Journeys of Faith: Following the pilgrim paths across Europe – Pages 36 & 37

THE GIFT MICHAEL NOT SO OF LIFE KELLY NORMAL Leaving a legacy could As Europeans return A vision of sex beyond be your biggest act of to Mass, our long a television show generosity Pages 15-28 Lent continues Page 2 Page 32

Thursday, May 21, 2020 €2.00 (Stg £1.70) f The-Irish-Catholic-Newspaper L @IrishCathNews www.irishcatholic.com

Stay safe – pray safe Relief as closed churches re-open for prayer

Chai Brady “In particular, we are keen to respond to the appeals from Feeling God’s closeness while keeping our distance Parishioners and priests those who find great comfort across the North have reacted in visiting their church for with a mixture of joy and private prayer, from couples relief after churches began who are anxious that they re-opening this week as part can proceed with their mar- of the relaxation of the coro- riage ceremony and from par- navirus lockdown. ents who wish to have their Bishop of Derry Donal child baptised,” they said in a McKeown told The Irish Cath- statement. olic that he is “delighted”. It comes as an online poll “It’s fine praying from of readers of The Irish Catho- home but I think people enjoy lic found that almost nine out being able to be in a sacred of 10 readers want a swifter space before the Blessed Sac- return to public Masses as rament. soon as it is safe to do so. “I think we’re clear enough In the online poll, readers ourselves that the next prior- were asked “if churches can ity would be ensuring that show – like other spheres of government allows us to have society – that small public small groups for baptisms gatherings can begin safely and small numbers for mar- with physical distancing and riages,” he said. hygiene measures, do you In Armagh Archdiocese, think small public Masses the motto for the re-opened should begin sooner than cur- churches is ‘stay safe – pray rently planned?” safe’. Of those who expressed an opinion, 87% – almost nine Tradition out of 10 – said they think that small public Masses should Archbishop Eamon Mar- Every morning throughout May, lifelong friends and neighbours, Peggy Coffey (83) and Imelda Coffey (94) visit begin sooner than currently tin joined with leaders of the Grotto on Rock Road, Killarney, to recite the Rosary together. Both manage social distancing and miss going other Christian tradition to planned”. Just 13% voted ‘no’ welcome the re-opening of to Mass, but are happy watching the online Mass from nearby St Mary’s Cathedral, at 10.30am. Photo: Valerie churches in the North. » Continued on Page 2 O’Sullivan

MARY KENNY OUR GREAT POPE DAVID QUINN Ukraine’s ‘abandoned’ Remembering John Our bishops are being too surrogate babies Paul II a century after cautious when it comes to PAGE 5 his birth PAGES 12 & 13 return of public Masses PAGE 8

