The Irish Catholic That “The Various Church Bod- Feeling of Communion and He Would Be Concerned That Ies Concerned Urgently Need Community More Difficult

The way things were: Conflicting views on the 1970 Arms Trial – Page 36

SCHOOLS YOUTH MARTIN THREAT LEADERS MANSERGH Programme may lead to Pope looks to young New Programme for education Referendum people to show the Government will need – Michael Kelly Page 13 way Pages 14 & 15 political will Page 8 f L Thursday, June 18, 2020 €2.00 (Stg £1.70) The-Irish-Catholic-Newspaper @IrishCathNews www.irishcatholic.com Archbishop Catholics urged to fight any in plea for shorter plan to target Faith schools homilies for change and the process Chai Brady Staff reporter of divesting some Catholic Lilies for the gentlest of saints Catholics have been urged to schools must continue “where Archbishop Diarmuid fight any proposal to weaken there is local demand”. Martin has asked priests to Catholic schools after the Prof. Eamonn Conway of shorten their homilies as Programme for Government Mary Immaculate College in public Masses begin at the published this week proposed Limerick said he believed “it end of the month. a citizens’ assembly on the is time for a well-thought In a note sent to future of education. out negotiated settlement priests this week, he said Theologian Dr John Mur- in regard to education that “it is obvious that ray of Dublin City University between Church and State. safe distancing makes a told The Irish Catholic that “The various Church bod- feeling of communion and he would be concerned that ies concerned urgently need community more difficult. “such an assembly could be to seize the initiative by pre- “Distancing could also used to give the illusion paring their own programme lead to a deeper reflection that there is a huge desire for appropriate divestment in on silence in the liturgy. for a State takeover of educa- return for key guarantees that It might even be the tion. will result in an authentic and occasion to ask people to “That would amount to a well-resourced Catholic edu- remain silent for a period complete rejection of Catholic cational system. before Mass begins in education, but also the input “This is in the State’s inter- order to create a sense of the minority faith commu- est as well as it will enhance of prayerfulness,” the nities,” he said. plurality of provision and archbishop writes. Dr Murray said “given pre- parental choice,” Prof. Con- vious citizens’ assemblies, I way said. Attention would be concerned that it On the homily, he writes would be used to give the illu- Warning that “It is advisable sion of a landslide for change” Dr Murray warned that it is that ceremonies should that would effectively ban important that the Church not not be prolonged denominational schools and allow Catholic schools to be unnecessarily. Homilies replace them with a one size “emptied out of their Catholic should be short and fits all model regardless of character”. unnecessary interruptions parents’ choice. He said that while respect reduced. “That’s the overall agenda for all religious traditions is “All this will require as far as I can see,” he told The evident in schools, any move attention to detail and Irish Catholic. to insist that Catholic schools a parish liturgy team However, Dr Murray Deirdre Spellissey and Anne Tiernan participate in celebrations for the feast of St Anthony » Continued on Page 2 warned that there is need » Continued on Page 2 in Ss Peter & Paul Cathedral in Ennis, Co. Clare. June 18, 2020 The Irish Spirit ||23 St Colmcille DAVID QUINN THE IRISH SPIRIT Exclusive Excerpt from Early Irish Saints MARY KENNY by John J Ó Ríordáin C.Ss.R

aints seem to be people of many parts Christian living, so shining indeed, that he too, and Colmcille more than most: he was like his young foster-child, is venerated as a saint Sa prince, priest, prophet, poet, diplomat, of God. It was during these years of fosterage monk, abbot, scribe, and scholar. In terms of that his peers, observing the boy’s frequent family background, he sprung from the Cenél visits to the little chapel, dubbed him Colm Christianity that is Eight-page special – Conaill (the O’Donnells of Donegal), a branch A police force is Cille, dove of the church, an affectionate title of the royal house of the Clan Uí néill. He was which has attended him ever since in Ireland, a descendant of Niall of the nine hostages, and while the Scots have a preference for the Latin, over a period of 700 years, his family produced Columba, a dove. as many as forty-one high Kings. Colmcille, too, When his term of fosterage was completed risk-averse is doomed Spotlight on saints it seems, was himself eligible for such an office. Colmcille, instead of following the way of a about service to the By secular, as well as by religious standards prince among his people, opted to become he is one of the outstanding figures of Early a Christian monk. Such a choice on the part Mediaeval Ireland. Speculation about his life, of so highborn a young man had major PAGE 12 PAGES 17-24 his reasons for leaving Ireland, or the extent consequences for the young and evolving PAGE 5 to failure & scholars of his influence at home and abroad, cannot Irish church. His career undoubtedly provided people detract from that fact. Nor can a case be made a powerful stimulus to monastic development, against his holiness on the grounds that he was and his choice of the monastic life was a not formally canonised by the Pope, because headline followed by many another young Colmcille lived hundreds of years prior to such nobleman. He was a man of the very highest formalities. When St Adomnán wrote his Life birth, with all the natural advantages which such in the seventh century, it was specifically to a circumstance gave in an aristocratic society. East-most south window of the side chapel of St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry. The three lights establish for all and sundry that the first abbot He had the gift of second sight, combined with depict scenes in the life of Saint Columba: S. Columba A.D. 563 sails for Iona (left light), S. Columba of Iona was a man who walked with God in a power to control others by the sheer force at Drumceatt A.D. 575 (centre light), and Death of S. Columba A.D. 597 (right light). Photo: Andreas F. Borchert / CC BY-SA 3.0 DE. Source Wikimedia Commons. a truly extraordinary and inspiring fashion. of his own personality. For fourteen hundred years the Christian community, particularly in Ireland and Scotland, His foundations has acknowledged this estimation of the man Information on Colmcille’s life prior to his Adomnán’s Life offers a vision of a by invoking his intercession and keeping his departure for Britain in AD 563 is little enough. community of saints and founders memory green. During the decade prior to his departure bound together in strong brotherly relations.” DO LOUGH DERG FROM WHEREVERFrom the various sources at our disposal he YOUwas active in establishing monastic ARE June 27th – 29th 2020 it is possible to put reasonable shape on his communities throughout the upper half of life while bearing in mind that the only fairly Ireland where his family held sway. Among renounce his native land. In Early Christian during one of these visits, while on another, certain date in his career is at the end. On the these foundations were Swords, Lambay, Tory, Ireland, the greatest sacrifice and penance at the celebrated Convention of the Kings, testimony of St Adomnán, his biographer, the Drumcliffe, Drumcolumb, Clonmore, Moone, a monk could undertake, other than at Drumcet near Limavady, he negotiated More than 5000 pilgrims make the anyone who may wish to saintbe died on Ionapart on 9 June, AD 597, agedof Inchmore this in Lough Gowna, and perhaps martyrdom, wasof voluntary exile.our Colmcille, theteam independence of Scottish Dalwill Riada and make the pilgrimage these seventy-five. At the other end of the scale, the Kells. There is no knowing the full number, who wasn’t in the habit of doing things by saved the bards from suppression. He visited traditional date of his birth is 7 December, AD but St Dallan Forgaill, in his Amra or Elegy halves, took that penitential option. or maintained contact with other Irish church 521, and the place is Gartan, Co. Donegal. of Colmcille, describes him as ‘guardian of a To this day the people of Islay maintain leaders, and many of them in turn visited Iona. pilgrimage each year, many of them historic event for Lough Derg.His training hundred churches’. that when thedays. saint sailed out from Derry www.loughderg.liveAdomnán’s Life offers a vision of a community will offer support he made first landfall on their island, but of saints and founders bound together in In his childhood, Colmcille was fostered by His missionary exile then moved on to another Inner Hebridean strong brotherly relations. a local priest named Cruithnechán, who not In his youth he had renounced the family Island, Iona, for his first permanent settlement By the end of his life, Colmcille’s only taught the boy his letters and his prayers inheritance. Then, at the age of forty-two, annually. This season, the pilgrimage will This will not be a virtual pilgrimage. It will in Scotland. Here, for thirty-four years he achievement was monumental: he had but gave him a shining personal example of in real time to those doing the pilgrimage he was prepared to go a step further and would lead his monks in prayer, study and founded Iona and a number of connected apostolic endeavour. Life was rarely less than monasteries in the west of Britain and Early Irish Saints grim on that island, and yet, it was here that in Ireland, and had exercised strong and not be possible on the Island, so it seems entail the full exercises of the traditionalby John J Ó Ríordáin C.Ss.R he founded a scribalfrom tradition which ultimately afar. decisive influence Whereverover the political scene you are in the world, PRICE: €12.99 produced the Book of Kells; and it was from in Scotland and Ireland. But he would have A 01 6874096 | M [email protected] here that he guided and conducted a mission considered these achievements minor in www.columbabooks.com to both his own Gaelic people in the kingdom comparison to what he was seeking to attain, right that I should offer the invitation to ‘do Three Day Pilgrimage: the 24 hour orvigil, send a cheque to: the of Scottish Dalif Riada andyou to the pagan Pictish arenamely, wisdom, learningwilling and holiness. Judging to commit to this Columba Books, 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, D02 XE02. peoples further north. from the Amra Colmcille, by the time of his During the Iona years Colmcille returned death the saint already had an incomparable Lough Derg wherever you are’ to faithful three day fast, and the nine Station Prayers to Ireland onprogramme several occasions, and for reputation for these virtues, theyou virtues not are welcome to register various reasons. The monastery of Durrow, just of a saint but of a wholly rounded and FREE POSTAGE ON ALL ORDERS pilgrims like these. But I am welcoming performed in bare feet. I myself and some in Co. Offaly, wasto almost certainlyjoin founded completeus. human being. Fr La Flynn, Prior

TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE THE REGISTRATION PACK - WWW.LOUGHDERG.LIVE 2 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | News ||3

Inside this week Pilgrimages could Lockdown weddings Personal Profile We all need signposts that ‘joyous occasions’ How the pandemic is deepening our begin in late July point us towards God regions themselves. age in and around the end of understanding of the Ruadhán Jones “For the Holy Land, we’re July, early August, with larger Eucharist Page 34 he Belfast-born writer and As borders reopen across looking at starting in Sep- groups later in August. theologian C.S. Lewis once Europe, Niall Glynn of Mar- tember, Medjugorje around Mr Glynn said that the opined on the saints who live Editor’s Comment ian Pilgrimages is “cautiously August. main concern was safety and amongst us. “Already the new optimistic” that pilgrim- “Lourdes is an interesting ensuring that high standards men are dotted here and there all over ages can begin in late July or one, it’s a situation moving could be met regardless of theT earth,” he wrote. Maria Byrne Michael Kelly early August. Speaking to The very quickly from where they location. “Some, as I have admitted, are still Irish Catholic, Mr Glynn said were two weeks ago. “We’re taking a look and We cannot live hardly recognisable: but that they will be looking at “The shrine was pretty see approach, leaving it alone others can be recognised. way of life, one needs the This is why the Church without Mass restarting pilgrimages on a much closed two weeks ago, for a month, seeing how Every now and then dimension of community. has always proposed the shrine-by-shrine basis. only 10 people at a time, but things pan out and if it’s safe, one meets them. Their We also need examples saints to us as witnesses to Page 32 “We’re cautiously optimis- within a week and a half they then we’ll ramp it up.” very voices and faces of those who have gone the Gospel in the midst of had reopened. “A lot of it will come down are different from ours: before us and shown how everyday life. The saints are tic,” he said. “A lot of it will to extra buses, extra guid- stronger, quieter, happier, the Christian virtues can be not superhuman, or being come down to requirements, “We’d be looking to put ing, extra hotel facilities so more radiant…they do lived heroically, even in the who exist on an angelic procedures and policies in the in our first small pilgrim- that we can maintain neces- not draw attention to midst of great adversity. plain – they are men and sary distancing. We’re setting Fr Ron Rolheiser themselves. You tend to women who because of the Atiyoyo Edafe and Darren Roche married on April 25 in Foxrock up procedures so that come think that you are being indwelling of the Holy Spirit as funerals, with ten people in attendance. The news August/September, we’re What is a kind to them when they ❛❛ are able to live the Faith in Staff reporter “The mothers acted as witnesses,” said this week that an extraordinary fashion. ready to send people out.” ‘dignified’ death? are really being kind to Lockdown weddings had the “same joy as if Fr Bracken. “and the fathers acted as pho- The news this week that Mr Glynn praised the you. They love you more 15-year-old the church was full”, said Fr John Bracken, who tographers. It really was the parents and if 15-year-old schoolboy Carlo “loyalty and devotion” of pil- Page 30 than other men do, but celebrated two of the just 82 weddings held there were siblings living in the country, they schoolboy Carlo Acutis is to be beatified in grims, many of whom have they need you less,” he during lockdown. attended. the autumn will be welcome not asked for their deposits added. Acutis is to be Thousands of weddings were cancelled dur- “Family abroad could look in on the web- for many young people (see back. ing lockdown, but those that went ahead were cam. For one wedding, the sister’s recorder beatified in the Pages 14 and 15). To see one “A lot of people see it Individuals “oases of joy”, said Fr Bracken of Dundrum. prayers of the faithful and sent them to me on Managing Editor: Michael Kelly, [email protected] of their contemporaries held almost as necessity to get pil- Probably we all know such autumn will be “Both were streamed on the webcam,” he WhatsApp, so they could be a part of the day Northern Correspondent: Martin O’Brien, [email protected] up as a model of holiness grimage once a year, so if they people in our lives, I know C.S. Lewis. said. “Because of lockdown, it was a good hit as well. welcome for many shows that living such a life can’t get out earlier, they will Multimedia Journalists: Chai Brady, [email protected] I certainly do. Individuals on Facebook. So many people were texting “It was lovely – for me it’s almost the ideal not an unrealistic ideal, but get out later, but it all comes Aron Hegarty, [email protected] who live their faith in such pointers. Christianity lived young people” and messaging in congratulations, even those wedding, it’s so intimate. They didn’t have all a way that they make me in an individualistic way something that is possible down to safety in the end,” he Newsroom: [email protected] 01 6874026 who didn’t know them! They were like an oasis, the stress they’d normally have of massive a better person. Not in a will very quickly die and This is acutely true in with the help of God. said. Books Editor: a bit of joy in all the sadness.” preparation. It was a lot simpler, stripped back Peter Costello, [email protected] preachy or judgemental turn in to a vague form of a post-Christian society As C.S. Lewis puts it: “To “They’re extremely con- The weddings followed the same guidelines wedding.” Advertising: [email protected] 01 6874094 way, but in the sense of wellness with a smattering where we live out our faith become holy is rather like tent with our services, and Accounts: [email protected] 01 6874020 being a signpost towards of morality about being in an environment where joining a secret society. To Broadcast your Mass to the loyalty is there that they’ll say look, keep the deposit Magnificat: [email protected] God. nice to one another. To the dominant culture is at put it at the very lowest, it We all need such understand the faith as a best indifferent. must be great fun!” parishioners outside until later on in the year. The Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday hunger is there.” COVID -19 EMERGENCY FUND 9.30am–5.30pm Pope Francis’ Shop: [email protected] your church via Targetting Time to reflect Managing Director: Garry O’Sullivan Funeral told Msgr Cassin loudspeaker Annual Subscription Rates: Ireland €145. Airmail €250. Six months – €75. of Faith on Sacrament’s ISSN 1393 - 6832 - Published by The Irish Catholic, 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. centrality – Printed by Webprint, Cork. left ‘towering legacy’ schools Bishop McKeown ity and benevolence, a way Church in Irish society. We can supply: » Continued from Page 1 Place an Advert Staff reporter with people and good sense “From the time of this Lockdown is a chance to rec- • Your own parish ognise that the Eucharist is Phone 01 687 4094 or [email protected] A key player in the Church’s of humour. ordination to his retire- teach that all religious traditions are equal would be “another stepping stream on a not some “holy fuel”, but an education policy in Ireland “He created unity; he ment, the understandings, stone on the way to empty out the “intimate communion with has been remembered as a was a builder of com- activities, and pastoral tablet schools of all their character”. reconciler. munity around himself, a strategies of the past were Jesus”, said Bishop Donal reconcile.” Dr Farrell said Meanwhile, Bishop Tom • Loudspeaker Msgr Jim Cassin died all being refashioned in the McKeown of Derry. that “Jim, never wanted to Deenihan of Meath told this solutions after a short illness and cauldron of the contempo- Speaking on Corpus offend; indeed, he never newspaper that the Church “rightly his funeral took place last rary situation…Jim, who Christi, Bishop McKeown wanted to make a decision sees education as a vital component week in the Church of the was never isolated or cut said that if “we are not open that would offend anyone”. for a flourishing society. to being in intimate com- Assumption, Thomastown, off from the ecclesial body “The Catholic Church will be munion with Jesus, allowing Co. Kildare or the ambient culture, was anxious to work with the new Your help is urgently needed to support overseas missionaries as Changes him to dwell within us, then Bishop of Ossory Der- The bishop said that “over very well placed to carry Minister for Education in a spirit of receiving Communion has COVID-19 spreads through their fragile communities. mot Farrell said that Msgr the 48 years of Jim’s life out this particular respon- partnership,” he said. lost its roots. Cassin – who served for as a priest there has been sibility as he was deeply In Africa, Asia and Latin America the Church is often on the frontline. In No contracts! Simple, easy “Receiving the Lord in the LET'S WORK FOR A BETTER SOCIETY FOR many years as the hierar- an enormous change in embedded in the local and remote, inaccessible areas it is missionaries who respond, as best they chy’s key adviser on edu- Irish culture that had a sig- universal church and in Plea for shorter No obligations! and fast! Eucharist is a free gift. But it OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. cation – “combined a good nificant impact on the role the surrounding culture,” came at a huge price to Jesus can, to the medical and pastoral needs of suffering men, women and LEAVE A LEGACY FOR LIFE. intellect with great humil- and understanding of the Bishop Farrell said. homilies on the Cross. Accepting the children. Christ who was sacrificed on » Continued from Page 1 the Cross means becoming They already face too many challenges, working in over-crowded Support the Pro Life Campaign in your will. Implementation ‘crucial’ to could provide help,” according to Dr part of his sacrifice.” communities with no running water. In shanty towns, refugee camps and Martin. Bishop McKeown des- shelters, social distancing is simply impossible, and because of poverty The Pro Life Campaign promotes pro-life ending Direct Provision Underlying the fact that some cribed receiving Communion education and defends human life at all stages. people who are older or vulnerable as a public statement that we self-isolation could mean starvation. accommodation will capital and investment will continue to stay away from Contact us for a will fulfil our part of that cov- For more info visit www.prolifecampaign.ie Aron Hegarty be provided for asylum programme is very Mass, Dr Martin insists that “Each enant. World Missions Ireland is Pope Francis' official charity for overseas Contact us today to order a copy of our Wills leaflet. seekers. “This is a important. There have quote today: The Irish Refugee Council parish should reflect on how Holy “That is why participa- significant moment in been false dawns in mission. We are committed to supporting overseas missionaries, through (IRC) has welcomed the Communion can be brought to them Enda on tion in the full action of the the long campaign to the past however and new draft Programme in a worthy and prayerful manner. 087 250 3104 all challenges, struggles and hardships. Please, if you can, help us send end Direct Provision and implementation will be Eucharist is central to the life for Government which is necessary step for crucial.” “Holy Communion is not a [email protected] of the Christian community,” financial support so that they have a chance at suppressing COVID-19. contains a commitment to triggering future change,” The announcement commodity to be just delivered. he said. ending Direct Provision. says Nick Henderson, CEO was a timely one at the The Church has a long tradition 01 485 33 44 “That is why every parish To make a donation visit www.wmi.ie/covid-fund In the draft published of the IRC. beginning of World of bringing the Eucharist to the radiobox.ie has to be actively planning so Pro Life Campaign, Suite 60, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 or call Fiona on 01 497 2035. Thank You. this week, assurances “While not a cure-all, Refugee Week (June sick directly from the Eucharistic that we can be God’s people, Registered Charity Number: 2318 [email protected] | 01 6629275 have been made that the commitment to a 15-21). celebration,” he writes. really and not just virtually.” ICJune20 2 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | News ||3

Inside this week Pilgrimages could Lockdown weddings Personal Profile We all need signposts that ‘joyous occasions’ How the pandemic is deepening our begin in late July point us towards God regions themselves. age in and around the end of understanding of the Ruadhán Jones “For the Holy Land, we’re July, early August, with larger Eucharist Page 34 he Belfast-born writer and As borders reopen across looking at starting in Sep- groups later in August. theologian C.S. Lewis once Europe, Niall Glynn of Mar- tember, Medjugorje around Mr Glynn said that the opined on the saints who live Editor’s Comment ian Pilgrimages is “cautiously August. main concern was safety and amongst us. “Already the new optimistic” that pilgrim- “Lourdes is an interesting ensuring that high standards men are dotted here and there all over ages can begin in late July or one, it’s a situation moving could be met regardless of theT earth,” he wrote. Maria Byrne Michael Kelly early August. Speaking to The very quickly from where they location. “Some, as I have admitted, are still Irish Catholic, Mr Glynn said were two weeks ago. “We’re taking a look and We cannot live hardly recognisable: but that they will be looking at “The shrine was pretty see approach, leaving it alone others can be recognised. way of life, one needs the This is why the Church without Mass restarting pilgrimages on a much closed two weeks ago, for a month, seeing how Every now and then dimension of community. has always proposed the shrine-by-shrine basis. only 10 people at a time, but things pan out and if it’s safe, one meets them. Their We also need examples saints to us as witnesses to Page 32 “We’re cautiously optimis- within a week and a half they then we’ll ramp it up.” very voices and faces of those who have gone the Gospel in the midst of had reopened. “A lot of it will come down are different from ours: before us and shown how everyday life. The saints are tic,” he said. “A lot of it will to extra buses, extra guid- stronger, quieter, happier, the Christian virtues can be not superhuman, or being come down to requirements, “We’d be looking to put ing, extra hotel facilities so more radiant…they do lived heroically, even in the who exist on an angelic procedures and policies in the in our first small pilgrim- that we can maintain neces- not draw attention to midst of great adversity. plain – they are men and sary distancing. We’re setting Fr Ron Rolheiser themselves. You tend to women who because of the Atiyoyo Edafe and Darren Roche married on April 25 in Foxrock up procedures so that come think that you are being indwelling of the Holy Spirit as funerals, with ten people in attendance. The news August/September, we’re What is a kind to them when they ❛❛ are able to live the Faith in Staff reporter “The mothers acted as witnesses,” said this week that an extraordinary fashion. ready to send people out.” ‘dignified’ death? are really being kind to Lockdown weddings had the “same joy as if Fr Bracken. “and the fathers acted as pho- The news this week that Mr Glynn praised the you. They love you more 15-year-old the church was full”, said Fr John Bracken, who tographers. It really was the parents and if 15-year-old schoolboy Carlo “loyalty and devotion” of pil- Page 30 than other men do, but celebrated two of the just 82 weddings held there were siblings living in the country, they schoolboy Carlo Acutis is to be beatified in grims, many of whom have they need you less,” he during lockdown. attended. the autumn will be welcome not asked for their deposits added. Acutis is to be Thousands of weddings were cancelled dur- “Family abroad could look in on the web- for many young people (see back. ing lockdown, but those that went ahead were cam. For one wedding, the sister’s recorder beatified in the Pages 14 and 15). To see one “A lot of people see it Individuals “oases of joy”, said Fr Bracken of Dundrum. prayers of the faithful and sent them to me on Managing Editor: Michael Kelly, [email protected] of their contemporaries held almost as necessity to get pil- Probably we all know such autumn will be “Both were streamed on the webcam,” he WhatsApp, so they could be a part of the day Northern Correspondent: Martin O’Brien, [email protected] up as a model of holiness grimage once a year, so if they people in our lives, I know C.S. Lewis. said. “Because of lockdown, it was a good hit as well. welcome for many shows that living such a life can’t get out earlier, they will Multimedia Journalists: Chai Brady, [email protected] I certainly do. Individuals on Facebook. So many people were texting “It was lovely – for me it’s almost the ideal not an unrealistic ideal, but get out later, but it all comes Aron Hegarty, [email protected] who live their faith in such pointers. Christianity lived young people” and messaging in congratulations, even those wedding, it’s so intimate. They didn’t have all a way that they make me in an individualistic way something that is possible down to safety in the end,” he Newsroom: [email protected] 01 6874026 who didn’t know them! They were like an oasis, the stress they’d normally have of massive a better person. Not in a will very quickly die and This is acutely true in with the help of God. said. Books Editor: a bit of joy in all the sadness.” preparation. It was a lot simpler, stripped back Peter Costello, [email protected] preachy or judgemental turn in to a vague form of a post-Christian society As C.S. Lewis puts it: “To “They’re extremely con- The weddings followed the same guidelines wedding.” Advertising: [email protected] 01 6874094 way, but in the sense of wellness with a smattering where we live out our faith become holy is rather like tent with our services, and Accounts: [email protected] 01 6874020 being a signpost towards of morality about being in an environment where joining a secret society. To Broadcast your Mass to the loyalty is there that they’ll say look, keep the deposit Magnificat: [email protected] God. nice to one another. To the dominant culture is at put it at the very lowest, it We all need such understand the faith as a best indifferent. must be great fun!” parishioners outside until later on in the year. The Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday hunger is there.” COVID -19 EMERGENCY FUND 9.30am–5.30pm Pope Francis’ Shop: [email protected] your church via Targetting Time to reflect Managing Director: Garry O’Sullivan Funeral told Msgr Cassin loudspeaker Annual Subscription Rates: Ireland €145. Airmail €250. Six months – €75. of Faith on Sacrament’s ISSN 1393 - 6832 - Published by The Irish Catholic, 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. centrality – Printed by Webprint, Cork. left ‘towering legacy’ schools Bishop McKeown ity and benevolence, a way Church in Irish society. We can supply: » Continued from Page 1 Place an Advert Staff reporter with people and good sense “From the time of this Lockdown is a chance to rec- • Your own parish ognise that the Eucharist is Phone 01 687 4094 or [email protected] A key player in the Church’s of humour. ordination to his retire- teach that all religious traditions are equal would be “another stepping stream on a not some “holy fuel”, but an education policy in Ireland “He created unity; he ment, the understandings, stone on the way to empty out the “intimate communion with has been remembered as a was a builder of com- activities, and pastoral tablet schools of all their character”. reconciler. munity around himself, a strategies of the past were Jesus”, said Bishop Donal reconcile.” Dr Farrell said Meanwhile, Bishop Tom • Loudspeaker Msgr Jim Cassin died all being refashioned in the McKeown of Derry. that “Jim, never wanted to Deenihan of Meath told this solutions after a short illness and cauldron of the contempo- Speaking on Corpus offend; indeed, he never newspaper that the Church “rightly his funeral took place last rary situation…Jim, who Christi, Bishop McKeown wanted to make a decision sees education as a vital component week in the Church of the was never isolated or cut said that if “we are not open that would offend anyone”. for a flourishing society. to being in intimate com- Assumption, Thomastown, off from the ecclesial body “The Catholic Church will be munion with Jesus, allowing Co. Kildare or the ambient culture, was anxious to work with the new Your help is urgently needed to support overseas missionaries as Changes him to dwell within us, then Bishop of Ossory Der- The bishop said that “over very well placed to carry Minister for Education in a spirit of receiving Communion has COVID-19 spreads through their fragile communities. mot Farrell said that Msgr the 48 years of Jim’s life out this particular respon- partnership,” he said. lost its roots. Cassin – who served for as a priest there has been sibility as he was deeply In Africa, Asia and Latin America the Church is often on the frontline. In No contracts! Simple, easy “Receiving the Lord in the LET'S WORK FOR A BETTER SOCIETY FOR many years as the hierar- an enormous change in embedded in the local and remote, inaccessible areas it is missionaries who respond, as best they chy’s key adviser on edu- Irish culture that had a sig- universal church and in Plea for shorter No obligations! and fast! Eucharist is a free gift. But it OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. cation – “combined a good nificant impact on the role the surrounding culture,” came at a huge price to Jesus can, to the medical and pastoral needs of suffering men, women and LEAVE A LEGACY FOR LIFE. intellect with great humil- and understanding of the Bishop Farrell said. homilies on the Cross. Accepting the children. Christ who was sacrificed on » Continued from Page 1 the Cross means becoming They already face too many challenges, working in over-crowded Support the Pro Life Campaign in your will. Implementation ‘crucial’ to could provide help,” according to Dr part of his sacrifice.” communities with no running water. In shanty towns, refugee camps and Martin. Bishop McKeown des- shelters, social distancing is simply impossible, and because of poverty The Pro Life Campaign promotes pro-life ending Direct Provision Underlying the fact that some cribed receiving Communion education and defends human life at all stages. people who are older or vulnerable as a public statement that we self-isolation could mean starvation. accommodation will capital and investment will continue to stay away from Contact us for a will fulfil our part of that cov- For more info visit www.prolifecampaign.ie Aron Hegarty be provided for asylum programme is very Mass, Dr Martin insists that “Each enant. World Missions Ireland is Pope Francis' official charity for overseas Contact us today to order a copy of our Wills leaflet. seekers. “This is a important. There have quote today: The Irish Refugee Council parish should reflect on how Holy “That is why participa- significant moment in been false dawns in mission. We are committed to supporting overseas missionaries, through (IRC) has welcomed the Communion can be brought to them Enda on tion in the full action of the the long campaign to the past however and new draft Programme in a worthy and prayerful manner. 087 250 3104 all challenges, struggles and hardships. Please, if you can, help us send end Direct Provision and implementation will be Eucharist is central to the life for Government which is necessary step for crucial.” “Holy Communion is not a [email protected] of the Christian community,” financial support so that they have a chance at suppressing COVID-19. contains a commitment to triggering future change,” The announcement commodity to be just delivered. he said. ending Direct Provision. says Nick Henderson, CEO was a timely one at the The Church has a long tradition 01 485 33 44 “That is why every parish To make a donation visit www.wmi.ie/covid-fund In the draft published of the IRC. beginning of World of bringing the Eucharist to the radiobox.ie has to be actively planning so Pro Life Campaign, Suite 60, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 or call Fiona on 01 497 2035. Thank You. this week, assurances “While not a cure-all, Refugee Week (June sick directly from the Eucharistic that we can be God’s people, Registered Charity Number: 2318 [email protected] | 01 6629275 have been made that the commitment to a 15-21). celebration,” he writes. really and not just virtually.” ICJune20 4 | News || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Comment ||5

