Mary at the foot of the emphasis on synodality from The Divine Mercy movement drafted, rather than engaging in personal, even maybe very giving me a heart of flesh instead” cross with Jesus. Rome and the Irish bishops. does pay attention to all three a much wider discussion about personal. I have only space to talk (Ezekiel 36:26), a kind of affective I realised more fully that it was Synodality means walking aspects. As well as publishing the whole question of Euthanasia about a few stepping stones along conversion. about compassion and I was together/solidarity with each extensive material about Divine and Assisted Suicide. That is my the way. What comes to mind first ...Directed retreats and compassion being introduced to that in a big other, more listening, need for Mercy and actively encouraging own fear in regard to this bill, that is how I always tried to pray but, I continued to try to keep prayer way, from my experience. “Be openness and dialogue, “what widespread prayer, they undertake by addressing just those technical on reflection, I don’t think it was at the centre of my life and, over compassionate as your Father affects all should be discussed by charitable work around the world issues, politicians may allow the very successful. the years, began to do some short is compassionate” (Lk 6:36). I all” (Pope Francis), humility, small under the theme of ‘Saving Lives bill to slip through without a wider I prayed partly because I felt I directed retreats and eventually a realised that loving is not always groups, decentralising, ‘inverted and Souls’. This encompasses a debate and discussion. should pray. This was how it was long one of 30 days. I did it because about doing things for people but pyramid’ (people at the bottom are wide range of activities, including What particularly concerns me for years, until I began to pray less I was ‘drawn’ to it. I had come quite about being with people where most important and officials of the things from building a hospice in is that most of the momentum and less, and then I awoke one a long way from ‘shoulds’ in my they are, especially if they are in Church are there to serve them). Vilnius to working with distressed on this issue has been created by day and realised that the ‘well had life. I had learned that a person has pain, physically or emotionally Discernment the means and children in Romania, to feeding minority political parties from the run dry’. I was left desolate and to be free to pray. Prayer is a free or marginalised, discriminated mission as transformation of self, the poor in Ecuador. comfort of their political offices. wondering, ‘Is there anybody out choice that a person can make in against, exploited, or oppressed others and the world are the goal. At the same time, it is too easy There is very little support from there?’ And if there is, does he/ his or her life and that God also in anyway. Of course, there will Whatever ‘home’ place I or we to become so caught up with an people actually working on the she/it or they really care about me gives the attraction for it gently in be times when compassion will have reached on our journey, we act of apparent kindness that it frontline - the wonderful nurses or anybody? our consciousness. “When I am want to turn into doing something have not here a lasting home or is considered as ‘mercy’ without and doctors and others who Looking back, I realise that I lifted up from the earth, I will draw practical to change the situation. city. “The woods are lovely, dark taking the wider context into provide so much understanding, did not really have much of what all persons to myself” (12:32). But there is always a time for and deep, But I have promises consideration. It seems to me comfort and help, in very practical is called a spiritual life but only a Among the graces of that just being painfully present with to keep, and miles to go before I that the ‘Dying with Dignity’ Bill, ways, in palliative care for those longing for one, and maybe that retreat was the struggle and fierce people, in compassion with them. sleep” (Robert Frost). currently being considered by the coming to the end of their lives. was a kind of prayer – “…for you resistance to being with Christ in This type of Christian faith/ Like the Stranger on the road Irish Government, is one such They are the people who most I long; for you my soul is thirsting. His Passion; not so much in trying compassion deserves a mention in to Emmaus who ‘made as if to go example. understand what is involved here, My body pines for you like a dry to imagine Him in His Passion as the debate about assisted suicide further’ (Lk 24:28), we, too, have Undoubtedly, the promoters of yet they seem to be the people who weary land without water” (Ps 62). we read it in the Gospels, but to be going on in Government and to make as if ‘to go further’. Bon this Bill are inspired by genuine are least listened to. ...A real breakthrough with Him in His suffering people, Church circles at the moment. Voyage. concern for people who may be While in Rome at the age of 30, as I had met some of them in my There is an undoubted positive Divine Mercy...God’s mysteries are always beyond beautiful by Patricia Casey THE Sunday after Easter is viruses in our world, sin is by far my life have been so tender, so by Pope Francis called ‘The Name can I repent?’ Father Gaston, who God’s mysteries are always beyond dedicated to the message of Divine the most deadly; it really wounds gentle and so compassionate. At of God is Mercy’. I loved this small wants to absolve the man, who beautiful. Blessed be God. Mercy, as revealed by St Faustina. right into the depths of our hearts times, it can be a battle going to section from his book, “Don has been marked by destiny and This is a great gift to humanity. and leaves us sick. We definitely confessions. You can feel awkward Luigi Giussani used to quote this who is about to die, has a stroke of How do we really experience need a divine doctor and thanks be and embarrassed, and so, when a example from Bruce Marshall’s inspiration and asks, ‘But are you God’s loving mercy? First we to God for His great unfathomable priest does show compassion and novel ‘To Every Man a Penny’. The sorry that you are not sorry?’ The recognise that we are sinners and Divine Mercy. is gentle it really helps you to feel protagonist of the novel, the abbot young man answers impulsively, in need of God’s mercy. We ask God sent His only Son to set us the mercy of God. Father Gaston, needs to hear the ‘Yes, I am sorry that I am not sorry.’ God to forgive our offences and we free from this dreadful sickness So what happens after we confession of a young German In other words, he apologizes do this by going to confessions and and to free us from our sin. Jesus receive God’s mercy? Well, we soldier whom the French partisans for not repenting. The door was telling the priest, who represents took our sins to the cross and set us are completely forgiven and are are about to sentence to death. The opened just a crack, allowing Jesus, all of the burdens that we free. Our medicine is asking God free. Happy days, but we need to soldier confesses his love of women absolution to come in...” carry in our hearts. for His Mercy; all we need to do remember that now we are called and the numerous amorous I have been reminded many Sin weighs us down and makes is say sorry and go to confessions. to show mercy, love compassion adventures he has had. The abbot times that my sin after having us miserable, it wounds us and I can’t count how many times I and tenderness. It is a good idea to explains that he has to repent to confessed it, because of Jesus’ leaves us weak; we become sick have been to confessions, but I keep in mind that we must show obtain forgiveness and absolution. sacrifice on the cross, isn’t only and incapable of loving as we are can say that I have had some of mercy to everyone and, as we have The soldier answers, ‘How can I wiped away, and not only am I made to love. When we sin we the most powerful and beautiful been forgiven, so, too, must we repent? It was something that I healed, but an even greater good become blind and numb, we lose experiences there. forgive. enjoyed, and if I had the chance I comes. It is hard to wrap your Patricia Casey, Kilrea. sight of reality. Of all the deadly The priests that I have met in I have recently just read a book would do it again, even now. How head around that, let’s just say, THE NET | APRIL 2021 23 The Gospel - radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross - constantly invites us to rejoice by Deirdre McElholm Indeed, one cannot appreciate from St Mary’s College travelled the wonder of the Resurrection to Knock Shrine for the Pope without the sorrow of the Garden John Paul II pilgrimage. Neither of Gethsemane the 6 am start nor the three However, Lent is a temporary hour journey could dampen season. It is easy to allow the our joy! This was a beautiful negativity to creep in and give opportunity for our pupils to be a false illusion that this is our gathered together in faith, prayer, permanent state. We must be musicality and reflection. cautious not to be like the first Additionally, this was a disciples living behind a locked particularly humbling experience door in fear and uncertainty...“It where we listened to the poignant Deirdre McElholm, Derry was late that Sunday evening, words of Donal Walsh’s mother, and the disciples were gathered who inspired us on the importance WITH the Resurrection, God together behind locked doors, of living life to the fullest. Grief, has given us hope of Eternal because they were afraid of the suffering and pain are undeniable Life. One quote that particularly Jewish authorities.” (Jn 20:19) emotions we will all experience in resonates with me during the The return of school children has our lives. At times, it may feel as Easter season is from Pope once again allowed a cacophony of though the pain is outweighing Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, laughter, joyful noises and a ‘buzz’ the positive and we feel lost from ‘Evangelii Gaudium’... “There are in corridors. It is reminiscent God. Indeed, since the Apparition Christians whose lives seem like of the glimpse of hope that was in 1879, Knock Shrine has been Lent without Easter.” prevalent on that Palm Sunday; a place of hope and has given Pope Francis succinctly depicted blazing sun, shouts of laughter comfort and consolation to St Mary’s College, Derry, pupils at Knock Shrine. the current situation of many in and joy with unyielding praise for people. The completely unique anxieties and fears to God and to our eyes. God transforms pain true for us today. the world at the minute. To spend the King. Hope can persist, even nature of the Apparition scene is return with contentment. to joy, hopelessness to hope and When the sun rose on that a second Easter in the middle of a as a glimmer of light, in the midst something that has fascinated and Twelve months later, we can desolate footpaths to gardens of Easter Sunday, the disciples global pandemic, it can seem as if of a dark despair. Joy changes, inspired people for generations. now see the light through the fruitfulness. We are right to be embraced life with a new joy, connections and spontaneity spreads and is infectious. This invaluable pilgrimagedarkness of the pandemic. cautious, to tread carefully and, confidence, assured by the joy of have been eradicated. There is One momentous place that is to Knock has allowed a new The vaccines have provided a perhaps, be even fearful. However, the Resurrection. Our hope for no doubt that Lent is to be a punctuated with a quiet, yet firm generation of young people to reassuring hope for many in our many threats still remained for new life swells again, even if the period of sacrifice, denial and joy and faith in God is Knock experience the beauty of the society. The evenings are lighter, the disciples in those early days threat is not fully diminished. discipline in order to prepare us Shrine, Ireland. In September Shrine, and to see all walks of flowers have sprung and the Earth after Jesus’ death. Jesus’ words, for the glory of the Easter season. 2019, over 100 Year 13 pupils life and ages give their worries, once again comes alive before “Peace be with you,” can still ring