Little Nalukena has only Sight is one of the greatest gifts you can give. ever known pain… Please donate today. Call 01 663 7666 or visit www.sightsavers.ie Will you help us end P Sightsavers, 1st Floor, Spencer House, the agony of trachoma? Spencer Row, Freepost FDN5241, Dublin 1 © Sightsavers / Jason J Mulikita. Registered Charity Number CHY 15437. 2 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Inside this week As Europeans return to Mass, Holy Trinity Faith, music and our long Lent continues ministry works thought my first cappuccino for one deacon “ after 54 days was amazing, but being at Mass after 10 Editor’s Comment Page 34 I weeks was even better,” Róise McGagh a Roman friend said this week. Churches in the eternal city were Michael Kelly re-opened for public Masses this week after a long Lent. “It finally felt like Fr Ron Rolheiser Easter,” my friend wrote. Dealing with our Italy has been nature” and caused “damage week. There was precious and public spaces will open devastated by coronavirus. that was seriously and little in the communique but the churches will not. toughest hours At the time of writing, manifestly illegal”. that followed. Church Catholics will soon be able Last week COMECE – spokespersons have been Page 30 32,007 Italians have died to gather for physically of Covid-19 – but many the commission of the tight-lipped since. “There is distant common activity people fear that the real bishops’ conference of a plan,” I am told when I ask everywhere except in Blessings figure may actually be Europe – warned that the members of the hierarchy their churches. It’s a stark double that. ongoing suspension of why they believe the rest of truth if that is what indeed public Masses was a serious Children’s Corner The Italian hierarchy Europe can open for Masses transpires. threat to religious freedom. worked in close and we can’t. It’s not going to be It is not a body known for Mysteries and partnership with the civil easy to recommence exaggeration. authorities to ensure that Hairdressers, public worship. There are magic behind Catholics can now the churches could open ❛❛ serious questions about attend Mass in Spain, restaurants and washing up liquid safely on May 18. Teams Poland, Italy, the Czech access, cleaning, Holy from the army sanitised public spaces Page 34 Republic, Germany, Croatia, Communion, etc. – but these the churches and physical Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, will open but the are questions that arose in distancing is being Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, other countries as well and observed in the churches. churches will not” Managing Editor: Michael Kelly, [email protected] Norway, Luxembourg, faith communities were not found wanting. Northern Correspondent: Martin O’Brien, [email protected] Gatherings Austria, Romania, Greece. I understand the Portugal and Switzerland are concerns around health The Church in Ireland is Multimedia Journalists: Chai Brady, [email protected] Is it too soon? Public reopening in two weeks. and safety, and these are bruised, battered and tired. health officials evidently Róise McGagh, [email protected] Only in Ireland is the plan legitimate. But if other But surely there is the life to think not. The bishops in Aron Hegarty, [email protected] for public Masses nine weeks countries in Europe can muster up the enthusiasm Italy have not moved any Newsroom: [email protected] 01 6874026 away. balance the risks with the for gathering together farther than they have Why is this? Are the benefits of religious practice for Mass that animated Books Editor: Peter Costello, [email protected] been permitted by the public health officials in it hardly seems outlandish countless generations of our Layout: Declan Moroney civil authorities. The same the countries listed above that the same can be true in forbearers. Surely? Advertising: [email protected] 01 6874094 is true in other European reckless? It seems unlikely. Ireland. As we prepare for countries. Accounts: [email protected] 01 6874020 Is there something about The garden centres Pentecost Sunday, we might A French court ruled Magnificat: Irish people that makes are open this week, soon make the ancient prayer of [email protected] this week that the them incapable of physically other retailers will follow. the Church our own: come Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday authorities must let distancing or sanitising their Hairdressers, restaurants Holy Spirit. 9.30am–5.30pm worshippers start going churches? Whatever our Shop: [email protected] back to Mass again next shortcomings as a people, it Managing Director: Garry O’Sullivan Tuesday. It said that since again seems unlikely that we France had permitted have less capacity than our Annual Subscription Rates: Ireland €145. Airmail €250. Six months – €75. gatherings of ten or more European neighbours. Laudato Si’ plans positive ISSN 1393 - 6832 - Published by The Irish Catholic, people for social reasons, The Taoiseach Leo 23 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Printed by Webprint, Cork. the ban on public Masses Varadkar hosted a meeting move says Trócaire was “disproportionate in with Church leaders last Place an Advert Jane Mellet, Laudato Si’ Róise McGagh Phone 01 687 4094 or [email protected] officer with Trócaire told The A year-long initiative dedi- Irish Catholic: “To go for a cated to study of the Pope’s year-long drive is something landmark 2015 encyclical on really important and timely. I think they see the link creation Laudato Si’ has been between our current health hailed as a positive move by crisis and the environmental the Church’s development crisis and they’re seeing it as Appointed to the Legal Panel of Sage Advocacy agency Trócaire. an opportunity to shape the (a support and advocacy service for vulnerable adults) Announced on May 16 way the world goes back to during Laudato Si’ week by ‘normal’. PERSONAL INJURY SOLICITORS the Dicastery for Promoting “I think it’s a renewed call Road Traffic Accidents, Trips &Falls, Workplace Injuries, Integral Human Develop- and a renewed reminder of Medical Negligence & all other types of personal injury claims. ment, the Vatican-sponsored the urgency that we have LET'S WORK FOR A BETTER SOCIETY FOR event will run until May 24 this window in time,” she PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: Sales, Purchase, Leases & 2021. said. OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. Property Management. LEAVE A LEGACY FOR LIFE. ESTATE MANAGEMENT: Enduring Power of Attorney, Wills & Probate Support the Pro Life Campaign in your will. FAMILY LAW: Mediation, Collaborative Law and Litigation, ‘Stay safe, pray safe’ Surrogacy and Fertility Law. Staff reporter » Continued from Page 1 The Pro Life Campaign promotes pro-life SOLICITOR saying they believe that public Masses should not return education and defends human life at all stages. Sharon McElligott B.B.S | Veronica Ann Kelly M.S. For more info visit www.prolifecampaign.ie sooner, even if it is safe to do so. Contact us today to order a copy of our Wills leaflet. LEGAL EXECUTIVE Meanwhile, while lots of churches in the Republic did not Sheila Toher M.I.I.L.Ex close for private prayer, many of those that did are starting to open their doors again. FOR EXPERT LEGAL * In contentious business, a solicitor Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan told The Irish Catholic ADVICE, PLEASE DO NOT may not charge fees as a percentage that “the decision was not taken lightly. HESITATE TO CONTACT US. of any award or settlement. “I have some reservations about it, in the interest of the wellbeing and safety of everyone. However on balance, con- 69 Patrick Street, Dun Laoighre, Co. Dublin, A96 WC60 sidering the spiritual wellbeing and the careful guidelines rec- Pro Life Campaign, Suite 60, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 [email protected] | 01 6629275 Tel +353 1 2303266 | Web: mmce.ie | [email protected] ommended it seems a reasonable decision,” he said. i See Page 6. The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | News ||3 Churches across Ireland to join in song for frontline staff who cannot record together Róise McGagh due to restrictions. Church- Come on in, the doors are open Musicians from churches based singers or musicians all over Ireland will come in the North or the Republic together in a song for front- are invited to download the line staff on Pentecost Sunday recording pack available from May 31. www.theirishblessing.com. The blessing will be a ren- The project opened for entries dition of the specially adapted on Monday and the deadline hymn Be Thou my Vision. for recordings is 12 noon on Submissions from different Friday, May 22. churches north and south of the border will be dedicated Blessings to local causes and also part of Fellow organiser, Philip a wider national tribute. McKinley, Dublin-based Fr Martin Magill PP, St Church of Ireland ordinand John’s Parish in Belfast is one said: “God blesses us abun- of the organisers said the idea dantly and is present with us, was inspired by a British ini- even in very difficult times. ❛❛ tiative to acknowledge the This song is an invitation dedication of those involved to lift our eyes, to shift our in providing essential ser- vision far beyond ourselves, vices. to him. Ireland is famous “We opened up right for its blessings, words to across the denominations encourage friends, family and and we chose a different way. neighbours along the journey. UK churches had 65 churches We want to bless those on the involved in theirs, but we frontlines with words of hope decided we will throw it and life and relationship with completely open and see who the creator of all things.” wants to take part. Once recordings are com- “We will hopefully have a pleted, churches will submit really good range across the these to the organising team denominations, the invitation where they will be consid- Bishop Fintan Monahan is to all the churches and all ered for inclusion in an all- of Killaloe reopened the denominations.” island version of the hymn. churches this week in his Submissions will be com- This final collaborative video diocese for private prayer The posed of a mix of videos will be released on YouTube in line with Government Magnificat: [email protected] from musicians and singers on Pentecost Sunday at 11am. guidelines. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Dominicans Primate urges suspension Truth has only of academic selection for One mode of Being kids in the North academic criteria set up their own process. Chai Brady Archbishop Eamon asked “in the best Archbishop Eamon Martin has appealed to interests of our children and schools” Catholic schools in the North to set aside the that the education community “support a traditional transfer tests which decide based suspension of the use of academic selection on academic selection which secondary for entrance to post-primary schools in school a child attends. September 2021”. In a letter sent this week to 165 schools He urged grammar schools to draw up (a support and advocacy service for vulnerable adults) across the dioceses of Armagh and Dromore, criteria for admission that do not rely on the Archbishop Eamon insisted that children are tests and insisted that he had no desire to under enough pressure due to coronavirus. “re-open the arguments for and against the Road Traffic Accidents, Trips &Falls, Workplace Injuries, The so-called 11+ exams to decide on transfer tests”. Medical Negligence & all other types of personal injury claims. whether a child could be admitted to At the time the 11+ was abolished, grammar schools or not were abolished in members of the hierarchy were sharply Sales, Purchase, Leases & 2008. However, some schools that wanted critical of Catholic schools that wished to Property Management. to continue to select children based on retain academic selection. Enduring Power of Attorney, Wills & Probate New Adoration Companion launched by Magnificat "The high-minded man must care more Mediation, Collaborative Law and Litigation, ion describes the book as “a readings and hymns. Surrogacy and Fertility Law. Staff reporter treasury of teachings, prayers, The Adoration Companion for Truth than for what people think." The publishers of Magnifi- meditations and witnesses can be ordered now exclu- cat magazine have launched from the saints to help guide sively from The Irish Catholic - Aristotle Sharon McElligott B.B.S | Veronica Ann Kelly M.S. you in one of the most beauti- and bulk discounts are avail- an Adoration Companion to ful and elevated devotions of able to parishes and prayer assist Catholics during Adora- Sheila Toher M.I.I.L.Ex the Catholic Faith: Adoration groups. Limited stock avail- tion of the Blessed Sacrament, of the Blessed Sacrament”. able. a practice that seems to have i * In contentious business, a solicitor Fr White says it is a pow- For more information Vocations Director - Fr Colm Mannion OP increased during the Covid 19 erful resource to help guide contact Elica on 01-6874024, may not charge fees as a percentage period. Catholics in prayer dur- or send an e-mail to of any award or settlement. Mobile: 086-0864420 | Email: [email protected] Fr Sebastian White op ing Adoration and contains [email protected] or who edited the Compan- prayers, litanies, Scripture [email protected] 69 Patrick Street, Dun Laoighre, Co. Dublin, A96 WC60 Tel +353 1 2303266 | Web: mmce.ie | [email protected] 4 | News || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 New study aims to Don’t ‘hide behind fear’ gauge impact of say motor Mass priest virus on Church with the Rosary and then we ty’s there”. bution of the host, and similar Chai Brady go straight into Mass every “Again I suppose, the one to online Mass there is a spir- Staff reporter A Kerry priest who is celebrat- evening,” he said. thing I would be saying is itual communion. ing car park Masses for people “Rather than closed doors we can’t let fear dominate “The big challenge that The Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education (MDCCE) struggling or unable to watch and places being sealed off, us either, we can’t go to a we’re going to have, whether aims to assess how the coronavirus pandemic has affected online Mass has said “we can’t there is this little venture, stage where we hide behind it’s a month or two months l churchgoers with a new survey published last week. let fear dominate us”. and of course we have to be fear and deliver nothing, we or five months, is how to get Dr Gareth Byrne, Director of the MDCCE, said: “It is Fr Kevin McNamara PP of very realistic and very, very have to strive to be faithful people to receive Holy Com- important to document the response of churchgoers to cautious.” to what we’ve been called to Moyvane, who started cel- munion because that’s the the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on their faith lives and ebrating outdoor Masses Some of his parishioners do and that is to bring people biggest heartache and pain, connection with Church. with his congregation, who don’t have access to streamed together and bring Jesus to people can’t receive the bread “We hope to capture evidence of people’s experiences stay in their cars throughout, Masses, so “they’re cut off”, Fr people.” of life and there is a real genu- during this time, as well as indicators of possibilities and said there has been a “great McNamara explained, “we’re learning for the future.” response”. giving people encouragement Communion ine spiritual hunger for that,” The survey questions how people have coped with the “They’re seeing their priest that we’re moving in the right There have been up to Fr McNamara said. pandemic and whether it strengthened or weakened their and I see them as well and direction, the country’s open- 50 cars in the carpark of the Previously the parish set faith. It also asks how it has been for clergy and ministry even though we’re apart, at ing up a little bit, we have to Church of the Assumption for up a ‘drive through’ Stations teams trying to work during the crisis. that time of Eucharist we’re walk before we can run in this Sunday Mass, according to Fr of the Cross on Good Friday in together. We start at 7.15pm situation so again the difficul- McNamara. There is no distri- the carpark. Experience The hope is to capture evidence of people’s experience, the ministry they’ve received or given, and what people Sacrament on the road in Priorswood NEWS think will happen to churches after the pandemic. Researchers at York St John University recently IN BRIEF initiated an empirical study of these issues in discussion with bishops, clergy and lay people in England, Scotland New research and Wales. starts on 12th Working with them, the MDCCE at DCU is making l During this lockdown period, I’ve been this survey available within the Irish context. It can Century Gospel be found at:https://yorksj.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ manuscript given the Law of Sunday, to be brought back SV_0NW4P1ZZDmuAPEF A new research project into the links between holy men and women and para-texts and annotations of He became a saint through penance for a 12th Century Gospel manu- O Riain’s scholarly an earlier homicide. Conall’s bell is now in the script has begun in the Ches- As we are moving towards exiting the ter Beatty Library in Dublin. lockdown, I’ll bring this regular item to a close Laudato Si The project, funded by the Week Templeton Religion Trust, seeks to understand the way that manuscript para-texts From May 16 – 24, Pope Francis has influence the way readers- per ceive its message. invited the world to mark five years since Dr Garrick Allen, from Dub- the publication of his revolutionary lin City University’s School encyclical on the environment. of Theology, Philosophy and Music, will examine the library’s Catch up on the main ideas and action Western Collection 139, a 3 12th Century Byzantine Codex points of the document with our study of all four Gospels. “It has guide, Praised Be to You. almost every possible para-text that you could find,” says Dr Allen of the manuscript. “All of these para-texts reflect human engagement with the gospels 9 99 in a concrete way.” Limerick offers online hope to students 15 Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has urged Leaving Cer- tificate students to stay positive and realise that this exam will Fr Bryan Shortall OFM Cap. brings the Blessed Sacrament, via jeep, to the streets of not define them even if they Priorswood parish in Dublin. feel their hard work is now for nothing. Speaking about the centenary of the birth of St Pope John Paul II (May 18), Seamstresses unite to make Bishop Leahy reminded the students that in his visit to Lim- erick, the Pope reminded us masks for the vulnerable that we have to make choices regarding what kind of a soci- Cork Migrant Centre, with Speaking to The Irish ety we want and that the Coro- Aron Hegarty the support of the UCC Catholic, Emma Otten of SMI navirus has also given us time Available now for €7.99 A group of seamstresses University of Sanctuary, UCC said the initiative is having to reflect on this. FREE working in direct provision Feminist and Fáilte Refugees a “positive impact” on the Bishop Leahy said that on Special Price for Readers of centres have come together Societies. women involved and those June 3, the day exams were P&P The Irish Catholic to make over 1,000 face The SMI recruits women they help. due to start, at 7pm, Fr Chris masks a week to protect the living in direct provision “The initiative is designed O’Donnell and Limerick Dio- vulnerable from Covid-19. centres to produce hygiene to harness the strengths cese youth ministry co-ordi- A 01 6874094 M [email protected] The Sanctuary masks to distribute to of people living within the nator Aoife Walsh will offer Mask Initiative (SMI) residence in direct provision, Direct Provision system and students an online liturgy of www.irishcatholic.com/shop is spearheaded by the elderly in nursing homes give them a purpose during encouragement via webcam BetterTogether and the and other groups at risk. the Covid-19 crisis,” she said from St. John’s Cathedral. 01 6874028 23 2 The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Comment ||5 Ukraine’s ‘abandoned’ babies urrogacy is a that the number could be feminists, too, are often complicated issue up to 500 infants. According opposed to it – on the – the demand for to Grzegorz Górny, the local grounds that it is hiring Ssurrogacy services Mary Kenny reporter, over 40 swaddled another woman’s body certainly indicates that newborns have been left for money. But here’s the while there have been ‘abandoned’ and crying in dilemma: once the baby so many well-financed their cots. exists, there is surely a Dan (Martin Compston) pressures to get rid of Further financial moral requirement to extend and Emily (Sophie babies, there is also a problems arise as the love and care. The rescue Rundle) in The Nest. l strong global demand to Ukrainians are not happy of the surrogate babies President Trump acquire babies. Surrogacy is about having to support is entirely aligned with a [pictured] has caused big business. these infants indefinitely. pro-life mission, as well as shock and disapproval by saying that he takes A recent drama on BBC a humanitarian one. Simply the anti-malarial drug TV, The Nest, broadcast in Emergency because it’s a pitiful situation hydroxychloroquine April, portrayed a wealthy Some effort is being – and it can’t be in the child’s as a protection against Scottish couple desperate made, internationally, to best interests to be left the coronovirus. Some for a child. By chance, they allow the commissioning swaddled and crying in a experts say it’s not proven happen upon a troubled parents to travel to Kiev, clinic’s nursery ward. to work, and a run on the teenage girl who is willing spending time in quarantine. The Nest brought out the drug could deprive people to act as surrogate for them women act as surrogate reproductive company. Certainly, there should be psychological complexities who really need it for – for £50,000. Because mothers for ‘commissioning’ According to the New York an international emergency involved in surrogacy: the malaria. Mr Trump’s own the regulations are so couples from all over the Times, at least 100 new- action to rescue the infants – volatile emotions between doctor advises him it isn’t bureaucratic in Scotland, world. The commissioning born babies have been left as everyone knows, the first the ‘commissioning’ couple, doing any harm. they travel to the Ukraine couples can be assured that uncollected because the few weeks and months after Dan and Emily, and the There’s an ‘anti-malar- to organise the conception, the Ukrainian-born babies commissioning parents are birth are crucial for one-to- unreliable teenager, Kaya, ial’ drug that was always will be white. unable to travel to collect one bonding. which is accomplished who has herself had a widely used by travellers But now the coronavirus them. Surrogacy is not regarded with few questions asked. problem background – let (and journalists) going to has prompted a potential Another news source, the as ethically permissible by That was the first I knew alone the entanglements of Africa and India. It was tragedy with the Kiev online Remix website, claims the Catholic Church, and that the Ukraine is now money and power. called ‘gin and tonic’. The something of a world hub A rather patched-up users swore that the qui- l with mention of St Conall of Inishkeel, Co. for providing surrogacy for During this lockdown period, I’ve been happy ending is provided nine in the tonic and the perusing the early Irish saints as a way Donegal, who, on a pilgrimage to Rome, was couples, both heterosexual in the story, but it’s evident juniper in the gin were an of examining our roots, and the strong and homosexual. But so it given the Law of Sunday, to be brought back there could be trouble down excellent defence against to Ireland. is. The BioTex Center for links between holy men and women and the line. malaria. geographical location, as itemised in Human Reproduction in He became a saint through penance for Surrogacy is indeed I’m sure they’re now Dictionary of Irish Saints. Ukraine will do a surrogacy O Riain’s scholarly an earlier homicide. Conall’s bell is now in the complicated. The Ukrainian swearing it’s a defence British Museum, and his traditional feast day deal for the quite modest As we are moving towards exiting the situation illuminates that in against Covid-19! price of €9,900. Ukrainian lockdown, I’ll bring this regular item to a close is May 22. no small measure.

