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100,000 REASONS ALIVE!NO. 254 APRIL 2019 | 250,000 COPIES NATIONWIDE | WWW.ALIVE.IE | TO PRAY PAGE 2

IT HAPPENED ON A STAG NIGHT PAGE 3

THE INCONVENIENT TRUTH OF RSE IN OUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS PAGE 8

Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.

ONLY MISS THE SUN WHEN IT STARTS THIS EASTER TO SNOW PAGE 12

FAITH IN THE FAMILY TAKE A KNEESEE PAGE 2 PAGE 13

Poll shows swing to pro-life as extreme abortion bills debated PAGE 4

• The content of the newspaper ALIVE! and the views expressed in it are those of the editor and contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Irish Dominican Province. 2 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019 Lord Mayor hosts group who FROM PAGE 1 helped pregnant friend in need THIS EASTER TAKE A KNEE he Lord Mayor of Dublin, The Lord Mayor said he was and community spirit that helps to Independent Councillor, Nial pleased to meet the Gianna Care strengthen our community, my city TRing has hosted Gianna Care volunteers, and noted that the gen- and our society. Over 22,500 citi- volunteers in a Here to Help event uine commitment and compassion zens have been into the Mansion for the organisation in the Mansion that motivates their volunteers was House so far during my term of

House. evident in the group, the majority office, and a huge number of them Photo: Steve Evans “I was happy to do so,” he said. of whom were women. come from the vital and often taken “I came across the work of Gianna “l would hope that most people for granted voluntary sector,” said Care when a friend of mine who across the political spectrum will Councillor Ring. was pregnant and in urgent need of agree that providing help and sup- The Independent TD for Offaly, support was given the emotional, port for women and families facing Carol Nolan TD, spoke at the event, financial and practical help she a crisis pregnancy is work worth where she said she was proud to be needed by their volunteers. I was supporting,” he said. amongst so many pro-life women most impressed by the kindness “One of my objectives as Lord who were offering women with an and the ongoing care they provided Mayor is to encourage and rec- unexpected pregnancy real support (and continue to provide) to her.” ognise the voluntary endeavours and alternatives to abortion. Tim Tebow.

A great crowd attended the JACK WALSH a God that loves them and is with Gianna Care event in the them in the highs and the lows and Mansion House. that when they’re going through im Tebow, American foot- tough times, they’re not alone.” ball star, is well-known as Tebow has spoken at events Tbeing a devout Christian, organised by the Fellowship of Photo: Damian Rosiñski however speaking to Sports Spec- Christian Athletes, whose leaders trum about his new movie Run sign a Statement of Sexual Purity the Race he is realistic about which states that sex outside mar- one’s faith journey. riage and homosexual acts are It is not that practicing reli- unacceptable to God. gion should leave one “necessarily Run The Race opened recently thinking that life is going to be in cinemas in the US with impres- easier, but believing that what- sive box office of $2.2 million in ever they’re going through, there’s sales. No release date set for Ire- hope on the other side. That there’s land yet.

Church. The group has four main objectives, one of which is to promote the extension of 100,000 a practical Christianity in all phases of life. And what could be more practical than prayer and indeed their new Holy Commun- reasons ion booklet ‘Lord hear my Prayer’, with over 100,000 copies being currently distributed throughout Ireland? to pray According to Adrian King, Supreme Chan- cellor of the Knights, the booklet is very user friendly and designed so that children can LIAM O’CONNOR pray with their parents. Mr King explains that one of the objectives of the publication is to “bring prayer into the family and into t is good and healthy for men to come the community”. together and pray”, according to Adrian For Adrian O’Boyle, along with bringing “IO’ Boyle, a young married man who is prayer into the family and community, it is a member of the Knights of St. Columbanus also important for people to be instructed in Mayo. in the faith and so his group of Knights in The Knights was founded in Belfast in 1915 Mayo are organising courses on apologetics by Fr. James O’Neill who was greatly influ- to help their members be “better equip[ped] enced by the social teaching of the Catholic to argue for the faith”.

Adrian King and Adrian O’Boyle holding their new publication

Photo: Cillian Kelly ‘Lord hear my Prayer’. APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 3 There is more From a Brazilian favela to They would find a body outside to life than this an Irish parish the church almost every day. JACK WALSH Eric recounts “the priests dis- fallen into drug and alcohol addic- covered that the poor in the favelas tion”. And they have already started (slums) needed spiritual food and to attract new members. n one poor community in São so they brought Jesus in the blessed They also run regular retreats Paulo, through the power of the sacrament (setting up Eucharistic called Thalita Kum and it was at IEucharist, homicides went down adoration in a local church) into one such retreat that Ericka’s life Helena (left) with to zero in two years. This is the one of the most dangerous favelas was transformed. “It changed my Mairead Fleming, claim of Eric from Brazil, who now in Brazil”. Its impact was amazing. life”, she says. Ericka wants to also with Holy lives in Crumlin, Dublin, with his “Homicides went down to zero in bring this experience of Christ to Family Mission. wife Ericka. They are here as part of two years”, says Eric. others; and this is why she and her the Alliance of Mercy community, Eric and Ericka have set up an Alli- husband recommend people join LIAM O’CONNOR even considering to stay with Holy which was founded by two priests ance of Mercy community in Ireland. them at their next retreat. Family Mission for another year. in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2000, and A community that encourages its More details can be found on As Helena explains it is a pro- has since been recognised as a pri- members to perform works of mercy their Alliance of Mercy Irish Face- saw what Holy Family Mis- gramme that works, “as with a vate Association of faithful. “in order to redirect those who have book page. sion had done for my sister focus on the Eucharist you will “Iand I wanted what she had automatically find out who you are and that is why I decided to give and God’s plan for your life. I am it a year”, says Helena, a young now convinced my vocation is to woman from Limerick. marriage”, she said. The Holy Family Mission was set What they are taught at Holy up by Waterford’s Bishop Alphon- Family Mission, explains Helena, Photo: Cillian Kelly sus Cullinan in 2015. It is based in helps the young people to go out Glencomeragh House in Co. Water- and bring the Good News of Christ ford. Young adults spend a year to others: “Our words hopefully there learning about their faith, help people think – ‘maybe there praying together, and live in com- is more to life than this?’” munity with other young people. Helena is looking forward to Helena recalls that the first few their Passion play which will take Eric and Ericka (at the months were difficult, however place on the grounds of Glencom- back) with some members of their Alliance of Mercy she now feels very much at peace eragh on Good Friday. Visitors Irish Community. and very happy to be there, and is most welcome.

IT HAPPENED ON A STAG NIGHT S  P P  JACK WALSH of energy on mission. However, they have many sacrifices built into their daily lives as missionaries. y the time of our Easter mission in For Conor the main sacrifice as a mis- Co. Antrim, we will have encoun- sionary is little contact with his family and “Btered over 5,000 young people”. friends: “We give up our phones and are This is the claim of Connor Duncan a young only on social media one hour per week”. man with a mission. A mission whose seed Aoife’s main sacrifice is the NET policy that was planted during a stag night in Spain. you eat what is put in front of you and she “I was on a stag night in Spain and on one hates “peppers, onions, and mushrooms”. of the streets I came across a religious pro- Community life can be a sacrifice, as with cession and I felt a stirring inside me ‘Ireland ten of them in the one van it will “always test needs to see this witness’,” explains Conor. one’s patience”, says Conor. However, he Discover the life and works of St. Pio When Conor got home he prayed about it also notes that living in close quarters “you Includes a full religious programme and visits to Pietrelcina the birth place of St Pio, and found NET Ministries. He then left his become closer like family.” the English O ce, capuchin friary and the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel. job to become a full-time missionary with You will most likely bump into Conor and NET, “Ireland more now than ever needs Aoife at the Youth 2000 Ulster Retreat in to know the gospel and someone has to do St. Macartan’s School, Monaghan, on April 4 NIGHTS 5 NIGHTS th something about”, says Conor. 12th-14th. 9th April 2019 - £579pps 19 June 2019 - €799pps NET stands for National Evangelisation Departing from Belfast Departing from Dublin th Teams. Based in Donegal each year they Photo: Cillian Kelly 6 June 2019 - €745pps 6 NIGHTS train over forty young adults to evangelise Departing from Dublin 5th August 2019 - €885pps over 20,000 youth in churches, schools, and FEAST DAY PILGRIMAGE Departing from Dublin Includes a parishes across Ireland. th stay in Benevento Aoife O’ Hagan is also a member of NET. 20 Sept 2019 - €665pps Departing from Dublin 7 NIGHTS Aoife wants people to get to know Jesus th and does this, she explains, by “going out to 9th Oct 2019 - €699pps 17 June 2019 - €985pps Departing from Cork Includes stays Departing from Dublin the youth and telling them about my faith in Benevento and Avellino experience”. Aoife’s journey to becoming a missionary WE INCLUDE Fully Escorted Packaged Pilgrimage - Spiritual Directors - Services of for NET was different to Conor’s. For her Marian Pilgrimages Rep. on the Ground - Return flights - Hotel Accommodation Religious it was through many encounters with the Programme - All Airport & local Taxes Franciscan Brothers in Derry and groups such Youth 2000 that she felt the calling to WWW.MARIAN.IE work with NET. NET missionaries are encouraged not Aoife and Conor proclaiming the (01) 878 8159 | (028) 956 80005 | [email protected] Good News to the youth of Ireland. to fast during Lent, as they need to be full Fully licensed and bonded tour operator TO142 4 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019 Poll shows swing to pro-life as Man wins case showing extreme abortion bills debated discrimination against NIAMH UÍ BHRIAIN Northam, the Democrat Gover- In letting the mask slip, abor- white, straight males nor, caused widespread uproar tion supporters have revealed and anger when he defended the themselves to the middle ground British man has won a land- awarded a simple pass or fail, olls in the US show that voters bill’s provisions, in particular when in a way that many commentators mark employment case by which meant large numbers of are swinging to the pro-life he argued that if a baby was born believe will yet lose them the war. showing that he suffered potential recruits were deemed position as a result of radical A after a failed abortion “the infant In the wake of the controversies, P discrimination when applying to equal when the reality was that new laws Democrats have pushed would be resuscitated if that’s what a new Marist poll for the Knights join Cheshire Police because he some were much more suited to through state legislatures allowing the mother and the family desired, of Columbus shows a major swing was a white heterosexual male. the role than others. abortion up until birth. and then a discussion would in some categories towards the Matthew Furlong said he Mr Furlong told the Independ- In January, many voters were ensue between the physicians and pro-life perspective. Earlier polls wanted to become a police officer ent : “The irony of the whole thing horrified at scenes from the New the mother.” showed Americans were more all his life. His father is serving as is that throughout the whole York Senate where abortion cam- a detective inspector on the force. process I was required to demon- paigners and their political allies He was told at the interview strate my honesty and integrity exulted in the passing of the late- in 2017 that “it was refreshing to and they have completely under- term abortion measure, cheering, meet someone as well prepared mined that. whooping and applauding as if as yourself” and that he “could “Had I lied on my interview abortion was a reason to party. not have done any more”, but was form and said I was bisexual, for New York Governor Andrew later told that he had lost out to instance, there’s a strong pos- Cuomo, supposedly a Catholic, other candidates. sibility I would be working for didn’t just sign the law, he threw Mr Furlong appealed the deci- Cheshire Police now based on kisses to the crowd while he was sion to the employment tribunal a lie. doing it, and ordered the World in Liverpool who found that the Trade Center to be illuminated in Abortion campaigners forget likely to identify as pro-choice police force used positive action pink to celebrate the moment. that the middle-ground voter than as pro-life (55 to 38 per cent – where employers attempt to It prompted Hollywood actor, doesn’t believe in “shouting your respectively), but now that has recruit more diverse groups of Robert Davi to post a viral video to abortion” or in celebrating it as a seen a massive 17% swing to life, people – in a way that was dis- Twitter saying “I don’t understand moral good. The support of those with both sides being equal at 47%. criminatory. what’s happening to this country.” voters has only been gained by sell- Significantly, the publishers The tribunal found that positive “I am grieving for these children, ing the false pretext that abortion is noted, the shift has also occurred action should only be applied to I am grieving for the women ... a sad but necessary evil. among Democrats, with propor- distinguish between candidates you really think you can rip a baby The depraved scenes of celebra- tions of those voters identifying who were all equally well qual- from the womb at nine month and tion and the reality of what these as pro-life rising from 20 per cent ified for a role, but this had not it’s okay?” new bills intend have shown the in January to 34 per cent after the happened in Mr Furlong’s case. Just days later, the Virginia real mindset of abortion cam- abortion controversies. Judge Clare Grundy found House also debated a bill to allow paigners and their horrifying It seems that celebrating late- the Cheshire police had set the abortion to the point of birth. The indifference to the child about to term abortion is a step too far for pass threshold “artificially low” bill was voted down, but Ralph be killed. most voters. and that candidates had been

being undermined - especially because its proposed that external Parents speak out against explicit sex agencies would run these pro- grams,” she added. She urged parents not to be education normalising pornography, abortion intimidated, and to ensure that their children were protected. rish parents are speaking out in in schools, while the Oireach- “child grooming”. nography at a very young age is a “These are your children, not the increasing numbers to express tas Education Committee wants “I have read the recommenda- robbery of their innocence and is State’s children, and don’t let any- Iconcern about plans to introduce schools to start teaching about tions of the Oireachtas Committee disgusting and disgraceful.” more explicit sex education in Irish abortion and pornography. One and I would describe the mate- “It is not for the State to decide body tell you otherwise,” said Mrs schools including programmes for programme under review insists rial they wish to present to young these matters or for them to tell Mhic Meanmain. primary school children. that students should become children as very explicit, and , my children anything about sex or The series of Gript videos, The National Council for Cur- ‘porn literate’. in any other context it would be values that I wouldn’t have talked featuring four families, have riculum and Assessment (NCCA) In a series of interviews with a described as child-grooming,” said to them about in the first place,” reached more than 50,000 people has been asked by Minister Rich- new media platform, Gript Media, Maria Mhic Meanmain a mother she said. online, and parents say they will ard Bruton to review Religion and parents have described the pro- of 6 children in the school system. “Parents should be very very escalate the campaign in the Sexuality Education programmes posed changes as being akin to “Teaching children about por- concerned that their roles are coming months.