Mary - Model of Grace by Oliver Barrett ON March 19, Pope Francis tempting Adam to reach out in ‘daughters of Aaron’ (Lk 1:5). (Luke 1:38). honoured Knock Shrine with disobedience and eat, however, Aaron, of course, is one of the Mary’s ‘fiat’ is followed with special status, recognising it as ultimately this action is prompted Old Testament priests whose rod the visit to Elizabeth and the an International Marian and by the ‘serpent’ (Genesis 3:1). is said to be kept in the Ark of the most beautiful hymn of praise Eucharistic Shrine. The pontiff From this moment, humanity is Covenant. in the entire Scriptures, the affirmed what many of the in a fallen state because of their Mary, on the other hand, is Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56). faithful believe. desire to usurp God. a humble Jewish girl living in Mary’s Magnificat, full of divine In total there are 16 apparitions When we read on, all is not lost Nazareth, far from the rituals reversals, is paralleled by Luke of the Blessed Virgin Mary for in Genesis 3:15 we find what is of the Temple in Jerusalem. with Zechariah’s lack of faith. recognised as being authentic known as the ‘protoevangelium’ – Her husband, Joseph is of royal Mary’s response to God’s plan by the Catholic Church. Some the first Gospel. In this passage of lineage, from the House of makes her a model of grace. of the lesser known include the Scripture, the figure of a woman David. Luke parallels Mary’s From Mary we learn spontaneity apparitions of Our Lady of La emerges, and we are assured childlessness due to her youth (Lk 1:39) and, as sin and death Salette in France (1846), and that the ancient serpent will not with Zechariah and Elizabeth’s entered the world through the Our Lady of Kibeho in Rwanda triumph - “I will put enmity barrenness due to their old age. virgin Eve, justice and salvation (1981). Some of the well known between you and the woman, In Luke chapter one, an angel entered the world through the apparitions include those at and between your seed and her appears to both Zechariah and Virgin Mary. Fatima, Lourdes, and Knock. seed, he shall bruise your head, Mary to announce the birth of Finally, in chapter 12 of Not everyone one is blessed to a and you shall bruise your heel” a child. Zechariah is filled with the Book of Revelation, the have a vision of the Blessed Virgin (Gen 3:15). Could this passage be fear and replies disbelievingly. women emerging in the Mary in the way the children of implicitly referring to the Blessed He is silenced by the angel and ‘protoevangelium’ (Genesis Fatima, and the men, women Virgin Mary? We must wait until becomes mute. Mary is greeted 3:15) is revealed. The woman is and children at Knock had an Revelation Chapter 12 for the by the angel like no other person clothed with the sun, the moon apparition. I believe, however, identity of the persons in this in the entire Old and New is beneath her feet, and on her we all may see the Blessed Virgin passage to be revealed. Testament, “Hail, full of grace, head a crown of twelve stars when we read both the Old and We first encounter Mary at the the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28). (Rev 12:1). This is traditionally the New Testament. beginning of Luke’s Gospel. It is This indicates Mary’s importance thought by Catholics to be Mary, My starting place is the here that we see how Mary is a to God’s plan of salvation. the new Eve. Revelation chapter Book of Genesis and The Fall model of grace, for Luke writes Mary is troubled at the message 12 recounts the battle in heaven in the Garden of Eden. In the chapter one to parallel the life and of the angel and does not between a woman with child Judeo – Christian tradition, response to God of two people, understand how she, as a virgin, and the ancient serpent, who Eve is a virgin. The reason for Zechariah and Mary. will conceive a child. When the is revealed to be the devil, also disharmony in the garden is Zechariah is an elderly priest at angel explains the conception known as Satan (Rev 12:9). The because of an act of disobedience, the centre of the ritual worship will be by the power of the Holy woman’s offspring is Jesus, the as the first humans disrespected in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Spirit, Mary responds with Messiah, will crush the head of the limitations placed on them Temple complex at this time is complete faith and submission the ancient serpent (Revelation not to eat the fruit of the tree in the size of 12 football pitches. to the will of God, “Behold I am 12:17). the centre of the garden. Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, the hand maid of the Lord; let it We ask Mary to give us the The Holy Virgin in Old Age (James Tissot 1886-94) Traditionally, Eve is blamed for is referred to as one of the be to me according to your word” grace we need during these times. 24 THE NET | APRIL 2021 In his third, and final, reflection on God’s Mercy as we prepare for the great Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday, Bishop Donal writes about the Ministry of Mercy... Mercy Messages from St Faustina’s Diary... Everyone should meet the Father’s Mercy of My most tender Mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy in those who claim to follow Jesus throughout eternity. The Feast the mercy of God in the Liturgy. of Mercy emerged from My The Mass, the summit of our very depths of tenderness. It is worship, proclaims the mercy that My desire that it be solemnly flows from the Sacrifice of Jesus celebrated on the first Sunday on the Cross. We are called to go after Easter. Mankind will not beyond ‘saying Mass’ or ‘going to have peace until it turns to the M a s s’. Fount of My Mercy”. (Diary, 699) The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a key celebration of Divine “On that day all the divine Mercy. We are invited to stand floodgates through which graces under the Cross and to allow the flow are opened. Let no soul shower of mercy to wash us clean. “...the Feast of My Mercy has fear to draw near to Me, even That is a huge source of God’s issued forth from My very depths though its sins be as scarlet. My grace on our pain. for the consolation of the whole mercy is so great that no mind, Those in distress need to hear of world”. (Diary, 1517) be it of man or of angel, will be mercy. Condemnation on its own able to fathom it throughout all MERCY was at the heart of Jesus’ fear can be traumatic experiences can often push them further away “I want to grant a complete eternity”. (Diary, 699) message. In His own words, He for many, especially those who from hope of salvation. pardon to the souls that will go came to bring Good News to the live on the margins. There will be Secondly, the ministry of mercy to Confession and receive Holy “I desire that the Feast of Mercy poor. Jesus Christ is the face of the financial pressures as the economy has to be seen in how we reach out and structures. Thus, Catholic Communion on the Feast of My be a refuge and shelter for all Father’s mercy. struggles to recover. to those who are hurting most. education has to offer a different Mercy”. (Diary, 1109) souls, and especially for poor We have the constant challenge And there is the ongoing need People of faith do that, not in order way of inspiring young people. If sinners. On that day, the very to be sure that everybody meets for mercy in public discourse. to gain attention for ourselves, but we offer nothing different from “Souls perish in spite of My depths of My tender mercy are the Father’s mercy in those who Politics seems to be laced with to bring healing. Jesus did not what is available in other sectors, bitter Passion. I am giving them open. I pour out a whole ocean claim to be followers of Jesus. And, harsh words. Confrontation break the crushed reed or quench why would we exist? the last hope of salvation; that is, of graces upon those souls who as we come out of lockdowns, we and criticism appear to be the the wavering flame. Poverty and The Novena and Feast of Divine the Feast of My Mercy. If they will approach the Fount of My Mercy. pray that we will be recognisable as preferred default position. It is disadvantage can damage how Mercy are not merely a pious not adore My Mercy, they will The soul that will go to Confession Jesus’ followers. very unfortunate when people of people see their own dignity and practice from 20th century Poland. perish for all eternity.” (Diary, and receive Holy Communion There is much hurt and much faith come across as being angry value. They emphasise a core element of 965) shall obtain complete forgiveness need of mercy. On the one side, the or dismissive of others. The ministry of mercy also the Gospel message. of sins and punishment”. (Diary, lockdown will leave scars that will The first ministry of mercy is the involves speaking up for those That message is perhaps more “Everything that exists has 699) last for many years. Loneliness and proclamation and celebration of who are left out by our systems needed in 2021 than it ever was. come forth from the very depths Bishop Donal to lead Creggan Divine Mercy Devotions merciful heart. Before the day of Fr Joe noted that God used the year, 1981. touch them and shine upon them. which lasted over 50 years, from justice, I am sending the day of people of her homeland of Poland “He saw that his pontificate was These rays warm them, show them 1969. The message of mercy is so mercy’. to bring the message into the light the means by which the message the way and fill them with hope. necessary for healing the wounds “Later in her visions and through their petitioning of the would go to the whole world, The simple act of trust, Jesus I trust of this conflict and violence. This allocutions, the main message young Archbishop of Krakow, ‘Right from the beginning of in You, dispels the clouds of doubt message is important for victims given by Jesus to Faustina is to Karol Wojtyla. ministry in St Peter’s See in Rome, I and despair and allows a light of and perpetrators. trust in His mercy. This message is He continued: “In their petitions, considered this message my special hope to penetrate every life”. Living with the pain of the written at the base of every image they told of the many graces and task. Providence has assigned it to Pope John Paul II providentially past takes its toll on the physical, of the Divine Mercy today. On that blessings they received through me in the present situation of Man, died on the Vigil of the Feast of psychological, spiritual and BISHOP Donal will be leading image, we read the words ‘Jesus I the message of Divine Mercy. The the Church and the World. It could Divine Mercy on April 2, 2005. emotional lives of many people; the Divine Mercy Devotions trust in You’. message of Divine Mercy was be said precisely this situation “The message of Divine Mercy victims and perpetrators. It in St Mary’s Church, Creggan, “Sr Faustina said that we need to being promoted through the faith assigned that message to me as my is so important for our parish, wounds souls. The image, message on Sunday, April 11, the Feast be healed of the distorted image we of the laity who truly valued it. It is task before God’.” city, country and our world,” and Devotion to Divine Mercy of Divine Mercy, with Fr Joe have of God. This distorted image the laity from then until now who The first Saint of the new remarked Fr Joe, adding: “Our have led many in our parish, and Gormley, parish priest, and Fr arises as a result of our sins, which are the biggest promotors of the millennium canonised by St John parish was at the epicentre of the world, to rediscover the face of Daniel McFaul, curate. causes us to run from Him and message”. Paul II was St Faustina, in the political violence and conflict God as loving and merciful”. Starting at 3 pm, the ceremony not trust Him. That is why Jesus In 1965, Archbishop Wojtyla of 2000, which was to can be viewed over the church asked Faustina to have this Image began Sr Faustina’s process for be a Jubilee Year of Mercy. webcam, and will include the painted. In the image, Jesus is love Beatification and Canonisation, Fr Joe noted: “At the canonization blessing of statues of Pope St John and mercy itself. In the image Jesus and on April 15, 1978, Pope St of St Faustina on the first Sunday Paul II and St Faustina by Bishop is pleading with us to trust Him as Paul VI approved the devotion after Easter, which, that year was Donal. He is the love and mercy of God in to the Divine Mercy. Just over six April 30, 2000, he declared that, The statues of these two saints, human form”. months later, the Bishop who had from then on, that Sunday was to who are central to the message of He added: “Sr Faustina tells us in acceded to the requests of the Laity be called Divine Mercy Sunday. He Divine Mercy, fittingly stand in the her Diary that she had a certainty