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01 6874028 | [email protected] | 23 MERRION SQUARE NORTH, DUBLIN 2 6 | News || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 87% want swifter return Govt asked for ‘clarity’ to safe public Masses over wedding restrictions Staff reporter Almost nine out of 10 readers of The Irish Catholic online “As I understand it, that Harris told RTÉ Radio 1’s tion to the Bunclody wed- want a swifter return to public Masses as soon as it is safe to Lorna Siggins wedding had been postponed Morning Ireland on Monday ding, the Garda Press Office do so, rather than the July 20 deadline set by the Government The Government has been already several times, and the (May 18) that the Govern- said that section 31 (a) of in the Republic. In the North, where a ban on churches called on to clarify whether priest had made an agreement ment would be working on the 1947 Health Act provides opening was lifted this week, there is no timeframe for church weddings and baptism that there would be under ten more detailed guidance about for a “graduated policing Masses to recommence. ceremonies can proceed with people in attendance, but the weddings over the next few response”. In an online poll, readers were asked “if churches can small numbers under phase gardaí then stepped in and weeks. It said this response had show – like other spheres of society – that small public stopped it,” Fr Carroll said. The Garda Press Office said been adopted in supporting one of Covid-19 restrictions. gatherings can begin safely with physical distancing and Fr John Carroll, Ferns dioc- “I’d be concerned we are that the Government road the Covid-19 public health hygiene measures, do you think small public Masses should esan secretary and communi- making rules for one section map on easing restrictions guidelines and regulations, begin sooner than currently planned?” cations officer in Co Wexford, of the community which is “envisages the opening of based on its tradition of polic- Of those who expressed an opinion, 87% said they think said there appeared to be unfair to another, and this is religious and places of wor- ing by consent. disconnect between Govern- a human rights issue,” he said. ship where social distancing “This has seen Garda that small public Masses should begin sooner than currently ment regulations and their “If there is clarity from can be maintained during members engage, educate, planned”. Just 13% voted ‘no’, saying they believe that public interpretation by the Garda. Government, we know phase four”. encourage and, as a last Masses should not return sooner, even if it is safe to do so. A clear directive to sol- where we stand,” he said. Phase four may be imple- resort, enforce,” it said. It comes a week after research by Amárach found that emnisers now would ensure “We don’t proceed until cou- mented from July 20. Larger In Britain, a petition is call- more Irish people are anxious to see a return to public Masses ceremonies in all churches ples have permission from the gatherings, also with social ing on the Government to put than to pubs and restaurants with almost a quarter ranking complied with regulations, State, but we also don’t want distancing, may be permitted a stop to weddings to enable churches in their top five not important. Fr Carroll suggested. It would to be making a law where one from phase five, provisionally couples who were due to When it came to restaurants and cafes, 21% of people also help to address “a lot of doesn’t exist,” he said. scheduled for August 10. be married to file insurance ranked them in the top five. Just eight percent of people anxiety” among people seek- Minister for Health Simon Asked to comment in rela- claims. ranked pubs in their top five while just one percent of people ing ceremonies, he said. ranked theatres and music venues in their top five things that Churches in the Ferns they would give priority to opening. diocese have remained open during the coronavirus, and a small number of ceremo- nies had been taking place, The Ascension he said. “Some 95% of weddings were postponed, but there of the Lord were a couple of cases where religious ceremonies were Some of the doors that The Sunday requested, along with bap- have kept people locked in tisms, and these took place have been opened in recent Gospel days, but there is still a long ❛❛ with numbers under ten as Fr Silvester per the instruction for funer- wait until all doors will be O’Flynn OFM Cap. als,” he said. opened. Religion has a huge role to play in sustaining time. God is not just up Concerns hope by remembering the there, but God is with us However, last week the bish- bigger picture of life. and in us. As Pope Francis We are celebrating the ❛❛ op’s office was contacted by put it, each one of us not gardai over concerns about a Ascension of the Lord to only has a mission but each wedding involving members heaven. St Luke tells us that one is a mission to bring The principal and First Communion teachers from Scoil Mhuire are pictured with Paul it was 40 days after the of the Travelling community Brazzill (cameraman) at Mass in Barntown, Co. Wexford. God’s love and compassion in Bunclody, Co Wexford. Resurrection. In the Bible, to others. “I have no hands 40 usually refers to a time now but yours.” of preparation. The Risen Lord appeared in various A new hope ways to the disciples to help The Ascension opens up the AVAILABLE NOW them in the transition from doors of heaven for us. This BEES ARE knowing him in human is beautifully expressed INCLUDING flesh to knowing him as the in the Preface for the Feast: “He ascended, not €. POSTAGE! unseen God through Faith. VITAL TO LIFE “Blessed are those who to distance himself from have not seen yet believe.” our lowly state but that ON EARTH. After Jesus it would truly be we, his members, might be a New Age…a new power, confident of following him a new mission and a new where he, our Head and hope. Founder, has gone.” YET EACH YEAR THEY’RE UNDER Stephen Hawkins EXTREME THREAT BECAUSE OF A new power described human life as Jesus promised: “You will HUMAN ACTIVITY. “chemical scum on an receive power when the average-sized planet, Holy Spirit comes upon James Morrisey is looking to open orbiting around a very you.” Next week we will average-sized star, in the people’s eyes to the importance of celebrate Pentecost; see outer suburb of one of a bees. In The Bee’s Knees he rolls out a how the power of the Spirit million galaxies.” Chemical changed the apostles… fascinating insight into the world of scum! No, thank you! from ignorance to belief, Give me our beautiful, this hardworking species and writes from fear to courage, from meaningful and hope-filled of the valuable part they play in our despondency to joy. Christian religion any day. ecosystem. From fun facts to in depth A new mission Planets and galaxies suggest On the Mount of the a big story but religion profiles of Ireland’s beekeepers, Ascension, the apostles offers a story even bigger. uncover the history of the honeybee were told not to be looking With St Paul we pray: and discover how you can help ensure up to the skies but to look “May God enlighten the out to the world as a field eyes of your mind so that its survival. of mission. “Go, therefore, you can see what hope his make disciple of all the call holds for you, what rich nations. And know that I am graces he has promised the with you always; yes, to the saints will inherit, and how Order your copy by: Phoning 01 6874096 | Visitingwww.currachbooks.com end of time.” infinitely great is the power 23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2 That mission and that he has exercised for us Posting a cheque to promise extends to our believers.” The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Comment 7 | || NOW AVAILABLE Martin Mansergh The View Embark on a Staff reporter

Lorna Siggins Journey of Faith The fruitful search for with Medieval some peace of mind Irish Pilgrims emories of In 1955, Soviet forces Both Beethoven changed his mind, when people and withdrew from eastern and Brahms also had Napoleon crowned himself travel, repeat Austria, including a sector to acknowledge the Emperor. He likened the Mperformances in Vienna. It was also the popularity of lighter music. first movement of his and modern systems of year Ireland joined the Towards the end of his life, Fifth Symphony to “fate communication with United Nations, the Soviets Beethoven met Rossini, and knocking on the door”. family, friends and having lifted their veto. encouraged him to carry on, One needs to be in the colleagues all help to While there are different as Rossini was much more right mood to listen to views on the aesthetics maintain sanity. While the to the taste of the Viennese Beethoven in that mode. airwaves are dominated of the large Soviet war public in the Biedermeier Unfortunately, his choral by just one subject, we all memorial in the city, the era than he was. Rossini setting of Schiller’s Ode to need occupations that can Austrians have sensibly left was so successful with his Joy in the last movement absorb our attention and it stand. prolific operas that he was of the Ninth Symphony, lift our mind onto other The rebuilt State able to retire early, though things. Opera House reopened in 1869 he composed a which has become the The museum of the the same year, with a magnificently enjoyable European anthem, is rarely Vienna State Opera House performance of Beethoven’s petite messe solennelle, played alongside national provides a parable for only opera Fidelio. It is which was neither little nor anthems. The EU, despite the ending of the Second in the heroic mould, and overly solemn. its importance, does not World War, the subject of celebrates liberation Brahms once wrote on a arouse the same patriotism muted 75th anniversary from oppression and also card, on which was printed as the nation. commemorations this marital faithfulness in its a few bars of Johann month, and European most pronounced form, Strauss’ Blue Danube waltz, Beethoven recovery thereafter. where Leonore risks her “alas, not by Johannes ❛❛ The last performance life to rescue her unjustly Brahms”. struggled with before the Vienna State imprisoned husband, who In 2014, Jan Swafford, sacred music, Opera was bombed in is about to be murdered. an American composer, the autumn of 1944 published an absorbing being more of Concerns was fittingly Wagner’s Brahms once and compehensive critical Götterdämmerung, or account of the life and a humanist, as wrote❛❛ on a card, on ‘Twilight of the Gods’, the music of Beethoven illustrated by last of four operas based on which was printed a sub-titled ‘Anguish and the medieval sagas of the Triumph’. his Creatures of Nibelungenlied. Valhalla, few bars of Johann Even though the book Whether atoning for sins, praying for an end home of the Norse gods, contains many musical Prometheus” goes up in flames. Hitler Strauss’ Blue quotations, it can be to the black death or seeking salvation, Irish As Swafford pilgrims set out on religious pathways for was a great admirer of Danube waltz, ‘alas, enjoyed by anyone acknowledges, in the Wagner, who was markedly interested in music history. genre of the string quartet many reasons. Join Dr Louise Nugent as she anti-semitic, and the Third not by Johannes Beethoven’s deafness was a Beethoven certainly uncovers the goals and destinations of these Reich ended in similar huge physical handicap that Brahms’” equalled Haydn, who travelers, as well as the dangers they faced immolation. he managed to transcend. remains its locus classicus. General von Choltitz This is the 250th He had a prickly along the way. Whereas Haydn was defied Hitler’s orders to anniversary of the birth of personality, and a difficult Through historical sources, archaeological devout and attributed blow up Paris, when the Ludwig van Beethoven in personal and family life. evidence and beautiful illustrations, follow Germans left in August 1770 in Bonn, a city that His early career and the his inspiration to above, 1944. Appeals were made was part of the domains last stage of Haydn’s from Beethoven struggled these Irish pilgrims to gain fresh by Eamon de Valera to all of the Archbishop Elector 1795 to 1802 overlapped. with sacred music, being understanding of the motivations and sides to spare Rome, as the of Cologne. The handful One of the themes of the more of a humanist, as experiences that shaped their journeys. allies advanced northwards of electors were so-called, book is how Beethoven set illustrated by his Creatures from the south of Italy. because they elected the out to surpass his world- of Prometheus, intended Holy Roman Emperor, who famous teacher, who was with his forgotten oratorio Spared latterly was nearly always a mostly too busy to devote Christ on the Mount of Order your copy today James Morrisey is looking to open Vienna was fortunately Habsburg. much time to his lessons, Olives to be a response to largely spared as well. In his early 20s, so that he had to take them Haydn’s Creation. to explore Ireland's people’s eyes to the importance of Russia, as successor of the Beethoven went to Vienna, elsewhere. Nor was he able to Soviet Union, is proud of where he spent the rest of bees. In he rolls out a Desolation provide easily settings of Medieval past. fascinating insight into the world of the particular care that was his life, initially to study the Mass, which formed taken, when they captured with Haydn. Beethoven belonged more the summit of Haydn’s this hardworking species and writes It was a city that Vienna, because of its to the revolutionary and achievement. In some + FREE importance as an historical between its nobles and its Napoleonic era, which of the valuable part they play in our Viennese churches, €26.99 P&P pearl of western Europe. diplomats contained great JKL, Bishop James Doyle of ecosystem. From fun facts to in depth the masses of Mozart, Sparing cities also patrons of music, and was Kildare and Leighlin, in a Haydn and Schubert are profiles of Ireland’s beekeepers, meant sparing its people, home then and since to letter to Daniel O’Connell regularly performed on which did not happen in many famous composers. compared to one of “those uncover the history of the honeybee Sundays. Swafford regards and discover how you can help ensure the case of Dresden, which Beethoven is mighty convulsions of Phone 01 6874096 was blanket bombed in indisputably the greatest nature, which spread Beethoven’s rarely heard its survival. February 1945 by the of all, taking together the desolation for a while only Missa Solemnis as his Visit www.columbabooks.com British and American best of his symphonies to prepare a place for a new greatest work. Post Cheque 23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2 air forces in an entirely and concertos, his piano exhibition of her powers”. Beethoven’s complete gratuitous military and cello sonatas and his The Eroica symphony piano sonatas on disc | Visiting punishment. string quartets. Brahms was originally to be played by John O’Conor The city took decades to sometimes felt intimidated dedicated to Napoleon, both soothe and elevate Posting a cheque to rebuild. by his shadow. First Consul, but Beethoven the spirit. 8 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Our bishops are being too cautious when it comes to Why did the bishops go a return to public Masses even further than the Government required by telling priests aged over 70 to strictly cocoon, asks David Quinn

delegation from the bishops’ conference held an online free Ameeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week to discuss a return to public Masses. A statement was released by the bishops afterwards. It was home remarkably uninformative. Here it is in full: “The Taoiseach, today delivery (Thursday, May 14), met with representatives of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly (president, vice-president for example. That is a full return by the end of the year, further than the Government at minimal risk celebrating homes to give the Last and secretary of the Irish two months earlier than never mind July 20. required by telling priests a private Mass in his church. Rites?” Episcopal Conference) here. Admittedly they went He responded: “I think it’s in this age group to strictly There would be only a tiny Archbishop Martin to share thoughts on the into lockdown about three possible.” Again, no mention cocoon? risk involved in officiating replied: “I think if it’s safe for reopening of places of weeks earlier than we did, of seeking an earlier return. at a funeral with very them to do that, it should be worship over the course of but the outbreak in northern Health and safety The choice is limited numbers present. done but the important thing the summer. The Church Italy was much more severe. obviously matter, but we ❛❛ With the right personal is nobody’s life should be put shared information on the How can we justify a much can assume that bishops in between excessive protective equipment, at risk, neither the priest nor work that is being done at all later return date than Italy, other European countries are caution, and a small, there would also be very [the patient]”. levels to develop a national or France, Spain, Germany, not being more reckless and little risk administering the But if you applied that Church plan for the safe Austria, the Netherlands, etc. irresponsible than our own calculated risk” sacraments to sick patients attitude to the past, no reopening and emphasised it for that matter? in pressing for, and securing, in hospitals or care homes. priest would ever have put will play its part in applying earlier return dates than A lot of people aged over In the past, priests took his life at risk during times public health measures to here. Maybe our bishops are 70, including clergy, are still far more risks in times of of plague, or maybe for any ensure the health and safety being too cautious? very fit and well and have no plague ministering to their other reason. of its congregation.” A further example of underlying conditions. Some people. Is that really the spirit of What is most notable how cautious our bishops clergy over 70 would surely In the Black Death of the Christianity? Is that really is what is missing from it: are being is that in respect have been happy to continue 14th Century, it is estimated the calling of the priest; no namely any indication of of priests over-70, they told with limited ministry. For that 30% of all people died, risk at all? a date to return to public them to cocoon, even though one thing, it would have but almost half of priests The choice here is not Masses. Officially the date the Government explicitly taken pressure off their because so many were between caution and set in the Republic is July said priests in this age younger colleagues. willing to risk their lives, as recklessness. The choice is 20 (there is worryingly no group could still privately A priest is supposed to a good shepherd is called to between excessive caution, timeframe in the North). say online Masses in their be a shepherd to his people, do. and a small, calculated risk, This is not to say we will churches, officiate at funerals willing to lay down his life In the aforementioned such as is involved in having return to normal then. Strict (at which no more than ten for them if need be. How interview, the Archbishop 40 people rather than 400 social distancing and proper people could gather) and compatible is an excessive of Dublin was asked: “Just attending Mass in a church, hygiene measures will still In an interview on RTÉ continue chaplaincy services. attachment to health and in terms of nursing homes such as in now happening in apply. But there was no hint last Thursday, Archbishop In other words, the safety with this essential and obviously the very tragic countries like Italy. that the bishops are applying Diarmuid Martin [pictured Government saw that priests aspect of the priesthood? situation there in the last An excessive health and any pressure for an earlier above] was asked by Sarah over-70 were carrying out Have we lost sight of it? couple of months, would safety mentality is ultimately return. McInerney whether he essential duties. Why, then, In truth, a healthy you like to see priests been incompatible with the thought Masses would did the bishops go even 75-year-old priest would be able to get back into nursing Gospel. Distancing The July 20 date in the south seems to be one of In truth, a healthy 75-year-old priest would be at minimal risk the latest in Europe. Public ❛❛ Masses, with appropriate celebrating a private Mass in his church. There would be only a tiny risk physical distancing, began again in Italy on Monday, involved in officiating at a funeral with very limited numbers present” News Delivery brought to you by WE LIVE IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES… Don’t miss breaking news delivered directly to your home each week free home delivery *geographical restrictions apply Stay up to date with analyses that represent your voice on the national stage.