NEWS IN BRIEF Holy Italian teen example for A police force’s ideal NI Catholic he appalling behaviour pin! The Cadetship, writes of some of the Fearghal McGarry in his superb principals call Irish youth not to ‘follow crowd’ American police biography of O’Duffy, was open telling us there is no need for all of trend and never really become them- people whom we emulate, even if you which we’ve seen in to single young men who were for transfer test Chai Brady this, Jesus loves you and just go for it selves? Rather than using their free- take something as simple as picking recent times is, it seems, partly Mary Kenny educated, possessed 24 teeth, becauseT of their very powerful and had a sound moral outlook. suspension A young Italian man born in 1991 who and love him back.” dom to be the people that God wants a name for Confirmation, you tend to It was announced over the week- them to be and use all their God-given pick a name of a saint that you have trade unions. Derek Chauvin, Discipline was enforced and a School in the North have been is set to be beatified can be an exam- end that Carlo would be beatified on gifts they tend to follow the crowd, some affinity with, some connection the police officer who stands ‘knowledge of life’ taught. urged to suspend academic ple to Irish youth to be individuals October 10. wherever the crowd is going, which is to and being inspired by that particu- accused of the killing of George selection by the Catholic Prin- and not fall into depression and drugs, He was born in 1991 and died of usually in the wrong direction. lar saint. Floyd, had already faced at least cipals Association. according to the bishop of Waterford A police force leukemia aged 15. He added: “[Carlo] was such a ‘nor- 17 complaints of misconduct. More than 200 Catholic and Lismore. ❛❛ Just how deeply do we The fact Carlo would have been the mal’ young lad but at the same time so Yet his career flourished is not just about teachers called for so-called Bishop Phonise Cullinan told this Influence same age as many youths in their 20s Bishop Phonsie said that “we all need individual an some of the things that because the American police investigate Elizabeth I? transfer tests to be removed for paper that computer programmer now, Bishop Phonsie says, is some- role models in life no matter who we he has said are so profound.” unions ferociously defend the protecting the jobs of The Church of England is minded to the upcoming academic year Carlo Acutis was “obviously in love thing “that can speak to young people are, whether we’re conscience of it or The beatification will take place men and women in their force, the cops...” investigate Queen Elizabeth I’s role in The call was made in an with God and in love with others and right now”. not we’re constantly being influenced in Assisi at 4pm at the Basilica of St making it almost impossible to slavery. Well, she was involved up to open letter. The principals also so cheerful”. “He’s just a wonderful young man. by those around us”. Francis. sack even those who have been Great care was taken in the the hilt with Sir Francis Drake, who was asked all grammar schools to “So many of our young people are One of the quotes from him that really These role models, if the influence Carlo was born in London to Ital- at fault repeatedly. selection of recruits, so that something of a pirate and buccaneer suspend the tests. going around with long faces and how struck me, in English it’s ‘we are born is good, he said a person’s “actions will ian parents who soon returned to If nobody is ever fired for they would observe ‘ideals of around the Spanish Main. Unofficial transfer tests many of them are caught in depres- unique, but so many of us die photo- tend to be good, and the opposite is Milan. He attended daily Mass, fre- indiscipline or misconduct, service’, with a “clean, moral But wait a minute – does this mean have been used since the sion and drug addiction? It’s chronic copies’, isn’t that so true? also true”. quently praying the Rosary and mak- then, inevitably, bad apples outlook and temperate habits... that her role in establishing Trinity abolition of the 11-plus in 2008 and here we have a young man who’s “How many people just mimic the “In every Christian’s life there are ing weekly confessions. will thrive and tragedies and and pride in their calling”. Trust College Dublin will be questioned? and are run by private test pro- malfeasances will occur. People was emphasised – trust in the Slavers funds used to extinguish viders Association for Quality in positions of power – and any state and in the people. Papists? Education (AQE) and the Post- Prepare ye the way of the Lord individual with a gun in his There clearly have been Primary Transfer Consortium Parishes need ‘advice holster and a licence to use it is gardaí who have failed to A Maasai man in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya prays next to (PPTC). in a position of power – must be meet the ideals and standards a mural of George Floyd, painted by the artist Allan Mwangi. So far about a dozen Catho- and encouragement’ held accountable. upheld. O’Duffy himself was a lic grammar schools have con- they were defenceless. This was Eoin O’Duffy – who later flawed character. Yet the Garda firmed they will not use the test Power would make the population became the leader of the Siochána were set on the right results to admit pupils in 2021. Looking back nearly 100 years, at large more sympathetic to Blueshirts – and he set out a path from the start. from bishops I think we should be proud of them – and would thus lead to high moral standard for the A police force is not just Lourdes pilgrimage the way the Garda Siochána it’s extremely challenging. the excellent civic principle of behaviour of the new force. about protecting the jobs of the Ruadhán Jones – an unarmed police force – goes online for “Our own situation in ‘policing by consent’. A garda, he told the recruits, cops: it’s about service to the was established in Ireland in They sometimes were should “have a spirit of patriotic Parishes need “practical Cabinteely, for example – if people and the lawfully elected Limerick advice” from bishops to help we want to return to pre-lock- 1922-23. Despite the fact that attacked by those who did not devotion and selflessness” – but state, through consent, not Limerick diocese’s annual with “complex process” of down schedule, we’d need an the country had been bristling accept the Free State, but the he was also a guardian of all the guns. Lourdes pilgrimage will go opening churches, said Fr enormous amount of volun- with guns, and many willing to unarmed policy stayed, and people, not any one online from Friday this year. Aquinas Duffy of Cabinteely teers which I’d be surprised use them, Kevin O’Higgins, the helped to create a constabulary faction of it. Under the patronage of parish. if we get. Minister for Justice, insisted that which was accepted by the Athleticism – a Bishop Brendan Leahy and Speaking to The Irish “The number of masses we the gardaí should be unarmed. people, in a way that the RIC background in the Lourdes Director Fr Frank Catholic, Fr Duffy praised the do won’t be dependent on the He believed an armed police never had been (although quite GAA – was favoured, O’Dea, the Lourdes 2020 Vir- recent framework document priest, but on the volunteers force would lead to more a few former RIC men became as was abstinence tual Pilgrimage runs from this published by the Irish bish- we need.” shooting in the streets: the Gardai, and made the transition from alcohol: they Friday, June 19 to Monday, ops, but said that it provided Fr Duffy said that parishes gardaí’s most powerful weapon, successfully). got extra points if June 22, with celebrations more questions than answers can feel quite isolated as a paradoxically, could be that The first Garda Commissioner they had a pioneer being streamed live on the Lim- at this point. result of the huge commit- erick Diocese Facebook. “They bishops are doing ments. In praise of the benefits of shopping... The pilgrimage – details what they can by sending out “What we’re really look- There’s been a certain health, education, welfare since the 12th Century. of which are on the diocesan the framework document, it ing for are two things: one is degree of snootiness about services. Shopping has a A boutique adjacent to website – will open at midday is a good help,” said Fr Duffy. practical solutions as to how the folks who, as soon as beneficial side, though the lovely Chapel of the on the Friday with an open- “But there are more questions we can reopen,” said Fr Duffy. than solutions and answers in “The second is encourage- the shops open again for perhaps like wine, or Miraculous Medal in the ing ceremony celebrated by business, queue up for hours watching TV, it’s best done Rue de Bac in Paris does Bishop Leahy and Fr Frank it. ment. It’s an important thing “The problem is each par- at the moment, for bishops to to get to buy a pair of shoes, in moderation. a brisk trade in a wide O’Dea, followed by Rosary or a frock or a household Religious practice – and range of goods (all served led by Sr Margaret Hogan at ish being left to themselves to support and encourage par- come up with solutions and ishes.” gadget. pilgrimage – have often by efficient multi-lingual 4.30pm. But shopping and included a little shopping nuns, very nimble on trading add cheerfulness on the side. Mont St Michel the currency-exchange to a city or town, and it’s a in Brittany, a place of calculators). social activity as well as a holiness, has little stalls There’s an element of mercantilist one. The wheels selling religious artefacts what I call Cromwellite of commerce provide gainful and souvenirs all the way Puritanism about looking Follow The employment, and help to up to the exquisite church down on shopping and Irish Catholic fund the state’s exchequer at the top: it’s claimed some commerce. Let the people on Twitter for the common good – of them have been on site shop! IrishCath Members of the Polish community Eliza and Lena Pawlowscy work on St Joseph’s Well News in Barefield in advance of the feast of the Sacred Heart. People realising ‘we can’t do without God’, says Bishop Nulty Leaving Global firms need to follow up talk on virtual community with a huge following.” Ruadhán Jones Bishop Leahy added that “many of our Thank you to all our A Legacy – We are seeing “small green shoots of churches operated physical distancing by Child Slavery with action – Aontú recovery” as a result of the pandemic, said default before the pandemic, because the customers for your support Remembering the our global companies in our society another to do something about it.” Bishop Denis Nulty. regular practice rate was about 22%”. Leaving a gift to Hospice in your will. Ruadhán Jones still rely on it”. Mr Conroy continued, saying: Speaking on Corpus Christi, Bishop Nulty But he continued, saying: “We are reliably Our Lady's Hospice & Care told many more have been engaging with the Companies operating in Ireland must “At a time in which people are “Black lives matter, and black chil- said that “everything has been disrupted; it’s Services in Harold's Cross, Blackrock Jackie Slattery becoming increasingly aware of the dren’s lives matter. only now there are some small green shoots online presence of the Church. end the use of child labour in supply or Wicklow can help us provide expert and loving Legacy Manager many structural injustices that are “Successive governments have of gentle recovery”. “Perhaps people are realising we can’t do care for this generation and the next. chains, said the Caithaoirleach of Tel:(01) 491 1072 present in the modern world,” he been very keen to make Ireland an “Our church overnight moved into a without God.” To find out more about the simple steps involved in leaving Email:[email protected] Ógra Aontú. a gift in your will, big or small, please contact us in said, “we see major corporations talk- attractive place for multinationals Find us on Speaking on the International Day complete confidence, with no obligation. ing a good game about inclusion and to operate: the government should Visit: Olh.ie/legacy Against Child Labour, Ben Conroy said equality. insist that companies operating in End of an era as College closes...for now: Page Thank you. CHY:1144 RCN:20001827 16 “child labour is modern slavery, and “But it’s one thing to talk about it: Ireland need to be child labour free.” The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Comment ||5 A police force’s ideal he appalling behaviour pin! The Cadetship, writes of some of the Fearghal McGarry in his superb American police biography of O’Duffy, was open which we’ve seen in to single young men who were recent times is, it seems, partly Mary Kenny educated, possessed 24 teeth, becauseT of their very powerful and had a sound moral outlook. trade unions. Derek Chauvin, Discipline was enforced and a the police officer who stands ‘knowledge of life’ taught. accused of the killing of George Floyd, had already faced at least A police force 17 complaints of misconduct. ❛❛ Just how deeply do we Yet his career flourished is not just about because the American police investigate Elizabeth I? unions ferociously defend the protecting the jobs of The Church of England is minded to men and women in their force, the cops...” investigate Queen Elizabeth I’s role in making it almost impossible to slavery. Well, she was involved up to sack even those who have been Great care was taken in the the hilt with Sir Francis Drake, who was at fault repeatedly. selection of recruits, so that something of a pirate and buccaneer If nobody is ever fired for they would observe ‘ideals of around the Spanish Main. indiscipline or misconduct, service’, with a “clean, moral But wait a minute – does this mean then, inevitably, bad apples outlook and temperate habits... that her role in establishing Trinity will thrive and tragedies and and pride in their calling”. Trust College Dublin will be questioned? malfeasances will occur. People was emphasised – trust in the Slavers funds used to extinguish in positions of power – and any state and in the people. Papists? individual with a gun in his There clearly have been holster and a licence to use it is gardaí who have failed to A Maasai man in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya prays next to in a position of power – must be meet the ideals and standards a mural of George Floyd, painted by the artist Allan Mwangi. held accountable. upheld. O’Duffy himself was a they were defenceless. This was Eoin O’Duffy – who later flawed character. Yet the Garda Power would make the population became the leader of the Siochána were set on the right Looking back nearly 100 years, at large more sympathetic to Blueshirts – and he set out a path from the start. I think we should be proud of them – and would thus lead to high moral standard for the A police force is not just the way the Garda Siochána the excellent civic principle of behaviour of the new force. about protecting the jobs of the – an unarmed police force – ‘policing by consent’. A garda, he told the recruits, cops: it’s about service to the was established in Ireland in They sometimes were should “have a spirit of patriotic people and the lawfully elected 1922-23. Despite the fact that attacked by those who did not devotion and selflessness” – but state, through consent, not the country had been bristling accept the Free State, but the he was also a guardian of all the guns. with guns, and many willing to unarmed policy stayed, and people, not any one use them, Kevin O’Higgins, the helped to create a constabulary faction of it. Minister for Justice, insisted that which was accepted by the Athleticism – a the gardaí should be unarmed. people, in a way that the RIC background in the He believed an armed police never had been (although quite GAA – was favoured, force would lead to more a few former RIC men became as was abstinence shooting in the streets: the Gardai, and made the transition from alcohol: they gardaí’s most powerful weapon, successfully). got extra points if paradoxically, could be that The first Garda Commissioner they had a pioneer In praise of the benefits of shopping... There’s been a certain health, education, welfare since the 12th Century. degree of snootiness about services. Shopping has a A boutique adjacent to the folks who, as soon as beneficial side, though the lovely Chapel of the the shops open again for perhaps like wine, or Miraculous Medal in the business, queue up for hours watching TV, it’s best done Rue de Bac in Paris does to get to buy a pair of shoes, in moderation. a brisk trade in a wide or a frock or a household Religious practice – and range of goods (all served gadget. pilgrimage – have often by efficient multi-lingual But shopping and included a little shopping nuns, very nimble on trading add cheerfulness on the side. Mont St Michel the currency-exchange to a city or town, and it’s a in Brittany, a place of calculators). social activity as well as a holiness, has little stalls There’s an element of mercantilist one. The wheels selling religious artefacts what I call Cromwellite of commerce provide gainful and souvenirs all the way Puritanism about looking employment, and help to up to the exquisite church down on shopping and fund the state’s exchequer at the top: it’s claimed some commerce. Let the people for the common good – of them have been on site shop! People realising ‘we can’t do without God’, says Bishop Nulty virtual community with a huge following.” Ruadhán Jones Bishop Leahy added that “many of our Thank you to all our We are seeing “small green shoots of churches operated physical distancing by recovery” as a result of the pandemic, said default before the pandemic, because the customers for your support Bishop Denis Nulty. regular practice rate was about 22%”. Speaking on Corpus Christi, Bishop Nulty But he continued, saying: “We are reliably said that “everything has been disrupted; it’s told many more have been engaging with the only now there are some small green shoots online presence of the Church. of gentle recovery”. “Perhaps people are realising we can’t do “Our church overnight moved into a without God.” End of an era as College closes...for now: Page 16 6 | News || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 A WORLD IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY CAN THRIVE EVERYWHERE Govt push for exclusion zones dubbed ‘vindictive’ ing women what they might regulations,” said Nola Leach, do not support abortion to Chai Brady and need to help them with their chief executive of Christian birth for Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate Aron Hegarty pregnancy. How can that be Action Research and Educa- or Down’s syndrome. The decision to include the offensive to anybody, unless tion (CARE). The poll of 1,878 respond- pursuit of exclusion zones you are wholeheartedly into “Members of the House of ents, conducted by Lucid Talk outside abortion centres in the idea that abortion is the Lords have voted for regula- from June 3-5 for CARE NI, the Programme for Govern- only solution that women tions that directly discrimi- shows more than two thirds ment has been described as should be offered.” nate against people with (72%) were against abortion You can Help us “vindictive” by the Life Insti- disabilities [sic] and were to birth for otherwise healthy tute. Regulations rejected by a majority in the babies with a cleft lip or pal- The programme set out by Meanwhile Christian lead- Northern Ireland Assembly ate. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the ers in Northern Ireland have only a few weeks ago. In addition, over two thirds Green Party states the new criticised the UK Government “MPs need to consider (67%) were opposed to abor- Save Lives, Government will: “Establish after Members of the House that, by voting for these reg- tion for Down syndrome exclusion zones around medi- of Lords voted this week to ulations, the message they between 24 weeks gestation cal facilities.” approve new abortion regu- are sending to the people up to birth. Níamh Uí Bhriain of the lations for the North. of Northern Ireland is that i The Rally For Life is hosting Life Institute said consti- In total, 355 voted for the unborn babies have no value, a ‘Virtual Rally for Life’ online tutional provisions have Save Souls & regulations with 77 voted particularly unborn babies from July 1-5. For more infor- remained the same and “peo- against. who have disabilities.” mation, go to rallyforlife.net Fr Bryan Shortall PP of Priorswood in Dublin is preparing ple have a right to protest”. “The people of Northern A recent poll in NI reveals or follow the hashtag #Ral- for the reopening of churches for public worship. He has “The vigils at hospitals Ireland do not want these the majority of respondents lyForLife2020 introduced hand sanitising stations in his church. have been very peaceful and that’s been confirmed by Save the Faith. gardaí. I think the inclusion of the desire to create exclu- Mixed reaction as Occupied Territories Bill dropped its implementation. ment,” it said. level to take a more proac- Ireland’s support for interna- sion zones outside abortion Chai Brady Signed by over a dozen “We do accept that Sen. tive approach in supporting a tional law and opposition to centres shows the vindictive- Francis Black had a good negotiated two- state solution ness of the Government and Over a dozen religious leaders clergy and lay people of a settlement construction in • Through your Donations, ACN helps motivation in proposing this and lasting peace process.” in particular I would imagine have said they are “delighted” variety of denominations, the the West Bank. bill but pushing Ireland into It adds they will oppose of senior ministers. the Occupied Territories Bill leaders stated: “This bill was “Ireland has a strong an anti-Israel camp will not any annexation or plans to to support 13,000 Sisters per year worldwide. “What we’re talking about was dropped in the draft Pro- seen by the Jewish people as reputation on this front, but advance the peace process in apply Israeli sovereignty over here is people either praying gramme of Government in a part of the increasingly dis- what we need to see is a the Middle East.” territory in the West Bank. peacefully outside an abor- statement issued this week, credited Boycott, Divestment willingness to move beyond Rather than mentioning Church-charity Trócaire tion centre or people offer- while Trócaire have called for and Sanctions (BDS) move- words and towards action. the bill, the draft programme issued a statement this week • Through your Mass Stipends, states: “Ireland’s longstand- repeating calls for Ireland to The Occupied Territories Bill ing support for a two-state “show leadership” by enact- has the clear support of the ACN supports one in every 9 Priests worldwide. solution to the Israeli-Pales- ing the Occupied Territories majority of parties in Dáil Seeking tinian conflict will remain an Bill. Éireann. It is morally right integral aspect of our foreign CEO Caoimhe de Barra and legally sound. We urge Through your and , inspiration for policy and we will continue said: “…the Programme for parties to continue to push • Prayers Legacies to build consensus at EU Government also reiterates for its enactment.” your parish ACN rebuilds over 1,200 churches per year worldwide. prayer group? Be not afraid, God is with us Once upon a time…not too the hungry, working for long ago…it took courage The Sunday justice and peace, is being of a sort not to go to church Gospel airbrushed out of history. Please continue to support us through your Donations, Mass Cards & Legacies. in holy Ireland. People who But Jesus tells us not to Looking for Fr Silvester did not go to church were O’Flynn be afraid because the time regarded as odd, or maybe OFM Cap. will come when the full a way to worse. truth will be recognised. how fear can paralyse us They swam against the “Everything now covered Please indicate the so he continually exhorts ✁ social tide which equated will be uncovered and Yes, I would like to donate to Aid to the Church in Need I would like to make type and number of strengthen us to have courage, to church attendance with everything now hidden I would like to make a monthly donation Aid to the * Masses required. have confidence. If people Church in Need wherever the need is greatest of €10 €25 €50 Other € a Mass O ering your family’s respectability. How things opposed Jesus and called will be made clear.” Be not have changed! 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Gospel Re ections and Prayers is a revised edition of Homily Hints and Prayers (2018) Follow the Irish Catholic on Twitter Registered Charity Numbers: acnireland.org/donate or call us on 01 837 7516 01 687 4096 www.columbabooks.com 23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2 (RoI) 9492 @Irishcathnews (NI) XR96620 Aid to the Church in Need, 151 St. Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 6 | News || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 A WORLD IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY CAN THRIVE EVERYWHERE Govt push for exclusion zones dubbed ‘vindictive’ ing women what they might regulations,” said Nola Leach, do not support abortion to Chai Brady and need to help them with their chief executive of Christian birth for Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate Aron Hegarty pregnancy. How can that be Action Research and Educa- or Down’s syndrome. The decision to include the offensive to anybody, unless tion (CARE). The poll of 1,878 respond- pursuit of exclusion zones you are wholeheartedly into “Members of the House of ents, conducted by Lucid Talk outside abortion centres in the idea that abortion is the Lords have voted for regula- from June 3-5 for CARE NI, the Programme for Govern- only solution that women tions that directly discrimi- shows more than two thirds ment has been described as should be offered.” nate against people with (72%) were against abortion You can Help us “vindictive” by the Life Insti- disabilities [sic] and were to birth for otherwise healthy tute. Regulations rejected by a majority in the babies with a cleft lip or pal- The programme set out by Meanwhile Christian lead- Northern Ireland Assembly ate. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the ers in Northern Ireland have only a few weeks ago. In addition, over two thirds Green Party states the new criticised the UK Government “MPs need to consider (67%) were opposed to abor- Save Lives, Government will: “Establish after Members of the House that, by voting for these reg- tion for Down syndrome exclusion zones around medi- of Lords voted this week to ulations, the message they between 24 weeks gestation cal facilities.” approve new abortion regu- are sending to the people up to birth. Níamh Uí Bhriain of the lations for the North. of Northern Ireland is that i The Rally For Life is hosting Life Institute said consti- In total, 355 voted for the unborn babies have no value, a ‘Virtual Rally for Life’ online tutional provisions have Save Souls & regulations with 77 voted particularly unborn babies from July 1-5. For more infor- remained the same and “peo- against. who have disabilities.” mation, go to rallyforlife.net Fr Bryan Shortall PP of Priorswood in Dublin is preparing ple have a right to protest”. “The people of Northern A recent poll in NI reveals or follow the hashtag #Ral- for the reopening of churches for public worship. He has “The vigils at hospitals Ireland do not want these the majority of respondents lyForLife2020 introduced hand sanitising stations in his church. have been very peaceful and that’s been confirmed by Save the Faith. gardaí. I think the inclusion of the desire to create exclu- Mixed reaction as Occupied Territories Bill dropped its implementation. ment,” it said. level to take a more proac- Ireland’s support for interna- sion zones outside abortion Chai Brady Signed by over a dozen “We do accept that Sen. tive approach in supporting a tional law and opposition to centres shows the vindictive- Francis Black had a good negotiated two- state solution ness of the Government and Over a dozen religious leaders clergy and lay people of a settlement construction in • Through your Donations, ACN helps motivation in proposing this and lasting peace process.” in particular I would imagine have said they are “delighted” variety of denominations, the the West Bank. bill but pushing Ireland into It adds they will oppose of senior ministers. the Occupied Territories Bill leaders stated: “This bill was “Ireland has a strong an anti-Israel camp will not any annexation or plans to to support 13,000 Sisters per year worldwide. “What we’re talking about was dropped in the draft Pro- seen by the Jewish people as reputation on this front, but advance the peace process in apply Israeli sovereignty over here is people either praying gramme of Government in a part of the increasingly dis- what we need to see is a the Middle East.” territory in the West Bank. peacefully outside an abor- statement issued this week, credited Boycott, Divestment willingness to move beyond Rather than mentioning Church-charity Trócaire tion centre or people offer- while Trócaire have called for and Sanctions (BDS) move- words and towards action. the bill, the draft programme issued a statement this week • Through your Mass Stipends, states: “Ireland’s longstand- repeating calls for Ireland to The Occupied Territories Bill ing support for a two-state “show leadership” by enact- has the clear support of the ACN supports one in every 9 Priests worldwide. solution to the Israeli-Pales- ing the Occupied Territories majority of parties in Dáil Seeking tinian conflict will remain an Bill. Éireann. It is morally right integral aspect of our foreign CEO Caoimhe de Barra and legally sound. We urge Through your and , inspiration for policy and we will continue said: “…the Programme for parties to continue to push • Prayers Legacies to build consensus at EU Government also reiterates for its enactment.” your parish ACN rebuilds over 1,200 churches per year worldwide. prayer group? Be not afraid, God is with us Once upon a time…not too the hungry, working for long ago…it took courage The Sunday justice and peace, is being of a sort not to go to church Gospel airbrushed out of history. Please continue to support us through your Donations, Mass Cards & Legacies. in holy Ireland. 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Gospel Re ections and Prayers is a revised edition of Homily Hints and Prayers (2018) Follow the Irish Catholic on Twitter Registered Charity Numbers: acnireland.org/donate or call us on 01 837 7516 01 687 4096 www.columbabooks.com 23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2 (RoI) 9492 @Irishcathnews (NI) XR96620 Aid to the Church in Need, 151 St. Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 8 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 Walk in the footsteps Martin Mansergh of Christ in… The View Coalition’s ‘holistic vision of progress’ THE will need uncommon political will he country’s most large number of smaller addressed. important and Catholic property-occupiers. What it shows is that imposing statue, Nevertheless, it led to the we have a reasonably Holy that of Daniel gradual unravelling of the resilient constitutional O’Connell, on the capital’s Union. framework with which to mainT thoroughfare, should deal with all eventualities Bishop James Doyle be safe from attack (except of Kildare and Leighlin as well as a strong sense of by seagulls and pigeons), (JKL) did not believe that public spirit and solidarity as he championed the repeal was an achievable to draw on. All those anti-slavery cause. In objective at the time, with several challenges may be 1845, he greeted the or without force. I quote a further compounded by a messy and unsatisfactory La famous campaigner and at letter of his from a lecture nd that point escaped slave given in Carlow College by implementation of post- Frederick Douglass, who was Dr Thomas McGrath, the Brexit trade arrangements, on a lecture tour of Ireland leading authority on Bishop though, mostly, political and Britain. Doyle, in 2019: realities tend to have a way 9 – 18 & 16 – 25 O’ Connell had a clear “We must proceed on in the end of politically unequivocal position of another course...change asserting themselves, as principle against slavery, not less important than they did in the case of and was on the right side of revolutions may be effected last autumn’s withdrawal February 2021 history, unlike some of his without the sword...I agreement Young Ireland critics, who would rather see Ireland did not want to alienate regenerated than ruined, A more holistic potential support from the and I would prefer a lesser ❛❛ American South. degree of happiness than vision of progress Price: Visit Bethlehem, Nazareth, A past generation to see her thrown into a than the purely of historians tended to furnace having no assurance underplay the subject, of her escape from it.” economic underlies including Jerusalem and other sites in the including the firebrand the Programme for taxes and tips patriot John Mitchel’s later It looks as €1685* support for the South and ❛❛ Government” Holy Land associated with Christ. for slavery. if the concluding A quick glance at the Watching again after 30 negotiated Programme for years the box set North and phase of the decade Government suggests a DIRECT FLIGHTS South, the last series shows of centenaries will very ambitious plan that that the legacy of slavery will require considerable did not go away with its be presided over and uncommon political actual abolition at the end by the two parties will-power and a benign of the American civil war. that are heirs to the recovery from Covid-19 to Nine-night pilgrimage in four-star hotels Part of the current crisis independents. preached not just the virtues have averted a civil war, but fulfil. has stemmed, not just from Irish revolution and The electorate voted but the practical necessity it was vetoed by the British A more holistic vision heavy-handed policing, but for change, but, as in any of single-party government, government along with the of progress than the purely from a misguided political that split over the representative system, left last experienced over 30 draft agreed constitution economic underlies it, • Visit the site of Christ’s birth • Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee appeal, rarely overt but it to the parties to work years ago. that underpinned it and with a strong emphasis perceptible, to the after- Treaty” out what form that should Despite the real difficulty which would have removed on a better work-life culture of confederacy. • Walk the Way of the Cross • Explore the site of Christ’s miracles Nearly a century take. and prolonged effort the divisive issue of the balance, including later, much had evolved, There is no merit in required to construct a crown. extended parental leave Self image including the advance trying to postpone further stable government from a The confidence and and more flexible working, • Experience Calvary and the Tomb of Jesus • Journey to Mount Tabor Ireland, too, has things to of democratic rights and the challenge of getting to disparate political landscape, supply arrangement that on meaningful regional reflect on both in its present a recognition at least in grips with climate change, as was shown both in 2016 supported the previous development (such as the and its past. We need to • Tour the home of the Holy Family • Float in the magical Dead Sea theory that small nations that has manifested itself and so far this year, there government achieved Technological University interrogate dispassionately had a right to govern in Australian forest fires, is much to be said for important advances, even of the South-East), as well how far our idealistic self themselves, so that a war hurricanes and flooding, harnessing different values, if there still remained as revived town centres. • See the site of the Annunciation • Discover ancient markets image as a country with an of independence, though and the rapid spread of a perspectives, interests glaring gaps. The acting Getting around will be anti-imperialist identity not without its costs, deadly disease, the long- and objectives as the best government since the first less car-based. 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It is not about directed against Britain essential. Since January crisis, in a way that can delete the clause on the English-speaking guide throughout the pilgrimage jjjjjjj looking for scapegoats, or never had a realistic 1922, we have never had a stand up to comparison, role of woman within the imagining that the problem chance of success. Over many decades, a national government. The even as it exposed critical home following a citizens’ came exclusively from one It looks as if the dominant party in the State Collins-de Valera pact might shortcomings that have to be assembly. *Single Supplement Applies tradition, but about making concluding phase of the To reserve your place: honesty and credibility decade of centenaries will coincide. be presided over by the There is no merit in trying to postpone further the Call Dublin (01) 878 8159 or Belfast (028) 95680005 or email [email protected] Catholic Emancipation, two parties that are heirs ❛❛ which was primarily the to the Irish revolution and challenge of getting to grips with climate change, that has right of Catholic MPs to that split over the Treaty, sit in parliament, came with the very necessary manifested itself in Australian forest fires, hurricanes and Marian Pilgrimages is a fully licensed and at a price, which was the addition of the Greens bonded tour operator TO142 - ATOL 10206 disenfranchisement of a and support of a few flooding, and the rapid spread of a deadly disease...” Walk in the footsteps of Christ in… THE Holy Land 9 – 18 & 16 – 25 February 2021

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Marian Pilgrimages is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator TO142 - ATOL 10206 10 | Events || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 Out&About Congratulations, Fr Willie

KILDARE: Clergy, including Bishop Denis Nulty, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Fr Willie O’Byrne of Kill, Ardclough and Johnstown parish in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.

parishioners.▲ DUBLIN: The Sisters of St Clare in Harold’s Cross wanted to acknowledge all the help and support people were giving during the Covid-19 pandemic so they erected a banner of encouragement at the entrance of their convent. They told this paper: “For this we pray for them daily.”

INSHORT of social lockdown and the continued use in our communities, it has slowed us all Deacon Williams added that those who Deacon commends uncertainty. down enough to see what was in front of us have less will always need additional help, “We have seen an increase in the for years,” he said. support and understanding. families for ‘resilience’ instances of issues in families relating to “It’s sad, it’s a waste of so much promise, “Please continue to look out for one during lockdown a lack of food, domestic violence, mental but there is always a way back if we are another. Our humanity, our community The CEO of Cloyne Diocesan Youth and health challenges and a range of other willing to meet the challenges. response, our faith and our dedication has Community Services (CDYS) has commended difficulties that have become more acute “In our work as a frontline youth and served as a beacon for many during the the “resilience” of those using the Youth and over the last three months. We are absolutely community services and also in my work as a darkness and difficulty of the last three Community Services during the Covid-19 privileged to be able to help so many families deacon I can see first-hand how the isolation months. Let us keep this beacon burning pandemic. and young people despite the demands, of the last number of months is taking its toll brightly to make sure no one is left alone as CEO, Deacon Brian Williams, who is a uncertainty and challenges.” on people who otherwise would have had we forge a new normal in our lives.” Permanent Deacon in the parish of Macroom, Deacon Williams voiced concern about little or no need of our supports. The fear, said they are “absolutely taken aback by the the rise in alcohol/drug use and its effect on grief and anxiety in people’s lives cannot Ferns bishop announces resilience of many families and vulnerable mental health. be underestimated. As we begin to emerge people we are working with across the “The issue of alcohol and drug use is from the lockdown, I would ask people, diocesan appointments Diocese and beyond throughout this time”. immense in our communities and we are community groups and parishes to continue Bishop Brennan has announced the diocesan “Things are really difficult for people, seeing the direct consequences of this more to keep those who are struggling and appointments this month that will come into we have seen an upsurge in contacts to our clearly during the last number of months. vulnerable in their prayers, to stay connected effect on the weekend of August 8-9. services from families who have concerns The lockdown has given us a unique vantage and in contact with isolated families and The Bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan, about young people and the ongoing effects point into the extent of drug and alcohol young people.” announced the following clerical changes: 10 | Events || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Events ||11

Edited by Chai Brady Events deadline is a week in advance of publication Out&About [email protected] Congratulations, Fr Willie

KILDARE: Clergy, including Bishop Denis Nulty, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Fr Willie O’Byrne of Kill, Ardclough and Johnstown parish in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.