was to become Pope John Paul II wanted all people to discover the Divine Mercy Chapel which was that her mission of mercy would in October 1979. true face of God which overcomes completed in 2018 as part of the continue after her death. She “St John Paul II believed that it the distorted image of God, that 60th anniversary celebrations for would be used by God to draw was his task to proclaim mercy,” is, the God of retribution, coming St Mary’s Church. doubting souls to God to convince remarked Fr Joe, adding: “He from original and personal sin. Fr Joe remarked: “In her visions them of His mercy and goodness. spoke of this on his first visit after “He wanted to show that the and allocutions, St Faustina heard Then, they will no longer continue his convalescence from the attempt message of God’s mercy was Jesus speak to her saying, ‘In the to wound Jesus’ heart, but would on his life on May 13, 1981, the addressed above all to those Old Covenant I sent prophets console His heart by trusting in Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. He afflicted by a harsh trial. It was for wielding thunderbolts to My His love and mercy. The world, had undertaken to read the whole those crushed by the weight of the people. Today I am sending you by trusting in his love and mercy, diary of St Faustina during his sins they have committed. It was with my Mercy to the people of would be prepared for the Lord’s convalescence and spoke these for those who lose all confidence the whole world. I do not want second coming”. words at the Shrine of Merciful in life and are tempted to despair. to punish aching mankind, but I The new statue of Pope St John Paul Not allowing His message to love in Collevallenza, in Italy, on To them, the gentle face of Christ is desire to heal it pressing it to my The new statue of St Faustina in the II in the Divine Mercy Chapel, within disappear after St Faustina’s death, the Feast of Christ the King in that offered, whose rays from his heart Divine Mercy Chapel, Creggan. St Mary’s Church, Creggan THE NET | APRIL 2021 25

Put your trust in Jesus by Rose Ann O’Donnell anything; I am always with you”. the Word of God, it is like water Jesus asks everyone to have flowing into our souls. child-like trust. That is why we Next, she said that the Word of have “Jesus I trust in You” as the God is alive and active; it is a two- signature on the Divine Mercy edged sword and very powerful. image. She said that Fr Kevin Scallon used to pray, “Lord, Your Word is How do we grow in Divine Faith? always new - refresh me with it”. Sr Briege asked the question, She went on to describe an “How do we grow in Divine event which occurred while Fr Faith?” She said that it is hard to Kevin was speaking about the have a living faith in Jesus if we transformative power of the Word Sr Briege McKenna. don’t know Him. of God. While he was preaching, THE 30th annual Dublin- To answer her own question, a blind person stood up and told based Divine Mercy National she began by addressing parents, Fr Kevin and the congregation that Conference was held free online saying that they can nurture faith he could see. due to the continued Covid-19 through prayer and Scripture. On another occasion, Fr Kevin restrictions, with some excellent Children trust so much, she said, forgot his notes. He was bothered speakers who addressed the and believe in what their parents about it but, as he got up to preach, theme, ‘For yours is the Kingdom, tell them. She spoke of using he prayed, “Lord, You have to Fr Brendan Walsh and Deacon Don Devaney during the National Divine Mercy Conference. the Power and the Glory forever stories to get the message of Faith speak through me”. Afterwards, was in a large hospital. There was was not called to a house of prayer etc, but the body of the church will and ever. Amen’. (Mt 6:13) across to children. a man came to speak to him and a man in the front pew, and when and she was at peace with her last till the end of time. Have faith One of the guest speakers was Sr Briege then went on to told Fr Kevin that God had spoken she went in, he turned around, decision to decline the invitation. and trust. All things work together Sr Briege McKenna, who is well- describe some sound and useful powerfully through Fr Kevin, so said, “Sr Briege” and started to cry. Sr Briege used this anecdote to for those who love the Lord. known in Ireland and throughout ways to grow in faith: much so that the man went to He then asked her, “How did you emphasise how important it is to the world for her ministry to 1. Pray. Our strength is in our confession that day for the first know?” ask for light to know the Will of ‘Trust in My Goodness’ priests and the gift of healing. The prayer, which opens our souls to time in 30 years. The man was a priest, an English- God and not to rely on human In paragraph 2548 of the Diary main focus of her talk was on faith the grace of God. We don’t need Sr Briege said that it may be speaking missionary, who told Sr judgement - something which is of St Faustina, Jesus told Faustina, and trust in God, no matter the faith in the here-and-now, but in only one line that is needed in Briege that he had written a letter good in itself might not be in God’s “My Daughter, your duty will circumstances. Eternity – “no eye has seen, nor order to have a powerful effect. to his Bishop telling him that he plan for you. be to trust completely in My ear heard, nor the human heart For example, she referred to a was leaving the priesthood. The She also said that we must not Goodness”. Sr Briege added that Divine Faith v Human Faith conceived, what God has prepared priest who, she says, is not a gifted priest had wanted very much to allow other people to influence we should pray to the Holy Spirit, Sr Briege opened with reference for those who love him”. homilist, but who sometimes talk to Sr Briege, but his duties as us in decision-making and she who animates and strengthens our to the Gospel of St John (Jn 20: 24- Sr Briege used the metaphor of a speaks ‘one-liners’ through which hospital chaplain had prevented advised that we pray for the gift of faith. 29), in which Thomas the Apostle GPS, to describe the power of the people are converted. him from going to see her. The knowledge, and for wisdom to be She observed that people are is invited, by Jesus, to place his Sacraments to keep us on the route previous night, he had come into able to make good decisions. She afraid in all situations. “We have finger in the wounds of the Risen to Heaven. She said that Jesus To be a ‘Fool for Christ’ the chapel and asked the Lord to added, almost as an after-thought, the pandemic”, she said, by way of Christ. Thomas had seen Jesus gives us a spiritual GPS to keep Sr Briege then added two send Sr Briege to him. He also left that the Belgian house of prayer example, adding that fear is useless dead and buried, and he was us right - namely, a life of prayer impressive stories about herself, his letter by the Tabernacle. did not last. and that it is “satan’s tool”. She trying to believe that the Lord was and the Sacraments. Sometimes, prefacing them with the comment In the morning, Sr Briege had Sr Briege referred to the letter quoted Padre Pio, who famously alive. Sr Briege reminded us that though, we get distracted by the that sometimes we have to be received the prompt to go to the to the Ephesians in which we are said, ‘Pray hope and don’t worry’, “faith is not a feeling” and that we world, we get off the route and willing to just ‘step out’. priest’s chapel and now she was exhorted to put on the armour of adding a prayer to the Holy Spirit should base our decisions on faith go around in a circle because we hearing his story and praying with God. We have to protect ourselves – “Holy Spirit, give me the grace, in God (‘Divine Faith’), rather have set aside Jesus and His GPS. ‘How did you know?’ him. The priest was ‘completely against human wisdom, she said, courage and charisms that I need than on what we are told by other People can end up completely First, she spoke of a visit to South transformed’. and if we don’t pray faith dies. to counteract satan’s tactics”. people (‘human faith’). confused if they are not guided by America, during which she was Sr Briege related the incident She gave thanks to God for the Sr Briege closed her talk with She gave the example of prayer and the Sacraments. to go from Santiago to another as a way of demonstrating that, faith of the Irish and spoke of a prayer for all listening and a governments which operate by Sr Briege also quoted Fr John location, to give a talk. A priest sometimes, human wisdom is the faith of St Patrick, and of the reminder not to “over-trust” human faith. Of course, every Harding, who said that we have was to drive her there. On the not the best guide, and that the Founding Fathers of America, and people, but to place our faith in country needs laws to protect lost our faith in the Eucharist. She morning of the talk, Sr Briege was Lord has His ways of reaching us, their relationship with Jesus. She Jesus. its people physically, eg traffic referred to the Diary, in which we in the Adoration Chapel when she even though they sometimes seem said that there must be no false She also reminded us to go to the laws. However, God’s laws exist read that Jesus told St Faustina, had a sense that she was to go to unusual and even improbable. gods. Eucharist, and if we can’t receive to protect our souls, and many “people treat me like a dead another church. She asked the Him spiritually to make an act of countries have laws which are not object”. Sr Briege encouraged those priest, who was to act as her driver Pray for wisdom Church Unity Spiritual Communion. Finally, Sr compatible with those divine laws. listening to pray for the gift of faith that day, to bring her to the other In another anecdote, Sr Briege Sr Briege described the Church Briege quoted Psalm 27 – “The and for the courage to step out, no church. The priest said that it was said that people will sometimes ask as a ship. She said that Jesus sent Lord is my light and my salvation. Fear Nothing matter what. far out of their way, although he her to go here or there, or to give a the Apostles out in a ‘big ship’, Whom shall I fear?” Sr Briege went on to say that the 2. Sacred Scripture. Sr Briege was willing to bring her there. talk in one place or another. On namely the church, at Pentecost. soul is like a Tabernacle where used some vivid imagery to On the way to the other church, one occasion, Cardinal Suenens, However, some people were not Sr Briege can be contacted Jesus lives through baptism. describe the power of reading the Sr Briege was wondering whether and a lady called Veronica O’Brien, happy with the ship, so they took via her website and the full talk The more we grow in Faith and Word of God in Scripture, or of she had just imagined it, but asked her to go to Belgium, where rafts and jumped off. There are can be viewed on YouTube: the more we relate to Jesus, the hearing it spoken. she went ahead. She said that they had great plans for a House of thousands of little boats in the https://www.youtube.com/ more we allow Him to influence First, she said that the Word of sometimes you have to risk being Prayer. Sr Briege acknowledged sea, she said, and that what we, watch?v=3A2VlG6mqTE everything that we do. The Diary God is like water and that our eyes a fool for Jesus: “He never makes that the idea was a good one, but as Catholics, are praying for in The other speakers included Fr of St Faustina is full of calls to put are like the windows of our soul. a mistake, but a person can get it she prayed to know the Will of Church Unity week is that they all Columba Jordan CFR, Fr Eunan your trust in Jesus. When we look at things that are wrong and, if you don’t take the God in relation to their invitation. come back to the main ship. Mc Donnell, Fr Hayden Williams St Faustina had anxieties, not wholesome, it leads us into chance, you’ll never know”. St She discerned, very clearly that she We have had bad bishops, popes, OFM Cap, and Fr Brendan Walsh. but Jesus told her, “Do not fear all kinds of sin but, when we read Briege went into the church, which 26 THE NET | APRIL 2021