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For further details Ph: 081 846 4465 | Email: [email protected] | www.newsdelivery.ie 10 | Events || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Out&About Giving gratitude at a safe distance

ARMAGH: Archbishop Eamon Martin led Armagh archdiocese’s ‘Celebration of Gratitude and Hope’ which involved an hour of sacred song, testimony and prayer celebrating those engaged in the fight against Covid-19 and those affected by the virus. GALWAY:

▲ Sr Áine Barrins RSM, Ballinasloe, delivered the western dioceses prayer from the Cathedral of St Brendan in Loughrea. Sr Áine reflected on the Gospel of John, Chapter 14. ▲ TYRONE: Liam (7) and Eva (9) Lynch’s May altar in Ballygawley.

DERRY: A pupil of St Anne’s Primary School Derry beside DERRY: A student from St John’s Primary School beside TYRONE: A P6 pupil from St Eugene’s Primary School, her May altar. his May altar. Strabane, crouches beside her May altar. The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Events ||11

Edited by Chai Brady Events deadline is a week in [email protected] advance of publication

DERRY: A May altar from Ballinascreen Parish.

ARMAGH: Fr Thomas McHugh and Fr Peter McAnenly took part in a celebration for all of this year’s first Communicants in St Patrick’s Cathedral. engaged in the fight against Covid-19 and those affected by the virus. ▲

Áine reflected ANTRIM: The May altar at Sacred Heart Church in Cloughmills. ▲

TYRONE: Mia from Christ the King Primary School, DUBLIN: Omagh with her May altar. Mary Murphy from Kilshane Cross’s May altar. INSHORT raise funds to keep new and existing the perfect way for me to work towards Making a difference services going. a goal while supporting others,” she Participants have one month to said. with ‘Marathon in a reach 42km which can be done within Participants can link their Month’ the public health guidelines. Breast everydayhero online fundraising page cancer survivor Carol Vaudrion (53) will to their fitness app and keep track of The Irish Cancer Society is encouraging DUBLIN: be taking part in ‘Marathon in a Month’ their progress as they raise money to The Clifford family’s May altar in south Dublin. people to clock up 42km in a virtual for the second time. help the 40,000 people in Ireland who marathon this June to help support Carol, from Co. Kildare, was will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Events people affected by cancer. diagnosed with breast cancer in Last year almost 1,000 people The effects of the coronavirus June 2018 and underwent extensive l In the current Covid-19 crisis, it is clear that pandemic are far-reaching for the treatment including surgery, committed to undertaking a ‘Marathon most (and perhaps all) Church events, other than cancer community who are among chemotherapy and radio therapy. in a Month’, equalling 12,000km and some Masses, are suspended. Consequently, we those particularly vulnerable to the “It was a rollercoaster year and when raising more than €130,000. are withholding the popular Events Listing column virus. The charity has expanded its I finished treatment, I knew exercise For more information or to register until normal activities can resume in our parishes. services and introduced new ones as a would play a big part in rebuilding to participate in Marathon in a Month However, please do email us if you know of any result. ‘Marathon in a Month’ will help myself and Marathon in a Month was visit marathoninamonth.cancer.ie/ parish event planned and we will publish details. 12 | Interview || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Remembering John Paul the Great a cent

He was an evangelist who steadied the ship after the turmoil following Vatican II, the Papal Nuncio exclusively tells Michael Kelly

hundred years ago this week, Karol Wojtyla was born A in the small Polish town of Wadowice. Some 58 years later he would be catapulted on to the world Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo stage as the 263rd Successor stands at the shrine to St John of St Peter when he was Paul II at the Church of Our Lady elected Bishop of Rome in Help of Christians, Navan Road, 1978. Dublin. Photos: Chai Brady He was one of the most influential Popes of the modern era and travelled the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland great man. world tirelessly promoting Archbishop Jude Thaddeus “Everyone felt his message the Gospel message of Okolo first encountered the directly and personally. He justice, peace and the innate Slavic Pope when he was had a universal outreach – no dignity of the human person. called from Nigeria to work continent monopolised him. Above all, he preached the at the Vatican in the mid- No faith, no religious group Gospel in season and out 1980s. He would serve him was indifferent to his outreach. of season and became a as a papal diplomat until the And of course, he respected the towering figure on the world Pontiff’s death in 2005 and faiths and beliefs of others,” he stage revered by millions saw his impact throughout said. and even winning grudging the world. jjjjjjj admiration from those who “He knew how to attract disagreed with him. people to his teaching, even The Pope has a dual role While he took the papacy when the message was tough as a world leader, but also to the modern world like no and demanding. He was the chief shepherd of the other Pontiff before him, he very influential in all that he Christian world. Bishop was not a politician but an undertook,” the archbishop Wojtyla has participated in evangelist. He set the tone told The Irish Catholic. the groundbreaking Second in his first homily as Pope in For Dr Okolo, the legacy of Vatican Council (1962-65) 1978 when he appealed to St John Paul II is immense. He and Archbishop Okolo said people: “Do not be afraid to said it relates to “every aspect his ministry as Pope “helped welcome Christ and accept Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo with of life: whether spiritual, to create the needed balance his power. Help the Pope some of the Books of Condolence ecclesial, inter-faith, political, following the implementation and all those who wish to following the Pontiff’s death in 2005. diplomatic, social, economic of the Decrees of Vatican II. serve Christ and with Christ’s or health was impacted by this “Together with Cardinal power to serve the human person and the whole of mankind.” Boundaries In words that he would repeat in every corner of the globe, he said: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilisation and development. Do not be afraid”. The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Interview ||13 eateat aa centenarycent after his birth John Paul II played a decisive role in the fall of Soviet-style communism. Lech Walesa, founder of the Solidarity movement drew huge inspiration from his compatriot in challenging the system in Poland. He was not alone: “with the silent nudge of Pope John Paul II, many Poles drew the courage to demand for change, and they obtained it. From Poland, the influence spread all over, spilling onto the velvet revolution in Prague, and elsewhere,” according to Archbishop Okolo.

He was a Left, the Jim McKenna ❛❛pathfinder. He sculpture presented to the late Pontiff and above, the cover of redefined the way San Giovanni Paolo Magno (St of governing the John Paul the Great). Church...he changed the times in which he lived, the countries, where they The book is entitled San the vision of and, for Archbishop Okolo, lived. John Paul II travelled Giovanni Paolo Magno (St “it is evident that very few to practically every corner of the papacy for a John Paul the Great). While Popes of any century have the world to meet his flock, many of the successors of St modern age” had such an impact, either and changed the vision of Peter have been canonised, on the Church or the times in the papacy for a modern only three Popes have ever The final illness which which they lived. age.” been declared ‘great’. “It is an was to claim the life of “He was a pathfinder. He As we discuss his impact John Paul II was marked by redefined the way of govern- further, I point to the fact audacious title for a book,” I a profound outpouring of ing the Church. Instead of that a book co-authored by put it to Archbishop Okolo. sentiment. Each evening remaining in the Vatican, he Pope Francis and Fr Luigi “It is audacious,” he agrees. in St Peter’s Square as the chose to move out and meet Maria Epicoco has been pub- “but then, John Paul was a Pope was dying, thousands people in their contexts, in lished to mark the centenary. great Pope.” of young people gathered to pray for him and keep silent vigil. It is reported that when the Pope heard them he asked what was going Seeking on and then asked for the window to be opened so he Joseph Ratzinger, he “He knew the pain of could hear. inspiration for championed the correct suffering, and therefore his His personal secretary interpretation of Vatican message resounded also Stanislaw Dziwisz would II, calmed the dissent of among those who were in your parish later recall that this brought theologians, and gave pain. He associated with all John Paul II huge comfort authentic orientation to who suffer, because of the prayer group? in his last hours. His entire newly evolving theologies, sufferings of his own past; papacy was marked by a including the theology of he lost a brother (a doctor), particular attention for liberation,” he said. and his parents when he was young people. Archbishop Okolo also still very young. According to Archbishop Looking for sees John Paul II as bringing “He grew up under Nazi jjjjjjj Okolo, “all through his a freshness to the truths of and Communist oppression. pontificate, Pope John Paul II the faith. “It is interesting He was shot at close range by a way to championed the animation that, although he was bent Ali Agca. He laboured under of youth. His interest and on developing the faith, and the weight of governing the attention towards them was strengthen promulgated the catechism, Church in difficult times. almost like an extension of John Paul II did not define He had to bear the pain of his successful work with your family’s any new dogmas, nor did untold and unimaginable youth when he was a young he deny, dilute, or tamper calumnies. priest”. with the revealed truths “In his last years, he spiritual life? he was entrusted with had to bear the pain of jjjjjjj as Supreme Pastor of the Parkinson’s disease.” Universal Church. “What he During his papacy, he John Paul’s death in 2005 following the Pontiff’s death in 2005. did was to explain the Faith made 104 trips outside was a massive outpouring Let Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap be your and doctrine in modern Italy. Archbishop Okolo sees of grief around the world. guide through the Daily Mass Readings language, in a brighter light that as part of his mission Archbishop Okolo said he ORDER and with enthusiasm,” said to bring the Church to the is privileged to keep in the with Gospel Reflections and Prayers. Archbishop Okolo. world. “In a way, his frequent archives of the Apostolic e weekly liturgy is food for the soul, YOUR COPY Darkness use of pastoral visits to Nunciature in Dublin communicate directly with some of the many books providing optimism and hope. TODAY During his years as a student, local Church members and of condolences that were rough two short reflections on each priest and later bishop Karol the society in which they live collected from all over Wojtyla’s life was marked by became a clearly distinctive Ireland. From Donegal to day's Gospel, followed by intercessory much darkness as Nazism mark of his papacy. Wexford, from Kerry to prayers you can deepen understanding €19.99 and later communism “The trips gradually Antrim it is evident from FREE Postage ravaged his native became an effective means the message the enormous of the scripture and focus intentions Poland with devastating of responding to a Church impact John Paul had on so through all three liturgical cycles. consequences and constant and society constantly many Irish people. attacks on the Church. threatened by secularisation. The achievements of Pope Gospel Reflections and Prayers is a revised edition Suffering, according to It was a way of drawing John Paul II are immense. of Homily Hints and Prayers (2018) Archbishop Okolo, helped people closer to God,” he Every Pope has to be evalu- John Paul II reach people. said. ated within the context of 01 687 4096 www.columbabooks.com 23 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2 14 | Feature || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Scant regard has been shown for access to the Sacraments

Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor cuts a solitary figure as he blesses graves during a traditional cemetery Sunday celebration in Belfast on May 10. Due to coronavirus restrictions, bereaved family members were unable to attend the ceremony.