DUBLIN: Fr Martin and Fr Michael at the Mass Rock from Penal Times in Rathfarnham.

DUBLIN: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin archdiocese talks to RTÉ’s Ailbhe Conneely on the new guidelines issued by Ireland’s hierarchy last week on re-opening churches safely for worship.

▲ TIPPERARY: Fr Billy Meehan PP at St Mary’s, Irishtown in Clonmel celebrated his Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. The Sacristan, Eddie Sweetman presented him with a replica of the cross and dome of the church from parishioners.▲ DUBLIN: The Sisters of St Clare in Harold’s Cross wanted to acknowledge all the help and support people were giving during the Covid-19 pandemic so they erected a banner of encouragement at the entrance of their convent. They told this paper: “For this we pray for them daily.” WEXFORD: Bishop Denis Brennan plants a tree at St Ann’s DUBLIN: Fr Seán O’Shaughnessy CSSp pictured on his Church Rathnure to mark the occasion of his Golden Jubilee 90th birthday last week where he lives in Kimmage Manor. as a priest of the Diocese of Ferns. INSHORT of social lockdown and the continued use in our communities, it has slowed us all Deacon Williams added that those who Fr Richard Redmond CC Ferns to be PP compilation video in support of Sydney, New York and London. Deacon commends uncertainty. down enough to see what was in front of us have less will always need additional help, Ramsgrange. Fr Ricky O Connor CC New Trócaire’s latest appeal. Trócaire recently asked supporters “We have seen an increase in the for years,” he said. support and understanding. Ross to be CC Ferns. Fr Chris Hayden CC Doctors Maria Buffini, Shona Cobbe to return donations from their Trócaire families for ‘resilience’ instances of issues in families relating to “It’s sad, it’s a waste of so much promise, “Please continue to look out for one Coolfancy to sabbatical leave. Fr Richard and Gillian Madders are all working on boxes online or over the phone. The during lockdown a lack of food, domestic violence, mental but there is always a way back if we are another. Our humanity, our community Lawless PP Craanford to one year’s the frontline in Ireland’s hospitals, but development agency has warned that a The CEO of Cloyne Diocesan Youth and health challenges and a range of other willing to meet the challenges. response, our faith and our dedication has leave. the trio took time out of their sched- 60% decline in donations to its Lenten Community Services (CDYS) has commended difficulties that have become more acute “In our work as a frontline youth and served as a beacon for many during the Fr Brian Whelan Adm. Ramsgrange ules to record a message of support for Appeal has put many of its life-saving the “resilience” of those using the Youth and over the last three months. We are absolutely community services and also in my work as a darkness and difficulty of the last three to Adm. Craanford. Trócaire’s Covid-19 response in 19 of programmes at risk. privileged to be able to help so many families deacon I can see first-hand how the isolation months. Let us keep this beacon burning the world’s poorest countries. Dr Maria Buffini of Dublin’s Con- Community Services during the Covid-19 The Bishop of Ferns also announced DERRY: Kate and Aodhan watch the Fan the Flame Mass of the last number of months is taking its toll Over 40 dancers from Riverdance’s nolly Hospital, Dr Shona Cobbe of the pandemic. and young people despite the demands, brightly to make sure no one is left alone as that Fr Pat Mernagh, chaplain to the online earlier this month in the Diocese of Derry. CEO, Deacon Brian Williams, who is a uncertainty and challenges.” on people who otherwise would have had we forge a new normal in our lives.” Irish Defence Forces, will go to be troupe appeared in the video, which Coombe Hospital, Dublin and Dr Gillian Permanent Deacon in the parish of Macroom, Deacon Williams voiced concern about little or no need of our supports. The fear, parish priest of Kilmore, which will has been recorded in support of the Madders of University Hospital, Galway said they are “absolutely taken aback by the the rise in alcohol/drug use and its effect on grief and anxiety in people’s lives cannot Ferns bishop announces come into effect on December 5-6. charity’s ‘Make Your Trócaire Box Count’ are three Riverdancers who feature in Events resilience of many families and vulnerable mental health. be underestimated. As we begin to emerge appeal. the video. l In the current Covid-19 crisis, it is clear that most people we are working with across the “The issue of alcohol and drug use is from the lockdown, I would ask people, diocesan appointments Riverdance doctors With each dancer recording their Explaining the background to the (and perhaps all) Church events are suspended. Diocese and beyond throughout this time”. immense in our communities and we are community groups and parishes to continue Bishop Brennan has announced the diocesan own segment in isolation, their perfor- video, Dr Madders explained: “River- Consequently, we are withholding the popular “Things are really difficult for people, seeing the direct consequences of this more to keep those who are struggling and appointments this month that will come into record video for Trócaire mances feature scenery from a number dance is a proud sponsor of Trócaire Events Listing column until normal activities can we have seen an upsurge in contacts to our clearly during the last number of months. vulnerable in their prayers, to stay connected effect on the weekend of August 8-9. Three Irish doctors feature among the of Irish cities and counties, including and we are asking you to visit trocaire. resume in our parishes. However, please do email services from families who have concerns The lockdown has given us a unique vantage and in contact with isolated families and The Bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan, stars of Riverdance’s 25th anniversary Dublin, Belfast, Clare and Galway, as org and make a donation today. Your us if you know of any parish event planned and we about young people and the ongoing effects point into the extent of drug and alcohol young people.” announced the following clerical changes: cast to have recorded a dance well international locations such as support could make a big difference.” will publish details. 12 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 A form of Christianity that is risk-averse is doomed to fail

If we are not willing to be troublemakers, it is no wonder that the secular culture takes no notice of us, writes David Quinn re we still a Church of risk-takers? I’m not so sure. I think we have become increasingly risk-averse, Ataking the safe, soft option when choices must be made. We have become the opposite of prophetic and evangelistic. We prefer to go with the flow, to avoid confrontation, to run away from making people feel uncomfortable. A Church burden will be light. silver shrines to her were in owners seized Paul and we never would have even not just to the convert, but which is like this, will not We see the apostles shy danger of losing business. his companion, Silas, and heard of Christianity. possibly to their family as inspire people or grow. away from Jesus when the So they stirred up the dragged them before the And it is not simply well. If you convert and It was not always like this. mob comes for him. That townspeople against Paul authorities. that Paul was taking risks, are killed or imprisoned as Go back right to the start, is our usual instinct, and and caused a riot. They accused them he was actively causing a result, what happens to right back to Jesus. He took an understandable one. It of “advocating customs trouble. He was expressly risks, big ones. He would them? ultimately takes Pentecost unlawful for us Romans to challenging the Jews of his What would a mentality calculate the risk in a given for them to regain their Right from accept or practice”. The two day to recognise Jesus as the situation. Sometimes he ❛❛ that puts safety, risk- nerve and take the risks people are stripped, beaten, Messiah, which caused huge would seek confrontation, as the earliest times, aversion and a false view of necessary to preach the flogged and imprisoned. In upset, and he was telling the with the pharisees, but other peace first, have to say to Christian Faith. conversion to the end they are released pagans that their Gods were times he would decide the such a person? St Paul, the greatest because, as Roman citizens, false, which also caused time wasn’t right and fight Christianity has missionary, was a supreme they had rights which have enormous anger. But he did What would it say to the battle on another day. risk-taker. As he went from often involved great been violated. so without hesitation. someone in (for instance) one town to another he was There are plenty more What do the modern North Korea who was Trial in constant danger. He was risk, and not just examples like this. Paul theologians of missionary thinking today of joining When Jesus finally goes beaten, flogged, stoned, exposes him to danger activity make of this? For a secret house church at to Jerusalem to face trial to the convert, but ship-wrecked, imprisoned repeatedly anyway. a start, do they think it is gigantic risk to themselves? and execution, he knows and ultimately killed for possibly to their Does Paul inspire us now, Would it advise them not to, what awaits him, but he even worthwhile to convert preaching the Gospel. or make us nervous? When does it anyway. He knows family as well” people to Christianity or it is for both their own sake and Everywhere he went, he his story is read out at Mass it is necessary. He chooses, enough that people simply that of their family? caused trouble. You read this In Philippi, he wins a slave we probably listen blankly reluctantly, the Cross. He become the best version of over and over again in the girl to the Christian Faith, most of the time. I know does not have a martyrdom themselves? Risks Acts of the Apostles. but this hugely upsets her I did. But recently I began complex. It is important Do they think it is wrong In many parts of the world, For example, he causes owners because she was a reading the Acts properly, to say this. Some people to go about causing so much the Church still takes a riot in Ephesus. How? fortune-teller, and they made and especially the deeds of actively seek martyrdom, trouble, as Paul did? If that risks. Christians are being Because he was leading a fortune out of her. Now St Paul. They are incredible. which is wrong. Jesus would is so, then what was the persecuted for their faith. people away from the pagan that she was a Christian, she Would you have taken rather avoid it. This is why point of Jesus, who expressly These are often the parts of goddess, Artemis, and this didn’t want to tell fortunes the risks he did? I know told the Apostles to make he pleads with God in the the world where it is also meant craftsmen who made anymore (because to do so I wouldn’t. But without disciples of all nations and Garden of Gethsemane to still growing, paradoxically. their living from selling second-guesses God). Her someone taking those risks, caused plenty of trouble take this cup from him. Here, we play it safe. himself through his direct The Cross is a symbol We seem to think this is of pain and suffering, of confrontations with the St Paul, the greatest missionary, was a supreme the most Christian thing redemption and hope. We ❛❛ religious authorities of his to do. Are we growing? are not to actively seek out risk-taker. As he went from one town to another day, the confrontations our crosses, but we are not which caused his death. On the contrary. In fact, a to go out of our way to avoid he was in constant danger. He was beaten, flogged, Right from the earliest Christianity that no longer them either. If they come our times, conversion to takes risks and causes way, we must accept them. stoned, ship-wrecked, imprisoned and ultimately Christianity has often trouble is barely Christianity That is the only way the killed for preaching the Gospel” involved great risk, and at all. 12 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Comment ||13 r1 A form of Christianity that is Programme for Government may lead to referendum on curricula across primary and While public post-primary levels, including risk-averse is doomed to fail an inclusive programme on appetite for LGBTI+ relationships and making Catholic schools appropriate legislative changes dismantling if necessary”. What effect, for example, will such a programme parental choice in have on the ability of a Catholic school to teach about human education is low, sexuality in a way that is those who value authentically Catholic? Will the school be able to emphasise the faith schools must unique nature of the family based If we are not on marriage between one man and willing to be prepare, writes one woman? There are also plans to troublemakers, Michael Kelly introduce hate crime legislation t the national educa- may seem harmless, but such laws it is no wonder tion conference hosted have often been used in other by The Irish Catholic jurisdictions to silence people that the secular last October Bishop Tom critical of themes like gender culture takes Deenihan effectively warned that ideology. Aif the Church could not move more The Programme for Government also promises to quickly on the issue of divesting says about education. For those increasingly Educate Together current system with State control no notice of us, provide free contraception over some more schools to a non-Cath- who are bit rusty on the issue, – another voluntary partner of all State-funded schools. a phased period, starting with writes olic patronage, the decision well it says, amongst other things – have built a network of non- Of course, there’s no public David women aged 17-25 as well as might be made for us. that “the State acknowledges denominational schools to cater demand for such a referendum, introducing legislation around Quinn The Programme for Government that the primary and natural for parents who don’t want their but put a few ‘on message’ experts announced this week after talks assisted human reproduction. re we still a Church educator of the child is the family child educated in a faith-based all over the airwaves, a smattering between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and and guarantees to respect the environment. of hard cases where children have Buried in the detail is also a of risk-takers? I’m proposal to introduce so-called not so sure. I think the Green Party may well prove inalienable right and duty of Are there enough non- been denied a place in an over- his point. The document insists parents to provide, according to religious schools? The answer is subscribed school (for the record ‘exclusion zones’ around hospitals we have become and medical facilities to prevent increasingly risk-averse, that the new administration will their means, for the religious and undoubtedly, no. But the Church a shift in patronage will not tackle pro-life activists from quietly Ataking the safe, soft option establish a citizens’ assembly “on moral, intellectual, physical and has been working to divest schools the real issue that we need more against abortion at such centres. when choices must be the future of education ensuring social education of their children”. with varying levels of interest from school places), and a well-times The agreement between made. We have become the that the voices of young people and It adds that “the State shall not the Department of Education. report highlighting Church failings opposite of prophetic and those being educated are central”. oblige parents in violation of their A citizens’ assembly on on the issue of abuse and the stage the three parties also promises evangelistic. We prefer to What can be the harm in that, conscience and lawful preference education is likely to cast a critical is set. to “note” the review to the go with the flow, to avoid I hear you ask? Well, the reality is to send their children to schools eye on the current landscape and Regulation of Termination of confrontation, to run away that previous incarnations of the established by the State, or to any push for greater State control of Change Pregnancy Act (2018) which will from making people feel citizens’ assembly have really been particular type of school designated education. Already, Catholic schools Things can change very quickly take place in 2021. Such a review will likely hear calls for further uncomfortable. A Church burden will be light. silver shrines to her were in owners seized Paul and we never would have even not just to the convert, but used as fora to soften up public by the State”. are greatly curtailed in what they in politics and a hostile Minister liberalisation of laws around which is like this, will not We see the apostles shy danger of losing business. his companion, Silas, and heard of Christianity. possibly to their family as opinion for something that is can do – State control would be the for Education could well steer inspire people or grow. contentious. Take, for example, the abortion such as an abolition of away from Jesus when the So they stirred up the dragged them before the And it is not simply well. If you convert and Approach death knell for this. a referendum to abolish school It was not always like this. gatherings on same-sex marriage Crucially, the document says One doesn’t have to be a prophet patronage across the line. the three-day cooling off period mob comes for him. That townspeople against Paul authorities. that Paul was taking risks, are killed or imprisoned as Go back right to the start, and abortion. I think that few truly that the State shall provide “for” to see a referendum on so-called The issue of patronage is not and an extension of the age of is our usual instinct, and and caused a riot. They accused them he was actively causing a result, what happens to right back to Jesus. He took neutral observers would accept education, rather than providing ‘school equality’ on the cards in the the only thing that is of concern in the child that can be aborted for an understandable one. It of “advocating customs trouble. He was expressly them? risks, big ones. He would that these events – despite eminent education per se. This relatively not too distant future. the Programme for Government any reason from 12 weeks to, for ultimately takes Pentecost unlawful for us Romans to challenging the Jews of his What would a mentality calculate the risk in a given for them to regain their Right from accept or practice”. The two day to recognise Jesus as the chairs – heard equally from all ‘hands off’ approach has allowed The purpose of the referendum, which will now be sent to the party example, 14 weeks. situation. Sometimes he ❛❛ that puts safety, risk- sides. voluntary schools that cater to of course, would be to end faithful for review. While critics have dismissed the nerve and take the risks people are stripped, beaten, Messiah, which caused huge would seek confrontation, as the earliest times, aversion and a false view of necessary to preach the flogged and imprisoned. In upset, and he was telling the Such an assembly is likely to the needs of parents to flourish. Church patronage of schools, and Another part of the document Programme for Government as an with the pharisees, but other peace first, have to say to Christian Faith. conversion to the end they are released pagans that their Gods were look at Bunreacht na hÉireann and Traditionally, faith schools along with it all forms of school pledges to “develop inclusive and uncosted wish list, there is much to times he would decide the such a person? St Paul, the greatest because, as Roman citizens, false, which also caused what the Constitution currently have dominated the sector, but patronage, and to replace the age appropriate RSE and SPHE concern people of faith. time wasn’t right and fight Christianity has missionary, was a supreme they had rights which have enormous anger. But he did What would it say to the battle on another day. risk-taker. As he went from often involved great been violated. so without hesitation. someone in (for instance) one town to another he was There are plenty more What do the modern North Korea who was Trial in constant danger. He was risk, and not just examples like this. Paul theologians of missionary thinking today of joining When Jesus finally goes beaten, flogged, stoned, exposes him to danger activity make of this? For a secret house church at to Jerusalem to face trial to the convert, but ship-wrecked, imprisoned repeatedly anyway. a start, do they think it is gigantic risk to themselves? and execution, he knows and ultimately killed for possibly to their Does Paul inspire us now, Would it advise them not to, what awaits him, but he even worthwhile to convert BEES ARE VITAL TO preaching the Gospel. or make us nervous? When does it anyway. He knows family as well” people to Christianity or it is for both their own sake and Everywhere he went, he his story is read out at Mass it is necessary. He chooses, enough that people simply that of their family? caused trouble. You read this In Philippi, he wins a slave we probably listen blankly reluctantly, the Cross. He become the best version of LIFE ON EARTH. over and over again in the girl to the Christian Faith, most of the time. I know does not have a martyrdom themselves? Risks Acts of the Apostles. but this hugely upsets her I did. But recently I began complex. It is important Do they think it is wrong In many parts of the world, For example, he causes owners because she was a reading the Acts properly, Intriguing… to say this. Some people to go about causing so much the Church still takes YET EACH YEAR THEY’RE UNDER EXTREME THREAT a riot in Ephesus. How? fortune-teller, and they made and especially the deeds of actively seek martyrdom, trouble, as Paul did? If that risks. Christians are being BECAUSE OF HUMAN ACTIVITY. Because he was leading a fortune out of her. Now St Paul. They are incredible. delightful… which is wrong. Jesus would is so, then what was the persecuted for their faith. people away from the pagan that she was a Christian, she Would you have taken rather avoid it. This is why point of Jesus, who expressly These are often the parts of James Morrisey is looking to open people’s eyes to the goddess, Artemis, and this didn’t want to tell fortunes the risks he did? I know told the Apostles to make beautiful he pleads with God in the the world where it is also importance of bees. In The Bee’s Knees he rolls out a fascinating meant craftsmen who made anymore (because to do so I wouldn’t. But without disciples of all nations and Garden of Gethsemane to still growing, paradoxically. Ryan Tubridy insight into the world of this hardworking species and writes of their living from selling second-guesses God). Her someone taking those risks, caused plenty of trouble take this cup from him. Here, we play it safe. himself through his direct the valuable part they play in our ecosystem. From fun facts to in The Cross is a symbol We seem to think this is of pain and suffering, of confrontations with the depth proﬁles of Ireland’s beekeepers, uncover the history of the St Paul, the greatest missionary, was a supreme the most Christian thing redemption and hope. We ❛❛ religious authorities of his honeybee and discover how you can help ensure its survival. to do. Are we growing? are not to actively seek out risk-taker. As he went from one town to another day, the confrontations our crosses, but we are not which caused his death. On the contrary. In fact, a to go out of our way to avoid he was in constant danger. He was beaten, flogged, Right from the earliest Christianity that no longer them either. If they come our stoned, ship-wrecked, imprisoned and ultimately times, conversion to takes risks and causes way, we must accept them. Christianity has often trouble is barely Christianity AVAILABLE INCLUDING Order your copy by: Phoning 01 6874096 | Visiting www.currachbooks.com That is the only way the killed for preaching the Gospel” involved great risk, and at all. NOW €. POSTAGE! Posting a cheque to23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2 14 | Feature || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020

Pope Francis sees young people leading their peers to faith

An evening for young people and Focolare members in Paul VI audience hall to celebrate the beatification of Chiara Luce Badano on September 25, 2010

October 10 in Assisi, Italy – great devotion to the Eucha- the town made famous by St rist and Eucharistic miracles. Francis and St Clare (patron “It is beautiful that this saint of television). news comes as we pre- “The joy we have long pare for the feast of Corpus awaited finally has a date,” Christi,” Archbishop Sor- Archbishop Domenico Sor- rentino said. “Young Carlo rentino of Assisi said in a distinguished himself with statement at the weekend. his love for the Eucharist, The teenager – who will which defined his highway to be known as Blessed after his heaven.” beatification - is currently buried in Assisi’s Church of Young As the Church prepares to St Mary Major. ❛❛ Carlo Acutis, who was born in 1991 in London and died in He died of leukemia at friends of God 2006 in Monza, Italy. Photos: CNS honour teenagers who lived the age of 15, and during his are a reminder to offered him as a model of approved his heroic virtue illness offered his suffering as holiness in a digital age. last month and declared him lives of heroic virtue, the a prayer for the Pope and for their peers that “The news constitutes a venerable after a meeting the Church. we are made for ray of light in this period in with Cardinal Becciu. message is that holiness is for He was born in London which our country is strug- Matteo grew up in a on May 3, 1991 to Italian greatness rather gling with a difficult health, strong Christian family in everyone writes Michael Kelly parents who soon returned social and work situation,” the southern Italian town of to Milan. He was known as a than comfort” Archbishop Sorrentino said. Brindisi. He was very close to uring his long pon- ting flesh on the idea of the pious child, attending daily The miracle that paved “In these recent months of his sister, Erika. tificate, St John Paul universal call to holiness pro- Mass, frequently praying the the way for his beatifica- solitude and distancing, we The parish where he II canonised 482 posed by the Second Vatican rosary, and making weekly tion involved the healing have been experiencing the received the sacraments was saints – more than Council in the 1960s. confessions. of a Brazilian child suffer- most positive aspect of the under the care of Capuchin his predecessors had raised to The Church has also been “Jesus was the centre of ing from a rare congenital internet — a communication friars, from whom he gained Dthe altars of the Church in the adept at putting modern his day,” according to his anatomic anomaly of the technology for which Carlo a devotion to St Francis and St previous 600 years. His crit- technologies under saintly mother Antoonia Salzano. pancreas in 2013. The Medi- had a special talent. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). ics accused the Polish pontiff patronage. St Isidore of She said that priests and cal Council of the Congrega- “The love of God can turn The postulator of Matteo’s of being too quick to declare Seville, for example, is the nuns would tell her that they tion for Saints’ Causes gave a great crisis into a great cause for sainthood said that people saints, but John Paul II unofficial patron saint of could tell that the Lord had a a positive opinion of the grace, the archbishop said. from a young age he had the knew that the contemporary the internet. Despite the special plan for her son. miracle last November, and desire to learn new things, world needed more signposts fact that he lived more “Carlo really had Jesus in Pope Francis approved the Sainthood always undertaking his activ- to God rather than fewer. than 13 centuries before his heart, really the pure- miracle in February. Another Italian young man ities with diligence, whether His papacy saw not only the world wide web was ness…When you are really Carlo was exception- put firmly on the path to it was school or sports or his the canonisation and beati- invented, his efforts to pure of heart, you really touch ally gifted with computers. sainthood by Pope Francis is passion for music. fication of historic figures, record every known thing people’s hearts,” she said. In Christus vivit, the apostolic Matteo Farina who died in Starting at eight years old, but also modern men and earned him the title. The date for the beatifica- exhortation published after 2009. he would go to Confession women who had lived lives But, Isidore might have a tion was announced the same the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Matteo died of a brain often and also had a passion of holiness in the midst of the rival for that accolade now week as the feast of Corpus young people, Pope Francis tumour and the Pope for the scriptures. At nine modern world. that Pope Francis has given his Christi and Carlo also had a years old, he read the entire Both Pope Benedict XVI approval for the beatification Gospel of St Matthew as a and Pope Francis have fol- of an Italian teenager who Lenten practice and prayed lowed the model of propos- was a computer whizz kid. The postulator of Matteo’s cause for the rosary every day. ing ordinary people who ❛❛ When he was nine years have lived extraordinary lives Leukemia sainthood said that from a young age he old, he had a dream in which as models for Catholics to Venerable Carlo Acutis, who he heard Padre Pio tell him follow. It is a way of put- died in 2006, will be beatified had the desire to learn new things” 14 | Feature || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Feature ||15

friends with words. She tried assisting the demobilised pole to fend off the blows of to bring Jesus to them with servicemen returning from the guards. her example and how she World War I (1914-18). He Just before receiv- lived her life. decided to become a mining ing his university degree, When she was 17, Chiara engineer, studying at the Pier Giorgio contracted learned she had a very seri- Royal Polytechnic University poliomyelitis, which doctors ous form of bone cancer. of Turin, so he could “serve later speculated he caught Pope Francis sees Treatments were pain- Christ better among the min- from the sick whom he ful and unsuccessful. She ers,” as he told a friend. tended. Neglecting his own became paralysed. One day health because his grand- someone asked her if she Pier Giorgio mother was dying, after hoped to walk again, and ❛❛ six days of suffering Pier her answer was no. When contracted Giorgio died at the age of 24 young people she suffered, she felt closer on July 4, 1925. to Jesus. She even refused poliomyelitis, On the eve of his death, to take pain medication which doctors with a paralysed hand he that would make her too scribbled a message to a sleepy to continue to live later speculated friend, asking him to take her life. he caught from the medicine needed for leading their peers Despite her illness and injections to be given to being confined to bed, Chiara the sick whom he Converso, a poor sick man he wrote letters and sent mes- had been visiting. sages to others. Friends say tended” St John Paul II, after she inspired everyone who Although he considered visiting his original tomb in to faith she encountered with her his studies his first duty, they the family plot in Pollone, faith and love for others. did not keep him from social said in 1989: “I wanted to She gave all her savings to a and political activism. In pay homage to a young friend who was becoming a 1919, he joined the Catholic man who was able to wit- missionary in Africa. When Student Foundation and ness to Christ with sin- her life was nearly at an end, the organisation known as gular effectiveness in this she said, “I have nothing left, Catholic Action. He became century of ours. When I was Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati but I still have my heart, and a very active member of the a young man, I, too, felt the with that I can always love.” People’s Party, which pro- beneficial influence of his Chiara died in 1990 and moted the Catholic Church’s example and, as a student, I that if he understood that When he was 15, he tion for young people, he within nine years, the bishop social teaching based on the was impressed by the force “who is without sin is happy,” reflected on friendship, undertook this task among of her diocese began the principles of Pope Leo XIII’s of his testimony.” he must help others to under- saying “I would like to be his own peers. work on her cause for can- encyclical Rerum Novarum. On May 20, 1990, in St. stand this, “so that we can able to integrate with my He once wrote in his jour- onisation. Pope Benedict XVI What little money he had, Peter’s Square which was all go together, happy, to the peers without being forced nal: “When you feel that you declared her ‘Blessed’ in 2010. Pier Giorgio gave to help the filled with thousands of An evening for young people and Focolare members in Paul VI audience hall to kingdom of heaven.” to imitate them in mis- can’t do it, when the world “Only Love with a capital poor, even using his bus fare people, the Pope beatified celebrate the beatification of Chiara Luce Badano on September 25, 2010 From that point onward, takes. I would like to feel falls on you, when every ‘L’ gives true happiness,” and for charity and then run- Pier Giorgio Frassati, calling Matteo said he felt a strong more involved in the group, choice is a critical decision, that’s what Chiara showed ning home to be on time for him the ‘Man of the Eight desire to evangelise, espe- without having to renounce when every action is a fail- her family, her friends and meals. A friend later wrote Beatitudes’. October 10 in Assisi, Italy – great devotion to the Eucha- cially among his peers, which my Christian principles. It’s ure…and you would like to her fellow members of the that the poor and the suf- In a world of celebrity the town made famous by St rist and Eucharistic miracles. he did politely and without difficult. Difficult but not throw everything away, when Focolare movement, the Pope fering were his masters, and where the internet and Francis and St Clare (patron “It is beautiful that this presumption. impossible.” intense work reduces you to said at the time. he was literally their serv- social media breaks people news comes as we pre- saint of television). He once wrote about this the limit of strength…take Chiara, Carlo, and perhaps ant, which he considered a as quickly as it makes them, “The joy we have long pare for the feast of Corpus desire, saying “I hope to suc- time to take care of your soul, one day Matteo, are to the privilege. His charity did not these young friends of God awaited finally has a date,” Christi,” Archbishop Sor- From that ceed in my mission to ‘infil- ❛❛ love God with your whole decades of the 21st Century simply involve giving some- are a reminder to their Archbishop Domenico Sor- rentino said. “Young Carlo trate’ among young people, point onward, being and reflect his love for what Blessed Pier Giorgio thing to others, but giving peers that we are made rentino of Assisi said in a distinguished himself with speaking to them about God others.” Frassati was to the 20th. completely of himself. This for greatness rather than statement at the weekend. his love for the Eucharist, Matteo said he [illuminated by God himself]; Known as a ‘man of the was fed by daily communion comfort. They also show The teenager – who will which defined his highway to I observe those around me, to felt a strong Holiness beatitudes’ and patron of with Christ in the Eucharist that the Christian ideals are be known as Blessed after his heaven.” enter among them as silent as Another modern model of young adults, he saw many and by frequent meditation. not out of reach, but within beatification - is currently a virus and infect them with desire to holiness proposed by the parallels between Catholic He was strongly anti- our grasp. buried in Assisi’s Church of an incurable disease, Love!” Church for veneration is life and his favourite pas- Fascist and did nothing to St Mary Major. Young Carlo Acutis, who was born in 1991 in London and died in evangelise, As the Church prepares to ❛❛ In September 2003, a Blessed Chiara Badano. She time, mountain-climbing. hide his political views. He He died of leukemia at 2006 in Monza, Italy. Photos: CNS friends of God month before his 13th birth- especially among was born in 1971 in Sassello, He would regularly organise physically defended the faith the age of 15, and during his honour teenagers who lived offered him as a model of approved his heroic virtue day, Farina began to have Italy after her parents Rug- trips into the mountains illness offered his suffering as are a reminder to his peers” at times involved in fights, holiness in a digital age. last month and declared him symptoms of what would gero and Teresa had prayed with his close friends with first with anti-clerical lives of heroic virtue, the a prayer for the Pope and for their peers that “The news constitutes a venerable after a meeting later be diagnosed as a brain Eventually, the teenager’s to be blessed with a child for the Church. occasions for prayer, liturgies, communists and later ray of light in this period in with Cardinal Becciu. tumour. As he was undergo- condition worsened and after more than ten years. and conversations about faith with Fascists. Participat- He was born in London we are made for which our country is strug- Matteo grew up in a ing medical tests, he began a third surgery he became Even at the age of four, message is that holiness is for on May 3, 1991 to Italian on the way up to or down ing in a Church-organised greatness rather gling with a difficult health, strong Christian family in to keep a journal. He called paralysed in his left arm and her parents said that Chiara from the summit. After what demonstration in Rome parents who soon returned social and work situation,” the southern Italian town of the experience of the bad leg. He would often repeat seemed aware of the needs everyone writes Michael Kelly to Milan. He was known as a than comfort” would become his final climb on one occasion, he stood Archbishop Sorrentino said. Brindisi. He was very close to headaches and pain “one of that “we must live every day of others and she would sort he wrote a simple note on a up to police violence and uring his long pon- ting flesh on the idea of the pious child, attending daily The miracle that paved “In these recent months of his sister, Erika. those adventures that change as if it were the last, but not through her toys to give some tificate, St John Paul universal call to holiness pro- Mass, frequently praying the photograph: “Verso L’Alto”, rallied the other young the way for his beatifica- solitude and distancing, we The parish where he your life and that of others. It in the sadness of death, but to poor children. Her parents which means “to the heights.” people by grabbing the II canonised 482 posed by the Second Vatican rosary, and making weekly tion involved the healing have been experiencing the received the sacraments was helps you to be stronger and rather in the joy of being reported that she would saints – more than Council in the 1960s. confessions. This phrase has since come to group’s banner, which of a Brazilian child suffer- most positive aspect of the under the care of Capuchin to grow, above all in faith”. ready to meet the Lord!” never give away just the old encapsulate his philosophy the royal guards had his predecessors had raised to The Church has also been “Jesus was the centre of ing from a rare congenital internet — a communication friars, from whom he gained Over the next six years, Matteo died surrounded or broken ones. She invited Dthe altars of the Church in the adept at putting modern his day,” according to his of mountaineering and his knocked out of another anatomic anomaly of the technology for which Carlo a devotion to St Francis and St Matteo would experience by his friends and family on less-fortunate people into the previous 600 years. His crit- technologies under saintly mother Antoonia Salzano. Catholic outlook on life and student’s hands. Pier pancreas in 2013. The Medi- had a special talent. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). several brain operations and April 24, 2009. family’s home for holidays adventure. Giorgio held it even ics accused the Polish pontiff patronage. St Isidore of She said that priests and cal Council of the Congrega- “The love of God can turn The postulator of Matteo’s undergo chemotherapy and Francesca Consolini, the and visited the elderly at a of being too quick to declare Seville, for example, is the nuns would tell her that they higher, while tion for Saints’ Causes gave a great crisis into a great cause for sainthood said that other treatments for the postulator of Farina’s cause, retirement centre. When using the people saints, but John Paul II unofficial patron saint of could tell that the Lord had a a positive opinion of the grace, the archbishop said. from a young age he had the tumour. wrote on a website dedi- other children were sick Political activism knew that the contemporary the internet. Despite the special plan for her son. At an early age, Pier Giorgio ban- miracle last November, and desire to learn new things, His love for the Mother cated to the young vener- and confined to bed, Chiara joined the Marian Sodality ner’s world needed more signposts fact that he lived more “Carlo really had Jesus in Pope Francis approved the always undertaking his activ- of God strengthened during able that in him emerged visited them. She loved the to God rather than fewer. than 13 centuries before his heart, really the pure- Sainthood and the Apostleship of Prayer, miracle in February. Another Italian young man ities with diligence, whether this time and he consecrated “a deep inner commitment stories of the Gospel and His papacy saw not only the world wide web was ness…When you are really and obtained permission to Carlo was exception- put firmly on the path to it was school or sports or his himself to the Immaculate oriented toward purifying his loved to attend Mass. the canonisation and beati- invented, his efforts to pure of heart, you really touch receive daily Communion ally gifted with computers. sainthood by Pope Francis is passion for music. Heart of Mary. heart from every sin” and he When she was 9, Chiara fication of historic figures, record every known thing people’s hearts,” she said. (which was rare at that time). In Christus vivit, the apostolic Matteo Farina who died in Starting at eight years old, In between hospitalisa- experienced this spirituality became involved with the but also modern men and earned him the title. The date for the beatifica- He developed a deep exhortation published after 2009. he would go to Confession tions, he continued to live “not with heaviness, effort Focolare movement and women who had lived lives But, Isidore might have a tion was announced the same spiritual life which he never the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Matteo died of a brain often and also had a passion the ordinary life of a teen- or pessimism; indeed, from its branch for young peo- of holiness in the midst of the rival for that accolade now week as the feast of Corpus hesitated to share with his young people, Pope Francis tumour and the Pope for the scriptures. At nine ager: he attended school, his words there emerges ple. Focolare emphasises modern world. that Pope Francis has given his Christi and Carlo also had a friends. The Eucharist and years old, he read the entire hung out with his friends, constant trust in God, a tena- fraternity and unity among Both Pope Benedict XVI approval for the beatification the Virgin Virgin were the Gospel of St Matthew as a formed a band, and fell in cious, determined and serene all people. and Pope Francis have fol- of an Italian teenager who two poles of his world of Lenten practice and prayed love with a girl. gaze turned to the future”. Chiara was very popular. lowed the model of propos- was a computer whizz kid. The postulator of Matteo’s cause for prayer. At the age of 17, he the rosary every day. He later called the chaste Matteo often thought She had a lot of friends, she ing ordinary people who ❛❛ joined the St Vincent de Paul When he was nine years relationship he had with Ser- have lived extraordinary lives about the faith and the “dif- played sports, and she loved Society and dedicated much Leukemia sainthood said that from a young age he old, he had a dream in which ena during his last two years ficulty of going against the to sing and dance. But when as models for Catholics to Venerable Carlo Acutis, who he heard Padre Pio tell him of his spare time to serv- follow. It is a way of put- died in 2006, will be beatified of life “the most beautiful current.” Concerned about asked, she said she did not ing the sick and the needy, Matteo Estate had the desire to learn new things” gift” the Lord could give him. a lack of good faith educa- try to bring Jesus to her caring for orphans, and 16 | Feature || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 End of era as Rome’s Irish College shuts as seminary after nearly 400 years…for now