JOE WALSH TOURS PADUA, LORETO & SAN GIOVANNI € • 20 May 2019 • 7 nights f899 pps • Half Board • Fully escorted tour

www.joewalshtours.ie [email protected] | 01 241 0800 Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 052 and TA 0689 in compliance with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Package Regulation 2018. APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 5 The Fictions of Freedom: lectures by Kevin Myers ALIVE! NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT, PLEASE! All CREDIT CARD n August 2017, Kevin Myers briefly a free society Payments accepted. CALL 01 404 8187 became the most infamous journal- the virtual

Iist in the world after being sacked disembowel- AIB, Tallaght • SORT CODE: 933317 ACCOUNT NAME Alive Together • ACCOUNT NO: 29097-110 by The Sunday Times for making ling of Myers ✃ allegedly ‘anti-Semitic’ remarks in should act IBAN ie61aibk93331729097110 • BIC bicaibkie2d his column. Soon afterwards, he as a clarion was denounced by the Taoiseach call. First I wish to support ALIVE! Enclosed is my donation for BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE and Tanaiste who applauded The they came for Sunday Times’ actions –without him. If they Kevin Myers €1,000 €500 €250 €100 even a hint of due process major do not come political figures were celebrating for the rest of us, it will be because €50 €25 €15 other € the punishment of wrongthink. Far they have succeeded in putting the from causing any indignation, both frighteners on us. NAME his dismissal and the government’s After a year of public silence, approval of it were welcomed jubi- Kevin Myers is back with a three-talk lantly across the Irish media. lecture series in Castlecoote House, ADDRESS But the Irish Jewish Represent- in Roscommon, entitled, No Right ative Council stood by him, the to be Right, No Right to be Wrong: Irish Jewish Historical Society The fictions of freedom in the 21st invited him to address it, which century. On Tuesdays- 26th March, TELEPHONE he did before a record crowd, and 16th April and 14th May - Myers will the Israeli Ambassador took him to be sharing his thoughts on the dis- Please send your donation to: ALIVE! St. Mary’s Priory, Tallaght, Dublin 24 lunch and invited him to his home. solution of common sense and the dissection of the civil in society, as he has developed them over his year ANONYMOUS DONATIONS €1,000: Aine Ph; €500: An; €250: An; €200: An; €150: An WHAT WAS GOING ON? of self-imposed silence. Galway; €100: MB&EK; ET; €50: Ballyneale Prayer Group; Pensioner Tallaght; Knobber Prayer The real victim wasn’t Kevin If nothing else, after enduring the Group Co. Meath; V&A; An; Dunmanway, Co. Cork; €30: MO’D; An; €25: An; €20: JB; TB; Myers. It was Free Speech. That opprobrium of the mob, being sub- HDM; An; Tralee Co. Kerry; €10: An; STG: £1,000: T-5 Belfast; £100: ND; SMcA was the reason why he was lynched. ject to the dictatorship of the timid, For over 30 years, he has been an Myers deserves to be listened to, as out spoken opponent of the tenets he suffered the wrath of the phar- If 8,000 people contribute just €20 each we can continue for another year. and applications of Political Cor- isees and received a metaphorical Special thanks to all of you who donated to ALIVE! during March. rectness, the fundamental motto of kicking, for the Orwellian sin of which is: Conform or Else. His ene- thoughtcrime. mies merely chose to exploit what For more information, visit: he admits was a poor column to http://www.castlecootehouse. destroy him completely. com/no-right-to-be-right-no- Garabandal – a new film you For anyone who seeks to preserve right-to-be-wrong won’t find in the Omniplex Solicitor swaps the Law SEAN BAILEY de Garabandal, four girls, Conch- movie portrays, you can visit the ita, Jacinta, Mari Loli, and Mari official website: Cruz, claim that St. Michael the www.garabandalthemovie.com/en/ to promote the Rosary he Marian Apparitions that Archangel has just appeared to The apparitions at Garaban- took place in San Sebastian of them. A few days later, on July 2, dal are currently deemed as ‘non ames Mahon, Solicitor Leader of TGarabandal, Spain in the 1960s 1961 they receive a visit from Our constat’. We have seen that both have recently been portrayed in a and married father of two, Youth 2000 Lady of Mount Carmel. After this the Magisterium and theologians new movie called “Garabandal, Only first encounter, there are more Jhas turned his back on the Ireland from hold that non constat means that legal profession to promote the 2011-2015. God Knows”. This movie premiered than two thousand visits from this the Church neither condemns nor Rosary, and embark on full-time He further in Spain in January 2018 and will be heavenly Lady. approves. The matter is open and missionary work in parishes and commented: coming to Ireland this year. One of the messages that she the faithful may visit Garaban- secondary schools around Ire- “This prayer Many people have never heard sought to spread to the whole land, establishing Sancta Maria was once about what took place in Garaban- world was that we have a mother dal. The diocesan authority has Ministries. recited in dal and even fewer know about in Heaven who loves us dearly and insisted on the orthodoxy of Gara- Speaking to the Alive Paper, most homes the movie. who desires our salvation. bandal’s messages, but it awaits he said, “If lay people do not get in Ireland up James Mahon In June 18, 1961. In a small village For more information about new facts such as spiritual fruits to out and get involved in preaching to 30-40 years ago. Gradually over in Northern Spain, San Sebastián the movie and the events that the approve the apparitions. the faith, the Catholic faith in this time, this practice stopped”. country will die. I was an ordinary “The famous promoter of the guy plodding along in University Rosary, Venerable Fr Patrick without any iota of faith, when Peyton used to say that; ‘The at a time of crisis in my life I was Family who prays together stays JOE WALSH TOURS introduced to the Rosary and it together’. The correlation of the changed my life”. abandonment of the family rosary “The power of this prayer to trans- and the general abandonment of FULLY form one’s life is unmeasurable” faith practice in the last 30-40 SHRINES OF FRANCE | 7 MAY 2019 ESCORTED TOUR Asked why he thought this mes- years is most definitely inter- • 3 nights Lourdes (Full Board) sage was relevant to our present linked, I hope in some small way • 1 night , 1 night 1 night times, Mahon explained; “The to help revive the recitation of Rocamadour Nevers, Paris, 1 night Daily breakfast and evening meals Rosary is the prayer of the Irish. this prayer”. Lisieux | This prayer has sustained and Asked what his former legal • Full spiritual programme | Introductory tour of Lourdes strengthened our ancestors in colleagues thought of his career • Visit to the monastic city in Rocamadour times of persecution and hardship choice, he stated; “I think they For more information, please see: for well over 700 years. I have seen were shocked. I suppose it’s not • Visit to places associated with St. Thérèse in Lisieux www.joewalshtours.ie | 01 241 0800 it act as a tool of conversion in my something you hear every day, own life and many people’s lives, they have been very support- www.joewalshtours.ie | [email protected] | 01 241 0800 Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 052 and TA 0689 in compliance with the Package Travel particularly young people” ive”. For more information email and Linked Travel Arrangement Package Regulation 2018. Mahon served as National [email protected] 6 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019

FAMILY LIFE Raising Children for Today THE and the everlasting Tomorrow YOUTH FORUMWITH MARY SCOTT BORAS AOIFE DE CLÁR on which our children will develop For example, if you have a pet, their lives upon. you have a duty to feed it and keep On walking by our parish church We are called to do it safe. The pet is not just there for hat do we want for our recently, my five-year-old sug- you to admire at no cost: you must children? Obviously gested we “go in to see Jesus in the more than just watch look after it and make sacrifices Wwe want them to be Monstrance”. We are very blessed for it; such as feeding it every day, confident, secure, wise and, to have perpetual adoration avail- n SEEK2019, a 5-day con- But that is not what we are sup- washing it and bringing it inside if content, individuals so that they able to us in our town and it ference for Catholics held in posed to do. Most of us go to Mass it’s cold outside. will be happy in their future, delighted me that my little daugh- IIndianapolis where there were with the wrong attitude. Your pet depends on you. If you whatever road they choose to take ter initiated a visit to the Adoration roughly 17,000 attendees, a priest I’m sure you’ve heard someone just looked at it, and never did any- and wherever that road takes them. Chapel where we sat in silence for named Fr. Mike Schmitz, gave a say, or have said yourself. “I didn’t thing for it, your pet would die. But long-term, what do we want fifteen minutes. My seven-year -old 46-minute talk entitled “Pray The get anything out of Mass today”. It is the same as your relation- for them? It’s a question we should often tells me he “can’t wait to see Mass Like Never Before”. This Mass is not something that is just ship with God. If all we think of all be asking ourselves as parents. Jesus and all the saints in Heaven”. talk is available on YouTube and for us to receive. It is more about is “what can God give me”, with- Ultimately what we want is to The younger children often play the SEEK2019 website along with what we give: “the heart of reli- out thinking of what we can give direct our Children towards God Mass at home and often surprise other talks from the conference. and Heaven. How do we do this? me at how solid their homilies are. “Pray The Mass He made many good points that The journey of motherhood is The older children lead the family Like Never Before’ I think are very important and often a winding road filled with in prayer in the morning, before worth repeating. He started the Fr. Mike Schmitz potholes. I have discovered many meals, prayers of thanksgiving and talk by saying “I dislike watch- of my own failings as I have learnt the nightly family Rosary. We read ing sports” then went on to say: the sacrifices required of me. I have Bible stories and the children love “I’ve never understood the idea fought so I will get my own way in the lives of the saints. of ‘oh my gosh it is so gorgeous situations and have often thrown They sing hymns and get the outside what a gorgeous Satur- little tantrums (much like my tod- words wrong. They tell religious sto- day afternoon, let’s go and watch dler) only to finally admit defeat ries and often add in a bit to make the someone else do something’” and gion is Worship and the heart of to God as well, then it is another and humbly accept that God’s ways story more interesting which always he explained “I’ve never under- worship is sacrifice”, and worship relationship that will die. are better than mine. makes us laugh. Children are full of stood the desire to just watch”. is not about what you get, worship If all we do is watch and expect I know this is true for most of questions and we always answer any “There’s nothing wrong with is about what you give. for us to get something without us when it comes to our spiritual query they have honestly, and if we wanting to see excellence, but Think of the relationships in doing anything, that relationship life, but let’s look at what it means don’t know the answer we all go to when all we end up doing is your life, whether it’s your family, will fail. Without sacrifice a rela- when it is applied to being a parent. the Catechism or the Bible to do the watching we are missing out on your pet, significant other etc. If tionship isn’t meaningful. We fuss over so many things when research until we do. what we could be doing.” all you think of in those relation- I urge you to pray during Mass, it comes to rearing our children. We The boys love to serve mass in “That’s not bad when it comes ships is “What can I get out of this pray the prayers, listen to the worry about their grades in school, our parish church and when pos- to a concert; it’s not bad when it relationship?”, then ultimately readings and use every opportu- the company they keep, what they sible our children attend early comes to a game; but we bring that that relationship will fail, because nity given for your own prayer and watch on TV and other devices. We morning weekday Mass before the same attitude to Mass, because there is no sacrifice involved as praise. “For the praise and glory worry about their health, whether school-day starts. We bring our what do we do? We go to Mass and you are using that relationship for of His name, for our good and the they get enough sleep, their diet. children everywhere with us. We we show up, and we watch”. your own pleasure. good of all His holy Church”. We fret about whether they are don’t ‘split up’ for Mass. The whole mannerly and polite to their elders, family attends the same Mass every if they will sit quiet when they are in Sunday and if there is a religious young woman, Monsignor Kerr. the Church and if they pay attention event on that we want to attend, When asked about the incident at Mass. We are concerned about we all go, together, as a family, all The Power of the Rosary in that Florida State sorority whether they do they work well in 9 of us. n 1978 there was a serial killer house, Bundy said that, when he’d completing projects- the quality We pray daily for all their friends named Ted Bundy who went opened the door to that young but also working with other kids- or that don’t practice their Faith, that Ion a rampage in Florida, in the woman’s room, he had every doing their school work? they will learn to love God and his university of Tallahassee. After intention of killing her. We stress so much over these Holy Catholic Church and that they brutally raping and killing two However, when he tried to step things that we almost forget that will re-join our Catholic family sorority sisters, and seriously through the doorway, a myste- only one thing is necessary: that we community. It gives me such joy to injuring two others, Bundy rious force prevented him from give our children the means to get see my children’s simple love for opened the door to another room. doing so. He dropped his weapon to heaven. their faith. The young woman inside saw and ran away! In the very beginning of our But, even as we give them all this him open the door and was sure The Rosary is the most power- children’s lives, we choose their knowledge and encourage their he was going to kill her, Bundy, Monsignor Kerr that, when she ful weapon we have. Saints would Godparents- a choice that should habits of prayer, I am very aware however, stopped, dropped his went away to college, she had hold Rosaries over possessed not be taken lightly. We want that they are capable of turning weapon and fled. promised her mother that she people and the demons would God-loving, devout and most away from everything we have When police arrived on the would pray the Rosary every night shriek out of fear and pain. importantly practicing Catholic given them and all we can do now scene, they found this young before bed for protection. That The Rosary has the power to Godparents that will be an inspi- is pray that doesn’t happen. woman in a near catatonic state. night, she had fallen asleep while burn demons and is our strong- ration to them and will support We pray daily that Our Blessed She refused to speak to anyone praying, and still held her rosary est protection against evil. Pray them in their faith throughout their Mother will assist them to grow in except a priest. The local priest, in her hand when Bundy opened it as often as possible. Our Lady childhood years and beyond. their faith. We try to surround them Monsignor William Kerr, was the door to her room. of Medjugorje asks for it to be In presenting our children for Bap- with other Catholic families so they called to the scene. Years later, Bundy asked for prayed every day. tism we acknowledge that we don’t can know they are not alone and Upon his arrival, she recounted spiritual guidance from the same One day it may save your earthly own these children. They are not reassure them they are on the right what had happened, and informed priest who had met with that life, and even your eternal one! ours but God’s. They became chil- path. I know so many families have dren of God when we brought them had the heartache of seeing their to the Church to be baptised. Obvi- children turn away from their Faith. f you were at a concert or a talk, Well,are you the same at Mass? At ously, they are our responsibility. It With strong foundations, build- where would you like to be located? Adoration? Why do we go to the back is up to us to teach them their Faith. ings will not crumble. With prayer Where IAt the front, right? Where the and expect to gain the best experience, Eventually they will make their own comes blessings and miracles, and famous person is, or near to the influ- or any experience at all when the best choices in life and we can just hope children can, and will, return to should ential speaker. place to experience something is at and pray that they will never stray our Lord’s gentle embrace and our We go to the front because we want the front, as close as possible to what from their Faith. We also hope that wonderful Catholic Faith. to be near that person we admire, we you want to see, the reason you came? they will remain true to the teaching St. Monica and St. Augustine are you go? want to be able to see them well, to At Mass, at Adoration, Jesus is at the of the Catholic Church. a perfect example of this. She was be able to hear them, and for them to front. He wants to see you, and wants We as parents must build persistent. She never gave up. A hopefully notice us! you to feel his presence. Go to the front! strong, secure, safe foundations mother’s prayer is powerful. Pray! APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 7