public hospital system Government would have effectively commandeered understood this. That’s a independent hospitals. worry too. The damage to patient The main parties seem care caused by a (once utterly untouched by the again) oppressive contract importance of faith in the imposed on medical lives of families impacted consultants in those same by worries, fears and the hospitals - some half trauma of bereavement, empty - is a real worry many without the solace of Religious freedom as the country faces into a funeral Mass. The same the enormous backlog faith that built our hospitals and political of deferred elective care. and provided training to freedom are Once again, it is medical generations of medical woven from the consultants aghast at the professionals in surgery - damage being done that but also in hygiene and risk same cloth writes are calling out what’s management - is celebrated Ray Kinsella happening, not the in families First Holy oligopoly that passes for Communion Mass and at a eflecting on Ire- politics. funeral Mass. The practise lands experience of faith is an essential under the cosh The main service - embedded in all of the Covid-19 R of our life narratives. The pandemic there are very ❛❛ parties seem Church should have been real reasons for concern. utterly untouched invited to input and advise, The scientific evidence especially on this aspect justifying authoritarian by the importance of the pandemic, from the edicts restricting freedom outset. Mass is celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, Co. Kerry, behind closed doors to assist of movement and of reli- of faith in the The fact is that our and control the spread of Covid-19. Celebrating the Mass was former Bishop of Kerry, Bill gious practise - enforced by mainstream politics is as Murphy, concelebrated by Fr Niall Howard and assisted by cathedral sacristan for over 50 an unsettling show of force lives of families out of touch with the faith years Tadhg Fleming. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan - have not been properly impacted by convictions and sensibilities set out. Cosy television ads worries” of many people as they the people, and a political show of force on our streets waits in the wings is even have their place but they were in relation to housing mindset respectful of the to reassure a traumatised more ominous. are no substitute. There is That same mindset is and healthcare and which spiritual values in their electorate that the Pressures are growing no real political account- evident in the scant regard cost them the election - but lives, is what the country governance of the country that are disquieting. ability - just two brands it has shown for religious not, it seems, power. needed. It is also what we is in safe hands. Religious freedom and of the same toxic politics worship and the lack of Perhaps - with some don’t have. We now live in a ‘Room political freedom can never, going through the motions access to the sacramental outstanding exceptions of The structural and fiscal 101’ political system ever be taken for granted. to get a bit of coverage. milestones for our children pastoral leadership - the problems, arising from a where the two parties who I very much fear that is Serious concerns that are at the heart of institutional Church has model of globalisation that emphatically lost a general precisely the cul de sac into relating to the protection family and parish life - and been too accommodating is in stasis, heading straight election in February are still which the country is being of residents in care homes which could certainly have and too reluctant to call out for the solar plexus of the in office without a mandate impelled. were deflected until a few Irish economy - the labour - and are still scheming, been managed safely in a our self-serving political Dr Ray Kinsella is professor courageous commentators less ideologically-driven system, fixated on short- market - raise frankly scary as we approach June, how demanded a response. A issues for political stability. they can, between them, emeritus of economics, and anti-Catholic politics. term ‘deals’. A social University College Dublin. chronically-underfunded A wiser, even a more savvy, economy that works for all It will take more than a remain in power. What Making a Difference with a Lasting Gift

❛❛ SPRING LEGACY SUPPLEMENT 1616 | | LegacyLeave a || Legacy | The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Helping those most Increasing numbers of people are using their will to leave a legacy that will live long after them in need…even after writes Aron Hegarty

he current coronavirus crisis has focused attention on the important rituals T that surround death and dying in Ireland. As a people, we have often prided ourselves on the fact that we do death well. we’ve gone Restrictions around wakes and funerals – while necessary – have caused great pain and focused attention on the importance of remembering and honouring those who have gone before us. Few people want to think about death, let alone their own. And yet, providing for what happens around one’s funeral and the arrangements for a will are necessary and important parts of life. Increasingly, while ensuring that loved ones are looked after – many people are choosing to support a charity that they have cherished during their lives. Still other people reflecting in the twilight of life want to give something back to those who are most in need. This is where a charitable legacy comes in and many good causes rely on such generosity to continue their vital work. The Irish Hospice Foundation is one such organisation that continues to play a profound role Children and volunteers enjoying some of the activities at Barretstown in the life of those living with a terminal illness and their families. The IHF was set up in 1986 to for non-cancer patients and works bereavement services where what kind of end of life care they Barretstown offers a range of fund and develop hospice services with the Irish Cancer Society to we train people right up to would like and facilitate sometimes adventurous, fun and challenging and provide support relating to provide nursing care to the tune of master’s level and we do a lot of difficult conversations with family activities which are supported dying, death and bereavement. around €800,000 a year. information around bereavement and friends. behind the scenes by 24 hour Its mission is to “strive for the “If you ask people what they all over the country. “We have a big public on-site medical and nursing care. best care” and “achieve dignity, want at end of life,” she explains, engagement programme which Everything involved, including comfort and choice” for people “three-quarters (75%) of them works with people and provides a transport, accommodation, food and facing end of life and “promote would like to stay at home; to be We have a ‘Think Ahead’ form that allows you medical assistance are provided at discussion” of issues related to care nursed and cared for at home. very❛❛ large hospice to plan ahead for end of life, to think no cost to the families. at the end. “One very important piece about things that are important to The Barretstown mission is to Sharon Foley is Chief Executive of work we do is our ‘Nurses for foundation which you and your family,” she says. help rebuild the lives of children of the foundation and says the Nightcare’ service, which allows End of life care is often not affected by serious illness and their organisation journeys with people people to stay at home at their end works with all the something that people want families through a “life-changing” to decide together how best to of life. hospitals in Ireland to to think about, but with the therapeutic recreation programme address their needs and concerns. “This service really gives them steady hand of the Irish Hospice in a “safe, fun and supportive “A lot of our work focuses on that opportunity, and offers deliver better care at Foundation it is a conversation that environment”. ensuring people have the best end supports to families at end of life by one can embark on with confidence Dee Ahearn is CEO and insists end of life”. of life and bereavement care,” she providing nursing care through the and trust in experienced hands. that while the children and their told The Irish Catholic. night,” she says. “At a broader level,” she Another charity benefitting families come to have serious fun, “Our healthcare programmes Such assistance is vital to families continues, “we try to communicate from legacies is Barretstown where there is another side to it. are very active in acute hospitals, who may have taken on the role of with Government officials about children living with serious illness “Our therapeutic programmes we have a very large hospice full-time carers to give them the improvements in end of life care have a chance simply to be children. are designed to rebuild confidence foundation which works with all the opportunity to get some rest at and bereavement support that need Many of the users of the service and self-esteem in these children,” hospitals in Ireland to deliver better night knowing that their loved one to happen. spend a lot of time in hospital and she says. care at end of life. is in safe hands. “A lot of our work is in advocacy dealing with very complex issues at a “They leave here with their heads “About half of the population will Even when family and friends and improving policy, and we also young age. Barretstown – the vision held high, believing that they can die in acute hospitals, so it is very have come to terms with the fact seek to engage with the public of famous US actor Paul Newman – do anything and are not defined important that we improve care that a loved one is terminally ill, around conversations on dying as it gives them the space just to have fun. by their illness and that’s what there,” she insists. death still comes as a shock. This is can be hard to talk about death and Based in Co. Kildare, it is a Barretstown is all about.” According to Sharon, the IHF has where the foundation concentrates bereavement,” she says. 500-acre site where residential Paul Newman founded “a strong programme that works time and energy around helping Sharon cites just one example of camps and programmes are run Barretstown in 1994 and, according with 160 nursing homes across people who are going through loss. this as the ‘Think Ahead’ form which for children and their families to Dee, he was inspired to do so Ireland to improve end of life care”. Sharon says the organisation the foundation has pioneered. It is affected by cancer and serious “because he felt that luck had The organisation also funds nursing offers “a range of specialist aimed at helping people think about illness. played a huge role in his life, and The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Leave a | LegacyLegacy ||17 Helping those most er

Dee Ahearn - Barretstown CEO Sports journalist and former professional cyclist Paul Kimmage pictured with his daughter Evelyn. The pair had been due to lead the 12th Cycle for Care in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) this June. It is just one of the vital fundraising efforts that is now postponed. Photo: Robbie Reynolds excited,” Dee says, “and they love fund us, and I want to say a huge the years to improve our facilities “One of the most recent tools seeing the Barretstown car pull up ‘thank you’ for supporting us”. and create new activities for the we’ve developed is caring for outside their house and the kits There are several types of children and their families that we somebody who is dying at home. We being delivered: the feedback we legacies available to any person simply couldn’t do otherwise. provide a resource for those people, have had from families has been wishing to assign or leave a legacy “For example,” she explains, and all that information is available phenomenal. in their will. The first is a fixed-sum “we have been able to build a new on the ‘Care and Inform’ section of “The parents have said it’s been a legacy (or pecuniary legacy), which dining hall which is 50% greater our website (hospicefoundation.ie),” lifeline to them because they are so is a pre-specified monetary amount. than the capacity of our old hall according to Sharon. isolated right now and want to do so Another option is a residual because our numbers are growing The IHF is also conscious of the much with their children,” she says. legacy, where the amount left in year on year. current changes to practices around an estate is assigned after all debts “We were able to upgrade death and is reacting in a proactive and expenses have been paid. our cottages, thanks to a legacy, fashion. Sharon says that “we also A lot of our work The specific legacy constitutes and we were able to build a new have specialist information for focuses❛❛ on ensuring any non-monetary gift such as accommodation block for our 2,500 people organising funerals and a stocks, shares or physical items like yearly volunteers, thanks to a legacy. range of information for healthcare people have the property, land and so on. “We have created a Hill of professionals working in hospitals, best end of life and Lastly there is a testament trust Remembrance here, where we nursing homes and for families created in the will to safeguard remember those who have helped visiting their loved ones.” bereavement care” and distribute some or all of the us and we put lights on it to Barretstown is also feeling the estate for the named beneficiaries, recognise those wonderful people pinch with a loss of donations as The idea of leaving a legacy to which only comes into effect after a who left legacies to Barretstown. well as having to curtail services a charity as well as providing for person’s death. “We make such a difference to the due to restrictions on bringing family and friends is something At Barretstown, legacies also children and families that we serve, people together. Dee says that which has gained in popularity help take the pressure off so and if people would consider leaving “our outreach and residential in Ireland in recent years. When that the staff and volunteers can a legacy towards Barretstown, we programmes aren’t able to continue. a legacy comes in, it can often concentrate on their core mission: would be hugely grateful. “So we’ve had to close our gates add significantly to the projected lifting the spirits of children and “Any legacy is hugely at Barretstown,” she adds with income for that year allowing the young people who are going welcomed,” she says, “and it sadness. organisation to embark on new through so much. doesn’t matter how big or small But, the charity is responding projects. “Legacies are very important to that legacy is, we will really that children who had to endure creatively and making the best of a “They are an immensely serious illness weren’t so lucky. us as they allow us to create more appreciate it.” challenging situation. “The children valuable part of a charity’s work,” magic for the children and their A legacy really is a way to make “During our first year there were we serve are very vulnerable Sharon says of legacies, adding 124 campers. Now we are serving families who come to Barretstown,” a difference and leave a gift that and are feeling the effects of that “they are amazing gifts which according to Dee. endures. more than 9,500 campers on an isolation now more than ever, so allow charities to really look to annual basis,” she says. “Every year we have to raise we established ‘Barretstown Live’, their vision. almost €7 million to run our “Last year we celebrated our which is an online platform. “What you find with a legacy is 25th anniversary and the milestone programmes. We get 2% of our “We built a studio here in that it is a very substantial amount funding from the HSE, but of having served 50,000 campers Barretstown and every Saturday of money and whenever we get a ❛❛ since Paul set it up,” Dee adds with everything else we have to from 10am to 4pm, the families legacy, we sit down and we think modest pride. raise ourselves. who were due to come to ‘how can we best use this legacy to “The funds that we Like the IHF, Barretstown would Barretstown that weekend get a really make a difference?’ be lost without the generous raise go into the day- private invite and link so they can “Legacies allow big change to to-day running of our support of the general public engage with us here. happen,” she continues, “when you and fundraising is a constant programmes and are used “We send out kits that include get a legacy of a significant amount, to ensure that we can job of work. With many people everything,” Dee explains, “which for example, it may allow you to seeing their income shrink due continue them,” she are delivered to the families on start a new programme,” she says. says. to Covid-19, both are concerned the Friday so that the kids can One such example of this is the that a reduction in donations and Such bequests have participate. roll-out of IHF programmes in care allowed Barretstown cancelled fundraising events will “On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and homes. Sharon recalls how “a few affect vital services. to expand Thursdays we broadcast live on years ago, we received a significant considerably. Sharon says that the hospice Facebook, so that children who legacy which allowed us to start all foundation’s “fundraising has been “Thanks to were with us at the weekend can of our work in nursing homes. legacies, we massively damaged”. tune in and have lots of fun with “In that context, legacies are “All our community events are have done so our team, many of whom have tremendously important because much over gone, so there has been a huge stayed on-site during the lockdown they allow the charities to really impact on our income,” she says. At and we are very fortunate for that,” stop and think about priorities, and the same time, “never before have she adds. what can be done which would our services been so in demand”. While acutely feeling the pain really push change,” she says. “We have developed a new that the children can’t be physically Sharon says that she is care and information resource present, the volunteers are doing humbled by the support that the which provides supports, tips and their best to give them the full organisation receives. “A lot of ideas for people grieving in these experience. “The children get so readers of The Irish Catholic help exceptional times. Sharon Foley of The Irish Hospice Fundation Legacy-ad-2019-IrishC-343x263.qxp_Layout 1 5/7/20 5:38 PM Page 2