A vital link with the universal Church and a broader ecclesial horizon will be lost writes Michael Kelly t’s been said that when the Irish nation couldn’t exist at home, it existed in Rome. The eternal city has long been a home for Irish people abroad and since its Iestablishment in 1628, the Irish College has provided formation for generations of priests. As well as that, it has been a Gates of Irish College focal point for Catholics at home and a vital link between Dublin and the Apostolic See. That link, already been discussions amongst Church in Ireland and confirmed one former resident of the Irish be lodged elsewhere. This has of course, goes back to St Patrick themselves about mounting a that they are open to the possibility College is critical of. “Maynooth sometimes been the pattern in the himself. The Apostle to the Irish campaign to ensure that the of sending seminarians to the certainly has its place, but so Dublin Diocese where people were told the new flock he had won for Church in Ireland does not divest college in the future. does the Irish College in Rome. housed in the Collegio Teutonico Christ “Ut Christiani ita et Romani from the site on the Caelian Hill. “Bishops noted the report of But one would certainly have to inside the walls of Vatican City. sitis” - be ye Christians as those of the acting rector, Fr Paul Finnerty, wonder if there isn’t a certain A concern expressed by a the Roman Church. Vision that the college will continue to be bias in favour of Maynooth given number of former residents of When St John Paul visited the The current college was opened a place of ongoing formation for that the agencies [of the bishops’ the college was that the current monastic site of Clonmacnois in in 1926 and was the vision of the priests. This includes facilitating conference] are all based there,” site might be put on the open 1979, he urged Irish people to enterprising Msgr John Hagan. those pursuing postgraduate he said. market and a slimmed-down Irish “never forget the wonderful boast A priest of the Dublin Diocese, studies and those wishing to College opened on the outskirts and commitment made by St he died in 1930 at the age of 57 undertake a longer or shorter Decision of Rome. The sizeable property in Columban to [Pope] Boniface IV having literally exhausted himself period of sabbatical renewal in Another priest who is a former the bustling San Giovanni zone of in Rome: ‘We Irish…are disciples in the fundraising and realisation Rome,” the statement added. student of the Irish College in Rome would fetch a hefty sum on of Saints Peter and Paul…we of the new college. Paradoxically, while the Rome told this newspaper that he the Roman property market. hold unbroken that Catholic Faith None of the former students college will no longer host Irish thinks the decision to effectively The college has also traditionally which we first received from you’”. who spoke to The Irish Catholic seminarians for formation, it close the seminary in Rome “is served as a guesthouse during this week wanted to be identified, will continue to welcome the short sighted”. He said that he the summer months and the site but all raised concerns about the American seminarians who have “appreciates that the current is also home to the Villa Irlanda A concern fact that there will no longer be an made in their home in recent years vocations outlook in Ireland is Hotel in the former lay centre ❛❛expressed by a number Irish seminary in Rome. while they participate in their bleak, but setting aside Rome which welcomes visitors. That One expressed the concern that semester abroad programme in as an option for seminarians could provide the impetus for the of former residents of “it will effectively be reduced to Rome’s pontifical universities. will really break a link with the college building itself being further the college was that the status of a guesthouse” and The decision of the trustees universal Church. utilised for pilgrim accommodation pointed to the Centre Culturel of the Irish College comes as the throughout the year while the current site might Irlandais – the former Irish College Pope’s right-hand man Vatican The current retaining accommodation for in Paris. Secretary of State Cardinal ❛❛ postgraduate priests from Ireland be put on the open Gone too are the Irish colleges Pietro Parolin wrote to bishops’ college was opened in and abroad. market” at Salamanca in Spain and Leuven conferences around the world Another alumnus of the in Belgium. In fact, of the 34 pleading with them to send 1926 and was the vision Collegio Irlandese told this And while the Catholic Faith Irish colleges established for the students to Rome in the autumn. of the enterprising newspaper that “former students in Ireland may not have the education of clergy on continental The cardinal is worried that feel very strongly that the college vibrancy it once had, the faith Europe opened in the 16th, 17th concerns around coronavirus will Msgr John Hagan” should be retained at the current remains unbroken. The link with and 18th Centuries, only Rome mean that many clerical students “Being in Rome was also good site and that an ambitious and Rome, not so much. A vital chain remains in any meaningful sense. will not be sent to Rome and this realistic vision for its future should in that relationship with the Holy for future priests because it When Leuven ceased to function will endanger the viability of the helped them to understand that be drawn up. See dies with the announcement as a seminary in 1983, it was city’s network of Catholic third “This might mean that – for from the hierarchy that decided Ireland is not the centre of the renamed The Leuven Institute for level institutions. Catholic world. now at least – it would serve as an that the Pontifical Irish College Ireland in Europe. But with the numbers entering international seminary or house “does not intend to receive Irish “It also meant that people were The statement from the summer formation stubbornly low, the Irish returning to Ireland with a broader of formation, but it should still be seminarians” for the coming year. meeting of the hierarchy, insisted bishops have decided to throw all available for the Church in Ireland Of course, the communique perspective,” he said. that “bishops recognised that the of the energy behind Maynooth It is understood that Rome in the future. from the bishops’ adds that the college [in Rome] continues to and house all the seminarians “It is a jewel in the crown decision will be kept “under will remain as an option for provide an important service to the there. It is a decision that at least Irish seminarians, and they may of the Church in Ireland and a review”, but no one who spoke to wonderful testament of how the The Irish Catholic this week about faith survived persecution because the issue expects the Irish College When St John Paul visited the monastic site of of the network of continental to function as a seminary in the ❛❛ colleges sending priests home to short- to medium-term. Clonmacnois in 1979, he urged Irish people to “never minister in our parishes. Future Several former students told generations will not forgive us if this newspaper that there have forget the wonderful boast and commitment” we let it go,” he said. 16 | Feature || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 End of era as Rome’s Irish College shuts as seminary after nearly 400 years…for now The Irish Spirit June 18th, 2020 Issue No. 6 A vital link with the universal Church and a broader ecclesial horizon will be lost writes Michael Kelly t’s been said that when the Irish nation couldn’t exist at home, it existed in Rome. The eternal city has long been a home for Irish people abroad and since its Iestablishment in 1628, the Irish College has provided formation for generations of priests. As well as that, it has been a Gates of Irish College focal point for Catholics at home and a vital link between Dublin and the Apostolic See. That link, already been discussions amongst Church in Ireland and confirmed one former resident of the Irish be lodged elsewhere. This has An introductory look at Sts Joan of Arc, Thérèse of course, goes back to St Patrick themselves about mounting a that they are open to the possibility College is critical of. “Maynooth sometimes been the pattern in the himself. The Apostle to the Irish campaign to ensure that the of sending seminarians to the certainly has its place, but so Dublin Diocese where people were of Liseux and Bernadette Soubirous told the new flock he had won for Church in Ireland does not divest college in the future. does the Irish College in Rome. housed in the Collegio Teutonico Christ “Ut Christiani ita et Romani from the site on the Caelian Hill. “Bishops noted the report of But one would certainly have to inside the walls of Vatican City. sitis” - be ye Christians as those of the acting rector, Fr Paul Finnerty, wonder if there isn’t a certain A concern expressed by a the Roman Church. Vision that the college will continue to be bias in favour of Maynooth given number of former residents of Padre Pio – joyful giver with When St John Paul visited the The current college was opened a place of ongoing formation for that the agencies [of the bishops’ the college was that the current monastic site of Clonmacnois in in 1926 and was the vision of the priests. This includes facilitating conference] are all based there,” site might be put on the open a sense of humour 1979, he urged Irish people to enterprising Msgr John Hagan. those pursuing postgraduate he said. market and a slimmed-down Irish “never forget the wonderful boast A priest of the Dublin Diocese, studies and those wishing to College opened on the outskirts and commitment made by St he died in 1930 at the age of 57 undertake a longer or shorter Decision of Rome. The sizeable property in Columban to [Pope] Boniface IV having literally exhausted himself period of sabbatical renewal in Another priest who is a former the bustling San Giovanni zone of in Rome: ‘We Irish…are disciples in the fundraising and realisation Rome,” the statement added. student of the Irish College in Rome would fetch a hefty sum on of Saints Peter and Paul…we of the new college. Paradoxically, while the Rome told this newspaper that he the Roman property market. hold unbroken that Catholic Faith None of the former students college will no longer host Irish thinks the decision to effectively The college has also traditionally EXCLUSIVE EXCERPTS which we first received from you’”. who spoke to The Irish Catholic seminarians for formation, it close the seminary in Rome “is served as a guesthouse during this week wanted to be identified, will continue to welcome the short sighted”. He said that he the summer months and the site but all raised concerns about the American seminarians who have “appreciates that the current is also home to the Villa Irlanda A concern fact that there will no longer be an made in their home in recent years vocations outlook in Ireland is Hotel in the former lay centre ❛❛expressed by a number Irish seminary in Rome. while they participate in their bleak, but setting aside Rome which welcomes visitors. That One expressed the concern that semester abroad programme in as an option for seminarians could provide the impetus for the Early Irish Saints of former residents of “it will effectively be reduced to Rome’s pontifical universities. will really break a link with the college building itself being further the college was that the status of a guesthouse” and The decision of the trustees universal Church. utilised for pilgrim accommodation pointed to the Centre Culturel of the Irish College comes as the throughout the year while the current site might Irlandais – the former Irish College Pope’s right-hand man Vatican The current retaining accommodation for by John J Ó Ríordáin in Paris. Secretary of State Cardinal ❛❛ postgraduate priests from Ireland be put on the open Gone too are the Irish colleges Pietro Parolin wrote to bishops’ college was opened in and abroad. market” at Salamanca in Spain and Leuven conferences around the world Another alumnus of the in Belgium. In fact, of the 34 pleading with them to send 1926 and was the vision Collegio Irlandese told this And while the Catholic Faith Irish colleges established for the students to Rome in the autumn. of the enterprising newspaper that “former students in Ireland may not have the education of clergy on continental The cardinal is worried that feel very strongly that the college vibrancy it once had, the faith Cardinal Newman Europe opened in the 16th, 17th concerns around coronavirus will Msgr John Hagan” should be retained at the current remains unbroken. The link with and 18th Centuries, only Rome mean that many clerical students “Being in Rome was also good site and that an ambitious and Rome, not so much. A vital chain remains in any meaningful sense. will not be sent to Rome and this realistic vision for its future should in that relationship with the Holy for future priests because it His thoughts on tradition When Leuven ceased to function will endanger the viability of the helped them to understand that be drawn up. See dies with the announcement as a seminary in 1983, it was city’s network of Catholic third “This might mean that – for from the hierarchy that decided Ireland is not the centre of the renamed The Leuven Institute for level institutions. Catholic world. now at least – it would serve as an that the Pontifical Irish College Ireland in Europe. But with the numbers entering international seminary or house and scripture “does not intend to receive Irish “It also meant that people were The statement from the summer formation stubbornly low, the Irish returning to Ireland with a broader of formation, but it should still be seminarians” for the coming year. meeting of the hierarchy, insisted bishops have decided to throw all available for the Church in Ireland Of course, the communique perspective,” he said. that “bishops recognised that the of the energy behind Maynooth It is understood that Rome in the future. from the bishops’ adds that the college [in Rome] continues to and house all the seminarians “It is a jewel in the crown decision will be kept “under will remain as an option for provide an important service to the there. It is a decision that at least Irish seminarians, and they may of the Church in Ireland and a review”, but no one who spoke to wonderful testament of how the The Irish Catholic this week about faith survived persecution because the issue expects the Irish College When St John Paul visited the monastic site of of the network of continental ....and much more! to function as a seminary in the ❛❛ colleges sending priests home to short- to medium-term. Clonmacnois in 1979, he urged Irish people to “never minister in our parishes. Future Several former students told generations will not forgive us if this newspaper that there have forget the wonderful boast and commitment” we let it go,” he said. 18 | The Irish Spirit June 18, 2020 THREE FRENCH SAINTS ríostóir Ó Floinn, who has published over sixty books in both Irish and English, has produced this trilogy recounting the Clives of three famous French saints – Joan of Arc, Bernadette Soubirous and Thérèse of Lisieux. Written in a very readable and simple style, each book gives a background to the times of the saint in question and then a full account of those aspects of their lives which gave rise to their canonisation by the church. JOAN OF ARC The one who led an army… There are few personages in history who have been investigated so thoroughly, during their lifetime and ever since their death, both by friends and enemies, by believers and cynics, as the girl who is now known in her own country as Jeanne d’Arc and in English as Joan of Arc. During the Hundred Years’ War, Joan led an army to recover France from the English and secure the throne for the Dauphin, Charles VII. Her involvement in the war occurred after she began receiving visions of the Archangel Michael, St Margaret, and St Catherine of Alexandria when she was just 13. She rose to prominence when a siege of Orléans was lifted after only nine days. Several additional swift victories led to Charles VII’s consecration at Reims. This long-awaited event boosted French morale and paved the way for the final French victory. However, a politically motivated trial for heresy awaited Joan. Joan of Arc at the coronation of King Charles VII in 1429, Ingres, 1884, Louvre. On the evening of Wednesday, May 30, Joan was brought from

Joan of Arc 29/07/2009 18:07 Page 1 Teasy 15/06/2009 14:53 Page 1 her cell to be subjected to a final sermon about her errors, this Joan. The First World War intervened in this as in Bernadette 29/07/2009 17:58 Page 1 Three French Saints Three French Saints D A Trilogy by Críostóir Ó Floinn D A Trilogy by Críostóir Ó Floinn Three Three French Saints D The One Who Hid Away: Thérèse of Lisieux A Trilogy by Críostóir Ó Floinn The One Who Led an Army: Joan of Arc French French Three French Saints

Three French Saints orn at Alençon in Normandy in 1873, Thérèse was of the middle

time in the marketplace of Rouen where platforms had been set many other matters – in that war, the warrior girl The One Who Saw Visions: Bernadette Soubirous Three French Saints n illiterate peasant girl died in 1431, at the age of nineteen, by being Saints class, the youngest of five daughters of Louis Martin, a prosperous Saints burnt at the stake in the city of Rouen in France. In the centuries Bwatchmaker, and his wife, Zélie, a skilled lacemaker. Thérèse was n a cold morning in February, 1858, a fourteen-year-old girl since her death, the life and death of Joan of Arc have provided educated at first by her two eldest sisters, and later went to the Benedictine A Bernadette Soubirous, set out with her younger sister and authors, dramatists and film-makers with inspiration for their talents. In 1920 Theschool One in Lisieux. By her own account she was not a precociously saintly another girl toThe gather Onefirewood at a rocky hill called Massa- she was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XV, an official proclamation that child. However, she was certainly precocious in her vocation to the religious O up like those in the cemetery on the preceding day. Having found of Orléans was invoked as a patron herof life was one Franceof heroic holiness and fidelity to theby Catholic faith. Yet she Wholife and in her desire to be a saint. The former she fulfilled at the age of bielle on the outskirts Whoof Lourdes in south-west France. On that day, died at the stake having been declared a heretic after a long trial by a tribunal fifteen, following her two eldest sisters into the Carmelite convent at Lisieux. and on seventeen subsequent occasions, she saw a vision of a lady in a Three of learned Catholic theologians presided over by an English Cardinal and a The latter was formally declared when, in 1925, only 28 years after her cave in the side of the hill. Nobody believed her, least of all the parish Led an Thérèse of Lisieux French Bishop. death, she was canonised by Pope Pius XI. priest to whom she cameHid with Away the message that he was to build a Joan of Arc

The France into which she was born was in chaos, with the rightful heir When Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus died of tuberculosis at the age of church at Massabielle and that people were to come there to pray for Bernadette Soubirous French to the throne, the Dauphin Charles, involved in a desperate struggle against Army25, one of the nuns opined that there would be very little material for the the human race. She was subjected to mockery and insult, to multiple Joan guilty, they should then have handed her over to the bailiffs of biographical note which it was customary to distribute to other convents. interrogations by hostile police and officials, and later to repeated Saints the English invaders and their Burgundian allies. From a small village in the the soldiers trudging towards the trenches – until However, at the command of her sister, Pauline, when prioress, Thérèse east, a peasant girl aged 17 arrived one day at one of the cities loyal to the examination by church authorities when she reported that the Lady, Dauphin and announced to its commander that she had been told by voices had herself commenced writing an account of her life and spirituality. This asked to identify herself, replied: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’, a The One of saints to take command of the French troops and lead them, firstly to eventually became a book, The Story of a Soul, edited by Pauline after her title Bernadette did notThérèse understand but an echo of the promulgation of Joandeath, which was sentof to the other convents. ArcWord of this autobiography relieve the siege of Orléans, and then to have the Dauphin crowned King of that dogma four years earlier by the Pope. Pilgrims today pray before spread in the world outside. It began to sell in thousands, eventually selling France at Reims. By doing just that in one year, she doomed herself to a statue of Our Lady that standsof in the grotto and take home with Who Saw Rouen to be formally sentenced to death and executed. All those in millions and in many languages. That a young woman who had desired betrayal and capture, brutal imprisonment and a show trial that ended in them water piped from the spring that gushed from the ground where at last, on 6 May 1920, the name of Joan of Arc was Ó Floinn only to hide herself away from the world – her description of herself as only condemnation and a declaration that her achievements were those of a a little white flower that Jesus might pick caused her to become familiarly Bernadette scraped the earth on the directions of the Lady. The incor- Visions deluded heretic, with the consquent death by burning at the stake and the known as the Little Flower – became one of the most popular saints of the rupt body of BernadetteLisieux is in the convent at Nevers in France where invalidation of the coronation of the king. Catholic Church, was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1997, and has Ó Floinn she died in 1879 at the age of 35 as Sister Marie Bernarde. She was churches dedicated to her all over the world, will be a mystery only to those canonised in 1933. who gave testimony later agreed on how she died, crying out the Críostóir Ó Floinn, who has published over sixty books in both Irish and English, who have never read her autobiography. has produced this trilogy of lives of three famous French saints – Joan of Arc, Críostóir Ó Floinn, who has published over sixty books in both Irish and prefixed by the word Sainte as she Bernadettewas Soubirous and Thérèseadded of Lisieux. Written in veryto readable and simple CríostóirCríostóir Ó Floinn, who has published over sixty books in both Irish and English, English, has produced this trilogyCríostóir of lives of three famous French saints – Ó Floinn Bernadette language, each book gives a background to the times of the saint in question and has produced this trilogy of lives of three famous French saints – Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc, Bernadette Soubirous and Thérèse of Lisieux. Written in very then a full account of those aspects of their lives which gave rise to their being Ó FloinnBernadette Soubirous and Thérèse of Lisieux. Written in very readable and simple readable and simple language, each book gives a background to the times of COLUMBA Ó Floinn canonised by the church. language, each book gives a background to the times of the saint in question and the saint in question and then a full account of those aspects of their lives holy name, Jesus, many times. then a full account of those aspects of their lives which gave rise to their being which gave rise to their being canonised by the church. the roll of those whom the Catholic Church officially canonised by the church. COLUMBA Soubirous the columba press Críostóir www.columba.ie the columba press D www.columba.ie the columba press COLUMBA Ó Floinn Although it was apparent, as the interrogations and inquiries www.columba.ie acknowledges as persons who, having lived lives of D D proceeded, that Joan, from her first appearance on the public scene heroic virtue on this earth, are now enjoying the Joan of Arc Thérèse of Lisieux Bernadette Soubirous to the moment of her death at the stake, was a very holy woman, promised reward of eternal happiness with God by Críostóir Ó Floinn the idea that she might be officially recognised as such by the church Price: €9.99 Each in heaven. was overshadowed for a long time by her idealisation as a political Buy All Three for €20 As an aside, opposite the tomb of Cardinal Henry prisoner and the iconic heroine of France. It was left to Felix Dupanloup, A 01 6874096 M [email protected] Beaufort, the political churchman who instigated and www.columbabooks.com Bishop of Orléans, to call universal attention to the personal sanctity or send a cheque to: Columba Books, 23 Merrion Square, of Joan d’Arc, as she had now become known. He got the bishops presided over her trial, a statue of Joan in shining Dublin 2, D02 XE02. of France interested in the case to the extent that, in 1869, they sent armour, with her sword held upright in her right a petition to Pope Pius IX asking permission to begin yet another hand, was erected in 1923, three years after her investigation into the life and death of Joan. The process continued canonisation, by the Anglican diocese of Winchester, FREE POSTAGE ON ALL ORDERS under subsequent bishops until finally, in 1909, Pope Pius X beatified as a mark of reparation to Joan of Arc. June 18, 2020 The Irish Spirit |19 THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX The one who hid away... On 30 September 1897 a twenty-four-year old saints thus honoured – her own patron saint and nun named Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus died founder of the Reformed Carmelites, Teresa of Avila of tuberculosis in a convent of the Carmelites, an (1515-1582) and St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) enclosed order, in the city of Lisieux in France. She counsellor of popes and kings, were both given the had entered the convent at the exceptionally young title in 1970 – but it placed the young nun of Lisieux age of fifteen. She was unknown to the world outside on the same exalted plane as theological sages like the convent, except for some relations – her parents St Thomas Aquinas. were already deceased – and was considered by While popes and theologians were thus some of her sisters in religion as an ordinary nun acknowledging officially that a girl who desired only whose short life in the order was not marked by to hide herself away from the world in a life of prayer anything unusual, so much so that, shortly before and sacrifice had been chosen by the Holy Spirit to she died, one of them wondered what could be be an instrument of grace and renewal in the Church said of her in the brief biographical notice which it of Christ, the hidden nun of Lisieux was becoming was customary to distribute to other houses of the one of the most popular saints in the devotional order on the death of a nun. In 1925, just twenty- manifestations of the faithful everywhere. Under the Thérèse of Lisieux in a photograph taken in the courtyard of the seven years after her death, Pope Pius Xi officially familiar title of the ‘Little Flower’, deriving from her monastery of Lisieux on Easter Monday, April 15, 1894. proclaimed this young nun a saint – she was already own description of herself as merely a little white long canonised by vox populi. One hundred years flower of the Child Jesus, she was taken to their countries there were societies and magazines promoting devotion to a saint who after her death, Pope John Paul II bestowed on this hearts by all kinds of people, from intellectuals like seemed to have been specially provided by God for the technologically enriched young woman, who had lived and died unknown Paul Claudel, Edith Stein and Thomas Merton, to the but spiritually impoverished world of the twentieth century. In the middle of that to the world, the title Doctor of the Church, thus very children making their First Holy Communion. century, in 1954, after the Second World War had shown once again the madness declaring to the Catholic world that her spiritual Her statue, along with that other favourite, St that afflicts the human race when it ignores its Creator, the Basilica of Sainte Thérèse teaching and way of life were to be regarded as Anthony of Padua, was to be found in almost every was consecrated in Lisieux and became a place of popular pilgrimage in the very having contributed significantly to the understanding, Catholic church in the world, and she was prayed town where she had tried to hide away from the world and be known only to by clergy and laity alike, of the theology and spirituality to probably more than any heavenly intercessor God. How did this extraordinary metamorphosis come about? To answer that of the Catholic faith. Not only did this make her except our Blessed Lady herself. Miracles physical and question, we have to go back to the last decade of the nineteenth century and to one of only three women among the thirty three spiritual were being attributed to her, and in many that enclosed Carmelite Convent in the town of Lisieux in France.