and identity politics are the The common good has an inter- is one of those. And no good Relationship preferences of the day. Reli- est in this. The common good is tree grows from a bad seed. The Celebrating 140th Anniversary Education in gion- particularly Catholic and not served by teaching abortion bad effects of pornography are more generally Christian- is the as healthcare. The common good well known but not addressed. of the Knock Apparition bogey-man in modern Ireland. is not served by a contraceptive There is a porn epidemic in the YOUR Schools To pay homage and to invoke They want your children mentality presented as the right country that nobody is talking Almighty God’s Infinite gift to Mankind to be taught that abortion is in our schools- it is bad enough about. The advent of the inter- HIS he Oireachtas wants to change RSE (Relationship just normal healthcare. They that children are bombarded net and smart phones means and Sexual Education) want to teach your children with adverts about contracep- that the only people who know T MERCY that the only considerations tion being the only consideration what is happening are the inter- in your schools. An Oireachtas Committee looking at the for a healthy sexual relation- on a night out, adorned with net browsers such as Google. issue has a problem with the ship are condoms, consent and cheap slogans- and blind to the Children can hide what they Religious Ethos of your schools. communication. They won’t link between rape-culture and are looking at from their par- Its big recommendation is that be telling your children about ‘no-consequence’ contraceptive ents but the multinationals can the Education Act 1998 be abstinence or chastity. They sex- which is far from ‘no-conse- see clearly. Pornography addic- Mercy Sun day changed “so that ethos can no won’t be encouraging your quence’. tion is well known as is the April 28th 2019 longer be used as a barrier to the children to restrain themselves A report from research in documented effect on healthy effective, objective and factual if it feels ‘right’. University College Galway sexuality and intimacy. 37th Year teaching of the RSE and SPHE They want to make sure their states ‘Young people need to be Yet, again, we have certain [social, personal and health objective views are the ones that supported to develop the com- people wishing to push their Ceremonies education] curriculum to which your children get taught. Do petence to distinguish between agenda on other people’s chil- every student is entitled”. What not let other people decide how positive and negative models dren. On your children. The 12.45p.m. - 5.00p.m. the Committee seems to think is your children are taught about of sexual health and relation- proposal is for teachers, and DIVINE MERCY that what they think is objective, sex and relationships. Though ship from the pornography probably outsourced stranger what they may wish to teach they watch’. What exactly are trainers, to teach your children DEVOTIONS factual and effective is indeed that. They think that they have their own kids is less of your the positive models of sexual how to watch porn ‘safely’. Of Fr. Mark Byrne, SOLT the monopoly on determining business, what YOUR children health portrayed in pornogra- course they only way to really S I these things when in fact they are taught is none of theirs, phy? Bizarrely, the researchers learn is by doing, so undoubt- ENQUIRIES ABOUT COACHES: have no definition of even what especially if it is wrong headed- also stated that few people have edly there will be a need for Dublin Shrine Office Tel.: 01-8733356 they are talking about. ness dressed up as factual. experienced negative effects of adults to sit and watch pornog- Dublin (before 8p.m.) Tel.: 01-2898549 But just as your children seem watching pornography - so why Limerick Shrine Office Tel.: 061-419458 For the new Pharisees in raphy with children and then to Knock Shrine Office Tel.: 094-9388100 the Irish government, what is to be of interest to them, it is the need for education? discuss it with YOUR children. Organised by the Director of the Eucharistic Apostolate of Atonement for Mercy objective is what they claim in everyone’s interest that chil- All this is totally subjective There is something amiss here. as fact. What is factual is what dren are taught real relationship and depends on what your value Are we seriously contemplat- CHIEF CELEBRANT & HOMILIST Most Rev. Archbishop Michael Neary, D.D., they determine as effective. values, of depth, where respect is system is comprised of. There ing this? What kind of madness Archbishop of Tuam What is effective is their prefer- not limited to consent, but to the are some things that are bad in means we are even having this CONCELEBRATED MASS AT 3PM ence. Abortion, gender ideology true human valuing of the other. themselves, and pornography conversation?