1618 | | LegacyLeave a || Legacy | The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 It’s been said that if your name is held in the hearts of others, you will never truly die.

hen you set aside a gift of most everlasting gifts of all made indifference, and exploitation Wany size in your Will to by caring people just like you worldwide, we believe that even Trócaire, your good and across Ireland. though you pass on, your good generous name will never die. So whether you ultimately name should never die. Every year after your passing, include Trócaire in your final Request your free and we'll honour your name in legacy – or another worthy cause – confidential legacy planner gratitude and love at a special we have a free and easy planner from Trócaire today. Then Remembrance Mass where all you can bring to your solicitor bring the planner to your faiths are welcome. to get started. We're happy to family solicitor for an open We’ll keep your name safe post it to you, discreetly, and and honest conversation. and warm in our Books of with our heartfelt thanks for Remembrance, too, where all your consideration and for being the people who’ve loved you a faithful Irish Catholic reader. We’ll remember your can come to see it. For the relief your legacy name. Simple bequests of any size will bring to people living in by Will are some of the greatest, fear from poverty, injustice,

To request your free legacy planner now, including bequest wording and a simple 4-step worksheet you can share privately with your solicitor, ring Grace Kelly on 01 5053 221, or email [email protected]

Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20204842; Revenue Number CHY 22508; Company Number 661147 The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Leave a | Legacy ||1917 Supporting people to die at home during the COVID-19 Crisis

Fiona works from 11pm to water. They just get this sense 7am in the homes of people of calm when they start say- who are dying from illnesses ing prayers.” such as dementia, motor neurone disease, advanced The power of love respiratory disease and heart While the death of a loved By Rebecca Kelly, Irish failure. She is central to cre- one is devastating for family Hospice Foundation ating a calm environment for members, Fiona believes that all those in the home; mak- when somebody is able to he challenges we are ing patients as comfortable die in their own home, it can facing with COVID-19 as possible at end of life, and bring about many positive are not normal. This providing much needed reas- emotions and memories too, is an emotional and surance and rest for family particularly in these COVID- T and friends. 19 times. Having a night nurse uncertain time for everybody. But, for the many people “You have to be calm,” Fiona look after somebody at end of who are caring for loved ones explains. “The Night Nurse has life allows families to rest, if at home, who are nearing the an influence over the whole they need it, and focus on all end of their lives, it is a par- scene, the whole ambiance, aspects of the grieving pro- ticularly worrying and diffi- the whole atmosphere. You cess, safe in the knowledge cult time. do little things like bringing their loved one is being kept Since the beginning of chairs in for them, so they can comfortable. COVID-19 restrictions in all be in the room with their “The last couple of days March, Nurses for Night Care loved one. You’re trying to you’re with them you hear have been continuing to make the last couple of days so many stories, good laughs, deliver compassionate and as memorable and as easy for and you see so much love. considerate care for those everybody as you can.” The power of love is over- wishing to spend their final “There are a lot of deep whelming. It’s incredible how emotions. You have to be very beautiful the last few days of If you’d like to donate to The Irish Hospice Foundation please phone days at home, surrounded by 01 679 3188 those they love. caring, kind, supportive, sym- somebody’s life can be.” the Fundraising Team on , or online Funded by the Irish Hos- pathetic and empathetic.” at www.hospicefoundation.ie pice Foundation, Nurses for Being with a person Night Care is a free national Faith at end of life who is dying at service for people with non- When a loved one dies, fam- home cancer illnesses who want ily members often find great to die at home. Nurses pro- comfort in their faith. Pray- Caring for a dying person at vide care for patients at end ing can often bring a sense home is very rewarding, but of life, along with practical of calm and peace to many it can also be very hard. The support and reassurance for at such heartbreaking times. following points may be help- their families. Fiona has experienced this ful to consider: Demand for the service is frequently, particularly in the • If you are well yourself, it is set to grow in 2020. West of Ireland, and she often good to sit in the room with Fiona Mulchrone is a Night suggests prayer to bring fami- the person and continue to Nurse who works in the West lies together at these times of speak to them, and to have of Ireland: “It’s familiar to be great sadness. conversations if they want to. in your own bed and house. “When you mention a few • Sitting with the person and Patients have more space, and prayers, families love it,” says listening is very important. they don’t have to be in and Fiona. “They go running for Careful listening helps the per- out to the hospital. There’s just the rosary beads and they son who is dying to share their something more comforting sometimes send me running feelings. It will also help you for a person to die at home.” down looking for the holy to understand their concerns • Be respectful of what the person says. Try not to brush them off or change the subject • Most people just want to be listened to as they express their hopes and fears. They may also just want to know they are not alone. • If they can respond, provide the person with a phone, iPad or tablet to allow them to stay connected. Even if they can’t respond, they may enjoy being able to see or hear peo- ple who contact them. • Some people might need to be transferred to hospital at the end-of-life. This can be upsetting but could also be the right thing for everyone.

* Taken from ‘Caring for Someone Who is Nearing the End of Life at Home during the COVID-19 Crisis’, a new resource from the Irish Hospice Foundation. Available from www.hospicefoundation.ie CHY: 6830 Registered Charity: Illustration designed by Conor Nolan 20013554 22 | Advertorial | The Irish Catholic, May xx, 2020

“In learning not to fear uncertainty we discover inner strength” - Sr Stanislaus Kennedy

now have a place to call home. All of our essential ser- vices have remained open and have adapted to adhere to the guidelines set out by the government in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Our sup- port workers are attending appointments online to con- Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy tinue to engage our custom- ers in vital key work. Where (Founder & Life President online appointments are not of Focus Ireland) possible, we have invested in Personal Protective Equip- ince the beginning of ment (PPE) to protect the March, Ireland, and safety of our customers and indeed the world, has our staff. Furthermore, our been hit with vast Family Homeless Action Team S in Dublin are working with uncertainty, fear and for many of us – feelings of isolation. over 500 families living in emergency accommodation Many have suffered the terri- and hotels and we have also ble loss of a loved one during opened a temporary cocoon- this time. My thoughts and ing facility for people who are prayers are with them all. over the age of 70 and home- For all of us our lives have less. This temporary cocoon- now completely changed. ing facility was a measure put How we work, how we com- in place following govern- municate, how we celebrate, ment guidelines that certain, how we exercise. Holidays more vulnerable groups such have been cancelled, weeks as anyone over the age of 70 have passed since we have should ‘cocoon’ (stay at home providing one very basic and bettering health and mental Ireland – with the help of our they have never met. This hugged our loved ones, events in all circumstances). have been rescheduled, but essential need- a balanced diet health. Moreover, our tempo- supporters - have ensured is an outstanding display of People who are homeless – to those who need it most. rary cocooning facilities help that every effort is made to humility and generosity, no one thing that has not can- are one of the most vulner- Our Coffee shop has seen an people who are at the great- minimise the physical and matter the size of the gift, it is celled is our human spirit. able groups in society and this increase of 49% of presenta- est risk (Due to suffering from mental negative effects on so graciously received. If you In my own organisation, vulnerability has only intensi- tions per day when compared underlying health conditions families and individuals who Focus Ireland, I have seen such fied with the spread of COVID- would like to consider includ- to a regular day before COVID- and other issues) by support- are homeless. I have immense strength, resilience and kind- 19. Whilst the world-wide ing Focus Ireland in your Will, ness as we work through this 19, displaying that the need is ing them around the clock gratitude to those who have you can contact the team on response is to stay at home and ensuring they have their contributed to Focus Ireland, exceptional time. Our staff, only increasing. 1850 204 205. wherever possible and keep own room to self-isolate and whether it is through regular customers and supporters are Additionally, many people These are worrying times, socially distant, this is practi- keep safe. donations, Christmas gifts or all working together to adapt to cally impossible when you that are currently homeless but the one thing we have these unfamiliar waters. I am and thus more vulnerable to Focus Ireland has already Legacy donations – it’s mak- are homeless. Indeed, many of seen a 163% increase in ing the world of difference in common is that we are so grateful to our supporters the over 500 families we work the effects of COVID-19 need demand for our advice and as we brace ourselves to be all experiencing this as one who have allowed us to con- with across the country find extra support and guidance information services over the ready for the difficult chal- global community. I look tinue to help those who need themselves together in one in what to do with underly- past month. We expect this lenges ahead. Those who forward to the day we can us the most during this incred- small hotel room, rendering ing health issues or wors- figure to rise when the full have left Legacy gifts have be together again, please ibly difficult time. The work social distancing impossible. ening mental health issues. economic impact of the pan- expressed the greatest act God, but until then we will being done is amazing and Most people who are homeless Our advice and informa- demic hits. While these times of kindness, a promise to maintain faith and hope for it was great to see that in the have no access to a functioning tion centres support these are incredibly testing Focus change the life of someone brighter days. last two months we managed kitchen to prepare nutritious people by providing crucial to help a record total of 280 meals, which is key to a strong information on best practice Special thank you to Primark, Lir Chocolates, Bord Gáis Energy, Sligo Homeless Appeal and Leo- households to secure a home immune system. Our Coffee regarding COVID-19, practi- across March and April – this Shop counters this issue by cal support on tenancy issues nidas Cork for ensuring children within the services of Focus Ireland received gifts of clothes, included 332 children who all offering hot and healthy meals, and advice and support for Easter Eggs and activity packs during this pandemic. The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Leave a Legacy |21

Leaving a lasting gift our customers are holistically that she wished to include cared for to the best of our Focus Ireland in her Will and Legacy giving is a crucial ability. Even though it is dif- her wishes were gratefully element of Focus Ireland’s ficult to predict how Ireland recorded. fighting homelessness strat- will look, work and travel Margaret shared Focus egy. Focus Ireland has been post Covid-19, we must plan Ireland’s values that home- extremely fortunate to receive for the future and pre-empt lessness is fundamentally a number of gifts carefully issues before they arise. wrong, “she was heartbroken left by kind people in their One woman who left a seeing people on the streets, Wills. We have also received plan and a lasting gift was she really believed everyone pledges, which is a promise Margaret Dowling. Marga- should have somewhere safe from a supporter that they ret was deeply saddened and warm where they can will leave a gift. All of these by the homelessness crisis switch their own kettle on” gifts, from the smallest to the following an interaction Anne tells us. largest, from a cash gift to an with a homeless woman Through legacy giving, entire estate are gratefully on O’Connell Bridge on a supporters of Focus Ireland received by us as being equal particularly icy afternoon can be assured that their in generosity. These gifts are in Dublin. She stopped impact will live on and that so important in ensuring and spoke to her, human they will be remembered as our vital work continues. A to human, gifted her dry a valued member of the com- promise of a gift in your Will clothes and did her best to munity working towards end- is vision and kindness at their help her in that moment. ing homelessness. Margaret’s most powerful. Margaret’s friend, Anne gift has made a huge differ- We need to offer help and Comiskey tells us how that ence in preventing families the gift of hope to people who one interaction left a lasting from entering homelessness are struggling to keep a roof impact on her, “this woman and ensuring that when peo- over their children’s heads; really touched Margaret’s ple leave homelessness, they to immigrants, to people heart, and she thought that leave it forever. On hearing who are marginalised and nobody should be on that how Margaret has changed excluded; to people who are bridge in the freezing cold, so many lives for the better, displaced, stressed and with- or any street for that matter. Anne says “she would have out a home, without a front Margaret wanted everyone been thrilled to know she door to close. While the last to have a home of their own can give hope to people to number of weeks have been and she reached out to Focus get their own home. It’s ter- stressful and at times fear- Ireland to ask how she could rific what’s happening with ful, we are maintaining hope have a lasting impact”. Mar- legacies, to think that you can that our supporters and staff garet informed her solicitor help others you’ve never met will work together to ensure and the fundraising team - I think that’s marvellous.” If you would like to speak to a member of our fundraising team about leaving a lasting impact or if you would like to include a loved one in our Remembrance Book please call 1850 204 205 Continue to make

Inspired by the vision and passion of Sr. Stan, many people are choosing to leave a loving gift in their will to support people

a place they can call home. Please Support Focus Ireland in your Will

To join in Sr. Stan's vision please contact

[email protected] or phone 1850 204 205 CHY 7220 Leaving a Legacy – Remembering the Hospice in your will.