The First Easter Morning by Fr Stephen Quinn OCD NE can easily picture that early Sunday corner. Of the body that they had placed in there so carefully three morning all those many years ago, the days before, there was absolutely whole city is wrapped in silence and the nothing. It was gone like a puff of earlyO morning darkness. A sort of stupor lies thick smoke and, like a puff of smoke, in the air after the great festival of Passover. There probably would not be found again. is hardly a candle burning in a window at that early Their minds naturally turned hour. to the worst possible scenario; an enemy had done this, his Except for one small house They walk along His way of unfriendly hand reaching inside where there are the first stirrings sorrows as He carried His great and desecrating even the final of life. Behind a firmly shut weight out of the city to the place resting place of their friend, “could wooden door, some purposeful of execution. Bits and pieces of they leave him nothing at all even women are busy about their tasks. His clothing and blood strew the this piece of stone-cold tomb?” One collects linen bandages, way ahead of them. They quickly Shocked out of all knowing, they garments, and other assorted come to the place of execution, face the horror. We can wonder clothes, while another puts spices where the old stump remains did they, at that moment, feel the into jars, and yet another holds a standing upright, His blood first rays of the rising sun as it bucket filled with soap and water. remains ingrained on it, and the came up in the east behind them? They are about to do for their stench of death lies heavy over the Did they see the darkness of the loved one what millions have whole place. world around them being put to sought to do over the years, to The women pull their veils flight? Given the trauma of the give their beloved friend this last further down over their eyes, last few days, it is very unlikely measure of their devotion to him, trying to keep their bitter that they saw anything beyond trying to make his body look at memories as far away as possible. the immediately obvious! They least seemly in death as it had not Pushing on from that place of the only gradually became aware looked in the last few moments of skull, they at last come in sight of that somewhere behind them life. Once they had done that task, their destination; a small garden there was something or someone they could then try to close the outside the city in which a newly moving around. Given the sounds door on this chapter of their lives. hewn tomb is situated. In that of life, they probably dismissed They put on long veils and tomb they had hastily placed His it as being a gardener about his pull them low down over their body, just before the Passover was business early in the morning. faces. Then one of them ever so to begin. Their immediate priority has not tentatively opens the door, trying As they arrive at the garden gate, changed: to find the cold dead not to make the slightest sound they stop to take a breath. They body of the one who had been so as not to draw any attention to have managed to navigate a great forcibly taken from them. themselves or their purpose. The deal of the city without too much As the ‘someone’ stepped one who opens the door busily trouble but now maybe the worst forward and the step kept coming scans the dark street outside, task of all awaits, the cleaning and closer, it is only then that they are Rembrandt The Risen Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalen. attempting to take in every little arranging of a dead body is never forced to take any notice of this into the sanctuary of the Temple. “rising again.” There was that out a normal human life and then, detail. Her eyes peeled for the a pleasant business even at the someone. The sound of foot falls They had an awareness of the whole mysterious episode when at some stage, he was going to slightest movement, her ears best of times, never mind a victim are only a few paces away from immediacy of the living God. He spoke of destroying the temple die again. No person or no force almost on stalks waiting for the of a crucifixion. They have to them when they are finally forced and, in three days, raising it again. upon this troubled planet is ever faintest sound. Not a creature is wash His body marked so gravely to turn and face the oncoming Worship Funny thing about that saying is going to lay its irreverent hands stirring in the street, so she quickly by His suffering, anoint it with figure. Like most people, their Their growing impression is that this Sunday morning is now on this Jesus who has come out beckons her companions out. their sweet ointments and spices eyesight acclimatised to the that they just have to get down the third day since the death. Is of the tomb. A new existence is One by one they file out into in attempting to hold off decay person by going from generic on their knees and worship the the temple that Jesus was actually born from the empty tomb of that street. For one moment they for as long as possible, and then detail to specifics. They first of all glory of God on that face. They talking about actually what is now Jesus Christ. The One who has take stock of all that they have wrap Him in a bright new linen noticed from his size and physique remain completely mystified as to standing in front of them? Is this come out of the tomb will never in their hands and one of them winding sheet. Once they had that he is a man, who seemed to be what is in front of them. It is only living Jesus now the new temple, die again. whispers to the others, “Ready?” those chores carried out, then all wrapped in a tunic and clothing of when the figure spoke that the and the new focus of worshipping The normal human rhythm of The group nod their affirmation that would be left to do would be a normal man, and that he had an flicker of real recognition came God? living and dying, no longer applies and, without a further word, they to close the stone door and weep energetic and vigorous step that over them. The figure of a man They, of course, could not forget to Him at all. He lives another scurry away at a fast rate, keeping for what they had lost. kept coming, and yet, all the time, spoke one word, a name: “Mary”. what had happened in Bethany, life. In the womb of the virgin, close to the walls, going from one they felt there was something that A familiar voice, a voice they had when Lazarus came out of the the divine had united itself to shadow to the next. Garden they recognised. heard so many times before, a tomb and Jesus’ commentary humanity in the person of Jesus Their whole-body language As they make their way into et, for all this inspiration that voice that had pronounced the upon it, that Jesus Himself was Christ. On the cross, divinity and activity screams of anxiety the garden, they find nothing they had seen him before, there greatest words that they had ever the Resurrection and the life. had loved humanity to wellness, and fear, concerned not to be as they expected it to be. They is something very different about heard, and a voice that they had Their minds are swimming with removing the marks that had spotted by some malicious eye had been warned that a troop him, something vibrant and not laughed and joked with on so every word and little detail. It so deformed human existence and some enemy hand getting in of guards had been posted, but to mention beautiful. They just many intimate occasions. That is a moment of sensory and from the beginning. Now, in their way. As they go, there is not when they stepped into the assume that it is the gardener and voice is now speaking to them. intellectual overload. It is all too the Resurrection, Christ draws as much as a whisper between garden there was not a sign of thought that it would be a good But wait a moment that voice much at once. humanity away from its creaturely them. The faintest hint of activity anyone. It was as if the posse had opportunity to quiz him about couldn’t possibly be speaking now. The whole Church isanchorage in this world to an brings their journey to a halt and been scattered somehow. There the tomb. As they continued to It had been finally silenced with a mysteriously joined to that eternal existence, to a life shared they stand stock still waiting for was no sign that they had been look at him, there is definitely guttural cry from the cross. That moment. We have collectively with the Blessed Three Persons of it to pass. Then they scurry on, there at all now. Once they have something captivating about this voice was dead and gone. He was been trying to grasp that moment God. by careful footwork they make comprehended that mystery, it man. It is his face that most strikes dead and gone with it. How could ever since. Mary’s mind swims In the Resurrection of Jesus, it all the way to the city gate. dawns on them that their enemy’s them; there is something about this be happening now? Several with our questions and we swim that life of God is now our life as There, they are forced to give disappearance has left them at it, a beauty that goes beyond skin of the women feel like pinching in her experience. She knew that well, and each of us that believe an explanation for their activity some disadvantage, how on earth deep. If they had been on the themselves to see if this is real. All what is before her very eyes is in what the women saw that at that hour, their hearts are in are they going to move that great mountain with the three disciples of a sudden, the light that shone so much more than a figment of morning are called to share it. A their mouths as they expect to stone door? that time of His transfiguration, from his face starts to dawn inside her overactive imagination, the whole new future has dawned be recognised and abused, but Hardly had that thought they would have had some of them. All the words that He fabrication of the ancients, or because of the Risen One. The the guard simply grunts out his entered their heads when they are reference point. There is a human had spoken about Himself start to religious people getting carried whole moment is caught very well indifference, waving them on, thunderstuck by what their eyes face, but there is more to it than come thick and fast. away. What she could see, hear, by the Magdalene, who fell to her thinking to himself, “What can beheld! The tomb door lay tossed human. The face almost vibrates There were those times in and almost reach out and touch knees and adored her “Rabboni” a few women do after all?” Once to one side as if some tremendous with life and light. It is as radiant which He had warned that He is something that puts the whole or “Master”. What is left for her to they have navigated their way out force had picked it up and threw as the rising sun and, as they look, was destined to be rejected by Lazarus experience into a shade. do but to surrender to the power of the gate, a sad realisation comes it out of its way. They rush to the the face increasingly strikes them the people, that He would be put Lazarus had been resuscitated of the One who mastered death? to them; they are retracing the empty doorway and they find with awe and wonder. As if they to death and that He would do by the Lord’s mysterious healing What is there left for any of us to steps that their friend had taken only a few rags lying on the floor had stepped onto holy ground or something mysteriously called power. Lazarus was going to live do? three days earlier. and a shroud folded up in the THE NET | APRIL 2021 27 This Easter let us be messengers of hope wherever hope is lost – Bishop Donal WELCOMING the return Jesus invites us to believe that how important public worship is. come back to parishes. Pope Francis also stresses of congregations, though still death and despair can never have Yet many are still very cautious It has been a lonely period and the dignity of work and that restricted in number, with the re- the final say for our world. This about coming out of their house or people will want to gather. It is up being a father means accepting opening of churches for public Easter asks us to be messengers gathering. For lots of people, the to us, during lockdown, to engage responsibility for his children. worship in , of hope. I pray that we can all be on-line access is enough at present with them so that church is one of He underlines that children often Bishop Donal highlights the leaven in our society by bringing and it will take a huge pastoral the places they most want to come seem orphans, lacking fathers. message of hope that Easter Good News wherever others think effort to encourage them back to back to! This is an uncomfortable truth for brings and offers reassurance that hope is lost. church over the next months. many today. to parishioners in Co Donegal Jesus has risen and Resurrection It was great to be able to celebrate Year of ‘Amoris Laetitia Family’ Similarly, five