Bernadette Soubirous was born on 7 January 1844 in the to run away. Instead, she resorted to what parents and BERNADETTE small town of Lourdes which nestles below the Pyrenees priests had instilled into children as the instinctive reaction mountain range dividing France from Spain. to anything that might be from an evil source; she put her From Bernadette’s many narrations, and from the hand in her pocket and took out her rosary beads. (Let us SOUBIROUS accounts taken down later from her sister and their friend, pause to ponder how many girls in France or elsewhere her account of the first apparition in Massabielle on a fateful today carry similar protection in purse or pocket!) When The one who saw visions… day in February are well documented. The other two girls Bernadette tried to make the Sign of the Cross to begin her had wandered off from the cavern, Bernadette had sat down rosary, she was unable to raise her hand to her forehead. and removed her clogs and one stocking when she heard Then the young lady in the grotto made the Sign of the a noise ‘like a gust of wind’. She looked around. Behind her Cross, upon which Bernadette found herself able to do in the field there were tall poplars that would sway in the the same. She began to recite the rosary. While she did so, slightest breeze; but they were not stirring. She bent again the lady moved her fingers along her own beads, but did to remove her other stocking. Again she heard the noise of not move her lips. When Bernadette finished her rosary, a gust of wind. This time, looking across towards the rocky the lady smilingly gestured to her to cross the stream and hill on the other side of the stream, she noticed that some come nearer; but the young girl was afraid to do so. Then branches on the side of the rock were moving. They were the vision disappeared. the branches of a wild rosebush, flowerless now in winter, Bernadette gradually became aware again of her growing at the foot of one of several cave-like openings surroundings. The grotto was as dark and gloomy as it had in the face of the rocky cliff. While she stared, Bernadette been, just like the other apertures in the cliff face. The dull saw a gentle light begin to glow in the dark grotto. Then a form began to appear and became clearer. morning was still windless, the fog had turned to drizzling Bernadette saw a beautiful young woman standing there, rain. Although feeling a strange sense of happiness and smiling. She was dressed in white from head to foot, with a wonder, Bernadette now became mindful of the practical blue girdle; her feet were bare but adorned with two golden purpose that had brought her and the other girls to this roses, and a long rosary beads was suspended from her place. She took off her second stocking and walked across right arm. The young girl blinked her eyes tight, convinced the stream. In doing so, she wondered why her sister had that she was imagining what seemed to have appeared in cried out that the water was freezing when they crossed the grotto. When she opened her eyes, the person was over; to her bare feet it felt pleasantly warm. Little did that still there, beautiful and smiling. Bernadette now felt uneasy peasant girl know then that many saintly mystics, when in Bernadette Soubirous in a photograph taken around 1858. and fearful, but not, she said later, in a way that urged her ecstasy, had felt that same sensation of unseasonal warmth. 20 | The Irish Spirit June 18, 2020

Exclusive Excerpt from Padre Pio of Pietrelcina by Fr Francesco Napolitano

n the Friary of San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio occupied cell No. 5 for more than twenty-five years. It was here that Ithe most beautiful – and also the most painful – events in the life of this extraordinary man took place. Above his cell door are the words: ‘The glory of the world is always Padre Pio’s accompanied by sadness.’ This maxim, taken from The Imitation of Christ was one that he applied to himself all his life; but for the glory of God, he also transformed – for himself and others – it to that other Sense of Humour maxim, Servite Domino in laetitia (‘Serve the Lord with joy’). Sense of humour A special aspect of Padre Pio’s joy was his sense of humour. His paternal guidance had a humorous, witty, brilliant, and vivacious side, and this played an important role in the education of his spiritual children. This side was most prevalent when he relaxed in the friary garden, or on the terrace near his cell. At those times he became an affectionate, cordial, happy, friendly Padre, even when those who were present were awed by his spiritual stature. Most people think only of a Padre Pio who suffered, who obtained graces, and who constantly contemplated Christ crucified. They never knew Padre Pio in the intimacy of the friary, or in the warmth of the recreational hours which he spent daily with his fellow priests, friends, and spiritual children. Considering his afflictions, this happy and humorous disposition of the Padre must not be interpreted as a dual personality. The Bible is very explicit in this respect: ‘When you fast, do not have a gloomy aspect … when you fast, comb Small Joys. With filial confidence a devotee tries to remove the Padre’s stole from his shoulders. your hair and wash yourself.’ The Padre wanted to teach all Pleased, he reacts with a smile. those who approached him to always have a smile on their lips. Padre Pio was a joyful giver; he served God and served Him happily with a frank, innocent smile that stemmed from a pure heart. His spontaneity was admirable. Padre Pio was a joyful giver; he served God and As the Jesuit, Fr Domenico Mondrone, wrote in the served Him happily with a frank, innocent smile that magazine, Catholic Civilisation, ‘His expressions were proverbial. He would utter an amusing retort, a witty remark, stemmed from a pure heart.” a little joke, right in the middle of a conversation. Sometimes its purpose was to distract one’s attention from his state of understand the difficulty some religious persons have in listening because he was being transferred from Foggia to the north of martyrdom; sometimes, to lighten the distressing effect of to, and practising the word of God, he said, ‘Three things are Italy. Smiling at him, the Padre said, ‘My son, these things happen a well-aimed lesson.’ useless: washing a donkey’s head, adding water to the ocean, only to friars and soldiers. You stay in one place, peacefully do Famous writer and preaching to sisters, friars and priests.’ your work, and just when you become accustomed to your environment, you are sent to the end of the world. Who knows One day the Padre was out in the friary grounds, when the Doctors and soldiers why! But don’t let it bother you; accept it and leave. Remember friar who was accompanying him pointed out a gentleman, a Often, he teased the doctors of the hospital, who came every that it is your profession. The cassock and the uniform, believe famous writer who had come from Milan for the sole purpose night to spend an hour of recreation with the Padre. One of me, are similar.’ of seeing him. Padre Pio unhesitatingly responded, ‘This long them, when told to go to the hospital for some tests, said Speaking of soldiers, he often liked to talk about his trip just to see me? What a fine thing you came to see, all the to his fellow director, ‘What do we doctors know?’ to which experience in the army in Naples. One rainy day in 1917, way from Milan! Don’t you have a prayer book at home? You the director added ‘But you, Father, have nevertheless built a he was obliged to go to some place or another. Our soldier could have spared yourself a trip. God bless you. A Hail Mary hospital.’ ‘Yes, but only for sick people, not for doctors,’ replied (Padre Pio) courageously armed himself with an umbrella; well is worth more than a trip, my son.’ Padre Pio. Padre Pio was also a witty, brilliant, and formidable One day, he said to a group of doctors, ‘Don’t forget the sheltered, he took off for Piazza del Plebiscito. conversationalist. With psychological shrewdness, he would proverb of the Salerno School: “A mouse has a better chance ‘Hey, soldier!’ But the soldier kept on going as if he hadn’t corner his listener, deliberately putting him in a difficult position. with two cats than a sick person has with two doctors.”’ heard a thing. ‘Hey, by Jove, I’m talking to you, soldier.’ It was a He could do this even when his opponent tried to involve him He even joked about his own weakness. To a man who colonel, who had, naturally, become impatient. The Padre had to in scientific problems with which he was not familiar. At times requested his prayers because his leg did not function properly, go back. ‘What novelty is this?’ yelled the colonel, while drowning he would disconcert them with seemingly bizarre remarks. he quickly replied, ‘You’re lucky to have only one that doesn’t in the downpour. ‘A soldier with an umbrella! Are you crazy?’ Sometimes, he would stand up and mimic them, making them function; I don’t even have one that does!’ ‘I had to play stupid,’ said Padre Pio with a sly smile. ‘I look ridiculous. He would suddenly change from the pathetic to Soldiers and officers would often come to the Friary of offered him my umbrella: “If the colonel, sir, wishes to share the comical, or vice versa, depending on the effect he wished San Giovanni Rotondo, especially after World War II. Once, my umbrella, I will accompany him.” The colonel understood to have on his audience. Above all, his superabundance of when Padre Pio saw an officer who was looking rather sad, that he was dealing with a dumb recruit, so with a spiteful humour escaped no one. he approached him and said, ‘Well, how come you’re here gesture, he turned his back to me, leaving me standing there Once, in reply to someone who was trying to make him today?’ The officer explained that he had come to say goodbye with my umbrella in hand.’ 20 | The Irish Spirit June 18, 2020 June 18, 2020 The Irish Spirit ||21

Exclusive Excerpt from Padre Pio of Pietrelcina by Fr Francesco Napolitano n the Friary of San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio occupied cell No. 5 for more than twenty-five years. It was here that Ithe most beautiful – and also the most painful – events in the life of this extraordinary man took place. Above his cell door are the words: ‘The glory of the world is always Padre Pio’s accompanied by sadness.’ This maxim, taken from The Imitation of Christ was one that he applied to himself all his life; but for the glory of God, he also transformed – for himself and others – it to that other Sense of Humour maxim, Servite Domino in laetitia (‘Serve the Lord with joy’). Sense of humour A special aspect of Padre Pio’s joy was his sense of humour. His paternal guidance had a humorous, witty, brilliant, and vivacious side, and this played an important role in the education of his spiritual children. This side was most prevalent when he relaxed in the friary garden, or on the terrace near his cell. At those times he became an affectionate, cordial, happy, friendly Padre, even when those who were present were awed by his spiritual stature. Most people think only of a Padre Pio who suffered, who obtained graces, and who constantly contemplated Christ crucified. They never knew Padre Pio in the intimacy of the their lives and became true friends of Christ, and therefore, of the Child Jesus clap hands; both were so pleased with the friary, or in the warmth of the recreational hours which he of Padre Pio. performance of the acrobat in the grey cassock! spent daily with his fellow priests, friends, and spiritual children. Advice ‘So the most ignorant friar of the community offered the Considering his afflictions, this happy and humorous Queen of Heaven his only talent, and she accepted it with disposition of the Padre must not be interpreted as a dual Every hour of the day was an opportune time to ask Padre joy. That friar had chosen his position well. He was a good Pio’s advice, including the hours of rest in the afternoon. Often, personality. The Bible is very explicit in this respect: ‘When you buffoon in the place that God had assigned to him.’ his fellow priests would come in because some penitent had fast, do not have a gloomy aspect … when you fast, comb Thus Padre Pio’s humour, Fr Alessandro wrote, became Small Joys. With filial confidence a devotee tries to remove the Padre’s stole from his shoulders. sent them. your hair and wash yourself.’ The Padre wanted to teach all Pleased, he reacts with a smile. apostolic; it was not just a pastime. His holy soul was never Once a woman went to the porter, and with a certain those who approached him to always have a smile on their lips. shocked by sin, but he always found a way to put everything Padre Pio was a joyful giver; he served God and served amount of insistence, convinced him that he should go to Padre At those times the Padre had a childlike simplicity in spite in its proper place. Him happily with a frank, innocent smile that stemmed from Pio’s cell to ask his advice regarding her health. The young friar, of his age; his laughter burst forth from his innocent heart. Padre Pio’s sense of humour, his witticism, his repartee, in the spirit of brotherly love, tried to please her, so he went a pure heart. His spontaneity was admirable. Padre Pio was a joyful giver; he served God and were not just for amusement and spiritual defence, but were and knocked on the door of the Padre’s cell. A voice answered, As the Jesuit, Fr Domenico Mondrone, wrote in the Mary, our mother also a defence against the curious and the annoying. served Him happily with a frank, innocent smile that ‘What do you want? Can’t you see that I am resting?’ magazine, Catholic Civilisation, ‘His expressions were The Madonna, who was Padre Pio’s great love, also had a place Between a smile and a joke he hid his secret, so that many ‘Spiritual Father,’ said the friar, ‘a lady from Genoa who proverbial. He would utter an amusing retort, a witty remark, stemmed from a pure heart.” in his little anecdotes. of those who lived near him never suspected a thing; some is very sick wants to know whether she should continue or a little joke, right in the middle of a conversation. Sometimes ‘One day,’ he said, ‘the Lord took a walk through Paradise never even understood his goodness and his heroic virtues. discontinue the electroshocks.’ its purpose was to distract one’s attention from his state of understand the difficulty some religious persons have in listening because he was being transferred from Foggia to the north of and saw so many ugly faces wandering around this place that He said the most serious of things with such simplicity and Padre Pio, minimising the importance of the reply, retorted, martyrdom; sometimes, to lighten the distressing effect of to, and practising the word of God, he said, ‘Three things are Italy. Smiling at him, the Padre said, ‘My son, these things happen is so full of delightful things and so void of evil. The Lord was sincerity, that he made you accept the supernatural without ‘But I’m resting! Tell her to discontinue, because if she isn’t a well-aimed lesson.’ useless: washing a donkey’s head, adding water to the ocean, only to friars and soldiers. You stay in one place, peacefully do amazed, so He sent for St Peter and asked him, “Peter, what even noticing it. He was always between two lives, smiling and already a fool, she will certainly become one.’ and preaching to sisters, friars and priests.’ your work, and just when you become accustomed to your has happened? It seems as if we have transferred the jail to exchanging words with the beings of two worlds. Famous writer Padre Pio’s life of mysticism, observed Spaccucci, did not environment, you are sent to the end of the world. Who knows Paradise.” Peter replied, “Lord, I don’t know; they come in and We can safely say that in that hour of recreation, the friary One day the Padre was out in the friary grounds, when the Doctors and soldiers I don’t know how they enter.” The Lord then ordered him to lessen in the least his natural tendency to playful banter, to why! But don’t let it bother you; accept it and leave. Remember garden, the terrace, and his cell were transformed into a place friar who was accompanying him pointed out a gentleman, a Often, he teased the doctors of the hospital, who came every guard more carefully. scholarly language, and to impart his happiness in a spiritual that it is your profession. The cassock and the uniform, believe of human activity, of spiritual equality, of brotherly love and famous writer who had come from Milan for the sole purpose night to spend an hour of recreation with the Padre. One of ‘Once more the Lord took a walk through Paradise, and way to all those who were present. me, are similar.’ perfect happiness. of seeing him. Padre Pio unhesitatingly responded, ‘This long them, when told to go to the hospital for some tests, said again He saw an increase of ugly faces – jailbirds, so He said For example, the comedian Carlo Campanini went to Padre Speaking of soldiers, he often liked to talk about his Padre Pio is no longer physically with us, but his spirit is trip just to see me? What a fine thing you came to see, all the to his fellow director, ‘What do we doctors know?’ to which to St Peter, “Peter I told you to be on guard. Give me the keys; Pio and said, ‘Father, how can I boast of being a member of experience in the army in Naples. One rainy day in 1917, still calling numerous people to his tomb to testify that his way from Milan! Don’t you have a prayer book at home? You the director added ‘But you, Father, have nevertheless built a you are no longer guarding well.” your spiritual family when every night I have to paint my face he was obliged to go to some place or another. Our soldier life and works were in harmony with the plans of Providence. could have spared yourself a trip. God bless you. A Hail Mary hospital.’ ‘Yes, but only for sick people, not for doctors,’ replied ‘Peter replied, “Lord, I didn’t want to tell you, but since you and be a buffoon on the stage?’ (Padre Pio) courageously armed himself with an umbrella; well is worth more than a trip, my son.’ Padre Pio. insist, I will tell you. I no sooner turn my back than Your Mother Padre Pio smiled, ‘My son, in this world everyone is a sheltered, he took off for Piazza del Plebiscito. Padre Pio was also a witty, brilliant, and formidable One day, he said to a group of doctors, ‘Don’t forget the opens the door and lets them all come in. I’m helpless. Lord, buffoon no matter where God places him. It is sufficient Padre Pio of Pietrelcina conversationalist. With psychological shrewdness, he would proverb of the Salerno School: “A mouse has a better chance ‘Hey, soldier!’ But the soldier kept on going as if he hadn’t how do You feel about it? What must I do when Your Mother to surmise what God wants, and then everything will take by Fr Francesco Napolitano corner his listener, deliberately putting him in a difficult position. with two cats than a sick person has with two doctors.”’ heard a thing. ‘Hey, by Jove, I’m talking to you, soldier.’ It was a goes to the door?” its proper place. There once was an acrobat who wanted PRICE: €14.99 He could do this even when his opponent tried to involve him He even joked about his own weakness. To a man who colonel, who had, naturally, become impatient. The Padre had to ‘The Lord answered, “Peter, just pretend you don’t see it.”’ to become a friar, but since he was very ignorant he didn’t A 01 6874096 M [email protected] in scientific problems with which he was not familiar. At times requested his prayers because his leg did not function properly, go back. ‘What novelty is this?’ yelled the colonel, while drowning The conclusion is eloquent in the sense that the Virgin succeed in learning the hymns and prayers, unlike his fellow www.columbabooks.com he would disconcert them with seemingly bizarre remarks. he quickly replied, ‘You’re lucky to have only one that doesn’t in the downpour. ‘A soldier with an umbrella! Are you crazy?’ Mary is always everyone’s mother, and without her, Paradise friars. So when the church was empty, the acrobat would go or send a cheque to: Sometimes, he would stand up and mimic them, making them ‘I had to play stupid,’ said Padre Pio with a sly smile. ‘I before the statue of the Madonna and exhibit his only talent: function; I don’t even have one that does!’ would not be the same. Columba Books, 23 Merrion look ridiculous. He would suddenly change from the pathetic to Soldiers and officers would often come to the Friary of offered him my umbrella: “If the colonel, sir, wishes to share Padre Pio’s wit was part of his apostolate. He sometimes somersaults and pirouettes. Square, Dublin 2, D02 XE02. the comical, or vice versa, depending on the effect he wished San Giovanni Rotondo, especially after World War II. Once, my umbrella, I will accompany him.” The colonel understood used it to confuse a soul, or to better penetrate the secrets ‘When it was found out, it became the great scandal of the to have on his audience. Above all, his superabundance of when Padre Pio saw an officer who was looking rather sad, that he was dealing with a dumb recruit, so with a spiteful of the conscience. friary. One morning the Guardian hid behind a column hoping humour escaped no one. he approached him and said, ‘Well, how come you’re here gesture, he turned his back to me, leaving me standing there In this manner some people were able to review some to take the acrobat by surprise. Imagine the Guardian’s surprise Once, in reply to someone who was trying to make him today?’ The officer explained that he had come to say goodbye with my umbrella in hand.’ aspect of their lives; while others, feeling exposed, overhauled when he saw the statue of the Holy Virgin smile, and the statue FREE POSTAGE ON ALL ORDERS 22 | The Irish Spirit June 18, 2020 The Venerable Matt Talbot

a poor Dublin family. His father was a heavy drinker who spent most of his income at the local pub, and soon enough Matt and most of Written by his brothers would follow suit. Matt received Emma Tobin only one year of schooling before he was forced to find a job, which he did, in a bottling company. This provided ample grounds for hen trying to understand experimentation, and by his mid-teens he was addiction, it is important to drinking regularly. Wremember what every human Later in life Matt recalled that throughout is addicted to. We are all addicted to breathing, his late-teens and most of his twenties, his for example. It’s easy to test, just start holding sole purpose in life was to fund his constant, your breath and soon enough your body will heavy drinking. He spent everything he earned want some air. A little longer, and your body will on alcohol, and would regularly scrounge, beg, need some air. A little longer (going red-faced and pawn anything he could sell in order to now) and your body will demand some air. fund his habit until pay day. It was not terribly Believe me, you would break all the fingernails unusual for working men to drink copiously, on both hands if that was what it took to take but Matt’s obsession scythed through any other a breath when you really needed it. worldly interest. Most weeks, he would bring Breathing doesn’t seem like an addiction. just a shilling home to his mother. We need to do it to live. That’s a fact. It’s important to remember, however, that the Matt became an flesh and bone our souls are stuffed into doesn’t know any facts. Perhaps you could autodidact, teaching say our brain knows them, but the brain is himself to read and made of tissue, and it is absolutely capable of knowing the wrong facts. dedicating much of his So, yes, we need to breathe. An astronaut time to reading and could tell you that. Anyone who swims could tell you that. A ten minute-old child could rereading religious texts.” tell you that. You are addicted to breathing Most people nowadays are capable of because when you don’t your body starts to understanding that for a child in the most feel like it’s dying. When trying to understand poverty-stricken circumstances, with little or addiction it’s important to remember that you no education and a family history awash in know more about it than you think. alcoholism, living in a social and cultural circle It’s also important to remember that you in which drinking was what grown men did, this know nothing, if you haven’t experienced it, was a very difficult fate to avoid. It might have about substance addiction. Breathing is usually been the story of Matt Talbot; it was the story Matt Talbot Cograng CC BY-SA Source Wikimedia good for you. Everyone from your doctor to of many others. However, when Matt was in your mother approves of it. Oxygen is free and his late twenties, he realised the ruinous effect When, in the initial weeks and months of Trinity Sunday, 7th of June 1925, while on his exists in copious quantities almost everywhere that alcohol was having on his life. There were his recovery, the urge to have a drink almost way to Mass. He could not be identified at the humans have chosen to live. The question of few options for poor, unskilled workers to seek overwhelmed him, Matt would retreat to a scene, but when his body was being prepared what happens when you become addicted medical help, so Matt turned to the Church nearby place of worship and pray for strength. for burial, it was found to be wrapped with to something that isn’t good for you is one in the hope that he could seek God’s help in In later years, Matt’s dedication to prayer several chains, a symbol of his devotion to that, for most of us, doesn’t require looking far. continued unabated and his days were spent overcoming this terrible disease. Mary. He was buried in a pauper’s grave in Alcohol has been used for centuries by either working, praying, or attending Mass. He took a pledge not to drink for three Glasnevin cemetery. multiple human civilisations, for medicinal, months. These first few ‘dry’ months were The rest of his life was spent in devoted Soon after his death, Matt’s reputation ritualistic, and of course social purposes. The excruciating, but when the temptation to drink prayer. Matt became an autodidact, teaching as a saintly man and a protector of those history of alcoholism, most likely, stretches struck, Matt turned instead to prayer. After himself to read and dedicating much of his suffering from addiction was established. He back exactly as far as the invention of alcohol. the three months were over, he extended time to reading and rereading religious texts. It is only in recent centuries that we have his pledge, and did not drink alcohol for the He wore several pages in his Bible almost became the Venerable Matt Talbot in 1973. reached a greater understanding of substance remainder of his life. Matt adopted an ascetic transparent. He was regarded as one of the Matt found his champions in his faith, and his addiction and those it targets. lifestyle of constant prayer with few physical hardest and fastest workers in Dublin and legacy is one of hope that addiction can be Matt Talbot was born on the 2nd of May comforts, based off accounts of monastic life. gave charity and support to everyone around overcome. It is also a reminder that addiction 1856, the second eldest of twelve children in The churches of Dublin became his refuge. him. He died suddenly in Granby Lane on is difficult to overcome alone. June 18, 2020 The Irish Spirit ||23 St Colmcille Exclusive Excerpt from Early Irish Saints by John J Ó Ríordáin C.Ss.R

aints seem to be people of many parts Christian living, so shining indeed, that he too, and Colmcille more than most: he was like his young foster-child, is venerated as a saint Sa prince, priest, prophet, poet, diplomat, of God. It was during these years of fosterage monk, abbot, scribe, and scholar. In terms of that his peers, observing the boy’s frequent family background, he sprung from the Cenél visits to the little chapel, dubbed him Colm Conaill (the O’Donnells of Donegal), a branch Cille, dove of the church, an affectionate title of the royal house of the Clan Uí néill. He was which has attended him ever since in Ireland, a descendant of Niall of the nine hostages, and while the Scots have a preference for the Latin, over a period of 700 years, his family produced Columba, a dove. as many as forty-one high Kings. Colmcille, too, When his term of fosterage was completed it seems, was himself eligible for such an office. Colmcille, instead of following the way of a By secular, as well as by religious standards prince among his people, opted to become he is one of the outstanding figures of Early a Christian monk. Such a choice on the part Mediaeval Ireland. Speculation about his life, of so highborn a young man had major his reasons for leaving Ireland, or the extent consequences for the young and evolving of his influence at home and abroad, cannot Irish church. His career undoubtedly provided detract from that fact. Nor can a case be made a powerful stimulus to monastic development, against his holiness on the grounds that he was and his choice of the monastic life was a not formally canonised by the Pope, because headline followed by many another young Colmcille lived hundreds of years prior to such nobleman. He was a man of the very highest formalities. When St Adomnán wrote his Life birth, with all the natural advantages which such in the seventh century, it was specifically to a circumstance gave in an aristocratic society. East-most south window of the side chapel of St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry. The three lights establish for all and sundry that the first abbot He had the gift of second sight, combined with depict scenes in the life of Saint Columba: S. Columba A.D. 563 sails for Iona (left light), S. Columba of Iona was a man who walked with God in a power to control others by the sheer force at Drumceatt A.D. 575 (centre light), and Death of S. Columba A.D. 597 (right light). Photo: Andreas F. Borchert / CC BY-SA 3.0 DE. Source Wikimedia Commons. a truly extraordinary and inspiring fashion. of his own personality. For fourteen hundred years the Christian community, particularly in Ireland and Scotland, His foundations has acknowledged this estimation of the man Information on Colmcille’s life prior to his Adomnán’s Life offers a vision of a by invoking his intercession and keeping his departure for Britain in AD 563 is little enough. community of saints and founders memory green. During the decade prior to his departure From the various sources at our disposal he was active in establishing monastic bound together in strong brotherly relations.” it is possible to put reasonable shape on his communities throughout the upper half of life while bearing in mind that the only fairly Ireland where his family held sway. Among renounce his native land. In Early Christian during one of these visits, while on another, certain date in his career is at the end. On the these foundations were Swords, Lambay, Tory, Ireland, the greatest sacrifice and penance at the celebrated Convention of the Kings, testimony of St Adomnán, his biographer, the Drumcliffe, Drumcolumb, Clonmore, Moone, a monk could undertake, other than at Drumcet near Limavady, he negotiated saint died on Iona on 9 June, AD 597, aged Inchmore in Lough Gowna, and perhaps martyrdom, was voluntary exile. Colmcille, the independence of Scottish Dal Riada and seventy-five. At the other end of the scale, the Kells. There is no knowing the full number, who wasn’t in the habit of doing things by saved the bards from suppression. He visited traditional date of his birth is 7 December, AD but St Dallan Forgaill, in his Amra or Elegy halves, took that penitential option. or maintained contact with other Irish church 521, and the place is Gartan, Co. Donegal. of Colmcille, describes him as ‘guardian of a To this day the people of Islay maintain leaders, and many of them in turn visited Iona. His training hundred churches’. that when the saint sailed out from Derry Adomnán’s Life offers a vision of a community he made first landfall on their island, but of saints and founders bound together in In his childhood, Colmcille was fostered by His missionary exile then moved on to another Inner Hebridean strong brotherly relations. a local priest named Cruithnechán, who not In his youth he had renounced the family Island, Iona, for his first permanent settlement By the end of his life, Colmcille’s only taught the boy his letters and his prayers inheritance. Then, at the age of forty-two, in Scotland. Here, for thirty-four years he achievement was monumental: he had but gave him a shining personal example of he was prepared to go a step further and would lead his monks in prayer, study and founded Iona and a number of connected apostolic endeavour. Life was rarely less than monasteries in the west of Britain and Early Irish Saints grim on that island, and yet, it was here that in Ireland, and had exercised strong and by John J Ó Ríordáin C.Ss.R he founded a scribal tradition which ultimately decisive influence over the political scene PRICE: €12.99 produced the Book of Kells; and it was from in Scotland and Ireland. But he would have A 01 6874096 | M [email protected] here that he guided and conducted a mission considered these achievements minor in www.columbabooks.com to both his own Gaelic people in the kingdom comparison to what he was seeking to attain, or send a cheque to: of Scottish Dal Riada and to the pagan Pictish namely, wisdom, learning and holiness. Judging Columba Books, 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, D02 XE02. peoples further north. from the Amra Colmcille, by the time of his During the Iona years Colmcille returned death the saint already had an incomparable to Ireland on several occasions, and for reputation for these virtues, the virtues not various reasons. The monastery of Durrow, just of a saint but of a wholly rounded and FREE POSTAGE ON ALL ORDERS in Co. Offaly, was almost certainly founded complete human being. 24 | The Irish Spirit June 18, 2020 The Meaning and the Message

From the book Cardinal Newman for Today Scripture is the more authoritative of the by Thomas J. Norris two, a view which he held throughout his life. Through his reading in the early 1840s of he young Newman was brought the history of the Monophysites and of the up on scripture. His adolescent fifth century councils, the collaborative nature Tconversion deepened his regard of scripture and tradition dawns upon him. for the written word. The scriptures and, He sees them as expressions of the fullness later, the fathers were his spiritual and mental of revelation. Furthermore, as a Catholic, nourishment, but soon he began to make he saw only verbal differences between the other discoveries. They are all shoots springing Catholic and Anglican theology of scripture from his encounter with divine revelation and tradition in the transmission of divine in scripture and the fathers. A principal revelation. Catholics, of course, believed in the discovery was going to be that of tradition church’s divinely given authority and infallible and the necessity of a credal Christianity in competence to teach the faith, the proof the context of an apostolic church. of which was in scripture and tradition. To refresh our memories on the point, we only Tradition: A Gradual need to recall Newman’s own demonstration Discovery of the dogma of the immaculate conception His first introduction to the theme of tradition in the Letter to Pusey, where he draws on came from Edward Hawkins (1789-1882) early apostolic tradition in the mouths of who in 1818 put Sumner’s treatise on the second and third century fathers and doctors subject into his hands, and then preached in order to ground the papal definition. the famous sermon on the subject which Doctrine: The Need To Newman heard. Given Newman’s rather Know Before We Can Love! Calvinist leanings in the years immediately succeeding his first conversion in 1816, there Tradition exists alongside scripture, not in Always the most practical of thinkers, particularly since he was primarily a pastor, was little room on his theological horizon for competition with it since both spring from the idea of tradition, and any room there was Newman realised slowly the indispensable began to be filled by his progressive reading the same fountainhead in revelation. ” place of doctrine in the exposition of faith. of the fathers. ‘We must know concerning God, before we The mode of his discovery of tradition controversies of the fourth and fifth centuries, of Newman buoys him up in his resistance can feel love, fear, hope, or trust towards him. was theological, that is, as insight flowing from controversies providing the theological and to both the Reformers and the Romanists. Devotion must have its objects; those objects, either earlier beliefs or tasks undertaken. Thus cultural context for the golden age of the The Anglican communion, after all, may have as being supernatural, when not represented to our senses by material symbols, must be his researching of the First Ecumenical Council fathers that will both occasion and cause his more than a mere ‘paper theology’. set before the mind in propositions.’ Religion for The Arians of the Fourth Century was the gradual discovery of the reality of tradition. As he notices the varied and subtle is intrinsically doctrinal and dogmatic, or it entry into church history as a systematic He will discover it, in fact, as a component contours of tradition, and, in particular, as he will not be at all. discipline. Rowan Williams has shown that and carrier of revelation through the waves sees the fathers’ respect for it and the early The climate of Newman’s day tended to the young Newman, while appreciating the and storms of church history. And this is Ecumenical councils’ use of it in their decrees water down this dimension of revelation. It work on pre-Nicene theology of the ‘standard precisely the thesis of the great 1837 work, determining the faith to be believed by all, reduced religion to feeling, and dogmas to divines’ like Bull, Waterland, Petavius and The Prophetical Office of the Church. Tradition he realises that tradition is a special carrier opinions or beliefs that happened to be held Baronius, considering them to be ‘magnificent will be the plank in the raft which the Via of the faith. It is there since the beginning as by groups. Newman saw here the central fellows but … antiquarians or doctrinists, not Media must sail between Protestant reduction the apostolic tradition, and this authoritative mischief of his own age and of the age to ecclesiastical historians’, is sensitive to the to scripture only, and Roman exaggeration tradition is the proper matrix, nourishment come. He called it liberalism. In his novel, Loss category of history. Revelation is committed towards authority, even infallible authority. and critique of all subsequent traditions. and Gain, he portrays, ingeniously and with to a community which must move through Episcopal and Prophetical Scripture and Tradition: irony, a fictitious Truth Society whose patrons history, indeed make history. Tradition Witnesses to Revelation were Abelard, Benjamin Franklin and Julian the Still, Newman is at first reticent to admit The Prophetical Office expounds a fertile Tradition exists alongside scripture, not Apostate, and whose guiding principles were the need of doctrinal formulation. He fears theology of tradition. Louis Bouyer sees in it in competition with it since both spring ‘first, it is uncertain whether truth exists, and, the irreverent exposition of the pearls of the ‘a view of the Catholic tradition which is not from the same fountainhead in revelation. second, it is certain that it cannot be found’. gospel. He is suspicious that such exposition only a most inclusive but also a most synthetic may detach these treasures from their native one’. Newman’s view distinguishes two kinds Cardinal Newman for A 01 6874096 and proper location in the bosom of the of tradition, episcopal and prophetical. The Today M [email protected] church. The Arians project, however, alters by Thomas J. Norris latter is powerful but subtle, ‘pervading the www.columbabooks.com that perspective substantially. ‘His sense of PRICE: €12.99 church like an atmosphere’. It both parallels or send a cheque to: the legitimacy and necessity of doctrinal and fills in the gaps in the episcopal form. It Columba Books, 23 Merrion A conservative at heart? definition seems to have developed actually is drawn on, and witnessed to, by the fathers. Square, Dublin 2, D02 XE02. by Stephen Kelly in the process of endeavouring to write It also flows in many channels and so enjoys PRICE: €19.99 church history’. This begins with the history multiple media, including the consensus fidei of the Arian hurricane. It will be his persistent of the lay faithful. Here is the germ of the FREE POSTAGE ON ALL ORDERS involvement with those great Christological theology of the laity. The advancing insight The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | International analysis ||25 A place to