Our specialist palliative care teams working from our hospices in Harold’s Cross, Blackrock and Wicklow, and increasingly within people’s own homes, bring comfort, professional support and quality of life to thousands of patients and their fami- lies every year. As a charitable organisation we are determined to be there for as many people as possible to bring peace of mind, comfort, reassurance and dignity to all making the most of their final years. With your support we hope to be able to do so for many years to come. To find out more about Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Jackie Slattery Services or to discuss the simple steps involved in Legacy Manager leaving a gift of any size, please contact us in com- Tel: (01) 491 1072 Email: [email protected] plete confidence, and with no obligation. Find us on Visit: Olh.ie/legacy Thank you. CHY 1144 RCN 20001827 It’s my way of leaving Cork a better place. Helping people who are homeless after I’ve passed on... that’s my legacy to Cork, the city I love. Join me by leaving a gift to Cork Simon in your Will.

For more information please call Leona on 021 4929 418 or email [email protected] www.CorkSimon.ie The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Leave a Legacy |23 Pope Francis: ‘What am I leaving behind? What did I do?’

people in the country. Nala was diagnosed with • Syria, 2013 – present: severe acute malnutrition Concern’s emergency pro- and fading fast. She was im- grammes meet the urgent mediately given therapeutic needs of people displaced food sachets. by war. As you can see after a few • Nepal, 2015: After the se- months of receiving help, vere earthquake, Concern Nala was thriving. provided non food items, kits and material for make- shift accommodation, re- paired 14,500 homes and helped almost 80,000 peo- ple. • 2020: As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread globally, our teams are mobilising to support the most vulnerable. As you can see, no matter what the crisis, Concern always helps those in the most desperate need no matter how hard they are to reach. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide. Photo: Jeffrey Bruno / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. Commons Attribution-Share Bruno / Creative Photo: Jeffrey Last year they responded When admitted to a to 102 different emergencies. Concern supported health Pope stresses importance And helped an incredible centre in Mogadishu, 27.4 million people around nine month old Nala was of reflecting on your ‘final the world. extremely malnourished / Concern Worldwide. Vaughan Photo: Darren – and so lethargic she “What am I Elisabeth’s 12-year-old son, Egide, helping at his farewell’ couldn't open her eyes. family’s kitchen garden leaving behind?” Concern gave her the in need have been helped veryone would do “Poverty in the world is When Pope Francis asked this tools, training, seeds and by gifts left in the Wills of well to reflect on a scandal. In a world where at the Domus Santae Marthae compost she needed to people just like you. their “final farewell” there is so much wealth, Mass, many may have been cultivate her own home gar- The booklet also answers from earthly life so many resources to feed wondering about the impact E den. many of the common ques- said Pope Francis during a everyone, it is unfathomable their own lives will have. Per- Now she prepares well tions people have about morning Mass at the Domus that there are so many hun- haps you are too. balanced meals of sweet leaving a gift in their Will. Sanctae Marthae. gry children, that there are One thing you can leave potatoes, beans, rice, maize, And explains how to start “It will do us good,” so many children without behind is a life changing gift cassava, tomatoes and au- the process. Naturally, re- he added. “What am I an education, so many poor to your preferred charity in bergines. questing your free booklet leaving behind? What did persons.” – Pope Francis. your Will. This ensures your It’s people like you, leaving does not oblige you to sup- I do?” One charity fighting legacy lives on, while sup- Concern a gift in their Will, port Concern in any way or poverty is Ireland’s own porting the charity you care “What did I do?” Concern Worldwide. In fact who have helped save Nala, do anything else. for and helping save lives Elisabeth and their families. Pope Francis isn’t talking they state their mission is long into the future. Photo: Mohamed Abdiwahab / Concern Worldwide. To discover about how a about your career, or even to: End extreme poverty – I am proud Just as Fiona from gift in your Will can help end your family. He’s asking whatever it takes. Co. Louth has for Concern. Nala a few months ❛❛ hunger: to know that even you to contemplate the dif- Concern was founded Here she explains why: “I later after receiving ference you’ve made. in 1968 by John and Kay therapeutic food sachets. when I am gone, have two children and if they ✓ When natural disaster One way to ensure you’re O’Loughlin-Kennedy – in re- were in need, I would hope strikes by including always doing some good is sponse to the famine in the that somebody, somewhere Charity is ✓ When conflict threatens to support charities. breakaway province of Biafra would reach out to help Concern in my in Nigeria. ❛❛ lives them. With my legacy, I will at the heart of ✓ When poverty prevents Will, my support How On Friday 6th Sep- be that person for some- the Church, it is progress will continue to ❛❛ tember 1968 the MV body’s loved ones – you marvellous it Columcille set sail from could be too.” the reason for its Please request your compli- help save lives.” would be if, at Dublin to Sao Tome – a Por- If you join Fiona and action, the soul mentary copy of ‘A World tuguese island off the coast leave a gift to Concern, your – Colm O’Byrne, the end of the of Nigeria. Without Hunger’ – Concern’s legacy can help end hunger, of its mission.” legacy booklet. Co. Galway. day, each of us The 600 tonne ship was for good. And will help peo- – Pope Francis Inside you’ll discover how full of vital supplies of pow- ple like Nala*. * Name changed for security could say: today others who were desperately reasons. dered food, medicines and Nala lived with her By leaving a gift in your I have performed other life saving items for the mother and two brothers in Will to Concern, you won't an act of charity people suffering the horrific a camp for displaced people just be giving food to those famine in Biafra. This single in Mogadishu, Somalia. Her who desperately need it. To receive your free, towards others!” shipment was only the start mother was pregnant with Your gift also gives people no obligation booklet – of an aid mission which be- – Pope Francis Nala when she and her sons the seeds, tools and skills in complete confidence – came one flight every day fled their village which was to grow their own healthy And it’s clear many people over the next 11 months. attacked. Even in the safety crops. please contact Concern’s do already generously give to Since then Concern has of the camp, Nala’s moth- Just as our supporters did Legacy Manager, Siobhán causes close to their hearts. helped transform lives in 48 er struggled to find food for for Elisabeth. She lives with O’Connor. Call 01 417 8020, The Irish Catholic’s own re- of the world’s poorest coun- herself and her children. her husband and their six search shows 97% of readers tries, including: So Nala never gained weight children in central Burundi. email siobhan.oconnor regularly donate to charity. • Rwanda, 1994: Concern properly. Elisabeth used to strug- @concern.net, or visit However, with so many was one of the first Irish At nine months old she gle to provide just one meal www.concern.net/bequest different charities carry- charities to respond to the was barely bigger than a a day for the family. And ing out so much good work, Rwandan Genocide. newborn. Fortunately this could rarely afford the fresh choosing one to support is • Haiti, 2010: Within 1 year was when the family came vegetables essential for her certainly not an easy deci- of the earthquake, Concern to a Concern supported nu- children’s healthy develop- sion to make. had helped over 1,000,000 trition centre. ment. “There’s none of us How a little wooden heart perfect. Beechwood is the picture of any of us…” Farm from Merchants Quay manager, Norah. Beech is secretive. It’s only when the tree falls that Ireland finds its home… the grain is revealed. Every wooden heart is unique. The t was in the storm of a start life anew. Merchants The legacy you clients who make them know dark winter’s night that Quay Ireland reaches out to leave for tomorrow, that their hearts are going to a mighty beech tree was people living on the streets, someone who’s leaving a leg- Ifelled by the wind. It sleeping in doorways. Offer- the keepsake you’ll acy to Merchants Quay Ireland. had watched over Merchants ing kindness to those who are have for today… Says our farm manager, Norah Quay Ireland’s St. Francis hungry and alone, struggling “They fully understand it’s for Like the lives that are saved Farm since it was a sapling. with addiction and suffer- someone who’s remembering St. Francis Farm is where ing poor mental health. MQI at MQI’s St. Francis Farm, MQI in their will. The absolute miracles grow - a chance to lights a pathway to recovery. the timber from that beech gratefulness for that type of tree was recovered. A small contribution to be coming to workshop on the Farm holds Merchants Quay, to sustain the the seasoned wood and cli- work being done, they ‘wow’ ents use it to carve simple about it when I tell them.” little hearts. Even after it has died, that tree gives them the From our hearts to chance to create something yours. beautiful, to shape it with a Your legacy, of any amount, special purpose. Each heart is can enfold the most vulner- inscribed with a quality that able and lonely in wrap- speaks to its maker, “Respect” This is your heart for around supports. You can “Compassion” “Dignity” “Jus- ❛❛ decide to keep the details tice” and on the back, their confidential. But we want to initials. Each heart is made the homeless and those give you this little wooden especially for people who keepsake. This is your heart include a legacy for MQI in on the road to recovery.” for the homeless and those their will. on the road to recovery.

To receive your little wooden heart and information on remembering Merchants Quay Ireland in your will, ring Emma Murphy, Legacies Manager at 01-524 0965 or email [email protected] The good they do is rooted in the goodness of your heart.

Your kindness can live on for someone living with sight loss.

Your will is your chance to leave a lasting gift to others. When you make your will, please think about making a donation to NCBI, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Your generosity and kindness will never be forgotten by those who are blind or visually impaired. Your gift of any size will make a difference by enabling us to deliver life changing, rehabilitative support services to the over 55,000 people living with sight loss in Ireland. We believe that while you may be gone, your generous good deed is your legacy.

"I had to give up work when I was diagnosed with Glaucoma but doing my long cane training liberated me giving me back my independence; it’s become my best friend.” Deirdre Deverell

We can offer you free and easy advice on how to make a will. Please contact: 01-870 7033 | www.ncbi.ie | [email protected] We’re always on hand to answer any questions. Leave a priceless gift. Please remember GOAL in your will

You do not need to re-write your will, you just need to include us in it. Doing so will help us Talk to someone respond to global health crises, continue to in con dence. provide life saving support for families and fi communities struck down by disaster or Contact Courtenay on conflict and to feed the hungry. Founded in

1977 GOAL continues to make the world a 01 2809779 or via email better place. You too can help change lives. at [email protected]

Registered Charity No. 20010980; CHY 6271, Carnegie House, Library Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland 26 | Leave a Legacy | The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Ursula is no longer with us. But she’s helping to save lives.

• With a gift in her Will, Ursula is helping fund ground-breaking cardiac research • Her gift will help medical staff at The Mater Hospital understand the prevalence of heart failure in Ireland • Thanks to her, the medical team will be better prepared to treat patients in need of advanced cardiac care

relating to the same condition. would be given a chance, like she For the last decades of her life, was, to live a long and happy life.” Ursula was treated at the Mater and Ursula’s gift is now funding life- in her 70s had a lifesaving opera- saving research into heart failure. tion to replace a heart valve. The Ursula was generous to those care she received later inspired to she loved all her life. Now her kind include a gift to The Mater Hospital spirit lives on through research that in her Will. will allow medics at The Mater to identify patients quickly and get rsula was full of life, Ursula’s gift them the treatment they need as laughter and song. She ❛❛ early as possible. worked as a dressmaker is now funding Heart failure affects approxi- Uand a designer, and always lifesaving research mately 90,000 people in Ireland. It stepped out in stylish and colour- is a highly debilitating, life-threat- ful outfits. She even designed the into heart failure.” ening condition in which the heart movie star Kim Novac’s dresses in cannot pump enough blood around the classic 60’s movie Of Human Her devoted sister Marie says, the body, as the walls of the heart Bondage. The Hollywood star and “My sister was thoughtful and become too weak or too stiff to the Dublin dressmaker got on so caring. She worked hard and she work properly. well, Novak invited Ursula to make had fun, with a great sense of “This research will allow us to her wedding dress. humour. She loved dancing. About provide us an advanced level of four or six weeks before she went cardiac care to everyone in Ireland For the last into hospital for the final time, I who needs it. This will improve not ❛❛ went into her apartment to bring just the years in their life, but their decades of her life, her in something, and I found her life in the years. And it’s all thanks to dancing around her kitchen to a Ursula’s gift.” – Dr Emer Joyce, Lead Ursula was treated at song that was on the radio that she Researcher, The Mater Hospital the Mater and in her liked. She never lost that sense of fun. She enjoyed life to the full. Once loved ones are taken care of, 70s had a lifesaving She felt that if she could help please consider leaving a gift in your somebody else like her through Will today. A gift of any amount in operation to replace this research, then that would be your will can make a lasting differ- a heart valve.” something. She herself benefitted ence to patient care in the Mater from the research that had been Hospital, and it doesn’t have to be a But her incredible and vibrant done prior to her procedure. If that very large sum to achieve this. life could have been very different. research hadn’t been carried out, It is a profound way to shape the She was diagnosed in the 1960s then she wouldn’t have been given future of care in the Mater. As little as with a heart condition. She came the gift of all those years. 1% of your estate can make a real and from a large family. Her sister, Laura, My hope is that people can ben- lasting difference providing for the had already died of complications efit from her legacy and that they health of future generations. “You can make a lasting difference for the health of our future generations by leaving a gift in your will to the Mater Foundation.”