years after the that their day to return to public is offered to those who are not the great events of Holy Week with and St Joseph... publication of ‘Amoris Laetitia’, worship will come. frightened to accept it! That is why God’s holy people. ‘Liturgy’ comes Family has meant many things Pope Francis encourages the He also reflects on this special we are an Alleluia people. from the Greek word ‘leitourgia’, in history. But it has always been church to celebrate love and family. Year of St Joseph and the Family meaning ‘the work of the people’. central to social stability. One That is a challenge to us in that and how the life story of one of Return to public worship, Liturgy without people loses part of the problems created by our families need support and young Derry’s daughters is impacting on remembering our Donegal of it meaning. modern consumerist culture is people benefit from knowing people around the City, Diocese parishes... The situation is different in the that family can mean pretty well the challenge of dreaming of But St Clare’s life is well known to and world, with her home parish This has been a very difficult Co Donegal part of the diocese. I what someone decides it means faithful committed Christian many and well documented. preparing to mark the fifth period for both laity and clergy. do not accept that there is an anti- for them. love. Marriage is not easy. But it The celebrations surrounding anniversary of Sr Clare Crockett’s It may take some time for us to Catholic plot going on. Indeed, Thus, Pope Francis hasprovides a stable context for adults the fifth anniversary of her death death this month with a week-long recognise the damage done by those who know history would tell encouraged us to celebrate a Year and children to grow in their will provide an opportunity for retreat. the lockdowns in general and the us that any attempt at persecution of St Joseph, 150 years after St ability to love generously. many to recall her memory, thank closure of churches in particular. never wins! The situation in Joseph was designated as Patron God for her life and witness, and An Easter Message... It was clear from the first Europe in general is very difficult of the Universal Church. In Remembering Sr Clare ask for her prayers for this diocese, The Easter message is centred on public Masses on March 26 that as regards lockdowns. his letter Patris Corde (With a Crockett... and especially for its young people. the Resurrection of Jesus. This year, many parishioners were painfully All I can do is reassure those in father’s heart), the Holy Father has The life and death of Sr Clare Sr Clare is seen by many as a in particular, we are challenged to missing access to Mass and the our Donegal parishes that their underlined the role of Joseph as a Crockett has had a huge effect courageous example of what God see what Resurrection means for a sacraments. The flood of people time will come, and that they beloved, tender obedient father, a worldwide and especially in her can do, and an inspiration to allow society coming out of lockdowns seeking tickets for the Holy Week may be very pleasantly surprised creatively courageous father and native Derry. Saints can often be God to do more great things in our and facing a very uncertain future. and Easter ceremonies showed just by how many people will want to an example of love. gilded by the passage of the years. day. We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song – Bishop Donal reflects on priestly ministry role of today in lead up to... Bishop Donal whether we are prepared to let him a theology that will reflect what St “Young people,” he added, Good Shepherd Sunday prune away those attitudes that do Paul said, that Jesus was reconciling “hunger for heroes who will inspire not serve his mission of mercy. the world to Himself. He has them to engage with fixing real ON the Fourth Sunday of Easter, and He set himself to teach them. “Our first question in Church given us the message that they are problems. They want to believe we celebrate Vocations Sunday. That is strong teaching on is not whether we can get back to reconciled. We are ambassadors that Resurrection is possible for In this time of great uncertainty, priesthood. It is important that we exercising our rights to worship for Christ’s reconciliation, not for how we structure our society. Do we are challenged to clarify what do not just look backward in order as we want. The shock of the his vengeance (Cf 2 Cor 5:19-20). we have civic leaders who will the role of priestly ministry is to discover what Jesus wants from Resurrection asks whether we It was the loving hearts of women tell them that this is possible? Or in the modern Irish Church. His ordained ministers today. We are open to being reborn as who first encountered the news of do they have to believe that we The assumptions have certainly can learn from the experience of missionaries of the 21st century. the Risen Lord. A church based on are stuck with a world where too changed since I was ordained in the past, but we can also be open Others need of good news is more too much theological testosterone many of their age group are dying 1977! to a developing language, just as important than any desire we will be seriously deficient”. from dope and despair? The language that we use about the Church has been open in every might have for spiritual cosiness. “Jesus proclaims that sin is priesthood is important. Do century. A self-obsessed church is not the Rebuild not the ultimate winner and that we ‘recover strong teaching on But it is important that we Church of the Risen Lord”. Noting that the message of divine mercy is available in floods. priesthood’? Or do we allow God have a strong teaching on the Bishop Donal went on to Resurrection is directed to the Christ’s message is that there is to reveal a new strong teaching prophetic ministry of the ordained say: “We all know that this is a whole of society, Bishop Donal evil - and that it can be defeated. on priesthood for this generation minsters in a society that is time of huge change for Christ’s continued: “Jesus says that That struggle will cost. But love in Ireland. There may well be increasingly pickled in the dogmas Church. And there is a theology Resurrection is possible from the changes everything. Politics and different emphases in Africa and of secularism. It will not be an Latin America. But Christ wants to easy ministry. But, then, did the IN his Easter Sunday homily, which arises in times of crisis. It imposed and self-imposed moves economics without resurrection speak into the heart of the modern Jesus of Calvary call people to a Bishop Donal reflected on what says that we are heading towards towards isolation. Just because we will leave us permanently stuck at Irish Church. comfortable, conformist model of the Resurrection of Jesus might an apocalyptic clash between have got more used to living at Good Friday”. Jesus was the shepherd of His ministry? “say to us today as we slowly peep the forces of good and evil. But a distance from others does not Stating that this Easter we small band of male and female I hope and pray that we can out from under the heavy stone of Easter’s message makes me very mean that we should prefer to stay “celebrate our belief that we are disciples. He knew them by name, proclaim the call of Jesus to lockdown and fear?” uncomfortable with that theology. prisoners of on-line entertainment not trapped in a dark world of and they followed Him. Jesus, generous discipleship, not just Highlighting that the “It is right to say that every and delivery services. Part of our Good Friday betrayal and pain, when He looked at the crowd, saw on Good Shepherd Sunday but Resurrection did not signal “a civilisation ultimately dies desire to get back to worshipping or of Holy Saturday emptiness”, them as sheep without a shepherd throughout the year. return to the way things were by suicide. A strong culture in church is the conviction that Bishop Donal remarked: “Our before Good Friday”, he pointed becomes fragmented and insipid we need to be together if we are to community is blessed with people out: “It was still Jesus – but He had without shared values that hold rebuild community and society. who have known resurrection Nine days of prayer for vocations changed. The Jesus flogged, nailed community together. Ultimately, “And we can do better than from addiction, or from bitterness and pierced was now raised in western consumerist culture will binging on superficial socialising. about the past, or from the scars of THE annual time of prayer for On the evenings of Monday, glory”. be its own worst enemy. But For example, many young people abuse. Their lives tell us that we are vocations in the Diocese will get April 19 to Friday, April 23, “This Easter,” he added, “Jesus the risen Jesus is not so much are stuck under the oppressive not trapped by yesterday. underway on Saturday, April 17 Bishop Donal will host a series asks us all whether we are open to focused on gloating at the defeat rock that says they should not “This Easter day, we celebrate and conclude on Good Shepherd of interviews with guests from a dream of a different future after of his enemies as on proclaiming dream of better than partying and Christ’s Resurrection and the Sunday, April 25. throughout the diocese, discussing all that we have died to over the healing for the world. That will be fear of maturing. Their desire for unimaginable power of God’s love This year’s theme is based on how they have answered God’s last 12 months. And Jesus poses his message to the apostles. They beauty in their lives is squashed to renew the face of the earth. Like Pope Francis’ recent publication call to vocation. These 20 minute that question first and foremost to should go and make disciples of by the expectation that throwaway the women and apostles, we are for the Year of St Joseph, ‘Patris interviews will be broadcast live the Church. Are we ready for an all nations including, and perhaps relationships are the best you can asked whether we dare to believe Corde’ (‘With a Father’s Heart’). online at 7 pm, followed by a uncomfortable Resurrection? Are especially, those who opposed expect. It says little for their dignity this unimaginable hope. That People are encouraged to broadcast of the celebration of the we ready to meet Jesus is a new him. The whole mission of Jesus when the cultural message tells faith is the Rock on which Jesus participate in the schedule of Daily Examen. way? was directed towards defeating the them that human relationships will build his Church. That is the daily prayer and Mass, as well At 8 pm, after evening Mass, “Like the apostles, we think Kingdom of Satan. But He wanted for normal people are based on Rock on which the Alleluia people as devotional reflections based Bishop Donal will lead the Rosary that we know Jesus and can to win His opponents for eternal the law of the jungle. They are not stand. Jesus is Risen and His grace on the Angelus, Daily Examen before concluding with night manage His expectations. But He life. helped by poor example coming enables Resurrection in every and the Mysteries of the Rosary. prayer. The live broadcasts can be will ask us whether, during the “Jesus wants us to move away from leaders at all levels in society. generation. That is why we are the These resources will be available viewed at derrydiocese.org and lockdowns, we have been able to from the desire for victory that Bad example of any sort is a sign of Easter people and Alleluia is our online at derrydiocese.org and derryvocations.org. die to shrivelled parts of ourselves, nailed Him to the Cross and adopt bad leadership”. s o n g ”. derryvocations.org. 28 THE NET | APRIL 2021