By working call home collaboratively on a shared goal, religious and laypeople have better been able to help respond to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees, writes Rory O’Neill he idea of love of God and love of neighbour is a basic element in hearing the call to join a religious or missionary congregation. This idea isT also shared by many others who do not feel called to the religious or missionary life but who do feel called to serve God and others. There is no doubt that civil society organisations can and do support and engender the charisms and vision of religious project has been the ecumenical close collaboration. Through this and missionary congregations. and interfaith dimension. The has come the realisation that by Collaboration and partnerships Church of Ireland has been an working collaboratively with a have allowed shared visions integral and very generous funder shared goal, we have better been and mission to coalesce and for the IRC’s wider housing and address existing and emerging able to help respond to the needs homelessness work. The range of of asylum seekers and refugees. phenomenon that affect those on work that housing and homeless This has also enabled religious and the margins of society today. support requires in this current missionaries continue to be faithful The Association of Leaders climate covers a very wide of Missionaries and Religious spectrum. From access to schools, to their own unique charisms and of Ireland (AMRI), under its employment, health, legal and fulfil their mission here in Ireland social justice mandate (JPIC), social supports. today in a very concrete and fruitful seeks to respond with courage way. and confidence to existing and The challenge to The challenge to love God and emerging realities. Inspired by ❛❛ love our neighbour is not unique the Gospel and Church teachings, love God and love our to religious congregations or AMRI, as a centre for mission and neighbour is not unique missionary societies. It is a call dialogue, promotes collaboration to all Christians and indeed to and partnership with various to religious congregations all people. ‘A Place To Call Home’ Province, Franciscan Order of stakeholders. A concrete example of property to house refugees in is one particular example of of this is the relationship AMRI an emergency response to what Friars Minor, Missionary Sisters or missionary societies” collaboration and partnership has today with the Irish Refugee was termed the refugee crisis in of Our Lady of Apostles, Christian Interfaith collaboration is with others, where shared goals Council. 2015. Since then, the initiative Brothers European Province, Sisters perfectly exemplified in a new are achievable. It is a model has developed into a collaborative of Our Lady of Charity of the Good programme the Irish Refugee Relationships housing programme called ‘A Place Shepherd, Sacred Heart of Mary, whereby the charism and mission Council is working with in of congregations and missionary The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) Called Home’. The programme and the Congregation of the Holy collaboration with the State, societies can see their vocation was established in 1992 with provides housing and support to Spirit. UNHCR and other stakeholders being fulfilled in a very meaningful the support of various religious people leaving Direct Provision, called Community Sponsorship. congregations and development families reunited through family Skills This is where communities come way. agencies. These important reunification and those who have Not only has property and funding together to provide the integration The present Covid-19 crisis relationships continue to flourish here under the State’s resettlement been donated, but individual supports for a Syrian refugee family highlights our interdependence. and develop as the need for our programme. sisters, brothers and priests are coming directly from a UNHCR While we are all in this crisis supports continues to expand. This programme would not committed to providing holistic camp in either Lebanon or Jordan. together, we do not all experience Our work with people seeking have been possible without the support needs to the people we One community based around a it in the same way. Covid-19 will protection and refugees is echoed support of the congregations and work with. The range of skills that pre-existing ecumenical project exacerbate already existing social in the four verbs used by Pope other faith-based organisations and sisters, brothers and priests provide has been formed to undertake this vulnerabilities and inequalities Francis in discussing migration groups. Currently, we have over continues to be a resource that programme. The group have also while creating new ones. We – to welcome, protect, promote 70 people directly housed in 18 is invaluable and unquantifiable. been extensively supported by will all need to re-think how we and integrate people seeking properties. These properties have Healthcare support, social work, a missionary congregation – the co-exist together to ensure no protection. Our services offer a been donated by the following translation, cultural knowledge, Sisters of Saint Joseph. Another one is left behind. Once we can continuum of care for people congregations: St Patrick’s teaching and life skills are community has been supported by all collaborate and work together, through the protection process and Missionary Society, Loreto Sisters the Jesuits. constructive examples of the many we can be very effective in our onto Irish citizenship and beyond if IBVM, Sisters of Mercy South supports that are provided. Both the IRC and AMRI approach. needed. Central Province and Western Another valuable aspect of the acknowledge the value of this As an organisation, the IRC began its relationship with AMRI Healthcare support, social work, translation, cultural i Rory O’Neill, Irish Refugee in 2015, through the then justice ❛❛ Council and the Association of coordinator, Sr Sheila Curran the Leaders of Missionaries and RSM, who reached out with the knowledge, teaching and life skills are constructive Religious of Ireland Justice Desk. offer from various congregations examples of the many supports that are provided” World Refugee Day is June 20. 26 | International news || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 World Report IN BRIEF Catholic charity to send US bishops warn Supreme Court has Brazil aid l Brazil is to receive emergency aid from a leading Catholic redefined legal meaning of ‘sex’ charity as the coronavirus crisis worsens in the country. The president of the US Con- because to do so would “rede- Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has announced 11 new ference of Catholic Bishops Archbishop fine a fundamental element projects in response to this, supporting the work of priests, (USCCB) has lamented a deci- José Gomez. of humanity”. religious and lay missionaries. sion by the country’s Supreme “By erasing the beautiful In total, the projects will aid 169 priests, 141 sisters, 31 Court this week on the legal differences and complemen- seminarians and 56 lay missionaries. definition of sex in civil rights tary relationship between Most of these projects involve the collection and distribution law. man and woman,” Archbishop of food and other essential supplies to those most needy. Archbishop José Gomez Gomez said, “we ignore the Fr Francisco Silva, treasurer for the diocese of Itapipoca, issued a statement in glory of God’s creation and said few people had money to spare and welcomed help from response to a case on whether harm the human family, the overseas charities. sexual identity and gender first building block of society. identity is covered by laws “Our sex, whether we are Bishops in Philippines issue prohibiting employment dis- male or female, is part of crimination based on sex. God’s plan for creation and Independence Day rally cry “I am deeply concerned for our lives. l Catholic bishops in the Philippines issued an Independence that the US Supreme Court “As Pope Francis has taught Day rally cry calling on Filipinos to unite and fight for freedom has effectively redefined the with such sensitivity to live in against the “anti-people” policies of President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal meaning of ‘sex’ in our the truth with God’s intended government. nation’s civil rights law. This gifts in our lives requires that “People’s quest for freedom and liberty should never end is an injustice that will have we receive our bodily and even if curtailed by a government due to pandemic restrictions”, implications in many areas of sexual identity with gratitude said Manila’s apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo life,” he said on Monday. and Altitude Express Inc. vs also applied to discrimination from our Creator. last week. The Supreme Court ruled Zarda. on the basis of sexual orienta- “No one can find true hap- The prelate said the faithful should fight against policies that that employers cannot sack A third case, Harris Funeral tion and gender identity. piness by pursuing a path that further oppress people, including the recent anti-terrorism bill workers because of their Homes Inc. vs EEOC, involved This week the court’s is contrary to God’s plan,” he passed by lawmakers. sexual orientation or self- a man who lost his job at a majority ruled that “an continued. The Philippines celebrated its liberation on June 12 to mark determined gender identity, Michigan funeral home after employer who fires an indi- “Every human person is the end of 333 years of Spanish rule in 1898. Spain introduced even while dissenting justices he had gender-transition sur- vidual merely for being gay made in the image and like- Catholicism to the archipelago. opined the court was legislat- gery and returned to work or transgender violates Title ness of God and, without ing from the bench. dressed as a woman; the VII”. exception, must be treated New education approach for The decision considered a funeral home had sex-spe- with dignity, compassion, Africa say Catholic experts trio of discrimination cases cific dress code policies for Humanity and respect. Protecting our before the court, two of which In November, the US bish- neighbours from unjust dis- l employees. The International Catholic 19 has not created a new involved employees who said The question at issue was ops’ conference had asked crimination does not require Movement for Intellectual situation; it has dramatised they were fired because of whether or not protections the court not to extend Title redefining human nature,” and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA- what has been there all their sexual orientation in against sex discrimination in VII protections to sexual ori- the Archbishop of Los Ange- PaxRomana) has called the time, the inequalities Bostock vs Clayton County Title VII of the Civil Rights Act entation and gender identity les said. for more functional and in education,” said Fr responsive education Joseph Arimoso, Education systems to assist African Co-odinator for the Jesuit communities. India Church leaders seek government conference of Africa and Importance of the household, positive Madagascar, in Kenya last parenting and values week. consultation on worship in lockdown taught by the Church were “Education plays a India’s leading lay organisation has Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay, He added the “detailed system highlighted as key areas for different role in Africa and so urged the prime minister’s office to president of the Catholic Bishops’ management” inside churches should child development. we need to look at a different consult religious leaders before radical Conference of India (CBCI), said “the be left to the local bishop, priests and “The situation of Covid- approach to education.” decisions are taken on worship during Holy Eucharist, also known as Holy the laity. the Covid-19 lockdown period. Communion, was at the very core of the Catholic leaders noted that the British bishops express solidarity At a webinar hosted by the All- Christian Faith”. Church has contributed greatly in India Catholic Union (AICU) last week, “For Catholics, the bread and wine extending medical care, relief and with Black Lives Matter Catholic leaders discussed a guideline were the body and blood of Christ. other assistance to people impacted l The Catholic bishops of England and Wales have released that the government issued for opening People had been deprived for many by unemployment, hunger and a statement of solidarity with campaigners for racial justice in religious places. months from partaking in Communion,” homelessness because of the pandemic. the USA. The bishops conference also condemned systemic The guideline allowed opening he said. Cardinal Gracias said many Church- racism in Britain and said that Catholics have a responsibility to religious places from June 8, but banned run institutions had been converted to promote racial justice. the distribution of prasad or food Disease Covid-19 care wards, refugee centres “We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still offerings (Holy Communion). Archbishop Peter Machado of and food distribution points. try to profess to respect every human life,” their statement said. Church leaders said that celebrating Bangalore, spiritual adviser to the “The Church and the community are “We serve a God of love, mercy and justice.” Mass in churches without being able to AICU, said the Church is committed to in the forefront to relieve the hardships Last week the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) distribute Communion would render personal hygiene and preventing the of migrant workers and their families,” called for anti-racist training to be part of every profession and the whole exercise meaningless. disease spreading. he said. to be on school curriculum. Painting priest in Indonesia Church can make post-Covid contribution, says Australian clergy dies aged 89 Archbishop Mark Coleridge of “We now have a chance The clergyman said the “The principle duties and Brisbane has pitched for the to shape society in ways that Church offered many insights responsibilities of employers, l Jesuit Fr Lambertus Martinus van den Heuvel Sugiri, who Church to take a key role in weren’t possible before this into dealing with dramatic employees and governments co-pioneered Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Indonesia and Australia’s Covid-19 recovery crisis.” world changes. are as much in focus today as used art to evangelise, has died following a short illness. efforts, adding that the task The Archbishop feels the they were then,” he said. The Dutch-born priest, 89, used painting influenced cannot be left solely to politi- Church can deliver a unique “We are in this together by Ignatian spirituality and the work of Jeronimo Nadal, a cians. post-pandemic contribution Teachings He cited the teachings of Pope – all Australians; and the 16th-Century Jesuit priest, to communicate the Gospels to “We’re in a situation now and pointed to the Church’s those he served. where the world has changed, extraordinary reach into Aus- Leo XIII, who he said offered Church wants to be a good He produced almost 300 paintings at St Theresa Church in perhaps forever,” said the tralian communities with “a genuinely Gospel response companion on the road ahead, Menteng and the Catholic-run Sanggar Prathivi Arts Studio. President of the Australian thousands of workers in to a dramatically changed helping to identify new “He was a man filled with spirit,” said Fr Fransiskus Xaverius Catholic Bishops Conference schools, hospitals and on the world” and had found a voice opportunities and what is Dedomau Djatmiko da Gomez. last week. frontline. in every Pope since. needed to respond to them.” The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | International news ||27

Edited by Aron Hegarty Vatican [email protected] roundup Heavy crosses to bear

Fund established by Pope to help families l Pope Francis has set up a fund aimed at helping families and individuals of Rome diocese who are in economic difficulty due to the Covid-19 crisis. In a letter to the Vicariate of Rome last week, the Holy Father says the Jesus the Divine Worker Fund will support those who have lost their jobs and their livelihoods because of the pandemic. “As bishop of Rome I have decided to establish the ‘Jesus the Divine Worker Fund’ to reaffirm the dignity of work, with an initial allocation of one million euros,” wrote Pope Francis. In particular, the fund is for “those who risk being excluded from institutional protection and who need support until they can walk again unaccompanied”. “Many are fathers and mothers who struggle to set the table for their children and make sure they receive the bare minimum,” he continued. “This Fund is intended to be a sign that is capable of urging all people of good will to offer a concrete gesture of inclusion, especially towards those who seek comfort, hope and recognition of their rights.” Swiss Guard swearing-in moved to October l The Pontifical Swiss include Holy Mass with Guard has confirmed that the recruits in St Peter’s 38 recruits will be sworn-in Basilica, while the on October 4, but that the swearing-in ceremony Activists in protective gear dig ‘graves’ on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The graves were dug to symbolise those ceremony will take place will take place in the San who died from Covid-19. Photo: CNS without guests. Damasus Courtyard. The event, which Pope Francis expressed should have taken place the hope that their service on May 6, will be held in the Vatican and their Pakistani Christian accused of behind closed doors time spent in Rome would in accordance with the bring those they encounter “current rules of protection” “a word of comfort and a blasphemy by wife and daughter to avoid infection due to gesture of brotherhood, the Covid-19 virus. so that they may become A wife and daughter have accused country where the wife and daughter it is part of the record and is to be Although no parents, convincing witnesses of their Christian husband and father of both are witnesses against the husband produced in court when the hearing family members or guests the risen Christ, alive and committing blasphemy in the first case and the father. starts. will be present, live present in every age”. of its kind in Pakistan. According to reports, Samreen and The police have kept Anwar at an television broadcasting and The date of the Anwar Masih from Lahore has been Kausar were running a beauty parlour unknown place for security reasons, streaming of the “unique swearing-in (May 6) charged under blasphemy law 295-C and Samreen had been having an affair while the mother and daughter are event” will be shown commemorates the 147 for uttering blasphemous words about with a Muslim man, who she is now hiding at an unknown location. on the official website Swiss Guards who fell the Prophet Muhmmad (PBUH). Last married to and eight months pregnant. Nasir Saeed, Director of Centre for of the Swiss Guards at defending Pope Clement week, the Civil Line police station Samreen converted to Islam, while Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement guardiasvizzera.ch. VII during the Sack of registered a case against Mr Masih. Anwar was kept in the dark and never (CLAAS)-UK said: “This is shocking Rome in 1527. According to the first information told by his wife nor daughter about the news for me that a wife and daughter The programme will report (FIR), the complainants are his marriage or conversion. have both gathered to witness wife Kausar Parveen and his daughter Once Anwar found out, he was against their husband and father and All of us responsible for child Samreen. naturally shocked and furious that his complained against him to the police. labour, says Pontiff The police have confiscated wife and daughter did not tell him. “This is another example of the l their mobile phones, which contain He shouted at his daughter and misuse of the blasphemy law where a Pope Francis has appealed to the international evidence to prove that he has wife, and allegedly abused Islam too daughter gets rid of her father, and a community to protect the numerous boys and girls who are committed blasphemy. which was recorded by his daughter on wife her husband, simply because he deprived of their childhood and forced into child labour. This is argubly the first case in the her phone, which has been confiscated, cannot accept what they have done.” The Holy Father noted that World Day Against Child Labour, which was marked on June 12, signifies a phenomenon which he said “endangers” the integral development of so many boys and girls. Third Chinese bishop installed in state ceremony Pope Francis noted that “in the current health An 83-year-old Chinese been recognised by Chinese The bishop also said priests China agreement on bish- emergency situation, in several countries many children bishop has been installed as authorities. and Catholics should abide by ops, which has always been and young people are forced into jobs that are inappropriate the third bishop to be rec- Fujian province’s Ethnic the constitution of the coun- described as “provisional”, for their age, in order to help their families in conditions of ognised by the Communist and Religious Affairs Depart- try, uphold national unity and have never been released, but extreme poverty”. regime since the Vatican- ment said that Fr Wang social harmony and love the are reported to be valid only He added that “these are forms of slavery and China 2018 agreement on the Yuliang, an official of the country and the Church. for two years unless renewed imprisonment, resulting in physical and psychological appointment of bishops. state-approved bishops’ con- He insisted Catholics fol- before September 2020. suffering”. Bishop Peter Lin Jiashan ference in China, read a letter low the directions to “sinicise The first bishop approved “All of us are responsible for this,” claimed the Pope, was officially appointed as of approval from the bish- the Church in our country” by China was Bishop Zhuang who called on institutions to “make every effort to protect head of the Fuzhou Diocese ops’ conference. In the letter, and contribute to the realisa- Jianjian of Shantou in January minors”. in Fujian province last week. Bishop Lin pledged to obey tion of the “dream of a great 2019. He retired immediately The Holy Father asked institutions to ensure that the Since 1997, Bishop Lin had God, fulfil the pastoral duties rejuvenation of the Chinese and eight days later, China economic and social gaps, which underlie the distorted refused to register with the of a bishop and proclaim the nation”. recognised Bishop Jin Lugang government, and thus had not Gospel to lead the diocese. Details of the Vatican- of Nanyang. dynamic in which they are unfortunately involved, are filled. 28 | Opinion || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020

Post to: Letters to the Editor, The Irish Catholic, 23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2, Letters or email: [email protected] Letter of the week Perplexed by the statistics and the reality Parishes need all Dear Editor, On March 22, we learned impressed upon us all. The world is the hands of many of the same medics, of the very sad death of the first united in the common fight against doctors, healthcare workers who are the help they can Covid-19 victim in our country; a lady this dreadful virus, as the stats pour in currently desperately fighting to save in the east of Ireland, who was vulner- from far flung places and are analysed the lives of others. able due to an underlying medical and compared. While all sorts of businesses and condition, we were told. Since then, So too is the world united in get reopening commercial enterprises are slowly we have followed the statistics; the outrage at the brutal killing of George reopening, we are also told that rise and fall in death rates, the genders Floyd and the battle for justice is at the Ireland ranks in 16th place within the Dear Editor, In order for parishes to rally together to get of victims, the mean and the median top of the social justice agenda. churches back open they’ll need a lot of assistance. It was European Union, when it comes to age, county by county breakdowns of The statistics are readily available refreshing to see on your front page [IC 11/06/2020] that being permitted to return to religious confirmed cases and deaths, if they nationally for deaths caused by all there are important figures within the GAA who are open to services/places of worship of all faiths. had underlying medical conditions, sorts of illnesses, road accidents, helping churches be prepared for Mass returning. etc. work related deaths, suicides, The mind boggles. It seems that not The difficulty is not all parishes have a close connection ‘We are in this together’ we are homicides, drownings, etc., but not everybody is ‘in this together’ after all. with their local GAA club. Those who do I have no doubt reminded repeatedly, since the gov. so for abortion, which is freely and will be supported by enthusiastic young people who are fit ie campaign was launched a month widely available in the Republic for 16 Yours etc., and capable of cleaning and putting up signs in their local later. Collective responsibility, not months now. How perplexing. These Seán Wynne, church so it is up to standard and able to follow the bishops’ individual choice, is the message being vulnerable human beings have died at Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. guidelines published last week. This would probably be wishful thinking for others, who may be disconnected from youth groups or clubs for one Will future reason or another. I think parishes should reach out to local schools and youth groups and ask for help if they need it, to make sure generations their church or churches are ready for public worship once more by June 29, there could be nothing more disappointing condemn if a church couldn’t bring itself up to code before this date and continued to remain closed for public worship. As the saying goes, if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. abortion? Yours etc., Dear Editor, The current John O’Gorman, generation of English people Ennis, condemn their ancestors for Co. Clare. condoning the practice of slavery in the founding of Praise for two former Taoisigh the British Empire. Dear Editor, As much as some of our former Taoisigh inspire Will future generations controversy and even disgust in many of us, I have to say condemn this generation I must commend John Bruton and Bertie Ahern for speak- for condoning the practice ing out in support of reopening churches [IC 04/06/2020]. of procured abortion in the Politics is divisive and there will always be staunch disagree- struggle for ‘human rights’? ments and rows but aside from the politics, what these two Yours etc., politicians have done is not something our current Taoiseach would do: a man who generally speaks in platitudes that are Fr Oliver Skelly, nice soundbites but come across as insincere. Coole parish, The majority of our current political leaders are either Co. Westmeath. apathetic or openly vitriolic to the Church and have no interest in catering to the spiritual needs of Christians in Ireland. Turn virtual Mass-watchers into physical Mass-goers To have these two well-known people who led our Dear Editor, Although it’s becoming many young They are now part of our This is an opportunity country in the past speak out like this is welcome but also a likely that many people people in particular’s actual virtual community, how do that can’t be wasted, let’s memory of what this country has lost, respect for the divine, watching online Mass since reality, we need to make sure we incorporate them in to make the days before June for religion and for those of us who have a deep faith. the coronavirus pandemic that this doesn’t push more the physical community?” 29, when our churches will Yours etc., reared its ugly head were people into the online world, You say that we need reopen for Mass, a time of Dan O’Connor, already going to Mass, I’m away from communities to be proactive, easier said celebration and happiness. Navan, sure there are many that and real-life human contact then done, but I agree this Let’s show people the joy of Co. Meath. have tuned in at this time of (albeit at a two-metre is a valuable opportunity to receiving Communion, of uncertainty and fear. Reli- distance!). invite people into our parish coming together as a parish gion is a comfort to people For this reason I found communities. Rather than in the darkest times and your column [IC 04/06/2020] the result of this pandemic community and even though Letters to even though there are many very interesting. You ask being another nail in the it will be different, let’s lapsed Catholics in Ireland, the question: “What of coffin of the Church in tell people what they are the Editor their dormant Faith will have those who are not regular Ireland which is increasingly missing. All letters should include merits of letters. We do not been reignited. attendees, but have been coming under attack from Yours etc., the writer’s full name, publish pseudonyms or We were already on taking comfort and solace secularists, why shouldn’t it Anne Halligan, postal address and tel- other formulae to conceal a path of virtual reality from participating online? be a time of renewal? Ballyfermot, Co. Dublin. ephone numbers (day and the writer’s identity, such evening). Letter writers as “name and address Tackling racism with respect and dignity may receive a subsequent with editor”. We do not Dear Editor, The issue of racism has There has been a lot of criticism the US. Racism tears communities apart. telephone call from The print letters addressed been put to the fore after the killing of of the riots and looting in the US Why does it have to come to this before Irish Catholic as part of to someone else, open George Floyd in Minneapolis in the US which are a biproduct of the protests it’s taken seriously? our authentication process letters, or verse. Letters to and I have to say I’m quite glad that it that have been happening across the Ireland is not in the same position which does not amount to the Editor should only be has caused a heightened awareness of country. There can be no defence for as the US, but racism does exist, we racism in Ireland. this disgraceful behaviour. However, must never let it tear our communities a commitment to publish. sent to The Irish Catholic, It was great to see Bishop Brendan what people fail to understand is that apart, we must treat all with respect and We regret that we and not other publications. Leahy speaking about it in a recent although these crimes of looting, rioting dignity, as is the Christian way. cannot give prior notice of Letters should not exceed homily [IC 11/06/2020], in which he says and general violence are reprehensible Yours etc., a letter’s publication date, 300 words and may be racism and sectarianism destroys the and send the wrong message, this is Caoimhe Kelly, fabric of communities. This can not be happening due to the growing disquiet Dungarvan, acknowledge unpublished shortened for space overstated. and anger due to the systemic racism in Co. Waterford. letters or discuss the requirements. The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | The week in pictures ||29 Around the world

▲ USA: Mischa (6), from Maryland, holds a bullhorn in front of a ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest sign near the White House in Washington DC.

▲ IRAQ: A young man dives into the Tigris River in Baghdad to cool off as the temperatures soar while pools remain closed due to an imposed curfew. Photos: CNS

EL SALVADOR: Salvadorans gather during a candlelight service in San Salvador to commemorate the 1989 killing of six Jesuits. A Spanish court has began a trial of those accused of SOUTH AFRICA: Men kneel during a protest outside the US Embassy in Pretoria following murdering the priests. the death of American George Floyd.

POLAND: Nuns of the Mother of Divine Mercy order in Krakow rap to the song Jesus, COLOMBIA: A Venezuelan migrant child wearing a protective mask is seen at a makeshift I Trust You in a YouTube video. The nuns are doing the rap challenge to raise funds for camp in Bogota. medical staff tackling Covid-19. 30 | Spirituality || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020

Personal Profile Family& Crisis deepening our understanding of Eucharist

Page 34 LifestyleThe Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020

Our perception of a ‘dignified’ death that diminishes and humbles the also wanted to totally and pub- human body by robbing it of its licly humiliate him by humiliating he movie Million Lockdown effects on vitality and physical attractiveness his body. Hence the person was Dollar Baby tells as being a dignified one. And yet stripped naked, with his genitals the story of a young that is normally how the death woman who becomes Fr Rolheiser exposed, and when he went into process works. If you have ever a professional boxer. Young, strong spasms in the moments before journeyed with someone dying death, his bowels would loosen. and physically very attractive she from a terminal disease and been at capturesT your heart as, against all is this truer than when the term that the person who chooses What can be more humiliating? their bedside when he or she died, What can be less beautiful? odds, she eventually rises to the is applied today to ‘death with diminishment and suffering over you know that physically this is top in her sport. But then the story dignity’? What defines death with euthanasia dies a less dignified Yet, who would say that Jesus not pretty. Disease can do horrible did not die with dignity? The oppo- turns tragic; she is unfairly hit by dignity? death. That is hard to deny, given things to the body. But does this people young and old site. We are still contemplating the an opponent and ends up para- Shortly after Brittany Maynard the dominant ethos of a culture destroy dignity? Does it make one beauty of his death and the dignity lysed, her body broken and with it died by euthanasia in a case that wherein physical diminishment less beautiful? her health and attractiveness. And caught wide public attention, and suffering are seen as a very displayed in it. But that is within a her condition is permanent, there Jessica Keating wrote an article assault on our dignity. This has different aesthetics, one that our is no cure. She chooses to end her in America magazine assessing not always been the case; indeed Yet, who would culture no longer understands. For ❛❛ us, dignity and beauty are inex- life through euthanasia. that death from various points in former times sometimes the say that Jesus did not I had gone to this movie with of view. At one point she takes opposite was true, an aged, tricably tied to physical health, a young couple, both solidly up the question of dignity and physically diminished body was die with dignity? The physical attractiveness, and lack of committed to their church and writes: “The use of the term dignity seen as something dignified and opposite. We are still humiliating diminishments within he pandemic has she said, “biologically you’re over interaction for many, it still their Faith. Yet both of them were to describe this death is deeply beautiful. Why is our view of our physical body. Within that resulted in far reaching, The pandemic is a monolithic 70!” Though comical, this little leaves some isolated and without in strong sympathy with how this problematic, since it masks the dignity different today? contemplating the beauty perspective there is, seemingly, no monolithic difficul- event, yet its effects differ exchange was the first time I was physical contact. This can lead to young woman chose to die. Perhaps reality of fear and equates dignity They are different because of his death and the dignity to Jesus’ death. ties for us all. It has aware of the effects the lockdown increased anxiety or loneliness, it was more their emotions than exclusively with radical autonomy, of how we conceive of dignity I am the first to admit that reminded us that we are not from person to person was likely to have on the elderly. and knowing you are at risk can T create worries about your health themselves speaking when they choice and cognitive capability. The and beauty. For us, these have to dignity displayed in it” the issue of death with dignity is invincible, that we are, in fact, Those over 70 and those with an extremely complex one that incredibly frail beings. writes Ruadhán Jones underlying conditions were and the health of family members. justified her manner of death: “But result is a not-so-subtle implication do mainly with physical health, Well, that depends on one’s spir- raises legal, medical, psychologi- However, it has also under- advised to cocoon, which effec- But these issues are not insur- she was so young and beautiful! It that the person who chooses physical vitality, and the physical ituality and on what one considers cal, familial, societal, ethical and lined our common humanity, combining working from home consider what your position is, or tively means staying at home to mountable: the first step is to be wouldn’t have been right for her diminishment and suffering dies attractiveness of the human body. as dignified and beautiful. Consider as all corners of the globe are with teaching and cooking; for those who are in your care, and protect themselves from the cor- aware of your situation and to to spend the rest of her life in that a less dignified death.” (America, For us, aesthetics is a house Jesus’ death. By today’s concept of spiritual questions for which there suddenly linked in this universal children and young people, it respond accordingly. onavirus. Under the new phase of give yourself the time to adjust. terrible state!” March 16, 2015) with one room – physical dignity, his was not a very dignified are no simple answers. But inside struggle. But even within this means a hard-to-accept separa- So what are some of the specif- restrictions which began on June Be patient in finding a routine In their young eyes, her In much of our talk about death attractiveness. Everything else death. We have always sanitised all of these questions there still lies universality, difference remains; tion from their friends, education ics you need to consider for those 8, those cocooning can again go that works, especially as the situ- debilitated state stripped her of her with dignity today there is in fact assaults our dignity. That makes it the crucifixion to shield ourselves an aesthetic one: what, ultimately, difference of effect and reception and social outlets. cocooning and for young people? outside for exercise or for a drive. ation changes. essential dignity. the not-so-subtle implication difficult for us to see any process from its raw ‘indignity’, but cruci- makes for beauty? How, ultimately, of the virus, difference in mate- As a result, how each of us They can meet up outside with a Developing a regular routine What is dignity? When and how fixion was humiliating. do we see dignity? rial circumstances. copes with the lockdown will small group of up to four people can provide structure to your day, is it lost? When the Romans chose Does a person with a still attrac- Coping with cocooning For those who are ‘vulner- differ and intersect in a vari- I remember at the start of the – all socially distanced, with making the world seem safer and Dignity is a promiscuous term, For us, aesthetics is a house with crucifixion as a method of capital tive, undiminished, physical body able’ – i.e. those with underlying ety of ways and this is no bad lockdown overhearing a woman gloves and masks. more predictable. It’s important constantly shedding different ❛❛ punishment they had more in who voluntarily chooses to die conditions or over 70 – it means thing. While the general process on the phone to her dad: “I don’t While the lifting of restrictions to stay in touch with friends partners. It is also a sneaky term. mind than just ending someone’s before that beauty is despoiled by one room – physical attractiveness. cocooning; for parents, it means remains the same, it’s good to care how young you feel dad,” leads to much needed personal Sometimes it no longer means life. Besides wanting to make a disease die more dignified than did » Continued on Page 33 what it used to mean and nowhere Everything else assaults our dignity” person suffer optimally and they Jesus? 32 | Family & Lifestyle || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 Family News