Woman voting for Divorce is like ing of marriage vows. Just as the a Turkey voting for Christmas.” 72-hour waiting period before an An Assault on Marriage is an Since the introduction of divorce, abortion reduces the number of have we seen a decline in domestic abortions that take place, so the abuse? Studies show that there is a four-year waiting period gives Assault on the Kingship of Christ consistent higher rate of domestic couples time to reconcile. violence among cohabiting cou- As St. Thomas More was being BRIAN Ó CAITHNIA of children for the Church, who to help sustain it through trials. ples as compared with married prepared for the scaffold of King are to be the “fellow-citizens of the When the law and the Faith are couples, and children living with a Henry VIII for refusing to con- saints, and the domestics of God undermined only the most heroic divorced or separated mother were sent to his new “sham” marriage ruly, it is hardly possible (Eph. 2:19),” so that “a people may of souls can flourish in marriage. seven times more likely to witness to Anne Boleyn (who he later exe- to describe how great are be born and brought up for the This can be seen by the steady domestic violence. cuted), More took consolation in “Tthe evils that flow from worship and religion of the true increase in separated and divorced In 2016, 356,203 children live in recalling that St. John the Baptist divorce,” wrote Pope Leo XIII in God and our Saviour Jesus Christ in Ireland since the 1990s. one parent families, representing “regarded it as impossible for him Arcanum Divinae, his encyclical (Roman Catechism)”. more than one in five or 21.2% of to die more gloriously than in the on Christian marriage. “The It is recorded in the annals of all children in family units. cause of marriage.” Jesus Himself dignity of womanhood is lessened Muslim traders when they visited said, “Believe me, God has raised and brought low, and women run Spain in the Middle Ages that they VOTE NO ON MAY 24TH up no greater son of woman than the risk of being deserted after were struck in awe at the exalted The referendum in May calls John the Baptist (Matt. 11:11).” having ministered to the pleasures state of Christian women in com- for the removal of the constitu- The fight for the sanctity of mar- of men”. The trend in the modern parison with the degraded state of tionally required four-year ‘pause riage is a fight for the Kingship of world is to dismiss the sanctity concubinage in which their own period’ before a divorce can be Christ. We must fight to uphold of marriage, as His Holiness women languished. approved. What is being proposed His Reign in our land and vote no continued: It feels like such a short while is another step towards no-fault to this wicked referendum to fur- “Those who deny that marriage ago that Ireland was a land where divorce and the legal undermin- ther liberalise divorce. is holy, and who relegate it, striped marriage was held in the highest of all holiness, among the class of esteem. At that time, divorce was common secular things, uproot simply an “American” thing to do. Figure 1: Separated and divorced thereby the foundations of nature, Then in 1995, by the slightest of persons, 1986-2016, Census 2016 not only resisting the designs of margins, divorce was legalised by JOE WALSH TOURS Providence, but, so far as they can, referendum. € destroying the order that God has The pro-marriage campaign Pro-divorce advocates some- from ordained”. was denounced for fear-mon- times sneer that the dramatic YOUTH FESTIVAL MEDJUGORJE Not only did Our Lord ennoble gering with the poster “Bye Bye growth in broken marriages has f685 marriage by performing His first Daddy,” but was this not exactly not materialised, but Ireland has FROM DUBLIN | 7 NIGHTS | 30 JULY pps UNDER 18’S miracle at the wedding of Cana, what has occurred? Since 1995, one of the fastest growing divorce • Return Aer Lingus flights & but Christ personally instituted the rise in single-motherhood rates in the world. The number of f airport transfers 650 the Sacrament of Marriage, when has been simply astounding. people divorced or separated in He declared: The number of lone-parent fam- Ireland increased by an incredi- • 7 nights accommodation close to St. James’s Church “Therefore now they are not two, ilies stood at 218,817 in 2016 of ble 47% between 2006 and 2011 • Youth Festival programme and back-up of local team but one flesh. What therefore God which an incredible 189,112 were and continues to grow apace. Fur- of guides led by Philip Ryan hath joined together, let no man single-mothers, compared to thermore, marriage is now so put asunder (Matt. 19:4-6)”. 30,000 in 1995. Where indeed has de-valued that many young people For more information: www.joewalshtours.ie | 01 241 0800 Marriage has for its object not Daddy gone? simply co-habit. www.joewalshtours.ie | [email protected] | 01 241 0800 merely the propagation of the Marriage needs the support of The T.D. Alice Glenn entitled Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 052 and TA 0689 in compliance with the Package Travel human race, but the bringing forth both the law and a culture of Faith her anti-divorce literature with “A and Linked Travel Arrangement Package Regulation 2018. 8 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019 MONTHLY The Inconvenient Truth of Meditations LENTEN PRACTICES RSE in Our Primary Schools ith the penitential procession CHARLOTTE MCQUAID-BRUEN the classes online. The Junior Infants’ lesson will come to you with any problems. And we have entered into the austere on a paedophile childminder was the begin- protect their innocence! Wclimate of Lent and, beginning ning of my journey as a parent who asks a lot The innocence of children is a widely the Eucharistic celebration, we have just s a wife and mother of 2 young boys, of questions. accepted and honoured time of life, both by prayed to the Lord to help the Christian a secondary school teacher on career Why do ‘experts’ think that all children instinct in parents, common sense elsewhere people “to begin the journey of true con- Abreak, a stay-at-home mum at present need explicit and graphic material to help and by vast amounts of research by psy- version in order to victoriously face, with and recently, a very concerned parent when vulnerable children and prevent abuse? Why chology and psychiatry. There are beautiful the arms of penance, the battle against it comes to my children’s education, I started is it necessary for children in mixed classes pieces of writing by the Vatican on this pre- the spirit of evil”. a journey all parents should go on right now to be taught the names of the sex organs cious time of life. Why, when we accept these […] In her tradition, the Church does in Ireland. My child’s Junior Infants’ lesson or both boys and girls at such a young age? truths, would we be ok with inappropriate not limit herself to offering us liturgical in my local Catholic primary school, on a Why is it necessary to have classes on “Secret lessons which will affect this? Once taken, and spiritual themes for the Lenten jour- paedophile childminder, was the start of a Touches”, what feels good, what doesn’t? the innocence of a child cannot be put back! ney, but also points out to us ascetical series of questions that have opened my eyes Why is this being spoken about to my child? It’s not ok for someone else to decide instruments and practices to benefit from and a Pandora’s box. Why, at 5th and 6th class is it ‘normal’ for what age appropriate is when it comes to them […] Only Christ can transform every Do you know the story of a frog and how boys to learn all about the changes in girls, your children. It’s not ok for children to be situation of sin into newness of grace. This to boil it? You know that to successfully boil menstruation and girls’ personal hygiene? given this information, especially if feel your is why the spiritual exhortation of Paul, a frog you should immerse it in water and child isn’t ready. No! It is your job to decide addressed to the Christians of Corinth, slowly increase the temperature so the frog what is right for your child! During the last has a strong impact: “We implore you in doesn’t get too much of a shock, but the result number of years, we have all become aware Christ’s name: be reconciled to God”; and is still that it is boiled? If you put the frog into of how abuse robbed our children of their again: “Now is the acceptable time! Now hot water it will immediately know what has innocence. We are all rightly angry at this. is the day of salvation!”. happened and hop straight out. This is a very But now we have their innocence robbed at […] The Ash Wednesday liturgy indi- good analogy for what’s happening in our school in the guise of “Education”! cates the fundamental dimension of Lent schools today. The frogs are you, the parents. And did you know this is proposed to get a in the conversion of the heart to God. This Do you know the exact material that is whole lot worse? Do you know about the pro- is the evocative message contained in the being given to your children in Relationships posed changes? Is it ok for strangers to talk traditional Rite of Ashes, which we will and Sexuality Education? I urge you to to your children about sex, even if your child renew shortly. find out what is already being taught doesn’t want to? How about an “Inspector” It is a rite with a double meaning: the in your school. There are a lot of parents asking questions after the explicit lessons? first is related to interior change, to con- who are surprised when they realise there is This is what is proposed for the new RSE cur- version and penance, while the second much more to the RSE and SPHE classes than riculum. Isn’t forcing a child to speak about recalls the precarious human condition, as the homework sheets sent home from school. sex to a stranger, abuse? it is easy to understand from the two differ- They are shocked when they realise afterwards It’s not ok to discuss these issues with my ent formulas that accompany the gesture. the contents of discussion in these classes and ROBBING INNOCENCE children without presenting our morals and Dear brothers and sisters, we have 40 are horrified to see the teacher resources - pic- You are the expert when it comes to your family values, or worse still – presented with days to deepen this extraordinary ascetical tures and/or PowerPoint presentations and child. Rely on your instincts! Why do we not someone else’s views that are contrary to and spiritual experience. In the Gospel that the people who were allowed into their child’s allow them access to material that we have what we are teaching out children outside of has been proclaimed, Jesus indicates some classrooms. I am one of those parents. decided is not age appropriate? Why do we school! of the useful instruments to accomplish Coming from the north of Ireland and bother regulating TV and books for our chil- In our family, my husband and I decide an authentic interior and communitarian not being aware of the curriculum in Irish dren? Because it is our instinct to protect what ‘age appropriate’ is when it comes to renewal: the works of charity (almsgiv- primary schools, I queried the Stay Safe cur- their innocence and this is a good thing! You our children. That means we need to review ing), prayer and penance (fasting). riculum when I was asked to give consent to have a right to do this. In fact, you have more the material, take some tough action and They are the three fundamental prac- my child being taught it, upon registration than a right; you have a duty! Remove them cause inconvenience. But you know what? tices also dear to the Hebrew tradition, at the school. The principal questioned my from places of danger, build up trust with It’s ok. We are not alone and it’s worth it. Our because they contribute to the purification interest and told me to view the content of them, nurture a good relationship and they children are worth it. of man before God (cf. Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18). Such exterior gestures, which are done to please God and not to obtain the approval and consensus of men, are acceptable to argues that “vanity” here means “merest him if they express the determination of HOW UTTERLY FUTILE IT breath.” It means “lack of value” rather than the heart to serve him with simplicity and “self-admiration.” It means futility or absurd- generosity […] ity. It refers to all that is passing and puzzling Fasting, to which the Church invites IS TO LIVE WITHOUT GOD about life. Qoheleth uses it to describe all the us in this particular season, certainly is phenomena of human life. People have little not motivated by the physical or aesthet- FR. JOSEPH BRIODY may seem rather depressing, it seems to be control in this world and should rejoice in ical order, but stems from the need that encouraging us to make the most of the pres- their blessings when they can. man has for an interior purification that ent, to appreciate the simple things in life, Though Solomon is mentioned in the book, detoxifies him from the pollution of sin Wisdom Books Part 14: to seize the day. All of that is placed in the scholars agree that the Book of Qoheleth and evil; it educates him to that healthy Ecclesiastes or context of the reality of God. The conclusion seems to be the work of a Jewish sage around renunciation which releases the believer Qoheleth of the book sums up our duty to God and 3rd century BC. The name “Qoheleth” comes from the slavery to self; that renders him how we can leave final justice to him: “The from the word Qahal which means assem- more attentive and open to listen to God illy Graham once said that he prayed end of the matter... Fear God, and keep his bly or congregation. The other name for the and to be at the service of the brethren. the Psalms every day because “they commandments; for that is the whole duty book, Ecclesiastes, is simply the Greek trans- For this reason fasting and the other Btaught him how to get along with God” of everyone. For God will bring every deed lation of “Qoheleth.” Qoheleth is the one Lenten practices are considered the tradi- and he read the Book of Proverbs every day into judgment, including every secret thing, who speaks to the congregation. That is why tional Christian spiritual “arms” used to because “it taught him how to get along with whether good or evil.” “Qoheleth” is sometimes also translated as fight evil, unhealthy passions and vice […] other people.” (N.T. Wright). In Psalms, God The term “vanity” in “Vanity of vanities” “Preacher” (RSV Bible) or “Teacher” (NRSV The works of charity (almsgiving), prayer, gives us the words with which to praise him does not mean the kind of vanity that makes Bible). fasting, together with every sincere effort and in Proverbs he helps us navigate the grey someone vain or proud and has them con- The Preacher offers a very honest reflec- of conversion, find their most lofty signif- areas of life. The Book of Qoheleth, however, stantly looking in the mirror! “Vanity” for tion on life and experience. This book has icance and value in the Eucharist, centre is different. It begins with what seems like Qoheleth literally means vapour or breath, been described as the most mysterious book and culmination of the life of the Church a very bleak observation: “Vanity of vani- that is, exhaled air that is of no value. It is the in the Bible (G. Scroggie). Even though there and the history of salvation. ties, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities, waste-product of breathing and the opposite is a strain of pessimism and he struggles to all is vanity!” (1:2). This refrain is repeated of the life-giving breath (ruah or Spirit). We find meaning in life, the author still “shows Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, Ash and taken up again toward the end of the might say it’s the stale, tired CO2 rather than how utterly futile it is to live without God at Wednesday, 21 February 2007 book (12.8). While at face value, the book the pure, lift-giving oxygen. Robert Alter the centre of our lives” (R. Brown). APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 9 Editors Jottings A closer’ look at stories in the round...

offer comfort to his family, or the A TRIBUTE TO never-ending crowds of sympathis- ers who attended his funeral mass, to pray with them, for him. He would Venerable Fr. Patrick Peyton, have been immensely proud of his The Rosary Priest Oliver Doonan son Martin, who spoke on behalf of his family, to the packed congrega- he people of Fenagh, County his white van, on corporal works tion of St. Mary’s church in Foxfield. Leitrim, bade a fond farewell of mercy. For as far back as Martin could ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY Tto a much-loved gentleman, His royal blue work overalls were remember, he told of how his mother a husband, a father, a brother, an brought to the altar at his funeral and father would always visit a KNOCK SHRINE SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2019 uncle, a neighbour, a friend - Oliver mass and this image of him is how church in any new town on their Doonan. he will be remembered by many. travels, to say ‘hello’ to God and to He was the backbone of his local Prior to the referendum last May, ask Him to bring them safely on their SCHEDULE journey. What a lasting memory and community, the “go-to” man on Oliver was to be seen climbing up 2.00pm Stations of the Cross and Holy Rosary - Outdoors whom everyone relied. A quiet, and down ladders, clad in his blue a legacy to pass on to an impressiona- self-effacing man who never sought attire, erecting Pro-Life banners, ble young child! Equally, the witness 3.00pm Holy Mass & Annointing of The Sick praise or thanks, Oliver was a doer, posters and billboards, as well as Oliver bore to his faith in campaign- Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Bishop John Fleming not a talker. He endeared himself transporting fellow Pro-Lifers, in ing for the Pro-Life cause was one of DD, DCL to everyone who had the good for- his trusty white van. He was well the gifts he gave to his precious son. Homilist: Fr. Frank Fahey C.C. tune to cross his path. aware that his van, displaying pro- For such a quiet, unassuming and After Homily: Consecration to the He was a staunch pro-Life advo- life stickers and messages, could dignified man, Oliver had a huge Immaculate Heart of Mary cate for countless years. His pure be the subject of unwanted atten- impact on many, many lives. After Holy Communion: heart and honest, uncomplicated tion and even criminal damage, His family, his community at Prayer to Our Lady of All Nations faith could not comprehend how but was completely undeterred by large, together with all of the organ- Eucharistic Healing Blessing anyone could even contemplate these possibilities. All that mat- isations to whom he dedicated his the destruction of an innocent tered was respect for human life. time and energy, are the poorer for Music by Fr. Peyton Cluster Choir and vulnerable unborn human Oliver ‘walked the walk’ and his untimely passing, but the richer being. His dedication to his faith touched many hearts by his quiet for having known one of nature’s FOR MORE INFORMATION: and prayer life was matched by his and caring disposition. He is sur- true gentlemen. Orla (N): 0044 7545 452362 Fr. Peyton Centre: (096) 45 374 dedication to the Pro-Life cause. vived by his beloved wife, Eileen, Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam Nuala: 087 231 3762 Nancy McCormac: (061) 384 261 No job was too big, or too small and his son, Martin. Oliver could uasal. Kay (Dublin): (01) 837 8504 Jerry O’Sullivan: (021) 488 5443 for Oliver, as he travelled the high- never have imagined the massive Bernie (W): 061 384 261 ways and byways of the country in crowds that called to his home to - CoS Leitrim Cares.

than 18,000) first preferences. A TRIBUTE TO The movement also became involved in the campaign against YOU CAN ALSO divorce before the 1995 referen- dum. Following that, Nora founded FIND ALIVE! ONLINE NORA BENNIS the anti-abortion National Party, later named the Christian Dem- Visit our website BISHOP PHONSIE CULLINAN band Gerry and their children. ocrats, and contested the general They seemed very united. elections in 1997, 2002 and in the www.alive.ie Nora was quite fearless and 1998 by-election. t is a privilege for me to write a unlike many political rivals she did Ahead of the 2002 abortion ref- few words of appreciation for the not change her opinions to suit the erendum, the organisation became Or like our Facebook page Ilate Nora Bennis who died on the prevailing wind. She was a woman involved with a new alliance of feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, of principle. She was willing to try anti-abortion campaigners. She facebook.com/alivepaper February 11th, 2019. I met Nora on things which many of her peers was still campaigning in 2012 with many occasions and was impressed must have thought pointless. the Alliance of Parents against the by her as a person and by her calm, With scant resources, she took State, which was set up to oppose gentle but unflinching support for on powerful political opposition. an amendment to the constitution life and family. She founded Women Working at on children’s rights. Nora was a lady - a proud wife Home and the Irish Mothers Work- She sometimes hit the national JOE WALSH TOURS and mother who valued the tra- ing at Home Association to honour headlines for example when she € ditions handed down by previous those mothers who wish to work in started a campaign to boycott a sex- generations. I never saw her lose the home. shop describing it as “filth”, when it DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE TO her temper, though she must I am sure Nora would have opened in downtown Limerick. LITHUANIA | 7 NIGHTS | 12 SEPT f975 have been tempted to do so often, agreed with G.K Chesterton when As we offer our heartfelt condo- pps given the social upheavals which he wrote: lences to her daughters Gráinne, • Fully escorted tour she experienced, which chal- “It [feminism] is mixed up with a Muirne and Aedín and to son Rory, • Breakfast and evening meals lenged and undermined everything muddled idea that women are free we salute a tireless and inspira- she believed in – the family and when they serve their employers but tional champion for truth. • Visiting Shrines associated with St. Faustina, respect for all human life, born and slaves when they help their husbands.” If to be noble is to live accord- Pope John Paul II and the Hill of Crosses unborn, which are the fundamental She became leader of the Sol- ing to one’s principles, upholding building blocks of society. idarity Movement alliance of family and life, to fight for what is For more information, please see: She was a woman of faith and independent political candidates in right even against stiff opposition www.joewalshtours.ie | 01 241 0800 was no stranger to the Our Lady 1994 and stood as an independent and to do so with calm and charity, www.joewalshtours.ie | [email protected] | 01 241 0800 Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 052 and TA 0689 in compliance with the Package Travel of the Rosary church where I often in the European Parliament elec- then we have truly known a noble and Linked Travel Arrangement Package Regulation 2018. saw her together with her late hus- tions that year, obtaining 5% (more woman in Nora Bennis. 10 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019