Exploring Dunree by Vera McFadden stone slabs. The decorated clay ceallurach. pot was an example of one of their My old friend showed me where skills. my ancestors, whom he called Hugh McGrory found some ‘gentle giants’ had lived, just beside Bronze Age pins when part of the the cill. It had been part of their Dunree sand dunes were eroded. farm. Generations ago, they had He believed that they worked at swopped farms with his ancestors. Cruineara Buidhe, a high area on Though he knew the position of Dunree Hill which overlooks the the ancient church, he did not green. These people had come to know its period. Recently local Ireland to look for copper. They archaeologist, John Hegarty and must have found some here. It the Bernician Studies Group used can be found in quartz crystals. geophysics and established that it For some reason they considered belonged to the fifth century. quartz a special drone and it That was the time that St Patrick also was placed in the graves. was evangelising, baptising, and The Bronze Age people who are ordaining. Sometimes he left buried here may have lived at Port priests in charge of a church he had a Crannoige, near Dunree. This founded; other times they founded crannog was mentioned on maps their own. One man who had been but no longer exists. There are also ordained by Patrick was called Bronze Age burials and signs of Mahee, and he then founded a little their activity in other parts of the church on an island in Strangford parish. Lough. Many years later, a DUNREE is in the parish of with my mother and she told me to take photographs and gather and the adjoining area across monastery was founded here on Desertegney (Diseart Eygnigh that the Danes had once come more material, and a retired the river are connected and, yet, Burial the part known as An Aon Druim. - Egmey’s Hermitage), in Co here, and that they had made wine sergeant assisted me in this work. sometimes contrasting. Both have Dunree townland has several It was well-known but its site was Donegal. It is called after St Egney. from heather berries. She pointed I already had one very interesting sacred areas. That little rise on the burial sites. One is marked by a entirely forgotten, perhaps because I wanted to know more about this over to the Urris Hills above photograph that I had discovered green was a Bronze Age barrow. Cairn of stones. It is on ‘Barney’s of careless pronunciation, for the saint and I got permission to look Portban. And, when I was six when browsing through the The pre-Christian Bronze Age Island’, a flat area above the bay. initial ‘A’ was being dropped and at an incredibly old martyrology years old, my parents brought me Lawrence collection in Dublin. It people believed in an afterlife and Traditionally, this was the grave of it was being called Nendruim. Its in the library of St Columb’s to the Fort for the ‘handover’. We showed a Martello tower above they left items in the graves for the a headless seaman. story was being included into that College, Derry. I could only find climbed a very long flight of steps. a rock face at the edge of the fort. deceased on their journeys. Cill Ard is an ancient church site of Antrim monastery. Fortunately, one Eigheach who was a son of These three memories were my This was no longer there and, even The archaeologist that explored on the landward side of Dunree. its own identity and position were Cucathrach. An archaeologist told basic introductions to the history though it would have been built the entrance of that barrow found The ground here was consecrated re-established when the stump of a me that he could not have been this of Dunree. Years later, I decided after the 1798 Rebellion, there was a Bronze Age pot. Fortunately, centuries ago and so there would round tower was discovered in the man’s son but, at least, it showed to make an in depth study of the no folk memory of it. the rest of it was left alone, for the have been burials here. In the under growth. that Eigheach was a real name and story of my mother’s parish. I got The book was in print before the local people have a great respect unhappy time of doctrinal error, So, place names are particularly not just taken from ‘Duice Eigne’, 12 inch ordnance survey maps museum opened. It was to prove a for ancient monuments. Quite grieving mothers made sure that important, but they can also which means ‘somebody’. from Dublin, explored the parish, source of providence twice. Once near the barrow, on a narrow their stillborn babies were buried be confusing if they are not My exploration of Dunree gathering lore and place names, I wished to visit Medjugorje, but I ledge, there are a few Bronze Age in consecrated ground and Cill pronounced properly or if they has been continuous since my and researched from books. Once, had no money to do so. I thought, cist graves, narrow and lined with Ard may have been used as a have several meanings. Cill childhood. As my mother had during my research, I was told to “If God wants me there, I’ll get grown up in the parish, we went contact a man who lived beside the money”. When I visited the there to spend our holidays with Dunree. He was a genius and knew museum, I found that my books our cousins. We always went to the all about the story of the whole had sold so well that I had my fare beach at Portban, and there we had parish. He was eager to pass on and accommodation and pocket a world of discovery, with the little this heritage. money. cave in the rock face, the squiggles I wrote the story of the Another time, I needed left by the sand eels, the pink parish twice; the first time in someone to put my garden in flowers on the shelves on Stuacan chronological order, the second order. A man was willing but then Rock, my grandfather’s ‘boat time townland by townland. Now I realised that I had not enough house’, the edible shellfish and I had to decide which was best. money to pay him and I could dulse, and the fertilising seaweed Then I was asked to join the not make an agreement with him which our mothers gathered. We working committee to work out until I had. The next morning, the were not allowed near the slippery ideas for the new military museum bookshop contacted me to order rocks. that was about to open. I realised Derry City books for the O’ level One day we met an old lady how simple it would be to write class. That provided most of the near a raised area on the green. I a book about the townland of gardener’s wages and I could afford remember her saying, “They found Dunree, including the fort, as the the rest. bones.” I remember coming up the notes were already there. I got Looking back, I realise that the green on the other side of the river permission from the commandant history and folklore of Dunree THE NET | APRIL 2021 29

Ard might seem to mean high – “There would be a pile of gold Decades later, I was invited to church, but these early churches on Dunree and a peck of gold at another handover. This time it were small, sometimes only big Dun Or a Dhith Orthu ”. Does was being changed from a military enough for the celebrant and the saying mean that the church fort to a military museum. Some the congregation stood outside. treasures were successfully hidden of the guests of honour were Was the church at Dunree called at Dunree and that the Vikings Bishop Edward Daly, Lucius and Cill Art, and perhaps founded had only a little? Or does it mean Kathleen Emerson, and President by a cleric called Art? A careful that there was a lot of the mineral Hillary, who cut the ribbon for the study of possible meanings can gold at Dunree and scarcely any at opening of the museum. There sometimes be rewarding. the other site? Gold can be found was the military band marching The local folklore is important in quartz. The saying may be in the and playing as they went. There too. One story tells that the little Annals, for I found several similar were the military exercises and church was attacked and rebuilt sentences in the old Book. One of trumpet blasts. There was the tasty several times and then a little bird them compared Fahan Mor and dinner in the marquee. began to remove the mortar and Fahan Beag. It has been a long time since fly inland. This bird story is also I sometimes wonder about the I was at Dunree or any part of told about other places where the Vikings. My old friend had called Desertegney. Once, on the Feast of site of the church was changed. my ancestors ‘gentle giants’. Had All the Saints of Ireland, I stopped The builders followed its direction some of the raiders stayed in the to pray and was very aware that and built it on the other site, which area and become Christians? some of my ancestors lie buried was probably Greenhill (Cre an While the name McLaughlin was there, and others further back at Chill – the soil of the church). This that of some Irish chiefs, it can also Greenhill. was a monastic church and, when mean ‘Son of the foreigner’. Star of the Sea guide me and the Celtic era passed, other monks, When I was six years old, all my Desertegney friends, and probably the Augustinians, we passed Cill Ard on our way everyone, in the Light of Your Son. worked here, and they had a through the fort for the ‘handover’. hostelry for people on a journey. The old man showed me the place where the stables had been. John Hegarty and the Bernician Studies group found evidence of a double bank and decided that there had been something important here, probably a monastic church. There had been one at An Aon Druim and it had been attacked by Vikings. Were the raiders at Dunree the Vikings? When my mother told me about them, she had pointed to the Urris Hills up above Portban. The old man told me about a possible ‘look out’ there and we marked it on the map. There was a traditional saying about it

“Do not be afraid” by Fr Joseph Varghese a fruitful harvest. Him increased more and more, this is the supreme season of believed. However, as we know Heaven, that is our guiding It seems appropriate then, and faith became stronger, and grace. We cannot allow fear and from Sacred Scriptures, many light in both our personal and that there should be a seamless the spirit was stirred; so that in worry to distract us from our followers encountered Jesus, our communal prayer. It gives transition from this heathen one day I said about a hundred Christian mission, but learn how including His beloved Peter, us the strength to fight against practice to that of one of our prayers, and in the night nearly to put our full trust in Christ Mary Magdalene, the disciples temptations and frees us from patron saints, St Brigid, who the same; so that I used even to Jesus, the risen Lord. on the road to Emmaus and all unnecessary worries and fears. built her monastery and church remain in the woods and in the Let us all take time to speak the disciples apart from Thomas, Easter gives us the joyful in Kildare. She continued the mountains; before daylight I with Jesus, tell Him our fears and although he did meet Jesus later. message that we are a custom of keeping the fire used to rise to prayer, through concerns, and ask Him to help us Many of us are like Thomas “Resurrection people”, so let us alight. For her and her nuns, snow, through frost, through to know of His presence to all of because we have doubts at times. live our lives in that light. This the fire represented the new rain, and I felt no harm; nor was us personally, through the power Thomas would not believe until means that we are not supposed light of Christianity, which had there any slothfulness in me, as I of the Holy Spirit. In our fear and he saw and actually touched the to lie buried in the tomb of our been brought to Ireland early now perceive, because the spirit weaknesses, Jesus comes to us in Sacred Wounds of Jesus. We can despair, discouragement, or in the fifth century. Today, St was then fervent within me” ways that we might not normally learn from Thomas that there is doubts. Instead, we are expected Fr Joseph Karukayil Varghese. Brigid’s fire is housed in a piece (Confessions §6). notice or understand. This is a no doubt whatsoever about the to live a joyful and peaceful life, THE Lord is truly Risen… of sculpture in Kildare Town St John Paull II says: “Do not time to really come to know that word of Our Lord Jesus. constantly experiencing the Alleluia. In such a turbulent Square. This perpetual flame is a abandon yourselves to despair. He is alive, and He is with each Let us consider the true living presence of the Risen Lord time, the need to hear the Easter symbol of hope, justice and peace We are the Easter people and one of us on our journey in these meaning of Easter. For all in all the events of our lives. message has never been greater. for Ireland and our world. hallelujah is our song.” As this difficult times. He will not desert Catholics, it is a reminder that We can’t allow ourselves to Easter is known as the Feast of Another important Irish legend pandemic hit our world, little us. He is our fortress. Jesus has overcome death and be entombed by despair, worry, Feasts. ‘Easter’ literally means recalls how St Patrick, by lighting more than a year ago, Pope Let us consider the first Easter. sin. Undoubtedly, this is a victory doubt, pain, tension and strife. ‘the feast of fresh flowers’, as it the Paschal Fire on Ireland’s Francis implored us: “Do not How did the Apostles and the of good over evil. While that first In our lives, we need to be aware falls in