AND EVENTS Without Mass HELPING KIDS MOVE FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY Transitioning from primary to secondary school can be difficult and intimidating for children, what better way to get them prepared than an outdoor skills programme in the wilds of Co. Mayo? The day of fun, adventure and life learning is said to be an opportunity to; we cannot live l Explore how best to manage the transition in to secondary school. l Learn how to better deal with worry and anxiety l Improve your communication skills l Identify fears and worries and learn coping skills l Find ways to deal with bullying l Fight fear by facing fear l Learn some bushcraft skills. The event is run by two trained professionals, a psychotherapist and an expert at outdoor education and ‘adventure management’. Those interested are asked to bring waterproofs, layers of clothing, a packed lunch and water. The meeting place is at Centra, Main Street, Photo: Angelica Mendoza / Cathopic Newport at 9.45am sharp, July 18, before driving to the Bangor trail. t the 49th International Question 166 in the YouCat Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/primary- Eucharistic Congress in asks: “Why does the Church to-secondary-school-transition-an-outdoor- 2008 in Quebec, Can- celebrate the liturgy so often?” prep-day-tickets-107732035418?aff=ebdssbd ada, Pope Benedict XVI A parent’s In the answer one line stands estsearch Aspoke passionately via satellite out stating emphatically that BETTER COMMUNICATION about the Eucharist as “our most perspective just as we breathe air to stay LEADS TO FAMILY DINNERS beautiful treasure” and “the sac- alive, so too the Church lives rament per excellence”, introduc- and breathes by celebrating A new study in the Journal of Nutrition ing us early into eternal life. The Maria Byrne the liturgy. In a homily last Education and Behavior, published theme of the congress that year April, Pope Francis spoke of by Elsevier, connects less family was ‘The Eucharist, gift of God for and the Eucharistic is lacking and also of the communion of his serious concerns about the discouragement and better family the Life of the World’ which Pope compared to how we challenge saints”. He goes on to say: “Yes, faithful not being able to come communication with a higher likelihood to eat Benedict said contains the whole and advance their understanding together as a community to evening family meals and family breakfasts in a certain sense this is the mystery of our salvation. He spoke in areas connected to science celebrate Mass or to receive together, and not in front of a television. liturgy of heaven.” of the Second Vatican Council or politics or numerous other the sacraments saying that Researchers studied 259 parents who We have to constantly work referring to the Eucharist as the areas. Many children refer to the one’s relationship with Jesus is were also patients at either The Ohio to retain a sense of the sacred, source and summit of the action “holy bread” with no idea that intimate and personal but it is State University or Wake Forest University something which hasn’t been and of the life of the Church. the bread and wine offered by also in a community. I think it accredited weight management and bariatric easy over the past few months Christ at the Last Supper literally is a major worry, not only for surgery facilities. They found parents who during the Covid-19 lockdown. became his body and blood and our children but for ourselves, had better family communication and lower We have to There have been online Masses, that this miracle is repeated at that, as Pope Francis warned, discouragement about trying to improve their ❛❛ amazing efforts to organise constantly work to every single Mass since. Sadly, our relationship with God eating habits were more likely to participate great talks and internet many in the Government and in in family meals. retain a sense of the conferences, encouraging would be seen as something State organisations viewed Mass “It’s important to note all family members sacred, something online messages from priests, “just for myself, detached from and the Sacraments as similar in the home have influence,” said study bishops and pastors but, as a the people of God”. He pointed which hasn’t been to many non-essential activities author Keeley J. Pratt, PhD. The Ohio Catholic mother, I could see the out that in the Gospels, Jesus’ like a soak in the jacuzzi in your State University, Columbus, US, said any easy over the past few increasing disconnectedness, disciples always lived their local gym or a trip to the cinema family member can influence the adoption sadness and spiritual hunger relationship with the Lord as a months during the which we could live without and maintenance of healthy patterns and in my own family. As another community. for another while. We can’t behaviours in the home. “Even if someone Covid-19 lockdown” great quote in the YouCat says, blame them for not having the doesn’t have the most power to influence the this time from the rule of St In his Quebec Urging a commitment to a knowledge that we ourselves family (like children), they are all influencing Benedict: “Nothing may have ❛❛ renewed Eucharistic catechesis, may lack, seeing the Mass as homily, the Pope each other.” priority over the liturgy.” he encouraged Catholics to mostly a community gathering reminded the KNOW YOUR FAMILY study the great ‘Mystery of Faith’ which could be replicated by that we proclaim at every Mass taking part in a Zoom meeting or congregation that the HEALTH HISTORY suggesting Vatican Council’s touching base with neighbours Eucharist is not “a Knowing the history of health issues in family Sacrosanctum Concilium as a by engaging in a game of street meal among friends” members might just save your life but many source of knowledge in this task. Bingo. The YouCat, the Youth people are unaware of what conditions they Pope Benedict XVI said that it’s Catechism of the Catholic Church The YouCat tells us of the may be genetically predisposed to. by receiving the Body of Christ is a great resource for parents brave martyr, Saturninus who, A study by medtech firm ANCON Medical that we get the strength of unity who struggle to even begin to on cross-examination after found that 29% of people had no idea whether with God and with one another. teach their children about the accusations of taking place or not they have a family history of cancer, In his Quebec homily, the Eucharist. I love its layout, the in the forbidden assembly on 21% know nothing about their parents’ medical Pope reminded the congregation user-friendly texts and how Sunday proclaimed: “Without history – and 57% know nothing about the that the Eucharist is not “a meal the little extra quotations on the Sunday Eucharist, we medical history of their grandparents. among friends”. the side of each page sum up cannot live. Do you not know According to the British Heart Foundation, a Again he referred to the rich points very succinctly. Again, that the Christian exists for the family history of heart disease is a key risk teachings of the Second Vatican Pope Benedict, then Cardinal Eucharist and the Eucharist for factor when it comes to developing the UK’s Council which tell us that: Joseph Ratzinger, has a great way Photo: CNS Christians?” The Eucharist has biggest killer. “Every liturgical celebration, with words telling the young priority in the life of the Church Asking family members about any prevalent because it is an action of Christ readers that the liturgy “is never For parents who face a battle and of the individual because conditions that keep coming up may be a the priest and His Body which a mere meeting of a group of every day, not only to retain here we fly directly into the huge help in reducing future risk. Conditions is the Church, is a sacred action people, who make up their own their children in the Catholic arms of Jesus and when we including stroke, kidney disease, diabetes surpassing all others; no other form of celebration…Through faith, but to keep their faith let him come close to us, he and cancer all have been shown to have action of the Church can equal our sharing in Jesus’ appearing relevant in their lives with so teaches us, feeds us, changes genetic links and so having a relative who has its efficacy.” before the Father, we stand both many other influences drawing us, heals us and becomes one had the condition could raise your own risk, Sometimes the way we as members of the worldwide them in different directions, with us in the Holy Sacrifice of so don’t be shy! teach our children about Mass community of the whole Church it’s been particularly tough. the Mass. 32 | Family & Lifestyle || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Family & Lifestyle ||33 Family News » Continued from Page 31 Dad’s AND EVENTS Without Mass HELPING KIDS MOVE FROM Diary PRIMARY TO SECONDARY Transitioning from primary to secondary school can be difficult and intimidating for children, what Rory Fitzgerald better way to get them prepared than an outdoor skills programme in the wilds of Co. Mayo? The day of fun, adventure and life learning is said y eldest daughter hardly left the garden in three to be an opportunity to; we cannot live skipped months, except for a few l Explore how best to manage the transition in to downstairs to outings to walk the dog. The secondary school. breakfast, threw kids longed for the sea and l Learn how to better deal with worry and anxiety her arms in the air in triumph, the poor dog, having arrived l M Improve your communication skills and announced delightedly: from Tipperary just before the l Identify fears and worries and learn coping “Today we are going to see lockdown, had never even skills nana and granddad!” seen it. The next morning, l Find ways to deal with bullying It had been almost three we duly trundled over to a l Fight fear by facing fear months since the kids had favourite haunt on the west l Learn some bushcraft skills. met with their beloved Cork coast, where the woods The event is run by two trained professionals, and family by phone or video chat, of our young people’s needs, in headphones on, staring at his phone. grandparents. This pandemic- meet the water. a psychotherapist and an expert at outdoor or organise to meet outside if they particular this social aspect. She says to him “Why is it called induced hiatus was all the education and ‘adventure management’. are within your travel limit. Regular As restrictions relax and the over- social media when it means you sit- more frustrating, knowing that Those interested are asked to bring waterproofs, routines and contact can recreate that all threat lessens, the temptation to ting on your own at home?” they were just half an hour layers of clothing, a packed lunch and water. social hub which we are used to and meet up with friends can only grow While the implicit criticism still away down the road. The meeting place is at Centra, Main Street, Photo: Angelica Mendoza / Cathopic need to support our mental wellbeing. stronger. That some sports gather- stands, we’ve come to learn over Of course, there had Newport at 9.45am sharp, July 18, before driving ings are allowed, as well as groups the course of this lockdown of the been many video calls and of up to four gathering outside, will to the Bangor trail. t the 49th International Question 166 in the YouCat Keep active, stay safe positive role our media can play. We messages sent, but such help give focus to young people’s Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/primary- Eucharistic Congress in asks: “Why does the Church Fitness and exercise – if you were to all find it hard to be away from our things are a pale imitation desires in a structured way. to-secondary-school-transition-an-outdoor- 2008 in Quebec, Can- celebrate the liturgy so often?” go by most advertisements, they’re friends, to practice physical/social of actually spending time Children and teenagers will often prep-day-tickets-107732035418?aff=ebdssbd ada, Pope Benedict XVI In the answer one line stands purely an enterprise for the young. distancing and to stay at home. Using together. The lifting of the A parent’s take their lead from adults, so it’s estsearch spoke passionately via satellite out stating emphatically that Equally, they must be vigorous, technology to stay in touch can help. first phase of quarantine important to take care of yourself A involving sweat, aches and pains. restrictions had at last made about the Eucharist as “our most just as we breathe air to stay BETTER COMMUNICATION first. If you want them to respond beautiful treasure” and “the sac- perspective alive, so too the Church lives But while that might be the popular real-life visits possible. On LEADS TO FAMILY DINNERS with care and calm, then you must Developing a rament per excellence”, introduc- and breathes by celebrating conception, it isn’t the truth. It is just ❛❛ the very June morning that develop this yourself. By behaving regular routine can A new study in the Journal of Nutrition ing us early into eternal life. The Maria Byrne the liturgy. In a homily last as important for the young as for the restrictions were eased, my Education and Behavior, published rationally and providing clear and theme of the congress that year April, Pope Francis spoke of old. Physical activity can be as simple provide structure to your parents were going to come by Elsevier, connects less family as cleaning the dishes and doing some honest information, this can go a was ‘The Eucharist, gift of God for and the Eucharistic is lacking and also of the communion of his serious concerns about the day, making the world to our house for a socially discouragement and better family hoovering, doing a bit of baking or long way to maintaining your child’s the Life of the World’ which Pope compared to how we challenge saints”. He goes on to say: “Yes, faithful not being able to come distanced visit. It was strange communication with a higher likelihood to eat tending to plants in the garden. mental well-being. seem safer and more Benedict said contains the whole and advance their understanding together as a community to to have to brief the kids on evening family meals and family breakfasts in a certain sense this is the If they are starting to meet up mystery of our salvation. He spoke in areas connected to science celebrate Mass or to receive staying at a remove from When we arrived, the together, and not in front of a television. liturgy of heaven.” with friends, or are perhaps too predictable” of the Second Vatican Council or politics or numerous other the sacraments saying that Those over 70 and their grandparents, who are air was still and the water a Researchers studied 259 parents who We have to constantly work fearful to do so, remind them that As such, promoting a healthy use referring to the Eucharist as the areas. Many children refer to the one’s relationship with Jesus is ❛❛ normally hugged half to death perfect mirror, reflecting the were also patients at either The Ohio to retain a sense of the sacred, those with underlying there are ways they can keep them- of social media and tools such as source and summit of the action “holy bread” with no idea that intimate and personal but it is upon arrival. Yet caution is hills across the bay. There State University or Wake Forest University something which hasn’t been selves safe. Use language that is video chats is important. You could and of the life of the Church. the bread and wine offered by also in a community. I think it conditions were advised to still the order of the day, and a was a pure silence – at least accredited weight management and bariatric easy over the past few months appropriate to their age and where encourage your child to reach out to Christ at the Last Supper literally is a major worry, not only for small price to pay. for the brief moment before surgery facilities. They found parents who during the Covid-19 lockdown. cocoon, which effectively necessary, use images to illustrate. friends and family members, or to became his body and blood and our children but for ourselves, That morning, the kids I opened the car door to had better family communication and lower We have to There have been online Masses, means staying at home” Equally, by demonstrating a com- learn a new hobby on YouTube or to that this miracle is repeated at that, as Pope Francis warned, were busy baking cupcakes let the kids out. They came discouragement about trying to improve their ❛❛ amazing efforts to organise mitment to aspects such as hand find reliable advice from the HSE on constantly work to every single Mass since. Sadly, our relationship with God “Just 30 minutes of activity and chocolate chip cookies caterwauling out the door, eating habits were more likely to participate great talks and internet hygiene and social distancing, it will Twitter or similar media. many in the Government and in every day can really help to keep for the occasion. During thundering across the grass in family meals. retain a sense of the conferences, encouraging would be seen as something reinforce your teaching. When our Much like our need for the State organisations viewed Mass your bones nice and strong,” says lockdown, the kids had before leaping gleefully down “It’s important to note all family members sacred, something online messages from priests, “just for myself, detached from actions match our words, it simpli- sacraments and a return to mass, and the Sacraments as similar Nora Stapelton of Sport Ireland. “It developed some amazing onto the sand, my eldest in the home have influence,” said study bishops and pastors but, as a the people of God”. He pointed fies our children’s learning. this shouldn’t overshadow physical which hasn’t been to many non-essential activities can help your balance, your co- skills, which they were keen kicking a celebratory football author Keeley J. Pratt, PhD. The Ohio Catholic mother, I could see the out that in the Gospels, Jesus’ Many children will still be strug- relationships: but it can be a helpful like a soak in the jacuzzi in your ordination, as well as boosting your to demonstrate. My nine year high into the air. Meanwhile, State University, Columbus, US, said any easy over the past few increasing disconnectedness, disciples always lived their gling with the stress of the situation. stand in at this time. We can’t fulfil local gym or a trip to the cinema mood and looking after your mental old daughter had become an the dog escaped from the family member can influence the adoption sadness and spiritual hunger relationship with the Lord as a They may respond in different ways, all our children’s needs and so social months during the which we could live without wellbeing.” expert baker and my 10 year boot and galloped down to and maintenance of healthy patterns and in my own family. As another community. becoming clingy or withdrawing, media can become a way to support for another while. We can’t “Don’t underestimate how much old son developed remarkable the water for a drink, as he behaviours in the home. “Even if someone Covid-19 lockdown” great quote in the YouCat says, getting angry or over-excitable. our efforts. blame them for not having the light housework can help you with carpentry skills. Lockdown does in our stream at home. doesn’t have the most power to influence the this time from the rule of St In his Quebec Whatever the case, respond to your Urging a commitment to a knowledge that we ourselves reaching that daily activity goal.” had been a busy time for us He whimpered confusedly family (like children), they are all influencing Benedict: “Nothing may have ❛❛ child’s reactions in a supportive way, renewed Eucharistic catechesis, may lack, seeing the Mass as homily, the Pope As is often the case, starting small Listen and respond renovating our old house, and at the salty taste but then each other.” priority over the liturgy.” listen to their concerns and give For those supporting a child or he encouraged Catholics to mostly a community gathering clears a path for any larger improve- we had a lot to show for the ran headlong into the brine reminded the them extra love and attention. someone who is cocooning, show- study the great ‘Mystery of Faith’ which could be replicated by ments you might like to make. Com- three months of quarantine. regardless. KNOW YOUR FAMILY ing care, kindness and compassion that we proclaim at every Mass taking part in a Zoom meeting or congregation that the mitting to cooking yourself a meal The kids were justly proud Following the older kids, HEALTH HISTORY Social life and technology is very important. Small, practical suggesting Vatican Council’s touching base with neighbours Eucharist is not “a every day, or getting out into the I remember a cartoon I saw about of all their efforts in laying as ever, our toddler waddled contributions can make a great dif- Knowing the history of health issues in family Sacrosanctum Concilium as a by engaging in a game of street garden for a walk, can make a great social media, pre-dating this crisis. It lawns, planting flowers and delightedly across the meal among friends” ference. If you are minding them at members might just save your life but many source of knowledge in this task. Bingo. The YouCat, the Youth difference to your mental health. was a mother looking at her teenage growing vegetables and were beach, joining in the general home, provide activities for them people are unaware of what conditions they Pope Benedict XVI said that it’s Catechism of the Catholic Church The YouCat tells us of the There are also plenty of resources son. He’s sitting on a chair, with his very excited to give their merriment. In the few months to engage with like music, books, may be genetically predisposed to. by receiving the Body of Christ is a great resource for parents brave martyr, Saturninus who, online if you would like to take it a grandparents a tour. that the beach had been magazines and/or knitting. A study by medtech firm ANCON Medical that we get the strength of unity who struggle to even begin to on cross-examination after step further. The HSE has a webpage In fact, they were so denied to us, she had even If they’re not at home, offer to do found that 29% of people had no idea whether with God and with one another. teach their children about the accusations of taking place dedicated to exercising indoors for excited that they insisted on forgotten the word and now their groceries or pick up prescrip- or not they have a family history of cancer, In his Quebec homily, the Eucharist. I love its layout, the in the forbidden assembly on older people. They go through simple waiting at the gate for the practised it gleefully, saying tions. Further, making daily contact 21% know nothing about their parents’ medical Pope reminded the congregation user-friendly texts and how Sunday proclaimed: “Without exercises that can help with balance, VIP arrivals for a half hour “beach, daddy” repeatedly, by phone is a vital means of keeping history – and 57% know nothing about the that the Eucharist is not “a meal the little extra quotations on the Sunday Eucharist, we flexibility and strength, which take before they were due. When while pointing in wonderment their spirits up. Listening to them medical history of their grandparents. among friends”. the side of each page sum up cannot live. Do you not know only a few minutes each day. they eventually arrived, they at the sand. can help you get a sense of their According to the British Heart Foundation, a Again he referred to the rich points very succinctly. Again, that the Christian exists for the scampered down the lane We ambled along the mental state and to offer support family history of heart disease is a key risk teachings of the Second Vatican Pope Benedict, then Cardinal Eucharist and the Eucharist for Speaking to young people behind the car. The kids shore, spotting seashells and when needed. factor when it comes to developing the UK’s Council which tell us that: Joseph Ratzinger, has a great way Photo: CNS Christians?” The Eucharist has were overflowing with chat jellyfish and breathing in the about the coronavirus The last thing to remember is biggest killer. “Every liturgical celebration, with words telling the young priority in the life of the Church and stories for my folks, and cool salt air of the morning. The lower threat posed by the virus that it’s important to listen, even to Asking family members about any prevalent because it is an action of Christ readers that the liturgy “is never For parents who face a battle and of the individual because a we spent warm afternoon After a fine walk, it was time conditions that keep coming up may be a to young people is well known, but ourselves. By listening we come to the priest and His Body which a mere meeting of a group of every day, not only to retain here we fly directly into the catching up in the garden. to return home for another huge help in reducing future risk. Conditions the pandemic has affected them all realise the differing needs of those is the Church, is a sacred action people, who make up their own their children in the Catholic arms of Jesus and when we The next morning, we day of home school – for including stroke, kidney disease, diabetes the same. As we have noted previ- around us, and even of our own needs. surpassing all others; no other form of celebration…Through faith, but to keep their faith let him come close to us, he decided to test our newfound while we are now freer, the and cancer all have been shown to have ously, young people are missing out Having listened, we can respond more action of the Church can equal our sharing in Jesus’ appearing relevant in their lives with so teaches us, feeds us, changes liberty further still with a trip world has not fully righted genetic links and so having a relative who has on a huge chunk of their life, as well effectively and with greater attention its efficacy.” before the Father, we stand both many other influences drawing us, heals us and becomes one to the sea. The kids had itself quite yet. had the condition could raise your own risk, as being isolated from their social to the specific requirements of the Sometimes the way we as members of the worldwide them in different directions, with us in the Holy Sacrifice of so don’t be shy! circles. It is important to be aware lockdown period. teach our children about Mass community of the whole Church it’s been particularly tough. the Mass. 34 | Family & Lifestyle || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 Crisis deepening our understanding of Eucharist

not just simply Holy Communion in taking the Body and Blood of Christ; it is also the presence of the Personal Profile community. Community “We have this presence of community in this special, proper moment of the day and we are gathering together as a real community and pray together. “Jesus is present in this community and we really listen to the word of God every day; the Bible Aron Hegarty readings, Jesus and his presence Polish priest based in Co. in the Church, the Bible and the Dublin believes the Covid- scriptures as well. 19 pandemic is changing and deepening our understanding Fr Dominic always Aof what the Eucharist is about. wanted❛❛ to work abroad Fr Dominic Zwierzychowski OMI from Poznan says the faithful, despite Fr Dominic after Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, Bluebell. Photos: Oblate and, through his family being kept apart physically, are feeling a Communications Office. connections in the UK, greater sense of togetherness during these difficult times. “I am trying to maintain that decided that he wanted In an interview with The Irish because in communications I am to work in Ireland” Catholic, the 28-year-old clergy- doing the website, Facebook account man described his faith journey, and also our daily Mass and dif- “As a result of the crisis, we were his online outreach work with the ferent services around the Church and we are still able to understand Oblates of Mary Immaculate in beginning from the time of the more deeply what the presence of Inchicore and how the real pres- pandemic.” the Lord is really all about in the ence is driving a new community. Church, so we have deepened this Church understanding I would say. Fr Dominic says he went to Church “I feel that we are real com- I have noticed regularly in high school growing munity around the Eucharist,” Fr that❛❛ we are changing up, but only discovered what real Dominic continues. faith is once he went to a retreat “Every day and every morn- our way of under- in his school. ing at 10:15am there are between Fr Dominic at the Oblate Vocations Mission in Darndale earlier “I was touched very deeply by 20-40 people who partake in this standing what the this year. it and I was thinking from that Eucharist together, so I feel the real Eucharist is all about” moment on about myself and how existence and presence of this new He moved over here last year Jesus is present in my life,” he recalls. ened” parishioners understanding kind of community. “I was ordained in 2018 in Poland and is now a parish priest, and part “I realised that all of this was of the Eucharist and brought them “On one hand, I would say that and I worked there for one year as of the communications team for faith and when I started in the closer together. we have found having Mass or a pastoral assistant in one of the the Oblates of Mary Immaculate retreat in our congregation (Oblates This, he says, has allowed for whatever online… to be a struggle, parishes close to Gdansk,” he says. where he combines his two roles to of Mary Immaculate) I was knowing there to be a real presence felt particularly during this pandemic, “After one year, I was then sent facilitate the order’s outreach pro- the faith more and more. which is giving rise to a “new kind” as I am mostly alone and I don’t feel here to the Anglo-Irish province gramme to the community digitally. “I was also asking myself ‘what of community. this physical presence in the Mass. and I am now one of the priests in “I thought that we could extend would I like to do with my life?’ and “Over the course of this pan- the Inchicore pastoral area. this presence to an online pres- “On the other hand, I am very at around the same time, I met the demic,” he says, “I have noticed “My task is to work together ence,” he says, “with things like much inspired because now, after Oblates so I decided that I would that we are changing our way of more than three months of our with others here and I also help out try; I joined as a novitiate and articles, videos, Mass online as well understanding what the Eucharist online presence, we have a huge and around Bluebell. decided ‘that’s it, that’s exactly it’.” to the parish level. is all about. very vocal group of community. “We have the parish, two While living in his home coun- “This is part of my work, I just “Due to the coronavirus, I have “We are sending greetings to primary schools – a smaller and a try, Fr Dominic always wanted to connected it together with my each other every day before and bigger one, and are involved in the work abroad and, through his fam- duties for and in the parish.” had to think about this for my own during the Mass and people are area in St John of Gods services for ily connections in the UK, decided The onset of Covid-19, accord- sake, and for the parishioners that sending their intentions.” people who have many disabilities. that he wanted to work in Ireland. ing to Fr Dominic, has both “deep- partake in the Eucharist, that it is

were lucky to travel with the assisted section on Daft densitiesShannon, that I hadn’t seen since andthe previous trip.floating After catching up overoranges some tea and the plane out l An orange removing some of its mass and making it lighter. In to Lourdes. here’s a lot to be learnt about how l Water fact, what we observe it that peeling an orange It was lovely certain objects interact with water. It makes it sink. This seems illogical until you to be able to can also raise a of questions. Fruit for Directions: consider the nature of density. connect with example, why do certain fruits that look l big float, while a smaller fruit might sink? One of Fill the jar with Density is defined as mass per some familiar T enough water to volume. An orange peel is highly faces in the biggest factors here is density. Children’s When trying to guess if an object will float, cover an orange, porous, meaning that it has lots it’s easy to be tricked by an object’s size. it should be of tiny holes in it. The holes are Corner Density is defined as mass per unit of volume, submerged. essentially tiny bubbles of air. l Gently place Chai Brady and objects with a higher mass-to-volume ratio These air pockets are empty space, have a higher density. Objects that are denser an unpeeled or pockets of no mass that, when than water will sink, while those that are less orange into the calculating the total density, serve to dense will stay afloat. water. Observe decrease the final result. When you There’s an interesting and easy way to test what happens. take away the peel, the air pockets are this. Because it’s less dense than water, an Does the orange sink removed – think of the peel as acting or float? unpeeled orange will float. It should stand to l like a life jacket for the orange. reason that peeling an orange, and thereby Remove the orange Without the peel the orange has a higher from the jar and peel it. decreasing its mass, should have little or no l density, because its mass per unit of volume effect. What happens, in fact, is the opposite Place the peeled orange back increases. The orange is now denser than although it may seem counterintuitive. into the jar. What happens to the orange now? water. It therefore sinks. So, while it seems to go Apparatus: It may seem like peeling the orange should against reason, the result is actually adhering to allow it to float even better, since by peeling it we’re the rules of density. l A wide-mouth container such as a jar The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 34 | Family & Lifestyle || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Reviews ||35 Crisis deepening our understanding of Eucharist Brendan O’Regan not just simply Holy Communion in taking the Body and Blood of TVRadio Christ; it is also the presence of the Personal Profile community. Community What’s food for some is poison for others “We have this presence of get a sense of the antici- cultural vandalism, and yet I community in this special, proper pation that’s growing wouldn’t fancy statues of Hit- PICK OF THE WEEK moment of the day and we are with the prospect of ler lording it over any public gathering together as a real com- public Masses being squares. SUNDAY MORNING LIVE BBC1, Sunday, June 21, 10.45am munity and pray together. back from June 29. Some I thought it really went “Jesus is present in this com- Ihave wanted them sooner, Seán Fletcher and Sally Phillips take a look at the week’s pear-shaped when UKTV talking points and explore the ethical and religious issues of munity and we really listen to the others have urged caution, removed an episode of Fawlty the day. word of God every day; the Bible but unlike the anti-racism Towers because of racial slurs. readings, Jesus and his presence Aron Hegarty protestors the Church has A few days later it was due NEW! EWTN BOOKMARK Polish priest based in Co. in the Church, the Bible and the shown great restraint and back with “extra guidance EWTN, Sunday, June 21, 5pm, also Thursday, June 25, Dublin believes the Covid- scriptures as well. civic responsibility. and warnings” – do they think 10.30pm 19 pandemic is changing and Last Monday Archbishop the audience is thick or what? Gerard B. Wegemer and Stephen W. Smith provide an deepening our understanding Fr Dominic always Diarmuid Martin was inter- I think some of the mod- illustrated collection of St Thomas More’s most important of what the Eucharist is about. wanted❛❛ to work abroad viewed on The Pat Kenny ern cultural vandals are com- English and Latin works. Hosted by Doug Keck. A Show (Newstalk) on what pletely devoid of a sense of Fr Dominic Zwierzychowski OMI THE LEAP OF FAITH from Poznan says the faithful, despite Fr Dominic after Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, Bluebell. Photos: Oblate and, through his family approaches might be taken. humour and wouldn’t know RTÉ Radio 1, Friday, June 26, 10.05pm Communications Office. There was talk about social satire if it bit them (biting being kept apart physically, are feeling a connections in the UK, Topical religious and ethical issues. Last episode of the distancing, priests wearing satire!). Yet I looked at the greater sense of togetherness dur- season. ing these difficult times. “I am trying to maintain that decided that he wanted masks, Masses being oversub- offending episode again and In an interview with The Irish because in communications I am to work in Ireland” scribed and other concepts the Major’s racial slurs did parts) and Richard Boyd Bar- which allegedly glorified Catholic, the 28-year-old clergy- doing the website, Facebook account foreign to our experience certainly jar, and as in simi- rett TD of People Before Profit police aggression, especially man described his faith journey, and also our daily Mass and dif- “As a result of the crisis, we were of Mass in pre-covid times, lar situations I’d cringe and on Newstalk Breakfast, on towards African Americans. his online outreach work with the ferent services around the Church and we are still able to understand when a Zoom Mass was a case think: “Oh they wouldn’t get Wednesday. Quinn played Presenter Matt Cooper did Oblates of Mary Immaculate in beginning from the time of the more deeply what the presence of of priest in-a-hurry. away with that now.” the trump card by citing the well to tease out the implica- pandemic.” the Lord is really all about in the The Archbishop wanted Inchicore and how the real pres- RTÉ reporter Evelyn O’Rourke’s visit to the Little Flower In fact, for me, it would comment of Chief Medical tions of removing the offen- Church, so we have deepened this people to be ready and safe ence is driving a new community. Penny DInners in Dublin’s Liberties features on Radio 1. make casual racism more dis- Officer Tony Holohan to the sive film and TV programmes Church understanding I would say. post lockdown, but also opti- gusting and maybe that was effect that the protests were – if stuff is removed for offen- I have noticed Fr Dominic says he went to Church “I feel that we are real com- mistic. He complimented the not exactly fashionable. There and downright stupid, but the the original intention. a “risk to life”, and suggested siveness why not do the same regularly in high school growing munity around the Eucharist,” Fr work of Crosscare during the was a “significant increase in protests at times have taken The anti-racism protests that people just couldn’t pick with the likes of The Life of ❛❛ up, but only discovered what real that we are changing Dominic continues. pandemic in caring for the demand” during the lock- on an air of mass hysteria, were the subject of a lively and choose which cause was Brian because it caused such faith is once he went to a retreat “Every day and every morn- vulnerable. down, but that very situation with everything from Fawlty debate between David Quinn exempt from lockdown rules. offence to Christian? I have our way of under- in his school. ing at 10:15am there are between A related item featured on made it more challenging Towers to a statue of Win- As the protests so obvi- only ever seen clips of it but I Fr Dominic at the Oblate Vocations Mission in Darndale earlier (frequently seen in these here “I was touched very deeply by 20-40 people who partake in this Today With Sarah McInerney for the volunteers – a din- ston Churchill being targeted. ously broke these rules I can’t see how a parody scene standing what the this year. it and I was thinking from that Eucharist together, so I feel the real (RTÉ Radio 1) on Thursday. ing room for hot meals was You might have thought the wasn’t impressed, despite of the Crucifixion could be Eucharist is all about” moment on about myself and how existence and presence of this new Evelyn O’Rourke presented a replaced by food parcels and moving statues phenom- what he said about masks and anything but grossly offen- He moved over here last year Jesus is present in my life,” he recalls. ened” parishioners understanding kind of community. report on Little Flower Penny meals on wheels. One woman enon in Ireland in the 80s distancing, by Boyd-Barrett’s sive. “I was ordained in 2018 in Poland and is now a parish priest, and part “I realised that all of this was of the Eucharist and brought them “On one hand, I would say that Dinners in the Liberties area spoke of how “beautiful” the was strange, but these latest participation in and defence If you were to cull every and I worked there for one year as of the communications team for faith and when I started in the closer together. we have found having Mass or of Dublin – inspired by the food was and complimented moving statues are causing of the protests. film and TV offensive to a pastoral assistant in one of the the Oblates of Mary Immaculate retreat in our congregation (Oblates This, he says, has allowed for whatever online… to be a struggle, Little Flower, St Thérèse of the politeness of the staff. new waves of polarisation A related discussion took Christians it would be quite a parishes close to Gdansk,” he says. where he combines his two roles to of Mary Immaculate) I was knowing there to be a real presence felt particularly during this pandemic, Lisieux and allied to St Cath- as they move from plinths to place on The Last Shoul- massacre! “After one year, I was then sent facilitate the order’s outreach pro- the faith more and more. which is giving rise to a “new kind” as I am mostly alone and I don’t feel erine’s parish in Meath Street. Protests rivers or museums or disap- der (Today FM) last Friday here to the Anglo-Irish province gramme to the community digitally. “I was also asking myself ‘what of community. this physical presence in the Mass. As with Crosscare, this was The anti-racism protests were pear into their own shielding – this time more about the and I am now one of the priests in “I thought that we could extend i [email protected], would I like to do with my life?’ and “Over the course of this pan- the Church at a core work of anything but low profile and lockdowns. controversial TV shows. I the Inchicore pastoral area. this presence to an online pres- “On the other hand, I am very @boreganmedia at around the same time, I met the demic,” he says, “I have noticed service, striving away under continued apace last week. And yet there is a discus- was inclined to share one “My task is to work together ence,” he says, “with things like much inspired because now, after Oblates so I decided that I would that we are changing our way of more than three months of our the radar in an era when dis- Of course they have a good sion to be had. I think some John Cleese in Fawlty reviewer’s distaste for US with others here and I also help out try; I joined as a novitiate and articles, videos, Mass online as well understanding what the Eucharist online presence, we have a huge and cretion and low profile are cause – racism is offensive of these events amounted to Towers. reality TV shows like Cops around Bluebell. decided ‘that’s it, that’s exactly it’.” to the parish level. is all about. very vocal group of community. “We have the parish, two While living in his home coun- “This is part of my work, I just “Due to the coronavirus, I have “We are sending greetings to primary schools – a smaller and a try, Fr Dominic always wanted to connected it together with my each other every day before and bigger one, and are involved in the work abroad and, through his fam- duties for and in the parish.” had to think about this for my own during the Mass and people are area in St John of Gods services for ily connections in the UK, decided The onset of Covid-19, accord- sake, and for the parishioners that sending their intentions.” Aubrey Malone people who have many disabilities. that he wanted to work in Ireland. ing to Fr Dominic, has both “deep- partake in the Eucharist, that it is Film were lucky to travel with the assisted Pawlikowski’s tale is dark but hauntingly beautiful section on Daft densitiesShannon, that I hadn’t seen since andthe previous trip.floating After catching up overoranges some tea and Ida is a Pawel Pawlikowski visual symphony of riches, a This is in the tradition of reverberations for us today the plane out film about an 18-year-old mutedly haunting work. here’s a lot to be learnt about how l An orange removing some of its mass and making it lighter. In Mrs Deeds Goes to Town and in the aftermath of the recent to Lourdes. orphan girl raised in a con- I spent a lot of time work- l Water fact, what we observe it that peeling an orange Mr Smith Goes to Washing- death of George Floyd in Min- It was lovely certain objects interact with water. It makes it sink. This seems illogical until you vent. As she prepares to ing as a courier so I know ton. It drags in the middle neapolis. Bigelow grabs us by to be able to can also raise a of questions. Fruit for Directions: consider the nature of density. become a nun she learns she’s about the pressures the lead with its didacticism but you the throat from the first frame connect with example, why do certain fruits that look l big float, while a smaller fruit might sink? One of Fill the jar with Density is defined as mass per a Jew. Her parents were mur- character undergoes in Sorry really root for her in the cli- and doesn’t let go. some familiar T enough water to dered during the Holocaust. We Missed You – parking mactic scene. History is made. Two kidnap films I bought volume. An orange peel is highly faces in the biggest factors here is density. Children’s When trying to guess if an object will float, cover an orange, porous, meaning that it has lots She has to put doubts about tickets, the expense of run- You can buy this online like all recently are The Berlin Syn- it’s easy to be tricked by an object’s size. it should be of tiny holes in it. The holes are her vocation behind her as ning a van, difficult clients, the other films I’m mention- drome and Everybody Knows. Corner Density is defined as mass per unit of volume, submerged. essentially tiny bubbles of air. her cynical aunt helps her running up and down stairs at ing here. The former requires a strong l Gently place explore her roots. the rate of knots, a boss bark- Chai Brady and objects with a higher mass-to-volume ratio These air pockets are empty space, Francois Cluzet’s Untouch- stomach but is darkly com- have a higher density. Objects that are denser an unpeeled or pockets of no mass that, when Shot in black and white ing instructions in the thick of able deals with the friendship pelling in its investigation of than water will sink, while those that are less orange into the calculating the total density, serve to with enormous care given to traffic. between a black carer and psychosis and the Stockholm dense will stay afloat. water. Observe decrease the final result. When you every frame, this is a bleak but He has fierce money prob- a paraplegic millionaire. It syndrome. There’s an interesting and easy way to test what happens. take away the peel, the air pockets are beautiful tale of Ida’s journey lems. They aren’t helped moves at a mile a minute. The Everybody Knows is a this. Because it’s less dense than water, an Does the orange sink removed – think of the peel as acting through conflicting emotions. when his son turns against unusual pair bond in unusual phenomenal film too, a mas- or float? It’s a work of raw but haunt- him. This is a heart-rending unpeeled orange will float. It should stand to l like a life jacket for the orange. circumstances. It won many terpiece of intensity. Penelope reason that peeling an orange, and thereby Remove the orange Without the peel the orange has a higher ing beauty. tale of a man on the edge. awards in France and has trav- Cruz and Javier Bardem are at from the jar and peel it. You might also like to He tries desperately to make decreasing its mass, should have little or no l density, because its mass per unit of volume elled well. the top of their game. They try effect. What happens, in fact, is the opposite Place the peeled orange back increases. The orange is now denser than check out Pawlikowski’s ends meet but finally runs out Agata Kulesza and Agata Trzebuchowska star in Ida. Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit to deal with the fallout from although it may seem counterintuitive. into the jar. What happens to the orange now? water. It therefore sinks. So, while it seems to go equally haunting Cold War, of road when a cruel boss fails Jones in On the Basis of Sex. It Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It’s an is set against the backdrop the disappearance of Cruz’s a minimalistic piece about a to cut him slack. charts changes in the law on interesting question. She uses of the 1967 riots. A tale of daughter from a wedding Apparatus: It may seem like peeling the orange should against reason, the result is actually adhering to doomed love affair in post- “Am I your guinea pig?” l allow it to float even better, since by peeling it we’re the rules of density. sexual discrimination spear- a man to pioneer female lib- police violence against Afri- reception. Every moment of A wide-mouth container such as a jar war Poland. It’s an audio- asks Charles Moritz of Felicity headed by crusading lawyer eration. can-Americans, it has huge this one is magic. 36 | Reviews || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 r1