that of the child. There are other doc- tors and health professions who are of the view (incorrectly) that the rights SCRAPS JIVING AT THE and desires of the mother trump the TOM ENGLISH COLUMN right to life of the child, and thus, in the practice of healthcare, this is a CROSSHAIRS service that has to be provided, with BROLLY NOT NEEDED TO regrettable consequences. However, it is extremely unsettling WEATHER BREXIT n the Irish Times, on February 21st, is more rewarding than the service of for the practice of abortion to be con- Dr. Mark Murphy, of Doctors for preserving health and life. TÉ sports pundit Joe Brolly was sidered as professionally rewarding, Choice, wrote “Like so many of the Abortion is the taking of human life. on the Today with Sean O’Rourke I never mind contributing to the most doctors and nurses involved, I am show recently talking about how he There is no denying that. Some may try professionally rewarding period of a R incredibly proud to be part of this new to deny the personhood, or the moral doctor’s career. It is only the absolute believes the GAA should be more political and take a forthright stance on Brexit in movement. It is a privilege (and chal- personality, of the unborn but it is abandonment of the humanity of the Northern Ireland. lenge) being a GP, but I have never established science that a human life unborn child and wilful blindness that He believes what he termed the ‘Northern Gaels’ who been as professionally rewarded, as in exists from conception. can enable such positive feelings to be voted to Remain are feeling isolated because the DUP hold the past seven weeks”. There are many doctors who con- enlivened through the act of ending a the balance of power. According to Brolly, “the DUP are... The past seven weeks that he refers sider this taking of human life as being human life. nut jobs. They believe climate change is a fantasy. They’re to are the seven weeks of provid- anathema to the practice of medicine. This the culture we witnessed sing- homophobic - they believe same-sex marriage is an abomi- ing abortion services in Ireland. Dr. There are some doctors who are of the ing songs of celebration at Dublin nation.” (Curiously, Joe never mentioned that the DUP are Murphy describes being profession- view (though incorrectly, but possibly Castle in May 2018; this is the culture against abortion too). ally rewarded, as a health professional, in good faith) that abortion is nec- of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and What these issues have to do with Brexit is beyond me in providing the service of abor- essary in the practice of medicine, in Minister for Health, Simon Harris, but was Joe making the point that all those in the North tion. Taking this at face value, for Dr. unfortunate situations where the life who danced on stage to celebrate who voted to leave the EU are “nut jobs”? Also, Joe may Murphy, the provision of these services and health of the mother collide with this victory. have missed the fact that many of the so called Northern Gaels hold the same view as the DUP when it comes to same-sex ‘marriage’ and abortion. Every one out of three voters in the South hold the same views too. These are ‘red line’ issues for Catholics and Christians on Séamus Robinson – this island. When others call us ‘homophobic’ just because we disagree with same-sex ‘marriage’, it is akin to using a stick to beat down and stamp out anyone who has an opin- ion other than their own. As regards abortion, hundreds of forgotten Easter Rising hero thousands of people, North and South, have taken to the streets to defend unborn life. RAY DE CLÁR first engagement of the Irish War of The DUP is also the largest democratically elected party Independence. in the North, a point well made to Joe by Sean O’Rourke. One of the men who took part in the I am told too that many Catholics vote for the DUP but hile it is often the 7 leaders Soloheadbeg Ambush, Séan Hogan was would never say so in public. I believe that if the GAA was of the Easter Rising who are captured in May 1919. Robinson took to take a political stance on Brexit, it would cause further remembered at Easter time, part in his rescue at Knocklong rail- isolation in Northern Ireland, not integration. It’s best to W there are other heroes who such as way station in East Limerick. Robinson leave politics to the politicians and sport to the GAA. Séamus Robinson, one of the unsung returned to Tipperary at the end of 1919 activists in the nascent days of Irish to resume his role commanding the freedom, who are less celebrated. Born Third Tipperary Brigade. In April 1921, AN HOUR OF POWER in Belfast in 1888, in 1902 he joined the he became the second in command of first branch of Fianna Éireann under the IRA Second Southern Division, FOR me, Lent is a time not only for giving up things but the stewardship of Bulmer Hobson. under Ernie O’Malley. to start things that are good for the soul. In 1903 he went to Glasgow where At the 1921 general election, Rob- A tradition that myself and my wife started many years he joined the Gaelic League before inson was elected to Dáil Éireann as a ago was to pray the rosary each day during Lent but have entering a seminary as Séamus was kept it going all year round. There are weeks when we Sinn Féin TD for Waterford–Tipperary a religious man who caught his faith manage this no problem but there are others when we fail East. He was opposed to the Anglo- from his parents. He served as a monk miserably. All the same, we have seen the fruits of these Irish Treaty. At the outbreak of civil in Scotland in his early adulthood until efforts over the years. It’s a good witness to our children war, he was appointed O/C of the anti- as well. he got permission in 1913 from the treaty IRA Southern Division. Another thing that we started and kept going is to abbot to leave the monastery to become After the Civil War, Robinson left spend at least one hour per week in Adoration. This and active in the Irish independence move- the IRA and Sinn Féin and joined as a the rosary is a powerful combination. They bring to mind ment. After leaving his studies behind founding member of Fianna Fáil. Later, Don Bosco’s vision or dream of the ‘Two Pillars’, depicting he married Brigid Keating and had Robinson was elected to Seanad Éire- the Pope at the helm of a large ship engaged in battle with eight children in the following years. ann for Fianna Fáil in 1928 . Séamus other smaller ships. The Pope’s vessel is heading between Séamus Robinson always insisted that Robinson retired from politics in 1935. two large pillars with the Eucharist on one, and Our Lady his “political faith is not only based Robinson died in Dublin on 8 on the other. on but it is an integral part of my reli- December 1961 aged 72. He was a man People praying the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament gious faith. Theology (God-science), is of integrity who put God and coun- has brought many blessings on their families, the Church the only science exact and complete to try to fore always. Robinson in his and their communities. And perhaps more than anything, the Absolute”. Séamus Robinson writings including his witness state- it has helped them cope with any suffering in their life. Séamus and his brother Joseph Rob- ments for his years of active service inson joined the Irish Volunteers and always wove his Catholic beliefs into I hope priests will encourage many of their parishioners commuted by General John Maxwell to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on the run-up to the Irish Republican Brotherhood in his political outlook and life in gen- which brought him to Frongach intern- Easter...for it is Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of 1913 in Glasgow. In early 1916 they eral. He says in his witness statement ment camp in Wales until 1916. wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). joined the Kimmage Garrison of the “Objective truth cannot be defined Irish Volunteers in Dublin. On Easter In 1917 he was sent to lead the until God Himself can be defined. Monday, he marched his section to men of Tipperary after the Rising Subjective truth is the sincere effort Overheard on Dublin Bus: Sackville Street (O Connell Street) where in 1918 he was elected as to reflect objective truth - the effort to where he received an order from commanding officer of the Third Tip- state unequivocally what we believe Woman 1: “What’s with that Martha and Mary story?” Commandant James Connolly which perary Brigade. Although, it is Seán to be true. And I suppose that would Treacy and Dan Breen who are most Woman 2: “Well, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened directed him to seize Hopkins jewel- exonerate even the man who has remembered for the attack on the to Him while Martha cleaned the house. It was like Jesus ler’s on the corner of Sackville Street. “couéd” himself into fantastic beliefs: was trying to give her the lotto numbers but she couldn’t He held this position under constant gelignite convoy during the Solohead- his fault or sin, if any, lies in his hear Him because she was too busy doin’ the hooverin!” fire until Thursday where he directed beg Ambush in County Tipperary on previous acts of “coué-ing” himself his section across the road to the GPO. the same day that 1st Dáil met, it was wrongly. Subjective truth pre-sup- He was originally sentenced to death Robinson who planned and led the poses a reasonable effort to find and [email protected] by William Lowe, but his sentence was attack- considered by many to be the to record the truth”. APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 11

Irish Bunreacht: “The members of each House of the Oireachtas shall be representatives of the whole people, not bound by orders or Catholics + Conscience: instructions, and responsible only to their conscience”. Article 38(1) was included in the Basic Law to prevent, ever again, the subversion of representative Building Real Democracy democracy in Germany to totali- tarianism. Transposing Article 38 PROFESSOR RAY KINSELLA conscience, has been swept away cal demands of the mainstream (1) of the German Basic Law to the by an aggressive form of secular political parties who proposed, Irish Constitution would simply Marxism, unprecedented in its or have endorsed, this coercive involve amending Article 15 of the n the next few months, politicians visceral opposition to Catholicism. attempt to control medical care in Constitution by inserting a new will be campaigning for election And this is the real problem for our country. Article 16 whose wording would Ito local Councils, to the Euro- Catholics, as the country faces into This ideological process cannot be identical to this. pean Parliament and -perhaps- to a series of elections that will shape be contained in one domain of It works in Germany - and it the Dáil. They will be knocking the future of our children and our our lives. What infects our poli- works within the context of a your door. Their posters will fes- national sensibilities. Recent votes tics subverts our economics and vigorous political party system. toon the perimeter of the Church. have altered the Constitution, taints all of our institutions. It’s no Significantly, it has also been For Catholics at least, it’s no longer removed fundamental rights and surprise therefore that we have a embraced by the Czech Repub- Professor Ray Kinsella easy deciding who to vote for -and freedoms, and eviscerating it of duopoly of the two establishment lic and Lithuania - both formerly it has never been so important for rights once taken for granted. parties which that passes itself of under the ambit of Soviet rule – families and for democracy includ- It cannot be said too often: the as a democracy- which of course it The truths affirmed in the Creed in their new Constitutions. There ing religious freedom. mainstream political parties have is not. They are two “Brands” but and the responsibilities that flow is every reason to believe it would Until relatively recently there stripped the unborn child of its the same ideology. So there is a from them to others were not work in Ireland, if it were given was in all elections a certainty right to life by enacting a barba- “choice” - but of two parties that conferred by Christ as something half a chance. about respect for human rights, rous abortion regime. impose the same selection criteria to be hidden away. Catholics Peter made an enormous effort marriage and family Christian They have moved to strip hos- on prospective candidates. Every- have a responsibility to have a to bring conscience to our politi- values. They were taken as a given pitals of faith symbols which one that gets to stand is vetted to faith lived out in relationships; in cal system. Truth is, he didn’t get by every party. It wasn’t just in Ire- inspired the women who estab- ensure they are “on message”. families and the workplace - and the time of day from his own party land. Post-war politics in Europe, lished them in the first place. They in Politics. or from the “system”. This was notably in Germany, was built on have published a Bill to impose Catholics should be worried reflected in the legislation that has the principles of Christian Democ- an “Objective” (it is anything but THE CHURCH IS RIGHTLY about the erosion of democracy been enacted and the coercive and racy: the sovereignty of God, the objective) sex education on chil- SEPARATE FROM THE STATE in Ireland. They should be out- oppressive ideology that has cap- centrality of marriage, and the dren, parents and teachers in our When the Church has failed to raged that those who affirm life tured and colonised mainstream rights and responsibilities of par- schools -regardless of its spirit keep its distance from the State, and sacramental marriage are dis- parties and institutions. ents and family. A Judeo-Christian and ethos - that is oppressive to an both have been impacted. The enfranchised and have no political It’s time for a new politics that ethos was embedded in economics extent we have never seen before. Church, however, blesses the party to represent their views. respects Life–and Democracy; and politics. Germany prospered. And along with this they have freedoms that should be an inte- They should - as citizens of this that expects politicians to keep So did Europe. moved to change - ransack - the gral part of democracy. Catholics nation- consider carefully how to their word – and represent their And conscience mattered - guidelines of the Medical Council alongside other Christian faith regard politicians who defer not to values; that affirm polices that not alone freedom of conscience to accommodate their abortion traditions have suffered horri- their conscience but to Party HQ have substance rather than pat- in terms of individuals affirm- legislation. This is especially bly under anti-God, anti-Family and the Whips office. ronised by sound bites that play ing their Christian faith but also, scary because there is a covenant and anti-democratic political Just a few years ago the late Mr on the emotions and are detached importantly, in relation to politics. based on freedom of conscience regimes -because, in truth, God, Peter Mathews TD Bill brought a from the real world of reason and To take an example, Article 38 of between the medical nursing pro- Family and Freedom are inte- Private Members Bill that would common sense; that won’t barter Germany’s Basic Law stipulates fessions and each one of us as a grally related. guarantee freedom of conscience their integrity for power - and who that in carrying out their respon- patient in need of care. It’s based For Catholic voters, the core for politicians trying to consider understand that power is service, sibilities, politicians are bound by on the Hippocratic Oath - ‘do no truths and values are centred on how best to legislate in the inter- not a smile from those who hold their conscience not by instruc- harm’ - and on the freedom of the dignity of every person; their ests of the country. high office. There are such men tions from Party Headquarters. doctors to engage with patients, inalienable rights as children of He proposed transposing Arti- and women out there: Independ- In Ireland, respect for life, rep- based on their expertise and their the Father, redeemed by the Son cle 38(1) of the Basic Law - the ents and new parties that can take resentative democracy and for conscience - not the ideologi- and guided in truth by the Spirit. German Constitution - into the our country to a better place.