the spring season when Royal Hill of Tara, challenged be afraid we are all in the same friends and followers of Jesus Easter was one like no other, we of the presence of the Risen Lord nature awakens and flowers the pagan practice used by the boat.” feel? Yes, they were confused should always remember that the with us. Our lives should radiate bloom again. Irish king to be the first to light Jesus has risen! He has truly and afraid, but imagine how words of Jesus are as important the effect of the Risen Lord upon As you are all aware, I have been a pagan fire on this Royal Site at risen! Death has no power over overwhelming the feeling of joy and significant today as they were us. We are called to be transparent working in the North of Ireland the time of the spring full moon. us anymore. Jesus has redeemed and hope must have been for the almost 2,000 years ago, “Peace, I Christians, exhibiting to others since 2010 and during that time When St Patrick came to Ireland, the world. women who went to the tomb am with you. Do not be afraid.” the love, mercy, compassion and I have become aware of many of he became aware of the state of Stop and think! Evaluate this of Jesus, to anoint his body, to Easter is a feast which gives us spirit of self-sacrificing service the Irish customs and traditions. his soul and converted, finding past year and the turmoil of the be told by the Angels, “He is not fresh hope and encouragement that goes with being a follower of In pre-Christian times, it was new life from God. He became a situation around us. When we here. Why are you looking here?” in this world of sadness, pain, the Risen Jesus. We must share traditional for druidesses to man of deep prayer. are being attacked by all types The women may well have sorrows and tears. We are in the power of the Risen Lord as burn a perpetual fire in Kildare, Again, in his Confessions we of fear, spiritual, emotional and come to understand the reminded that life is worth we experience the blessing of the where one of the most famous read: “After I had come to Ireland mental, fear of failure, rejection, significance of this quicker than living. It is our belief in the Real Easter season. Irish goddesses, Bridgit, was I daily used to feed cattle, and I criticism and pain, we must the Apostles because when they Presence of the Risen Jesus in May the Risen Lord bless and worshipped and petitioned to prayed frequently during the day; remember the inspirational raced from the tomb to tell them our souls, in His Church, in protect us all. protect their animals and provide the love of God and the fear of words of Pope Francis and that that Jesus had risen, they were not the Blessed Sacrament and in 30 THE NET | APRIL 2021

Sundays after Easter Preparing for the Holy Spirit by Fr Johnny Doherty, CSsR OVER the past number of years into what we need to take on in in every community; the changes of all I have said.” Over the past community? For many it quite We have the privileged task of many things have happened that order to be open to being filled that Covid-19 have imposed on number of years we have become possibly means very little. And yet continuing to lay this foundation could knock the heart out of us again and again with the Spirit of our world and how we live life post aware of the human frailty of it has vital significance. through the Eucharist each week, as the Church. There is a great God. the virus. Now is the time to live the Church, often to the point We take it for granted that there in which we have the Word of drop in the number of vocations our Christian faith. of keeping our heads down and will always be priests to serve us God to call and guide us and to the priesthood and religious Easter Sunday: April 4 hoping that the trauma will go with the Eucharist and the other the Eucharist to strengthen and life. Young people seem to reject We rejoice and are glad Easter 2: April 11 away. And we have every reason Sacraments; and religious to take compel us forward in hope. us more and more. Scandals keep People today are very reluctant My Lord and my God for being ashamed and afraid and the initiative in our social needs. Now that the restrictions are hitting the headlines which make to get involved with things in Jesus said: “Peace be with you. As even, at times, resentful. Recent years have provided us with being lifted, it is important to many people embarrassed about the community and in society, the Father sent me, so am I sending But, we also have a great a very different reality and a very celebrate the Eucharist as a being Catholics. Issues have been especially on a voluntary basis. Yet you.” We are all very familiar with responsibility to witness boldly to new challenge. In our response to community as much as possible brought forward in the Church our following of Christ is about the idea of peace processes – here, Jesus, who has risen from the dead Christ the Good Shepherd, we are and as a family. Online celebrations that makes a life of faith difficult getting involved and not counting in the North of Ireland, in the and is alive in us as His Church. We all called to make our homes places have been such a gift through the for many. It all seems endless, and the cost. In the Acts of the Apostles Middle East, and so on. Jesus asks do this, not so much by preaching, of His presence for the world. lockdowns. Now we need to also we can easily end up spiritless and today we are told clearly: “We now us to constantly engage in a peace as by how we live our lives in joy We can only do this through the begin again to gather as the Body depressed. are those witnesses”. That is our process with one another so that and hope and love. Our families, confident ways we make our love of Christ, in ways that are safe for call. we can be His disciples and true our couples, our community and for one another shine out and everyone and in so far as possible. Another reality We have just come through the witnesses of His resurrection. our society badly need the witness our faith in Him be seen by those These weeks leading up to journey that Christ travelled to We need, first of all, to put away of people who are happy, content, around us. And we need to make Pentecost open up for us another His passion and death, the price of all weapons of mass destruction forgiving, thoughtful, prayerful our faith community, our parish, reality, that of the Risen Lord living our salvation. Our responsibility like criticism of one another, anger, and caring. a place that attracts the attention in us and among us and preparing is to bring the fruit of that to our coldness, selfishness, etc. Then we If we work at it together we can of those around us. The Lord will us for a fresh outpouring of the world by bringing joy, peace, need to replace these with the make a difference. That is our then provide what is needed for Holy Spirit. With His Spirit in us healing, gladness, freedom, justice, qualities of God’s Spirit, namely: call this week again as husbands/ the Eucharist and for leadership nothing can ever destroy us. We and so on, first of all to those with love; joy; peace; patience etc. wives, parents/children and as a for a better world. become like a buoy in the stormy whom we live and spreading out to This week we should practice community of faith. waters of the sea. We keep popping those with whom we worship and these qualities in our homes as Conclusion up again with every wave that beyond. wife and husband in marriage; as Easter 4: April 25 These four weeks of Easter in would seem to destroy us. Every aspect of human living parents and children as family. We I am the Good Shepherd April bring us just over halfway in There are many ways of thinking needs this more now than ever also need to practice them as we Jesus said: “I am the Good our preparation for Pentecost, the about the Holy Spirit. We can as we witness a breakdown of build our parish communities to Shepherd. I know my own and coming of the Holy Spirit. Along think of the Spirit’s fruits. We can marriage and family life; the the glory of God. my own know me.” This week is with the first three weeks of May, reflect on the gifts of the Spirit that serious threats to society with a very special time of prayer for they are like laying a foundation of we share. growing violence in so many Easter 3: April 18 vocations. What does this mean faith, hope and love on which the The Liturgy during these weeks countries around the world; Our advocate with the Father for you personally, for you as a Holy Spirit can build the Church of April and into May draws us increasing isolation of individuals Jesus said: “You are witnesses family, and for you as a parish for the year ahead. Fr Johnny Doherty

This New Lifeby Fr John McLaughlin ssc “Long have I waited for your coming home to me, and living, deeply this new life” (Hosea Chapter 3…as per John Michael Talbot) Good Friday Passion Play and he message of religion renews itself vast audience would be attracted to faced with the historic problem of was to be one of the high priests. and the Risen Christ becomes the look up or revisit Tailhard, whom the resurrection of Jesus and the So I gave her an alba and awaited Cosmic Christ, already outlined he so enthusiastically cited; for rise of Christianity, the only way further news, which she normally so many years ago by the Jesuit, me, one of the great transmissions forward is to grasp the nettle, to shared first with Cathy, the parish Tailhard de Chardin. “Risen from of the Easter Message in all its recognize that history drives us secretary. the dead, Christ makes clear profundity and yet simplicity. to the borders of philosophy, of All had gone well, she was now that salvation does not mean the In a moment of great personal language, of theology and to point telling me, for three years, and he escape of the human spirit from anguish for my family, we out as best we can that the only held down his responsible job. But, matter. Rather, our future will accompanied my sister, Anne explanation that will fit all the the will had started to yield and she bring the transformation of our while she was in the Rehabilitation evidence available is that Jesus of was now facing debts and troubles whole relational body-person-self- Centre in Dun Laoire. On the Nazareth was indeed bodily raised just as before…“Puesto que Cristo dust and breath together into the Easter Sunday of that period, I from the dead on Easter morning. ha resucitado, creemos que el glory of God.” So writes Elizabeth was invited to say Mass in the This and this only enables us to hombre es un proceso ilimitado Johnson, following on in that line ward surrounded by patients and answer our initial question, why y que nada de lo que podamos of Chardin and others like Ilya staff. Then, and afterwards, I was Christianity arose and why it took imaginar es demasiado grande Delio. aware of a great sense of joy all the shape it did. This and this only para Él, ” (Given that Christ has around me. Patients, who like offers a convincing reason why the risen we believe…that man is Vision my sister, would be wheelchair- message of the early Church was part of an unlimited process and In the second last book he wrote, bound for life after car and riding not just good advice but Good Fr John McLaughlin ssc. that nothing we can imagine is ‘An Astonishing Secret’, Daniel accidents concentrated in that News.” A couple of years ago on a visit to a vibrant actor in the group, who of too great for Him.) This is part of O’Leary puts that vision within ward, somehow communicated a One of my former communities, my old mission-parish in Santiago, course all shared her new life. a Creed of Easter that in many of reach of many ecologists and those sense of Joy and Hope that I never The ‘Holy Family’ Basic Christian I walked the street market on a Just down that same street in the chapels we proclaimed aloud concerned about the future of quite felt again in many years of Community, had the tradition, Sunday morning after my Mass. midweek, I met another Janet on Easter Sunday, and a moment our planet. I am inclined to think Easter Vigils and adult baptisms before Mass on Easter Sunday It was always a good way to meet also from the parish and a Mass- of joy and faith for all. that maybe, in the repackaging from the programs culminating on morning, and already having the local parishioners and others goer too. She had a ‘chispa’ (spark) In the great Vatican II document, of the Good News for this new that great Event. That was a ‘Kairos celebrated the Easter Vigil, to sally interested in conversation. Janet about