BookReviews Peter Costello A crisis for Irish democracy: conflicting views on the 1970 Arms Trial The Arms Crisis of uted that, on February 6, 1970, 1970: The plot that he had received a direction Lynch never was from the Cabinet to “prepare should❛❛ have by Michael Heney the Army for incursions into (Head of Zeus, Northern Ireland” and to have concentrated all £20.00/€23.00) arms “in readiness to be avail- his efforts on John Bruton able in a matter of hours” to be given to Northern Nation- the diplomatic his important but alists for their protection. controversial new The legal position was, track, in the book by Michael however, that under the Fire- United Nations, Heney, published arms Act of 1925, arms could recently in the midst of our not be imported to Ireland the United presentT pandemic crisis, chal- without a licence from the lenges the received historical Minister for Defence of the States and interpretation of the attempt time, Jim Gibbons. No such Charles Haughey (on among the Irish in 1970 to import arms for licence was ever issued. left) with Jack Lynch. possible use in Northern Ire- in Britain...” land. Prosecutions deniable, strategy to give Jack Lynch did not seem This ideology was so already won an overall major- Rather than seeing it as a That was the basis for the military aid to the nationalist fully to see these risks, until widespread among ‘Repub- ity in the Dáil in June 1969, plot undertaken by a faction prosecutions in the Arms minority for “self defence”, in Liam Cosgrave went to see licans’, that the Provisional and had the political author- within the then government, Trial of Charles Haughey, Neil the event of a further intensi- him on May 6, 1970 with IRA Republicans would have ity to assert himself over his without proper authority, Blaney, Captain Jim Kelly, John fication of Loyalist attacks on information he had received gone down the cul-de-sac of Ministers. By October 1969, Heney argues convincingly Kelly and Belgian business- them. The attempted arms from an anonymous Garda violence, no matter what the reforms in Northern Ireland that this was in fact an infor- man Albert Luykx. importation was part of this source naming the Ministers Irish state did, or did not, do were under way. The B Spe- mally authorised operation. Strangely, the decision second track. supposedly involved in the about arms in 1970. cials were being disbanded He believes that the then to prosecute these men was The Secretary of the plot to import arms (includ- It was never a good idea for and effective security powers Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, knew taken by the Attorney Gen- Department of Justice, Peter ing the Minister for Defence, the Irish state to supply arms were being withdrawn from what was going on, at least to eral, Colm Condon SC, before Berry, saw the danger in the Jim Gibbons). to nationalists in Northern the extent that he wanted to all the relevant witness state- second track, hence his warn- Michael Heney controver- Ireland, whether directly or Stormont. know. ments had been gathered, ing to Jack Lynch in October sially argues that this sec- indirectly, licensed or not. Lynch should have con- Michael Heney, once a notably the witness state- 1969. ond track approach (of the Michael Heney does show, centrated all his efforts on journalist and producer at ment of the Chief of Army The notion that weapons, Irish state preparing to arm however, that the prosecu- the diplomatic track, in the RTÉ, attended the hearings Intelligence, Colonel Michael once supplied, would or could Northern nationalists) might, tions in the Arms Trial of 1970 United Nations, the United as a young reporter. But this Hefferon. only be used for “self defence” by reassuring them that they were unjustified. This is prin- States and among the Irish book is based on extensive Hefferon’s testimony was was ludicrous. The Irish State were not alone, have fore- cipally because the accused in Britain, in pushing for archival research. Heney is to blow a big hole in the pros- would have had no control stalled the re-emergence of believed sincerely that they much more rapid reform in able to make out his case by ecution case. over how they might be used, the Provisional IRA. were acting with formal or Northern Ireland. Instead he relying on state papers which There is much forensic once the arms were outside I do not believe this at all: informal government author- allowed the covert strategy were sealed from view until detail in this book to which its jurisdiction in Northern it is dangerous historical non- ity. to continue in parallel...his 2000, under the 30-year rule. this summary cannot do jus- Ireland. sense. How then ought the mat- big mistake. He shows that Jack Lynch tice. Such an involvement by ter have been resolved, if not The use of weapons, by had been told by the then The conclusion I draw the Irish state in military Ideology by the Arms Trial? whomsoever supplied, and Secretary of the Depart- is that, from mid-1969, the actions across the border The Republican ideology, dat- Jack Lynch should have for whatever ostensible pur- ment of Justice, Peter Berry, Lynch government was pur- would have exposed to attack ing back to the Fenians in the put a stop to the whole arms pose, was always a waste of as early as October 1969, of suing a twin track strategy: isolated nationalist commu- 1860s, is based on the false importation exercise much time, and of lives, as we have offers of arms, or of money (1) A diplomatic one, that nities far from the border. idea that Unionists can be earlier, when first warned of to buy them, being made by was openly acknowledged, The effect on relations coerced into united Ireland, it by Peter Berry in October learned the hard way over the a serving Irish Army officer seeking reforms in Northern with the UK would also have and that, because Ireland is 1969. He should have done so past 50 years. to nationalists from Belfast Ireland. Jack Lynch’s Tralee been disastrous. Imagine how an island, nationaliss have long before May 1970, when some days earlier at a meet- speech (eschewing coercive one might react if the British a moral right to use force to he did eventually act by sack- i John Bruton served as ing in Bailieboro. means to achieve a united Army was supplying arms to that end, and that only prag- ing some of the Ministers Taoiseach from 1994 to He reveals that the Chief Ireland) was part of this and a political group in this juris- matic considerations should involved. 1997. He retired from active of Staff of the Irish Army min- (2) A parallel, covert and diction! inhibit them from doing so. After all, Jack Lynch had politics in 2004. Some pause for thought for ‘new urban Christians’ On Marriage, On Birth, On has been called ‘a pioneer of the too much emphasis on what or ethicist, will be surprised that seeks to adjust to the present Death (three titles in the new urban Christians’. divided us – where passions much in the Gospels – and it is crisis, many are turning their series “How to Find God”) As the titles indicate, these easily manipulated á la Trump in the Gospels that Christians minds to recovering a basic view by Timothy and Kathy Keller deal with those basic landmarks can easily be found – than what find their Faith simply laid out – that many can share. (Hodder & Stoughton, £9.99) of life birth, love and death. actually unites us in reality or in rather than in the long reaches These are experiences which all potentiality. of the Bible, which sometimes Statement Peter Costello human share, and of which every seem at odds with the words of A journalist recently asked In this time of peril and stress, tradition of Christianity has to Jesus. President Trump was he an when Covid-19 continues to speak. The author hopes to state The brief texts are The brief texts are quickly read, “Old Testament man or a New spread across the benighted in the briefest most accessible way quickly❛❛ read, but will but will take a life time to live. Testament man”. Trump found nations of Africa, many are faced what the basic beliefs of those Now may be the time to begin for himself confused. But with the very directly with question of who profess to be Christians, and take a life time to live. many. words of the Sermon on the what it is they believe and why. perhaps many who do not – in He supports his insights with Mount before us surely – a basic Many grow confused. these times ‘the anonymous Now may be the time to very appropriate quotes from such statement if ever there was one So these three small books are Christian’ of some theologians begin for many” people as C. C. Lewis. – we are all, in some way ‘New to be welcomed. The author is a must be considered too. Though cast in a very Testament’ people, people of the Presbyterian pastor in New York, Keller writes from a particular Many who are not supposedly straightforward style, Keller and New Covenant? whose books have already sold view point, but his aim is a Christians, and might call his wife provide a great deal of Are we all, in our different two million copies worldwide. He laudable one. There can be themselves let us say humanists food for thought. As the world ways, ‘new urban Christians’ too? 36 | Reviews || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020 | Reviews ||37 r1

Readers should note that The Irish Catholic circulates throughout the island of Ireland and the book prices listed are the retail price recommended by the Irish or British publishers, in either euros or BookReviews Peter Costello sterling, as a general indication of what purchasers may expect to pay. ‘Madonna Lockdown literature • Chapter 5 The della Rosa’ A crisis for Irish democracy: conflicting glories (Prado). views on the 1970 Arms Trial Come spend a while The Arms Crisis of uted that, on February 6, 1970, of the in the magic that is 1970: The plot that he had received a direction Lynch never was from the Cabinet to “prepare should❛❛ have by Michael Heney the Army for incursions into ‘divine John McGahern (Head of Zeus, Northern Ireland” and to have concentrated all £20.00/€23.00) arms “in readiness to be avail- In this series some of our literary collaborators will able in a matter of hours” to his efforts on Raphael’ be giving suggestions for lockdown reading, books John Bruton be given to Northern Nation- the diplomatic of all kinds to enlighten us and raise our spirits. his important but alists for their protection. This week Mary Kenny writes of John McGahern’s controversial new The legal position was, track, in the on view Amongst Women (1990), a novel of ordinary family book by Michael however, that under the Fire- life in provincial Ireland built around the life Heney, published United Nations, experiences of an embittered Republican veteran. arms Act of 1925, arms could recently in the midst of our not be imported to Ireland in Rome the United Lockdown has been both frustrating and depressing, but it’s presentT pandemic crisis, chal- With the assistance of without a licence from the also been a terrific time for books, and I’ve been reading, and lenges the received historical States and galleries around the Minister for Defence of the re-reading, the author I consider to be one of the finest voices in interpretation of the attempt world, the Scuderie del time, Jim Gibbons. No such Charles Haughey (on among the Irish Irish modern literature, John McGahern. in 1970 to import arms for Quirinale in Rome has licence was ever issued. left) with Jack Lynch. McGahern combines an unerring instinct for storytelling with possible use in Northern Ire- in Britain...” mounted a magnificent, a deep sensibility about the human spirit, the interweaving of land. once-in-a-lifetime show, Prosecutions deniable, strategy to give Jack Lynch did not seem This ideology was so already won an overall major- relationships, and a compelling gift of evoking the Irish countryside Rather than seeing it as a celebrating the youthful yet That was the basis for the military aid to the nationalist fully to see these risks, until widespread among ‘Repub- ity in the Dáil in June 1969, of the north-west plains around Leitrim, Cavan and Roscommon. plot undertaken by a faction astonishingly mature genius prosecutions in the Arms minority for “self defence”, in Liam Cosgrave went to see licans’, that the Provisional and had the political author- We may think of this area of Ireland as somewhat flat – it’s less within the then government, of Raphael, who died in 1522 Trial of Charles Haughey, Neil the event of a further intensi- him on May 6, 1970 with IRA Republicans would have ity to assert himself over his wild and dramatic than the rugged coastal areas, but McGahern without proper authority, Blaney, Captain Jim Kelly, John at the ridiculously early age fication of Loyalist attacks on information he had received gone down the cul-de-sac of Ministers. By October 1969, writes with nostalgic lyricism about his home terrain. Heney argues convincingly Kelly and Belgian business- of 37. them. The attempted arms from an anonymous Garda violence, no matter what the reforms in Northern Ireland Quite often, his stories have similar that this was in fact an infor- man Albert Luykx. Masterpieces which importation was part of this source naming the Ministers Irish state did, or did not, do were under way. The B Spe- themes, but because he’s such a mally authorised operation. Strangely, the decision would have taken years second track. supposedly involved in the about arms in 1970. cials were being disbanded magical writer, his technique always He believes that the then to prosecute these men was The Secretary of the plot to import arms (includ- It was never a good idea for of travelling to see, have and effective security powers works. Amongst Women brings us the Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, knew taken by the Attorney Gen- Department of Justice, Peter ing the Minister for Defence, the Irish state to supply arms been brought together. were being withdrawn from familiar portrait of a controlling man, what was going on, at least to eral, Colm Condon SC, before Berry, saw the danger in the Jim Gibbons). to nationalists in Northern The show was closed due farmer, widower and rural patriarch: Stormont. the extent that he wanted to all the relevant witness state- second track, hence his warn- Michael Heney controver- Ireland, whether directly or to the present Covid-19 Moran verges on the tyrannical, and Lynch should have con- know. ments had been gathered, ing to Jack Lynch in October sially argues that this sec- indirectly, licensed or not. crisis which hit Italy very yet his children really love him, as Michael Heney, once a notably the witness state- 1969. ond track approach (of the Michael Heney does show, centrated all his efforts on hard, but as now re-opened does his second wife, Rose. The back journalist and producer at the diplomatic track, in the ment of the Chief of Army The notion that weapons, Irish state preparing to arm however, that the prosecu- again. ‘Julis II, The Burdens of Papal office.’ story is that Moran fought bravely in RTÉ, attended the hearings Intelligence, Colonel Michael once supplied, would or could Northern nationalists) might, tions in the Arms Trial of 1970 United Nations, the United Among the creations on the War of Independence, and yet, as a young reporter. But this Hefferon. only be used for “self defence” by reassuring them that they were unjustified. This is prin- States and among the Irish show are his ‘Pope Leo with nursed a grudge, subsequently, that book is based on extensive Hefferon’s testimony was was ludicrous. The Irish State were not alone, have fore- cipally because the accused in Britain, in pushing for Two Cardinals’ (c. 1520), those who fought often didn’t get the archival research. Heney is to blow a big hole in the pros- would have had no control stalled the re-emergence of believed sincerely that they much more rapid reform in an in image of brooding spoils, which, he feels, went to a more able to make out his case by ecution case. over how they might be used, the Provisional IRA. were acting with formal or Northern Ireland. Instead he power and ambition of a adroit bourgeoisie – the doctors, civil relying on state papers which There is much forensic once the arms were outside I do not believe this at all: informal government author- allowed the covert strategy man whose significance servants, clergy. were sealed from view until detail in this book to which its jurisdiction in Northern it is dangerous historical non- ity. to continue in parallel...his was brought into focus by Yet he’s not anti-clerical – “leave 2000, under the 30-year rule. this summary cannot do jus- Ireland. sense. How then ought the mat- big mistake. the anniversary of Martin the priests out of it”, he tells another Republican veteran who He shows that Jack Lynch tice. Luther awhile ago. Also on Such an involvement by ter have been resolved, if not The use of weapons, by grumbles about the clergy. The family Rosary is also a compulsory had been told by the then The conclusion I draw view in show, brought from the Irish state in military Ideology by the Arms Trial? whomsoever supplied, and part of his daily ritual, and to some degree a means of controlling Secretary of the Depart- is that, from mid-1969, the actions across the border The Republican ideology, dat- Jack Lynch should have the National Gallery in for whatever ostensible pur- his family. But it’s also a rite of family cohesion: just as grace before ment of Justice, Peter Berry, Lynch government was pur- would have exposed to attack ing back to the Fenians in the put a stop to the whole arms London, is his other papal pose, was always a waste of meals is a means of showing due gratitude. as early as October 1969, of suing a twin track strategy: isolated nationalist commu- 1860s, is based on the false importation exercise much portrait ‘Pope Julius II’ (c. time, and of lives, as we have offers of arms, or of money (1) A diplomatic one, that nities far from the border. idea that Unionists can be earlier, when first warned of 1511) – his beard a sign of Relic of the past learned the hard way over the to buy them, being made by was openly acknowledged, The effect on relations coerced into united Ireland, it by Peter Berry in October mourning, not for a fellow A Protestant neighbour is helpful with farm machinery and Moran a serving Irish Army officer seeking reforms in Northern with the UK would also have and that, because Ireland is 1969. He should have done so past 50 years. human but territory seized now sees the country Protestants more like himself, a kind of relic to nationalists from Belfast Ireland. Jack Lynch’s Tralee been disastrous. Imagine how an island, nationaliss have long before May 1970, when by his enemies, a ruler of the past. some days earlier at a meet- speech (eschewing coercive one might react if the British a moral right to use force to he did eventually act by sack- i John Bruton served as lost in his thoughts, which The story charts the gradual social changes between the ing in Bailieboro. means to achieve a united Army was supplying arms to that end, and that only prag- ing some of the Ministers Taoiseach from 1994 to cannot always have been 1950s and 60s, through the various life-choices of his five children. He reveals that the Chief Ireland) was part of this and a political group in this juris- matic considerations should involved. 1997. He retired from active pleasant ones. A typical McGahern passage describes with great vividness the of Staff of the Irish Army min- (2) A parallel, covert and diction! inhibit them from doing so. After all, Jack Lynch had politics in 2004. However, aside from harvest traditions of Irish country life; and, the funeral rites at death, these so many images where the clocks in the house are stopped, and all ends with a bring delight to the visitors, decade of the Rosary. covering as they so many McGahern achieves the greatest accomplishment for a novelist: Some pause for thought for ‘new urban Christians’ moods and aspects of life, to draw you entirely into the world he has evoked. such as the ‘Madonna of On Marriage, On Birth, On has been called ‘a pioneer of the too much emphasis on what or ethicist, will be surprised that seeks to adjust to the present the Rose’ (c. 1520) and ‘La John McGahern. Death (three titles in the new urban Christians’. divided us – where passions much in the Gospels – and it is crisis, many are turning their Fornarina’ (1520). series “How to Find God”) As the titles indicate, these easily manipulated á la Trump in the Gospels that Christians minds to recovering a basic view by Timothy and Kathy Keller deal with those basic landmarks can easily be found – than what find their Faith simply laid out – that many can share. Renaissance (Hodder & Stoughton, £9.99) of life birth, love and death. actually unites us in reality or in rather than in the long reaches The Italian President in These are experiences which all of the Bible, which sometimes Statement opening the exhibition Peter Costello potentiality. human share, and of which every seem at odds with the words of A journalist recently asked remarked that “from In this time of peril and stress, tradition of Christianity has to Jesus. President Trump was he an the renaissance spirit when Covid-19 continues to speak. The author hopes to state The brief texts are The brief texts are quickly read, “Old Testament man or a New that made Raphael’s art spread across the benighted in the briefest most accessible way quickly❛❛ read, but will but will take a life time to live. Testament man”. Trump found unparalleled, energy can nations of Africa, many are faced what the basic beliefs of those Now may be the time to begin for himself confused. But with the be drawn for the restart very directly with question of who profess to be Christians, and take a life time to live. many. words of the Sermon on the of Italy and Europe” – a what it is they believe and why. perhaps many who do not – in He supports his insights with Mount before us surely – a basic hopeful message indeed at The online activities works, as well as forays which he flourished. Many grow confused. these times ‘the anonymous Now may be the time to very appropriate quotes from such statement if ever there was one this moment in time. will broaden the horizons behind the scenes, with i Michael Collins’ new So these three small books are Christian’ of some theologians begin for many” people as C. C. Lewis. – we are all, in some way ‘New For more information of viewers with many the story of the set-up book, Raphael’s World to be welcomed. The author is a must be considered too. Though cast in a very Testament’ people, people of the in Italian and English visit other contents: video- and insights on more (Messenger Publications, Presbyterian pastor in New York, Keller writes from a particular Many who are not supposedly straightforward style, Keller and New Covenant? the gallery website: www. walks inside the rooms, particular and specific €19.95), was reviewed ono whose books have already sold view point, but his aim is a Christians, and might call his wife provide a great deal of Are we all, in our different scuderiequirinale.it/pagine/ enriched with details and aspects of Raphael’s work these pages in our issue of two million copies worldwide. He laudable one. There can be themselves let us say humanists food for thought. As the world ways, ‘new urban Christians’ too? raffaello-oltre-la-mostra curious facts about the and on the Renaissance in May 21, 2020. P.C. 38 | Classifieds || The Irish Catholic, June 18, 2020

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Notebook Fr Martin Dempsey Blessing for priesthood May the blessings released Remembering a wonderful man and priest through your hands MONSIGNOR JIM CASSIN considering the possibility of pastoral projects over the years My late mother loved you to Cause windows to open in [pictured right] died on Friday, becoming a priest and while I and your patience and ability to bits. When you once tried to pay darkened minds. June 5, 2020. He was a priest of never mentioned that to you bring people of different opinions her a compliment, something she May the sufferings your calling the Diocese of Ossory. directly, your kindness and your together in consensus was most did not receive easily...she famously brings enthusiasm helped me to impressive. That, I suppose is what called you a ‘plasterboots’. Be but winter before the spring. Dear Jim, decide what I wanted leadership is about and it led so Jim, goodbye for the present but May the companionship of your I write this letter to you just to do with my life. many people to believe you would can I leave you with these words doubt ten days after you have gone I went into the become a bishop. It’s hard to be from Raymond Carver’s little poem Restore what your beliefs leave to The Father’s House where seminary and a leader without stepping on a ‘Late Fragment’. out. no doubt you have received you were my few toes and I guess only the Holy May the secret hungers of your a warm welcome from the teacher for the Spirit knows what damaged toes ‘And did you get what heart Father himself but also a next five years. are capable of! you wanted from this life, even so? Harvest from emptiness its wonderful reunion with Your subject was I did. sacred fruit. your parents Denis and Mary moral theology Passion And what did you want? May your solitude be a voyage and so many of your family and you were an Beyond St Kieran’s and our diocese To call myself beloved, to feel Into the wilderness and wonder and friends who are already engaging, insightful you went on to serve the Church myself of God. there. Mind you, I expect that they and demanding lecturer. at national level in the area of beloved on the earth.’ May your words have the were not planning to be seeing However your influence in my education which was always your Jim, you now know how much prophetic edge life stretched far beyond moral you up there so soon just as we, passion. you were beloved on Earth. And To enable the heart to hear theology. your family and many friends Your achievements and success yet, that loves pales in comparison itself. At my ordination dinner in were not expecting to let you go. in that role were eloquently to what awaits you in The Father’s May the silence where your None of us were really prepared 1986 you quoted a line from the articulated by Bishop Dermot at House. May you rest in the joy of calling dwells for this and there wasn’t even a Rite itself: “May the example of your funeral and by your friend that love forever. Foster your freedom in all you chance to say goodbye. your life attract the People of Bishop Kelly at the conclusion of do and feel. Jim, I first came to know you God.” the Bishops’ meeting in Maynooth. – Martin May you find words full of divine in my last year in Secondary You were asking me to I hope you knew those words of warmth School at St. Kieran’s. My room remember that as I began my appreciation while you were still The Irish Catholic To clothe the dying in the was directly across from yours journey of priesthood, but Jim, in able to hear them. language of dawn. on Chapel Lane and you would my life nobody has lived out that Jim, whatever about the titles 2 5 May the slow light of the regularly call in for a chat. I had sentence more than you. of Father, Monsignor, Professor, Eucharist known a number of very good You had a wonderful capacity Director of Formation, President, Be a sure shelter around your priests in my parish and through for friendship and hospitality and Executive Secretary even being future. my years in St Kieran’s but you that was nowhere more obvious referred to as the “former future – John O’Donohue were probably the first one that I than when you became President bishop”, my only interest here is to Benedictus – A Book of related to as a friend. During that of St Kieran’s College in 1995. thank you for being a great priest Blessings: 2007 final year in school I was seriously I worked with you on so many and a wonderful friend. 9 7 7 1 3 9 3 6 8 3 0 5 7

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MARGINALISED MISSIONARIES Your gift can make a life-and-death difference for desperately NEED YOUR MASS poor families and for sick and needy people who are struggling OFFERINGS in the midst of the present covid crisis. The Little Way Association has received many urgent appeals from Your Mass offerings help to Bishops, priests, sisters and missionaries asking for provide the missionary help for those in their care. priest’s maintenance and Bishop Jaya Rao Polimera of Eluru, India, writes: “Hundreds of poor people lack food and other basic assist him to extend the Bishop Jaya Rao Polimera and members of Eluru Diocese, The Little Way necessities because of the lockdown and urgently Kingdom of God upon earth. Andhra Pradesh, India, distribute aid packages to the poor. Association need assistance.” We like to send a Families are battling against hunger missionary a minimum of Heidi Caluori of Arco in Sao Paulo, Brazil, writes: €6 or more for each Mass. Crossed POs and cheques should be sent and made payable to: “The people from the slums are the hardest hit by the THE LITTLE WAY ASSOCIATION virus. Not being able to work anymore means people Sacred Heart House, 119 Cedars Rd, Clapham Common, London SW4 0PR do not receive a salary and have no money to buy WELLS NEEDED (Registered Charity No. 235703) Tel 0044 20 76 22 0466 food. Families are battling against hunger. We want Missionaries constantly www.littlewayassociation.com to continue to distribute food to the people in the appeal to The Little Way for surrounding slums. We need your donations!” funds to sink wells in order to I enclose €...... to be allocated to: Sr Eileen Quirke of the Presentation Sisters in Quito, To donate online go to provide clean water, the lack €...... HUNGRY, SICK AND DEPRIVED tinyurl.com/lwadonations Ecuador, asks for help with: “…Basic Food Kits, and €...... NEEDS OF MISSIONARIES Home Medical Attention (initial visits, necessary of which causes much illness €...... MASS OFFERINGS examinations, followed by the prescribed medica- and many medical needs. On (Please state number ______) DONATIONS FOR THE tion) for elderly people who are isolating for the last average, women in Africa and €...... WELLS AND CLEAN WATER MISSIONS ARE SENT WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR ANY two months in our poor villages.” Asia walk around three hours €...... LITTLE WAY ADMIN EXPENSES EXPENSES. every day to fetch water, Please tick if you would like an acknowledgement Every cent that you send for our “hungry, often in scorching heat. sick and deprived” fund will go intact to Name (Rev. Mr. Mrs. Miss) (Block letters please) Can you help those who look a�ter the very poor provide a well? Address Mass is o�fered daily for all our supporters’ inten�ions. Your kind gift will be forwarded Thank you so much for your prayers and your intact and gratefully received. IC/06/18 con�inued prac�ical support.