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the tale to raise up the spirits. His that provides the positivity to of Waters–one after another- by ALIVE!’S BOOK FOR THE MONTH recounting of his side of his more the story. While the world can be those in journalism, those who recent story, centred around char- harsh, and hurtful, cruel and corro- interpret the world for the people acter destroying remarks made on sive, the human spirit can endure, of Ireland, is most depressing. GIVE US BACK the Saturday Night Show by Rory and the shelter of home- the family When Peter was accused of being O’Neill, along with his accelerated homeland- and family- for Waters, a Disciple of Jesus, a simple denial marginalisation at the hands of his a wife and daughter- is enough did not seem to be enough, so Peter THE BAD ROADS contemporaries, as well as his edi- for man. began, as Mark says, “to curse and tors, many of whom he thought he Yet then, the shadow of modern to swear, ‘I do not know this man by John Waters was on friendly terms with, is near Ireland is cast over even this solace, you are talking about’ ”. heart-breaking. knowing the ground that Waters’ It seems to have been the same Currach Books, 2018 tice he suffered as a contrarian to Throwing these two together covered unveils that this succour for Waters. It was not enough to be the left-liberal agenda in the Irish with Waters’ analysis of the decline of family may not be available for simply in disagreement with him. aters, a well-known media- the industry where he made of Ireland leaves little room for others in the future. Yet this is a story within a story commentator and activist his living. In between these two optimism. In many ways, the story There are times in the book that needs to be told, and there is Win Ireland, having lived stories, and linking them both, is is overwhelming, yet the hint of when the interjection of nostalgia no better man do it than Waters. through a personal hell in recent a depressing, sombre, dissection of nostalgia offers hope, however is a welcome relief from the harsh- Like him, love him, or even loathe, years, comes back with a storming Irish life as it exists today. unrealistic, of an alternative. ness Waters’ endured, and there his side of the story ought to be riposte to those that sought to While Waters has become a hero Waters tells us that it doesn’t are times when the interruption heard too. destroy him and continue to to those who share his yearning for have to be like this. But some- feels just like an interruption. But dismantle all that he holds dear. the values of an Ireland gone, he how, despite the Herculean efforts mostly, there is sadness. Sadness Give us Back the Bad Roads is is at the same time public enemy and bravery of one like Waters, at the loss of Ireland, sadness at a lament of a sort; it is two books- number one of the mainstream for all seems even more helpless after the outcomes of these Referenda, possibly three- rolled into one- and his ability to articulate and delve to repeated non-glorious defeats to but mostly a personal sadness for perhaps the book suffers for this. the core of the illogicity at the heart the zeitgeist. Waters. 30 years in journalism Through the book Waters jumps of left-liberalism in Ireland. Yet it is the fact that Waters meant nothing to many whom he between two stories- one is a con- Waters’ ode to his father is remi- remains unbowed, if not entirely shared this with. versation with his late father and niscent of an old Irish ballad - with unbroken, certainly scarred, While the story is certainly told the other a narrative of the injus- little more than the retelling of despite all that has befallen him, through Waters eyes, the betrayal

snatch/of plainchant from some year on Holy Saturday. But while echoey priory;/when the gospel we live this day in solidarity with choir raises its collective voice/ our secular contemporaries, we Only miss the sun to ask Shall We Gather at the live it differently from them too, River?/or the forces of the orato- since we do not live this absence rio converge/on I Know That My without hope for the return of Redeemer Liveth/and our con- the yearned-for presence. So on when it starts to snow tracted hearts lose a beat. Holy Saturday we keep our eyes The poem continues, multi- on the empty tabernacle, we miss FR. CONOR MC DONOUGH OP in conjunction with the sudden In the spiritual life, many great plying occasions when God is Him, and we wait hopefully for awareness of absence, we find our- saints experience times of deso- ‘missed’. As I said, I don’t know his returning presence, trusting selves yearning for the presence lation which are understood as what it’s like to live as an athe- in His words: nyone visiting a church or we’re missing. invitations to greater faith and ist, but I do know what it’s like ‘A little while, and you will see chapel this Holy Saturday A well-loved contemporary song, detachment. This experience is to feel the absence of the Lord me no more, again a little while, Awill meet the shock of an Let Her Go, by Passenger, puts its sometimes called the ‘dark night – the whole Church does, each and you will see me’ (Jn 16:16). open and empty tabernacle, and finger on this phenomenon: of the soul’. In a sense, the whole an extinguished sanctuary lamp. Well you only need the light Church experiences this ‘dark We all know it’s coming, but each when it’s burning low,/Only miss night’ during the period from year it’s upsetting to see, as we the sun when it starts to snow,/ Good Friday to the Easter Vigil. WEEKENDS AT halt mid-genuflection and realise, Only know you love her when you It’s a time for all of us to fumble in ‘He’s not here’. let her go./Only know you’ve been the darkness and yearn for light. The absence of one whose pres- high when you’re feeling low,/ But, besides being an opportu- ence we love – how painful this can Only hate the road when you’re nity to exercise our faith, what use be. Those who are bereaved know missing home,/Only know you does it serve? moments like this – suddenly real- love her when you let her go. At a time when many of our con- From ising that your mother won’t be We take Jesus’ presence for temporaries are living their lives at the Christmas table, or strug- granted so often, but when it is without reference to the divine, I gling through the birthday of your taken from our tabernacles, in think Holy Saturday is a time for gangland deceased child – these moments commemoration of his time in the us to draw close to those who feel produce the sharpest grief. And tomb, we feel his absence keenly. God’s absence. I don’t know what to promise it’s like to live as if God doesn’t Passenger exist, but there must be times in land (aka Mike Rosenberg). any atheist’s life when he or she yearns for the divine. The poet, Dennis O’Driscoll, expresses pre- Three nights of intercession cisely this sentiment in his poem, for Healing and Peace Missing God: […] though we rebelled against rd Him/like adolescents, uplifted to Friday, 3 May 7:30pm see/an oppressive father ban- Talk by John Pridmore - Gangland to Promise Land ished –/a bearded hermit – to th the desert,/we confess to miss- Saturday 4 May 7:30pm ing Him at times./Miss Him Mass followed by a Eucharistic healing and prayer service during the civil wedding/when, at the blossomy altar/of the reg- Sunday 5th May 4:00pm istrar’s desk, we wait in vain/to Rosary, preaching and Benediction led by the be fed a line containing words/ Dominican Community like ‘everlasting’ and ‘divine’./ Miss Him when the TV scien- John is a former East End Gangster turned Catholic who now travels tist/explains the cosmos through internationally speaking to others about how his life changed. equations,/leaving our planet

to revolve on its axis/aimlessly, St Mary’s n Pope’s Quay n Cork n T23 P8ER  353 21 4502267  [email protected] a wheel skidding in snow./Miss www.dominicanscork.ie Photo: Editor5807 Him when the radio catches a FAMILY AND MARRIAGE APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 13

at home, that she with her sis- THE WORD OF GOD FOR APRIL ters would have said morning prayers with their father on their Faith in the Family way into school and in Lent they THEIR GOD would go to the local Carmelite Convent for Mass. “We didn’t CAROL PAULS say the rosary everyday but occa- IS MY GOD sionally, but would always say a decade of the rosary as a family BRENDAN CLIFFORD O.P. r. Peyton once famously said at night; and grace before Meals a family that prays together and the Angelus would have Fstay together. The Hayden always been in Irish”, she said. he chief priests and the elders of the family would strongly agree, “I don’t want people to think people came and laid hands on Jesus but not just prayer, prayer and that Catholic family life is just Tand arrested him. Then all the disci- example. about prayer and piety, there ples deserted him and ran away. (Mt 26) Liam Hayden a father of five has to be fun and laughter. 110 girls were kidnapped from their and grandfather to fourteen chil- Ultimately if you can pass on school in northern Nigeria in February dren spoke to the ALIVE! about your faith where God is loved last year. Leah Sharibu is fifteen and was his work with the Legion of Mary and your children feel loved, the only Christian among them. A month and its rapid growth in places such and the message that life is not later all were released except Leah. She as Africa and South Korea. It was pain free, that you will have would be released if she converted to Liam and his wife Maura’s work your crosses, but with God at Islam. She refused. She is still in captivity. with the Legion in Ireland that had the centre things will be better. In 2015 the so-called Islamic Repub- a lasting impact on their family. And also instilling in your lic kidnapped 21 construction workers “We were brought up with the children that it is healthier to in Libya. Twenty were Coptic Christians Legion of Mary, regularly going have an outward look on life from Egypt and one was from Ghana, to Sunday Mass in the Morn- as opposed to being selfish and Matthew Ayairga, not a Christian. The ing Star Hostel (the Legion inward looking, then you are twenty Egyptians refused to renounce run two homeless hostels in doing your best and God can their faith in Jesus and were beheaded. Dublin, one for men and one for ask no more of us”, said Ciara. Matthew was asked if he renounced women), and seeing my father Like her mother, Ciara Jesus: he answered, “Their God is my active in faith was a great exam- is taking a break from the God,” and died with them. ple”, explains daughter Ciara a Legion while she brings up Many Catholics are outraged by the mother of five who now lives with her family, but her husband behaviour of their religious leaders who her husband and five children Keith is actively involved: “The have betrayed their trust. They may take Liam Hayden, with Ciara in Meath. Legion remains a very impor- heart at the courage of humble believ- and two of her children Ciara recalls that the Catholic tant part of our family life”, ers who, at the cost of their lives, do not Bláithín and Mary. Photo: Cillian Kelly faith was important growing up she concludes. desert their Lord and run away.

donment of adequate Catholic Privately funded schools, includ- educational tools that are direct religion teachings. ing and especially the Catholic and progressive. They start with There is a third problem, which ones, are sought after, because they the simple rules, principles, and Education, is as fundamental: that of the gen- provide excellence in education to concepts in grammar, mathemat- eral degradation of the standard of pupils. They surpass the results ics, geometry, science, geography, education in all subjects. In other obtained by public schools. Parents history, and literature, and gradu- words, the “dumbing down” of want their children there, because ally move towards more complex programmes, from Junior Infants, they know that they will receive a notions. Faith, perhaps even pre-school level, to solid education, in a healthy and Education is the necessary Leaving Certificate. Grammar is joyful environment. continuation to procreation. It barely taught, if at all, numeracy is The School Charter of the “Fon- implicates parents and children less than adequate, history is largely dation Pour l’École”, an umbrella in the act of God’s loving creation. removed etc. We all have volumes of foundation for many of those The startling figure of 87% of 18-24 Freedom anecdotal evidence of this general private schools, includes these year-old Irish voters opting for trend over the last 20-25 years. fundamental objectives, among abortion in last year’s referendum DR. BÉNÉDICTE SAGE-FULLER mostly to educate those destined to As a French visiting student in an others: is a symbol of the current Irish edu- become clerics, then with more gen- Irish university 20 years ago, I was • To transmit to children rigor- cation programmes: young voters, eral schools for secular children. very impressed by the standard of ous and coherent knowledge and deprived of a life-giving Catholic, n old 1965 edition of Virtue’s It is also understood that from the education and general knowledge know-how necessary for them to classical education, rejected the Catholic Encyclopedia very beginning, the Catholic Church displayed by Irish students. This exercise their future freedoms beauty of procreation. Alying around at home, firmly held the teaching that the was a time where parts of French and responsibilities; In his recent book, The Disin- handed down from my husband’s education of the youth was the pri- society were waking up to this gen- • To form intelligence, will and herited, or the Urgency to Pass grandmother, contains under mary responsibility of their parents. eral “dumbing down” problem in its sensitivity in the child by impart- On Culture, French Catholic phi- the entry Education, Catholic: This point is law in Ireland, where public education system, and when ing on him/her the sense of losopher François-Xavier Bellamy “Behind every system of education in Article 42 of Bunreacht na hÉire- private schools started to appear. truth, of good and of beauty; asks: “What would we be without there must lie some body of beliefs ann, the State also unambiguously Twenty years on, the trend in the • To develop in the child his/her the culture that we have received- or traditions concerning man and “guarantees to respect the inalien- public system has continued, with critical sense, the knowledge of without this ensemble of signs, of society and, ultimately, concerning able right and duty of parents to catastrophic results. A 2007 report him/herself and of self-confi- representations, of texts, of knowl- human destiny. The more firmly provide, according to their means, of the French High Council of Edu- dence, respect for others and for edge that was transmitted to us, these traditions are held, the more for the religious and moral, intellec- cation noted that 15% of pupils nature, sense of effort, capacity and that do not cease to grow in us, coherent philosophy of life is tual, physical and social education entering secondary school could and taste to take responsibilities every day?” accepted with conviction, the more of their children”. not read, and 35% could not under- and to honour his/her commit- Culture is not a mere “baggage” anxious will be the community to As Catholic parents, therefore, stand what they read. ments; that we may need to go through life. make sure that these traditions we do not only have the right So, private schools flourish, and • To prepare the insertion of chil- It is the gateway through which we and this philosophy are handed in law, but the moral obliga- continue to be created at rising dren in the national community, fulfil our very personality. It does down to the next generation.” tion stemming from our Faith, to speed. In 2011, 31 new private in particular by transmitting to not augment what we have, but The article goes on to give a provide an education to our chil- schools were set up, and in 2017, them the knowledge and love for rather who we are. Just as there is short history of the efforts made dren, which is consistent with our the figure rose to 122. Today, we French culture, and by strictly an urgency to pass on French cul- in Christian Europe to provide for beliefs, our traditions relating to count about 1,300 entirely private restraining from promoting any ture to French children, there is an education for its youth, from the our society, and “ultimately, con- schools, hosting 65,000 pupils. kind of ideology. urgency to pass on Irish culture to 1st century AD. cerning human destiny”. Only 28% are denominational Irish children- so that they learn The Catholic Church, it will come We are rightly alarmed at current (Catholic, Jewish and Muslim), French Catholic private schools to love their profoundly Christian as no surprise, has been active in government projects concerning and many function on tight budg- follow classical programmes to Irish culture; to love God’s crea- this space from its inception, ini- RSE in primary and secondary ets, so as to make them accessible achieve those objectives. Chil- tion; and to love their Faith- to tially with catechetical schools schools, and about the quasi-aban- to as many parents are possible. dren learn French culture, with make them free. 14 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019