her always, slagging me ‘Gaudium et Spes’, there is made generation, this could be the moment’ for me, and it didn’t have forth through the surrounding appeared before me and a rather about the liqueur chocolates I had the distinction between ‘Having’ overall vision. It’s not going to be to be repeated. streets and sing “Resucitò!” and different Janet as she smiled at brought along on one occasion to and ‘Being’, tener y ser, as we ‘more of the same’ in any case! So, in this personal kaleidoscope other Easter hymns and with me. Gone was the scar that had an outing of the chapel, and when discussed often in the catechetical In the wake of the William and of the New Life of Easter, I can Easter Holy Water. I am on their disfigured her face and left her would they see sweets of that taste programs for adults and the RCIA Meghan drama, I found myself only go back again and again Whatsapp and I will be wondering rather forlorn and sad, silent on ever again. She had appeared at the six-month preparation for men going back to that outstanding to the Person of Christ and let how they might attempt it in this many occasions. parish office looking for a small and women of all ages. homily of Archbishop Michael His transformative message and year of the Pandemia. “Do I look different?” she asked favor: the loan of an alb for her Again and again, we seem to Curry on the occasion of their relevance come alive – “To live is me, with a deeper smile than I had son who was living interned in a lose out on the ‘Being’ aspect, in marriage. Reading the text and to change and to be perfect is to Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, ever seen from her. The effects drug rehabilitation program run favour of yet more consumption following the address on YouTube, change often”, as John Donne put radiant in the brightness of your I again noticed when I visited by the Jesuits. She had to take three and acquiring of the latest pieces I felt, once again, the Fire and the it. King! the Soup Kitchens’ group later transports every Sunday to visit or artefacts. The modern insights Divine energy that he proclaimed In his book, ‘Jesus Then and Now’, Christ has conquered! Glory fills on in the week. Janet was now him, now in his 50th year and on into our deeper ‘Being’ and destiny as the Love they were sharing in. I the scripture scholar, N T Wright you! participative and alive, and she was a big chance. They were doing a hold out many hopes as the wondered too, how many of that summarized: “I propose that when Darkness vanishes forever! THE NET | APRIL 2021 31 Children’s Catechism Club - C3 by Veronica Harley HELLO children. Welcome to the month of April. This month is Please try to visit Jesus in the God and prepare the world for His dedicated to the Holy Eucharist. During this month we have the Blessed Sacrament and spend some coming again. wonderful celebration of Holy Week and Easter in the Church. precious time with him. During her life, Faustina wrote and suffered in secret, without many “Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the ‘Feast of Saints of the Month knowing that anything special was feasts’,” (CCC 1169). We also celebrate a special feast called St Vincent Ferrer – April 5 taking place in her life. After her Divine Mercy Sunday, in which the great gift of God’s mercy is St George, martyr – April 23 death from tuberculosis in 1938, given to all who come to Him with a sincere heart. St Mark the Evangelist – April 25 even her closest friends were amazed to discover what great sufferings of Him. St Catherine of Siena – April 29 and mystical experiences she had At Mass, the bread and wine offered received. She had listened carefully to up by the priest becomes the actual Divine Mercy – Saint the Gospel command to “be merciful body and blood of Christ. The bread Faustina even as your heavenly Father is and wine do not change in appearance. Saint Faustina was born in Poland merciful”. The message of mercy that However, they are transformed on August 25, 1905. She was the Sister Faustina received has spread beyond our human understanding third of 10 children. When she was throughout the world. into the body and blood, soul and almost 20, she entered the convent Jesus asked Faustina that a special divinity of Jesus Christ. This is called and joined the Sisters of Our Lady Feast day be set aside to celebrate Easter Transubstantiation (CCC 1376) and of Mercy, who devoted themselves to God’s wonderful gift of mercy to it happens at the celebration of every This year, we celebrate Easter the care of troubled young women. the world. This feast is called Mercy Holy Mass. Sunday on April 4. The celebration On February 22, 1931, Sister Faustina Sunday and it falls on the Sunday The Eucharist is the most important of Easter is the highest and holiest the wonderful things in our lives and received from Jesus a message of after Easter. On this day, God pours act of worship. All Catholics are of days for all creation. Easter is the the many gifts which He has given us. mercy that she was told to spread out His mercy on all those who come bound to attend Mass every Sunday celebration of Christ’s resurrection In one of the apparitions at Fatima, throughout the world. She was to Him. The novena prayer that we and are encouraged to receive Holy from the dead (CCC 1166). It is the angel showed the children how asked to become the apostle of God’s say for nine days prior to Mercy Communion. Some practising celebrated on a Sunday. Easter Day they should worship Jesus in the mercy; to be a model of how to be Sunday is called the Chaplet of Catholics go to Mass every day to marks the end of Lent, the end of Eucharist. The angel bent low in merciful to others. The message was Divine Mercy. We say these prayers receive the Eucharist. Holy Week and closes the Easter worship until his forehead touched that God loves us, all of us, no matter as part of our daily prayers to always Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good the ground. He taught the children a how great our sins may be. God ask God’s mercy to come upon us. Friday and Holy Saturday). It is the Eucharistic Adoration beautiful prayer to say to Jesus. wants us to know that His mercy is beginning of the Easter season of the The Church has also developed Fr Donald Calloway, in his book, greater than our sins, therefore, we liturgical year. the beautiful practice of Eucharistic ‘Consecration to St Joseph’, spoke of should always call on Him with trust, The Gospels tell us that Jesus Christ Adoration. This practice is centuries how St Joseph, who tenderly loved receive His mercy and let it flow rose from the dead on the third day old, dating back to the apostles, when and cared for Jesus throughout his through us to others, so that all will following His crucifixion, which the Eucharist was carried into the life, was the founder of Adoration come to share His joy. Jesus showed would be Sunday (Matthew 28:1- homes of those people who could not chapels. The first Adoration was the Faustina an image of Himself, which 10, John 20:1-18). His resurrection attend Mass. Eucharistic Adoration visit by the shepherds in the stable He wanted painted so that all could marks the triumph of good over evil, is a sign of devotion and worship of on Christmas night. Adoration of see the abundant mercy which flows sin and death. Jesus’ resurrection is a Jesus, who is truly present – Body Jesus was repeated when the Wise from His heart. Under the image, He remarkable event, which proves that and Blood, Soul and Divinity – in the Men came to pay homage to the told her to write ‘Jesus I trust in you’. those who trust in God and accept Eucharist. newborn King. And when Joseph Faustina lived her entire life in Christ will be raised from the dead. The Holy Eucharist is placed and Mary brought Jesus back to imitation of Christ’s, always making in a very special vessel called a their home in Nazareth, there they sacrifice as Jesus did for others. At monstrance. The monstrance is adored His divine presence too. Fr the request of Jesus, she willingly made of a precious metal and is Calloway describes this home as a offered her personal sufferings with shaped like the sun to symbolise the house of Perpetual Adoration and Jesus to atone for the sins of others. resurrection of Jesus. The centre of uninterrupted contemplation. Here In her daily life, she became a doer the monstrance has a round glass, are beautiful truths to think about in of mercy, bringing joy and peace to through which the sacred Host can this special year that is dedicated to others. She wrote about God’s mercy be seen. Behind the glass is a round St Joseph. and she encouraged others to trust in metal container called a lunette. The lunette holds the host securely in 12. What Biblical term is given to a sudden turning point place. When the Host is not in the Quiz Time with Lawrence in someone’s life? monstrance for adoration it is kept 13. Jenny Ryan is better known as which TV quiz 1. What is the Christian name of Meghan Markle’s personality? safely in the Tabernacle inside its father? The Eucharist 14. Who did Kristin Shepard ‘shoot’ in 1980? lunette, within a strong container 2. Who served as President of the United States The month of April is dedicated to 15. One of the most iconic sports trophies in the world known as a pyx. immediately before Jimmy Carter? has a gold pineapple on top. Which trophy is it? the Eucharist because Holy Thursday, When the monstrance contains 3. Which two Premier Division football clubs have 16. What is the minimum age requirement to stand for the day which Catholics celebrate the between them won the FA Cup on 13 occasions since the sacred Host, the priest will not election as US President? Institution of the Eucharist, usually 2000? touch the vessel with his bare hands. 17. What type of animal is Baloo in ‘The Jungle Book’? falls in the month of April. This year 4. What staff title is given to a trainee or junior chef in Out of respect for the Eucharist, the 18. In cooking, what does the term ‘Julienne’ mean? a restaurant? we celebrate Holy Thursday on the priest holds the monstrance with a 19. What is the capital city of Qatar? 5. Who directed the original Titanic movie of 1997? first day of April. humeral veil; a wide band of cloth 20. After Dublin, which is the most densely populated 6. What multi-national company bought over Cadbury’s On Holy Thursday night, Jesus county in Ireland? that covers his shoulders (humera) chocolate in 2010? shared an important meal with His 21. The Statue of Liberty commemorates the friendship and has pleats on the inside, in which 7. Which is the longest river in the USA? apostles. This meal is called the Last between the US and which other country? he places his hands. A humeral veil is 8. What do the letters QVC stand for on the online 22. In football, the Potteries derby is played between Supper, as it was the final meal Jesus a liturgical vestment normally made shopping channel? Stoke City and what other team? shared with His disciples before He 9. Name the horseracing jockey who recently made of silk or gold cloth and is used by 23. How many years of marriage are celebrated by an was crucified and died. At the table, history by becoming the first woman to win the priests during Benediction of the Aluminium Anniversary? Jesus took bread and wine, blessed award for most winners at a Cheltenham festival? Blessed Sacrament. 24. Cox’s Bazar is, at 93 miles, the longest natural beach 10. Who played Shallow Hal in the 2001 film of the same them, gave them to the apostles and We are invited to come and spend in the world. In which country would you find it? name? told them that the bread and wine time with Jesus in the Blessed 25. Who was Henry VIII’s sixth and last wife? 11. Who is the current First Minister for Wales? which they were given to eat was now Sacrament. When we come to spend his Body and Blood. At the supper, time with Jesus in adoration we praise Quiz Answers: 1, Thomas. 2, Gerald Ford. 3, Arsenal (7) and Chelsea (6). 4, Commis Chef. 5, James Cameron. 6, Kraft. 7, Missouri. 8, Quality, Value, Convenience. 9. Jesus instructed His apostles that and adore Him. We thank Him for all Rachel Blackmore. 10, Jack Black. 11, Mark Drakeford. 12, Road to Damascus. 13, The Vixen (The Chase). 14, JR Ewing. 15, The Wimbledon men’s singles cup. 16, 35. they should do the same in memory 17, A bear. 18, Cut into strips. 19, Doha. 20, Antrim. 21, France. 22, Port Vale. 23, Ten. 24, Bangladesh. 25, Catherine Parr. 32 THE NET | APRIL 2021

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