LOURDES Malahide pilgrimage 28th Aug- PADRE Pio pilgrimage. May 30th-June €1 per word; 2nd Sept with Sp. Dir. Wheelchairs and 6th, 7 nights, visiting Padua, Alba (resort), Box No. €3.00 extra helpers if required. All welcome. Contact Loreto, San Giovanni. Sp. Dir. Flights Jo 087 616 3648. ex-Dublin. Flights, air conditioned coach, accommodation, airline, taxes, charges, BREDA: 01 404 8187 FATIMA 13th June 2019, 7 nights, full travel insurance, trips, and assistance of CLASSIFIEDS board €759. Sp. Dir. Contact Joan Bourke JWT reps included. Further information 061 600 951. contact Nuala: 086 069 1616 or ACCOMMODATION LIFE in the Spirit Seminar by Brendan Walsh, TIPPERARY lady, early 50s, seeks male, JWT 01 241 0816. at Muintir Mhuire, Ballybutler, Ladysbridge, similar age, from Tipperary or surrounding CHRISTMAS pilgrimage group to the APARTMENT to rent in Medjugorje 3-bed- Co. Cork, P25 R766. Commencing Monday counties, for friendship. Tel: 086 845 1469. Holyland. Ex-Dublin 19th-27th December. room. Lift access. All mod cons. 5 mins from April 15th, 7.30-8.30pm approx. Over a 7 Also Holyland 31st October-8th Novem- RELIGIOUS WEST of Ireland lady, 53, single, likes church. Tel: 086 105 5388. week period. Brendan Walsh works with ber 2019. Taking in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, music, walks, reading, eating out, no ties, HOLYFACE Reparation books, medals, the Catholic teaching and healing ministry. (Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, MEDJUGORJE apartments to rent. One and Tel: 086 254 6017. wltm gent for friendship/relationship. & various scapulars. Write to: Michael Box 2104. Last Supper Room and Calvary), Mount Gormley, 68 Melvin Rd, Terenure, Dublin 6W. two bed. 5 mins from church. Lifts, air con, Tabor, Cana, Nazareth, Jericho, River balcony. Tel: 068 32 788 / 087 149 6338. PROOF reading and translation service. MAYO gent, 70s, active, likes sightseeing Jordan, Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee. Pay- THINKING about a vocation? Interested in wwwapartmentsinmedjugorje.com Proof-reading of texts in both English and German languages. Written translations and eating out, wltm lady similar age, for ment can be made in instalments. Contact knowing about the Dominican friars? Visit friendship and outings. Box 2105. James Treacy 086 057 2216. www.dominicans.ie WANTED Mature person looking to rent from German into English. Friendly personal service. Tel: 089 418 1197. longterm or shorterm, or buy an apartment in SINCERE friendly widow early 70s, wltm PILGRIMAGE to Fatima and Lisbon, Alicante. Text or phone Mary 087 3556559. CHARITY shop, Graiguenamanagh, Co. similar type gent for friendship and possible ex-Dublin, (last remaining seats), for feast OUR LADY Kilkenny seeks items, bric-a-brac, good relationship. Dublin area. Box 2106. day of St. Anthony, 9-14th June, 2019. MEDJUGORJE Local family accom. clothing to sell for the homeless. Items can Contact James Treacy 086 057 2216. En-suite rooms; groups welcome too. REFINED Dublin gent, 71 years, 5’9.5”, be collected. Tel 086 061 6537. OF FATIMA Mobile 0044 7714264849, viber, whats-up med build, NS, SD, exceptional sense of MEDJUGORJE Easter: Eleanor Healy Five First email: [email protected] humour, wltm nice lady to share life and Group. April 19th for 7 nights. Enquiries to NOVENA dreams with. Box 2107. 086 865 0708 or 087 235 1294. Saturdays Devotion LADY seeks a lady companion to share Old Parish Church, Knock Shrine, on house, own room, occasional help. Car DEAR Sacred Heart of Jesus I ask you this PILGRIMAGES TRIPS to Portugal in August and Septem- owner required. Tipperary area. Box 2101. very special favour (mention it). Take it, dear ber. 7 days, afternoon flights, ex-Dublin. first Saturday of each month at 11am. Heart of Jesus, and place it in your broken DIVINE Mercy pilgrimage, Krakow, April Four star accommodation. Fully inclusive Mass at 12pm with Enrolment in the Heart where your Father can see it. Then 25-30, Sept 5-10, from £479. Contact prices from €875. Visiting Lisbon and the Brown Scapular. MISCELLANEOUS in his merciful eyes, it will become your Danny 028 (Rol 048) 9024 5547. birthplace of St. Anthony, the beautiful resort favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for of Cascais, the royal town of Sintra, and Our Lady’s Promise: ALOE VERA Forever living products. 3 days, promise publication and favour will MEDJUGORJE dentist, Dr. Davor Planinic. the sanctuary of Fatima. Buffet breakfasts, She would, “assist at the hour of Distributor: Phil Colgan 01 628 1436; be granted. Never known to fail. JB, Felicity. White fillings, porcelain crowns, dental all dinners (with drinks), some lunches, full death, with the graces necessary for 086 243 7653. implants. High quality work & excellent coaching, all tours, baggage fees and taxes salvation, the souls who make the standards. 00387 36651889; 00387 included. All rooms with tea making facili- HEALTH and wellness company requires PERSONAL First Five Saturdays”. 63447840. www.dr.planinic.com ties, balcony and kitchenette. 057 935 help, flexible hours work from home. Part REFINED, retired, Kildare lady, 67, 5050, mornings only, www.culturalconnec- Coming Dates MEDJUGORJE 2019, from Shannon, time and full time earnings available email wltm like minded gent for friendship etc. 4th Sept. Book before 1st Feb to avail of tions.eu Licensed with the Commission for Saturday, 6th April 2019 [email protected] or phone Anita 087 062 4108. Tel: 087 228 8511. €675pps. Call John O’Brien 086 858 6304. Avitation Regulation TAO776. Saturday, 4th May 2019 DO you suffer from aches and pains? CHEERFUL dignified lady from Royal FATIMA pilgrimage 2019, 1st July, €674, Why not call and find out about our amazing MEDJUGORJE special offer, 28th May, 7 County, keen sense of humour, widow, nights. Sp. Dir. Fr. Desmond Brannigan. 3rd 5 nights. MEDJUGORJE pilgrimages 2019, supplement called Move? Phone Anita USEFUL SERVICES family grown-up, interested in walking, thea- Sept Fr. Oliver Brennan. Tel: Phyllis Mulligan 19th April, 7 nights, €689; 5th Sept, 7 nights, 087 062 4108 or email [email protected] tre, dancing, would like to hear from refined, 087 202 8492. €725. Call Anna Brady 049 433 6291. ISLE of Man seasonal appointment. educated gent, widower, preferred from Experienced gardener/general handyman TAHITIAN Noni Juice. To order call surrounding area, to share coffee and con- MEDJUGORJE 2019. 4th Sept, €725, required. Accommodation provided for Geraldine on 087 673 0717. versation. Age range 70s/80s. Box 2102. 7 nights, accompanied by Fr. Tommy MARIAN summer season. Box 2108. Marrinan. Call Marie Grimes 091 631 210. SOCIAL club, central Dublin, fun activities, PILGRIMAGES MEATH gent, wltm decent, honest, kind- Renew our spirit of Love, Forgiveness & Peace games, parties, quizzes, annual outing, hearted, attractive lady, for friendship, MEDJUGORJE 3rd-10th July ex-Belfast. ALL unwanted home waste removed. Cookers, fridges, beds, suites, wardrobes, weekend break. Friendly atmosphere. 50-60 years, active, Catholic, NS. Replies Sp. Dir. Fr. Jonathan Flood. Contact Rose carpets, etc, removed and disposed of in Tel: 087 631 2116. with phone number. Box 2103. MEDJUGORJE GROUP Boyle 085 284 9034. PILGRIMAGE 2019 proper manner. No job too small or big. Contact Tommy 087 640 6015. 18 - 25 September - €675 • If you are an individual donor Price includes €50 discount REFACE your kitchen. We change kitchen MEDJUGORJE MASS LUCAN cabinet doors, and worktops. Free esti- CLAIM (PAYE or Self-Assessed) and 7 night pilgrimage package St. Mary’s Lucan, mates. Tel: 01 862 4647. TAX ON your total donation to ALIVE! Departing from Knock was €250 or more in 2017 we April 11th @ 6.30 pm Accompanied by TYPEWRITERS & dictating machines, YOUR can reclaim your tax. Fr. Tommy Cummins PILGRIMAGE repairs, sales, ribbons, most makes, Tel: 01 830 9333. DONATION Please ask us for a form or & Fr. Willie Hennessey May 10th: 5 nights....€549 pps Tel 01 4048 187 for more info. May 6th: 9 nights...... €649pps For more information please contact To advertise Anne Keadin May 3rd: 12 nights..... €739pps ALIVE! is a • If you are a company and your in , registered charity. donation to ALIVE! was €250 or 086 376 6293 ALIVE! more in 2017 you can claim tax Pat & Phil 087 223 8911 or email: call Breda DUBLIN - (01) 878 8159 [email protected] relief on your donation. BELFAST - (028) 9568 0005 (01) 404 8187

feeding the hungry, visiting the In a short time the team produc- throughout the month. Dan loved LIVES OF THE SAINTS imprisoned, but enlightening the ing The Catholic Worker began to his horse – which he called Catho- ignorant and rebuking the unjust. grow, and to grow into a kind of lic Action. He said, presumably with We were ready to “endure wrongs family – literally as well as meta- his tongue buried deep in his cheek, patiently” for ourselves (this is phorically. It attracted young people that it was a pious horse and that DOROTHY DAY another of the spiritual works of and some of them made it their when he passed St. Patrick’s Cathe- mercy) but we were not going to profession. Others worked for it in dral on Fifth Avenue, the horse PART 27 While she was a pacifist, she be meek for others, enduring their their spare time, selling it on streets genuflected. Dan was anything but did not shy away for the lan- wrongs patiently.” of Manhattan. Romantic attach- the personification of dignity, and orothy Day’s time with Marxist guage of warfare. Her arms were Peter Maurin was no fan of ments were formed and marriages just loved driving up Fifth Avenue, and communist street fighters her pen and her typewriter; her strikes. He used to quip when they followed. It attracted its share of preferably with students who had Dleft its mark on her and when weapon was journalism. “My reported on strikes and joined colourful characters. One of these volunteered their help, shouting, she began to be won over to the evan- whole life had been in journalism picket lines to interview strik- was Big Dan Orr. Dan had been a “Read The Catholic Worker” at the gelical pacifism of Peter Maurin this and I saw the world in terms of ing workers, “Strikes don’t strike truck driver and a policeman. Peter top of his lungs and jolting the busy was not easy for her. She continued class conflict. I did not look upon me.” He used these occasions to helped to reignite his faith and soon New Yorkers going to and fro in to show her teeth in her journal- class warfare as something to be come out on the picket line to he was heading out on the streets their pursuit of wealth. ism and was criticised by some for stirred up, as the Marxist did. I distribute leaflets upon which every morning with his bundle of Ironically this horse and cart was engaging in what they called class did not want to increase (the suf- some single point was made. “To The Catholic Worker and bags of rented from a pro-Nazi German on war tactics. She resented this and fering that) was already there, change the hearts and minds of food and clothing to distribute to East 16th Street. “It rejoiced our felt it was unjust. She retorted, partly but to mitigate it. When we were men,” he said. His objective was the needy as he found them. hearts”, Dorothy recalled in her excusing herself, with the words of invited to help during a strike, “to give them vision—the vision Dan eventually rented a horse memoirs, “to move a Jewish family St. Augustine: “The bottle always we went to perform the works of of a society where it is easier for and wagon for this work – the paper into their new quarters with this smells of the liquor it once held.” mercy, which include not only men to be good.” was initially a monthly but was sold man’s equipment.” APRIL 2019 ALIVE! | 15

CROSSWORDPRIZE CROSSWORD NO. 233 • APRIL 2019 CRYPTIC CLUES: €25 for the first correct entry out of the bag. Entries before Wednesday, 10th April. Kids Corner €25 One entry per family. Winner & answers next month. NO. 233 Dia dhaoibh a pháistí, 12 3 4 5 Lent has started again this year, COLOURING COMPETITION - WIN €10 188 and during Lent we remember the 6 7 time when Jesus went into the desert to pray. Lent begins on Ash Wednes- 8 9 day, the day after Pancake Tuesday. Sometimes we give up sweets and 10 chocolate during Lent too, this is 11 12 13 called fasting. When Jesus went into the desert He was there for a really long time, forty days and forty nights and during this time, to help Him 14 15 pray he also fasted. Sometimes Jesus would get hungry in the desert and the Devil would try to make fun of Jesus for what He was doing. Jesus 16 17 18 19 20 knew what the Devil was doing was wrong and prayed to God to help Him to ignore him. 21 Sometimes people can make fun 22 of you for doing what is right and good, that’s when you should pray to God and to Jesus to help you. 23 24 Slán go fóill,

Aisling ACROSS DOWN ✃ 1. AnnoyACROSS animal (6) 2. DOWNCause confusion when oar’s top is broken (5) 4. Type1. Annoy of talk about animal this dance (6) style? (4) 3. 2. Kerry Cause player confusioninvolved in the whenYalgoo Cheetahs oar’s (5) 8. I’d gone around to see Israelite leader (6) 4. Military group chooses short month at which 9. Gleans4. Type different of perspectivestalk about (6) this dance topto returnis broken (5) (5) 11. He’sstyle? seen in (4) a spine tingling New Testament book! (9) 5. 3.Loves Kerry other player rodents (5)involved in the 14. Be8. left I’d out gone of inheritance? around Search to see is on (5) 6. YalgooCrazy Luigi Cheetahs takes me out (5) to find fruit (4) Join the dots 15. When you’re stuck right in a fraud, beat it! (5) 7. Encounters Eastern leader returning with admiration (6) to reveal the Israelite leader (6) 4. Military group chooses short 16. Rearrangement9. Gleans needed different for Communist movement? (9) 10.month Request atfor toplesswhich dance to return- looking suspicious!(5) (7) image. 21. Go against Pope so upsetting (6) 12. Step A: mash into a purée (5) 22. Countyperspectives flag? (6) (6) 13.5. Small Loves crisp othermade from rodents spinach offshoots(5) (5) 23. Act11. in He’a theatres seen production in a (4) spine tingling 14.6. One Crazy in five childrenLuigi takeshas nothing me but out a vegetarian to 24. SmallNew horse Testament appears in me book! returning (9) to place findoption? fruit (6) (4) named14. Be after left a person out (6)of inheritance? 16.7. Fight Encounters off returning leper!Eastern (5) leader 17. Princess is bashful and attractive (5) ✃ Search is on (5) 18.returning One small publication with admirationhas nothing for mature (6) adult? (5) SOLUTION TO MARCH CROSSWORD: ACROSS: NAME 15. When you’re stuck right in a 19.10. Type Request of state a childminder for topless can get dance in? (5) - 1. Laryngitisfraud, 8.beat Running it! (5)9. Molar 10. Star 11. Limb 20.looking Separate piecesuspicious! (4) (7) ADDRESS 12.Ted 14. Hiding 15. Flying 18. Law 20. Ague 21. Oval 23. Ewing16. 24.Rearrangement Hidalgo 25. Petrolhead. needed DOWN: 1. Lanyard for 12. Step A: mash into a 2. RuinCommunist 3. Noggin 4. Immobile movemnent? 5. Inlet 6. Crash-helmet (9) puréeMARCH (5) CROSSWORD WINNER: 7. Prodigal Son 13. Endanger 16. Invalid 17. Bushel 19. Martha Larkin, Rosebank Court, 21. Go against Pope so 13. SmallMoville, crisp Co. made Donegal. from AGE Whiteupsetting 22. Edge (6) spinach offshoots (5) 22. County flag? (6) 14. One in five children has Return to ALIVE! St. Mary’s Priory, Tallaght, Dublin 24. NAME23. Act in a theatre nothing but a vegetarian production (4) option? (6) UNSCRAMBLE THESE LENTEN WORDS ADDRESS LENT COLOURING COMPETITION 24. Small horse appears in me 16. Fight off returning leper! (5) WINNER FOR MARCH WAS: 1 The day we get ashes: 2 How long was Jesus in the desert: 3 We celebrate this after Lent: 4 This day happens during Lent: returning to place named after a 17. Princess is bashful and SAH DNESYADEW FTORY YDAS ETASRE TS PTRAKCIS YAD Éabha Ryder, person (6) attractive (5) Belgard Close, TELEPHONE

Kingswood, Tallaght, 18. One small publication has

ST. PATRICKS DAY PATRICKS ST. EASTER DAYS FORTY WEDNESDAY ASH 4 3 2 1 Dublin 24. Age 7. Solution to ALIVE! St. Mary’s Priory,nothing Tallaght,for mature adult?Dublin (5) 24. ANSWERS: 19. Type of state a childminder can get in? (5) 20. Separate piece (4) DUMBAG WRITES... LETTERS FROM A MASTER TO A TRAINEE TEMPTER

Mums working tirelessly. Dads work- ing too. All in the name of equality. Kids in The State needs to protect the childcare. Solution to March Crossword:All that nonsense from those so-called Across: 1.Laryngitis 8. Running leading thinkers in developmental psychol- 9. Molar 10. Star 11. Limb 12. Ted 14. Hiding 15. Flyingogy, who 18. thinkLaw that attachment in the early mother’s place OUTSIDE the home years is the quintessential point in a develop- 20. Ague 21. Oval 23. Ewing 24. Hidalgo 25. Petrolhead.ing healthy mind, that needs to be brushed like men. And let’s trick society into thinking work like they don’t have kids,Down: and also1. Lanyard to under 2. Ruinthe carpet. 3. Dear dastardly Nettles, parents also have to perfectly raise their kids raise kids like they don’t have Noggincareers. 4. ImmobileWe 5. need Inlet to 6. get society to focus on some e need to get at the women. Have as if they don’t work at all. They’ll spend all their time workingCrash-helmet to pay 7. other Prodigal positive Son aspect of early education to you ever heard the term “the hand It’s a recipe for misery. childcare, juggling the pick-ups13. and Endanger drops- 16.really Invalid distract 17. them from the truth of the Wthat rocks the cradle, rules the We need to bombard Ireland with the offs, and then be too tired to spendBushel time 19. Whitewith 22.damage Edge. caused by separating mums and world”? equality lie - the lie that it’s archaic for a their spouse and kids. babies for most of the week. We need to work hard at getting the con- woman’s place to be at home with her small They will be cranky and stressed and will Let’s work hard at getting the Irish people stitutional protection of women in the home children. have no time to things like prayers and faith to remove that “women’s place in the home” removed from the Bunreacht. They are doing We can’t let them see that this constitu- formation. clause. far too good of a job raising their children to tional provision protects dependant women Rather than put pressure on the govern- Get rid of it for good become focused faithful Holy adults. in a vulnerable position; that it recognises ment to protect such an important piece of Let’s use that old lie about equality. the unique and essential role a mother plays legislation, and to put measures in place to Your distastefully ... Women are just as good at everything as men in her children’s lives. protect and nurture that essential factor in (actually they’re way better but shhh about We can make everyone miserable by put- growing healthy societies - mums being close that for now) so that we can get them to work ting mothers under inordinate pressure to to their babies - we need it out. Dumbag 16 | ALIVE! APRIL 2019 SPORT

portrait on his right shoulder of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, while on his arm is a rose window DOMINUS based on one found in the Sagrada

Photo: soccer.ru. Familia church in Barcelona. Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has a cross and REGIT ME ET rosary beads and what appears to be Jesus on his right arm, along with Antwerp Cathedral. Ant- werp in Belgium is the place he NIHIL MIHI calls home. Legendary Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has the words “Only God Can Judge Me” writ- DEERIT ten onto his body. In amongst the huge number hatever one may think Latin words “Dominus Regit of tattoos on the body, arms of tattoos, they have me et Nihil Mihi Deerit” written and hands of Real Madrid and Wbecome popular among onto his right arm, which are the Spain’s Sergio Ramos are ones sports people. opening lines to Psalm 22 in the of Jesus and his Mother, Mary, People have been said to get Bible, best known as The Lord is while Catholic images are very tattoos for cultural – or sub-cul- my shepherd, there is nothing I evident on the bodies of Bra- tural – reasons, for personally shall want, or The Lord rules or zilians Marcelo, Neymar and significant reasons, because they guides or directs or leads me, and Dani Alves. want to look cool, or because they nothing to me will be wanting Marcelo’s body carries a tattoo contain a design that is consid- or lacking. depicting Jesus and Neymar’s ered attractive or artistic. In Olivier’s own words: God religious beliefs are evident in the They may get them for rebel- is my shepherd and nothing will word “Corintias”, which refers to lious reasons or to cover meet me. a verse from the Bible, along with blemishes such as scars, or Manchester City goalkeeper praying hands, accompanied by because they simply want to Ederson has “I Belong To Jesus” the word “fe”, which means faith, make a statement about their written across his chest, while and high on his back is the word feelings or beliefs. In sport, such fellow Brazilian, Liverpool striker “Blessed”. statements can often be based Roberto Firmino, has “God is Dani Alves has a tattoo depict- on religious beliefs. Football, or faithful” written in Greek on his ing Jesus and the cross and, in soccer, contains many examples body and, beneath a crown on his keeping with many of the people of these. neck, the Latin word “Dominus”, listed above, love of family is also A World Cup winner with or God. revealed and expressed within France in 2018, and one of Angels are common football- his tattoos. Europe’s leading strikers, ers’ tattoos, including across the Whatever one may think of tat- Antoine Griezmann’s right arm back of the now-retired David toos, these players express belief carries an image of Jesus Christ, Beckham, but religious symbols in God through their body art along with rosary beads, clouds or imagery are manifold, particu- and, as such, manifest the impor- and stars. larly Catholic ones. tance of God in their lives. They are powerful and intriguing wit- Fellow French World Cup Arguably the world’s great- Cristian Ramírez winner Olivier Giroud has the est player, Lionel Messi, has a nesses to faith. Sport takes a back seat - not just the back page

man collapsed in the parade-ring at My mind flicked to a recent Irish Inde- take satisfaction in and applaud people who, March 24th, with the Football League Divi- Dundalk Stadium on Friday March 1st. pendent headline that read, ‘Church-run through, dedication, work, skill and perse- sion 3 and 4 finals for March 30th and the AThe track’s medical team were quickly hospitals urged to ditch religious symbols’. verance go beyond what they may have seen Football League Division 1 and 2 finals for at his side and, as the rain fell, worked tire- The harshness of the language was self-evi- as their limits. March 31st. lessly to save him. Ultimately, tragically, the dent. The irony grates against the words of Willie Buckley loved sport, not least In Rugby Union, the Champions Cup man, Willie Buckley, died. The stadium had An Taoiseach when we welcomed Pope Fran- racing, in which his family has strong con- quarter-finals will be staged on March 30th long-since fallen silent and remained that cis August 2018: nections with the internationally-famous and 31st, including Leinster v Ulster in the way. There was a huge sense of shock and “People of profound Christian faith … Coolmore Racehorse-Breeding Group and Aviva Stadium, Dublin. The semi-finals sadness, and not just because Willie, a jovial, founded our oldest hospitals, staffed them, at Goodwood racecourse in England. He and will then run on April 19-21. The European friendly, widely-liked man, was known at the and provided welfare for so many of our his family took delight in racing, and sport in Challenge Cup quarter-finals will run from stadium through his security duties with the people. We think of the many wonderful general. There is huge sadness and shock in March 29-31, with the semis taking place Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. organizations today who continue that work his passing. over April 19-21. Out of respect, the remainder of the meet- … It is easy to forget that the Irish State, Sport in the month ahead will include The first major of the golfing year will be ing was called off. founded in 1922, did not set up a Department horse racing’s Aintree’s Grand National the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in What came across strongly from observing of Health or a Department of Social Welfare fixture (April 4-6), the Scottish Grand Georgia, USA (April 11-14). Snooker’s World the medical team was its immense desire to until 1947.” National meeting in Ayr (April 12-13), the Championship runs from April 20th to May save Willie’s life. This was not borne of duty Christianity is a way of peace, love, tol- Punchestown Festival (April 30 to May 4) 6th. The second round of the new Formula but a genuine, instinctive sense of caring for erance, understanding and, yes, caring. Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival (April 21-23) One motor racing season will take place in life. This is most likely what led to them to Anyone who deviates from these principles is and Cork’s Easter Festival (April 20-22). Bahrain (March 29-31), followed by Shang- joining the profession they are in. They cared not reflecting Christianity. In football, the Champions League quar- hai in China (April 12-14). for his life. Care is an important word, a pow- The main races from Dundalk’s March 1st ter-finals will be played on April 9th and 10th History will remember Roger Federer as erful word. meeting have been re-run. Sport, as we said (first legs) and April 16th and 17th (second one of the most-gracious and brilliant sports Anyone who has been to the Mater Hos- last month, is the most important of unim- legs). The semi-finals will be played on April people of any generation. He added further pital in Dublin may have read the ‘mission portant things. Such things as Willie’s death 30th and May 1st and May 7th and 8th. to his standing when, on March 2nd, he statement’, discreetly placed on corridor place this in an even keener perspective. In GAA, Donegal’s motion that Dublin became only the second tennis player after walls. It emphasises the word care and that Within it all, sport is indeed fairly incon- play two Super 8s matches away from Jimmy Connors in 1975 to register 100 tour- those who founded the hospital did so in sequential. It does, though, in its own way, Croke Park was defeated and Dublin chase level titles in the open era when winning the response to the teachings and ministry of matter. Sport enables us to escape at times Kerry to get to the League Final. The Alli- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. It is Jesus Christ. from the pressures and worries of life and to anz Hurling League Division 1 final is set for a pleasure to be able to witness such talent.

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