The Mater Foundation, 53 -54 Eccles St, Dublin 7, Phone: 01 830 3482 Email: [email protected] Website: www.materfoundation.ie Childhood stops for seriously ill children. At Barretstown we Press Play.

Without Paul Newman: Barretstown would not exist. Without our supporters: Barretstown won’t continue to exist. Be part of Paul Newman’s legacy for future generations of children living with serious illness. One of the most powerful and lasting ways a person can support Barretstown is by considering leaving a gift in their will. In 2020 it will cost over €6.9 million to run our therapeutic camps and programmes. We must raise 98% of the funds needed from public sources.

Will you help to Press Play on childhood for a family living with serious illness? Would you like more information about leaving a gift in your will to Barretstown?

Please feel free to make a no If you are leaving a gift in your Please contact Karen Reid obligation phone call, or pop in will to Barretstown you don’t on 045 864 115 or email and visit us here in Ballymore need to tell us, we know it’s a very [email protected] Eustace, Co. Kildare. private matter. The only reason we like to know, is so we can say thank you!

Registered Charity Number 20027759 The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | The week in pictures ||29 Around the world

▲ EL SALVADOR: People wearing protective masks take part in a procession in San Salvador in honour of Our Lady of Fatima last week. Photos: CNS ETHIOPIA:

▲ Febedu Mehari serves a meal to her children in Hadush Emba. Catholic Relief Services has launched an awareness campaign about acute hunger, which is expected to double in vulnerable populations due to the coronavirus.

INDONESIA: Health care workers wearing protective masks pray for Covid-19 patients in BRAZIL: The relative of a person who died of Covid-19 and funeral workers wearing the emergency room at a hospital in Jakarta. protective clothing and masks carry the victim’s coffin in Manaus.

USA: Maryland priests of St Andrew’s Apostle Catholic Church walk in rain on day two of GERMANY: A staff member of a restaurant in Berlin prepares for reopening as the country their 54-mile ‘Walk for the Poor’. relaxes coronavirus restrictions. 30 | Spirituality || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020

iscernment isn’t an easy thing. Take this Facing our tough hours dilemma: when we find ourselves in a I think the question is critical leave long-cherished friendships Dsituation that’s causing us deep because often anguishing pain and leave commitments to work interior anguish do we walk away, can shake our commitments and for justice and peace because, at assuming that the presence of such tempt us to walk away from them. a point, they experienced a lot of Fr Rolheiser Marriages, consecrated pain and misunderstanding. And, in pain is an indication that this isn’t the right place for us, that some- religious vocations, commitments many of those cases, I also saw that thing’s terminally wrong here? Or, to work for justice, commitments it was in fact a good thing. to our Church communities and like Jesus, do we accept to stay, humiliation and interior anguish, asks himself this question, what commitments to family and Pain saying to ourselves, our loved ones, he knows and accepts that this is he is facing is a near-perfect friends, can be abandoned on the The situation they were in was not and our God: “What shall I say, save what’s now being asked of him. mirror for situations we will all belief that nobody is called to live life-giving for them or for others. me from this hour?” The pain is not telling him that find ourselves in sometimes. inside such anguish, desolation They needed to be saved from that At the very moment that Jesus he’s doing something wrong, is In most every commitment we and misunderstanding. ‘hour’. In some cases though the was facing a humiliating death by at the wrong place, or that this make, if we are faithful, an hour opposite was true. They were in crucifixion, the Gospel of John hints community is not worth this will come when we are suffering Granted, excruciating pain, but that pain that he was offered an opportunity suffering. To the contrary: the interior anguish (and often to escape. A delegation of Greeks, ❛❛ was an invitation to a deeper, pain is understood to be calling times exterior misunderstanding discernment is difficult. more life-giving place inside their through the apostle Philip, offer him to a deeper fidelity at the as well) and are faced with a commitment. They left, just when Jesus an invitation to leave with very heart of his mission and tough decision: is this pain and It’s not always for they should have stayed. them, to go to a group that would vocation. Until this moment, only misunderstanding (and even lack of generosity that Granted, discernment is receive him and his message. So words were asked of him, now he my own immaturity as I stand difficult. It’s not always for lack Jesus has a choice: endure anguish, is being asked to back them up in inside it) an indication that I’m people walk away from a humiliation and death inside his of generosity that people walk reality; he needs to swallow hard in the wrong place, should leave, own community or abandon that commitment” away from a commitment. to do it. and find someone or some other community for one that will accept Some of the most generous and What shall I say, save me community that wants me? Indeed, today the presence him. What does he do? He asks unselfish people I know have left from this hour? Do we have the Or, inside this interior anguish, of pain, desolation and himself this question: “What shall I a marriage or the priesthood or wisdom and the generosity to exterior misunderstanding and misunderstanding is generally say, save me from this hour?” religious life or their churches. say those words when, inside personal immaturity, am I called taken as a sign to abandon a Although this is phrased as But I write this because, today, our own commitments, we are to say: what shall I say, save me commitment and find someone a question, it’s an answer. He so much trusted psychological challenged to endure searing from this hour? This is what I’m else or some other group that is choosing to stay, to face the and spiritual literature does interior anguish? When Jesus called to! I was born for this! will affirm us rather than as an anguish, humiliation and pain indication that now, just now, in not sufficiently highlight the because he sees it as the precise this hour, inside this particular challenge to, like Jesus, stand inside fidelity he is called to within the Marriages, consecrated religious vocations, pain and misunderstanding, excruciating pain and humiliating very dynamic of the love he is ❛❛ we have a chance to bring misunderstanding and instead of preaching. commitments to work for justice, commitments a life-giving grace into this walking away to someone or some to our Church communities...can be abandoned commitment. group that offers us the acceptance Anguish I have seen people leave and understanding we crave, we He came to earth to incarnate on the belief that nobody is called to live inside marriages, leave family, leave instead accept that it is more life- and teach what real love is and priesthood, leave religious life, giving to say: what shall I say, save now, when the cost of that is such anguish, desolation and misunderstanding” leave their Church community, me from this hour? Family& Personal Profile Faith, ministry and music a holy trinity for one deacon

Page 34 LifestyleThe Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Alcohol risks under lockdown

❛❛ ocial distancing and stay- general, and is well understood has worked with partners to ing at home have become Isolation could lead to increase the risk of injury develop a fact sheet entitled: the new norm and even and violence, including intimate ‘Alcohol and Covid-19: what you Sas restrictions are eased partner violence, and can cause need to know’. there are still a lot people doing to risky behaviour, alcohol poisoning. “Fear and misinformation have this to protect each other during “At times of lockdown during generated a dangerous myth that the pandemic. However, there writes Chai Brady the Covid-19 pandemic, alcohol consuming high-strength alcohol are concerns this could be lead- consumption can exacerbate can kill the Covid-19 virus. It does ing to dangerous behaviours due health vulnerability, risk-taking not. Consuming any alcohol poses to boredom, anxiety and or health limited negative health There is also a lot of false behaviours, mental health issues health risks, but consuming high- strength ethyl alcohol (ethanol), issues. implications according to information and ‘fake news’ and violence. WHO/Europe particularly if it has been adulter- Charities and the World several studies, but there is a in the public sphere about the reminds people that drinking ated with methanol, can result Health Organisation (WHO) need to be vigilant and keep virus, with some people appar- alcohol does not protect them in severe health consequences, have warned about the con- an eye on how many units ently believing high strength from Covid-19, and encourages including death,” it states. sumption of alcohol during the are being drank each day and alcohol can protect them from governments to enforce measures week. These are unusual times Covid-19. Last week the WHO “Alcohol consumption is coronavirus crisis as people which limit alcohol consumption.” associated with a range of com- are faced with lockdown and a however, and some authorities published a fact sheet focused are advocating for people to on alcohol in an effort to dispel Busting myths municable and noncommunica- ❛❛ dramatic change in lifestyle. ble diseases and mental health Alcohol, when consumed drastically minimise their myths. It states: “Alcohol is As part of its public health intake. known to be harmful to health in responsibly, can have very response to Covid-19, the WHO » Continued on Page 33

i 32 | Family & Lifestyle || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Family News A vision of AND EVENTS ENTERTAINING TOTS WITH CHILD-FRIENDLY APPS There is a lot to be said for co-using technology with your children, especially as sex beyond this gives you the opportunity to influence how they engage with technology. There are several apps that can bring out children’s creative side, or enhance skills such as problem solving, collaborating or communicating with others. portrayal in A recent UK study looked at some children’s apps that are very popular with the 0-5 age group and examined whether these apps had educational merits. They found that CBeebies, Disney, Peppa’s Paintbox and Toca Boca apps were appropriate for this age group and promoted a range of types of play and creativity. Normal People There are lots of great YouTube videos out there with fun activities, but remember that even YouTube Kids, while a safer and more restricted app to use than the full version of YouTube, is not always successful at filtering out harmful content so there may need to be BBC/ELEMENT/ENDA BOWE some supervision. CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION AFFECTED y daughters all love Browning’s Sonnet XLIII: “I love the film, Pride and thee with the breath, smiles, BY PANDEMIC Prejudice. A parent’s tears of all my life…” Healthcare and education of children has M Times may have There is a lot of attention suffered considerably during the lockdown changed, but there’s something on the amount of time the meant to curb the Covid-19 spread, a US timeless and appealing about the perspective series devotes to sex scenes online survey conducted by children’s spirited Elizabeth Bennet and the with digitalspy.com describing dashing, debonair, Mr Darcy. organisation Child Rights and You (CRY) it as “a masterclass in nudity It is the perennial theme of Maria Byrne has found. onscreen”. Much is made of a great love, a story that never Almost 50% of the children under the age the fact that there was an grows old, boy meets girl, there doesn’t focus on marriage as the who had any criticism as of five years in the surveyed families were “intimacy coordinator” on deprived of crucial immunisation services – are some challenges to be ultimate dating goal. cranks and Catholic killjoys. set who choreographed the something that could adversely impact their overcome and they fall ‘madly In Jane Austen’s time, young How can parents express intimate scenes. Ita O’ Brien health in the long term, the study has shown. in love’. There is never any room men and women were very their objections to Normal was interviewed by RTÉ’s The online survey was rolled out between for half measures; love is always aware of the social mores and People while still getting the Brendan O’ Connor and the April 10-20 on social media platforms ‘truly, madly, deeply’ as nothing the rules of behaviour were message across to their children else could possibly do. clearly delineated. It was a that sex is good, an amazing gift reality of the filming became Twitter, WhatsApp and LinkedIn and Great literary love stories given that a young person who painfully clear with references received as many as 1,102 responses. and the language of the body rarely do half measures – no was dating would be hoping to the need to carry out a One in every four of the respondents, the that speaks of total commitment one wants a wishy-washy to find a suitable partner and, risk assessment, modesty parents or primary caregivers, reported non- and a lifetime of shared love. romance. I was reading an after a successful courtship, patches and pouches for the accessibility of regular healthcare services That’s a really authentic article in Psychology Today would move quickly towards message and one that we seem actors and the aim of “serving for children during the lockdown, while 74% on what women want from marriage, settling down and to be nervous about promoting. the director’s vision”. It was of the respondents reported the lockdown the men in their lives and it’s raising a family. It’s a measure shocking to hear that many has affected education and learning. There’s endless commentary on surprisingly similar to what the of how much society has Normal People but a dearth of actors in the past had been so young Elizabeth Bennet wanted changed when Ciara Phelan, JUDO HELPS KIDS WITH alternative angles that question damaged by participating in from Mr Darcy: honesty, trust, writing for the Irish Mirror the almost blanket media sex scenes, one so badly that respect, responsibility and, most expressed the view that AUTISM STUDY SAYS they never acted again. of all, love. education officials should Practicing the martial art Judo is a viable option On set, they talk of On a similar theme, an article consider making Normal for helping children with Autism Spectrum I came across on the HuffPost People, the book and the safe words and creating Disorder (ASD) be more active and interact with website, ‘7 Things Your Husband series, mandatory for Leaving safe spaces and the actors others, according to a study by researchers at Isn’t Telling You He Needs’, had Certificate students. being empowered. Having the University of Central Florida. a lot of overlap with the desires She referred to it as “the ideal a daughter who’s nearly 21, The study found Judo gave the children more expressed by women in the bible” for home or school with a the age of Daisy Edgar-Jones, opportunities to engage in physical activity, Psychology Today piece. lot of her praise centred on how and a nephew close in age to thereby reducing their risk of heart disease, Men were reported as the whole issue of consent is dealt Paul Mescal, I wonder how obesity, and more. After the study the children needing praise, appreciation and with. There’s no mention in her empowering it is to fall in with involved expressed interest in continuing to validation. They wanted their article of love or commitment; a director’s vision. The Catholic practice Judo. wives to respect them and to consent is all that seems to be vision of sexuality is one of Parents reported that their children were focus on their strengths and, like required. Conall (played by Paul revealing one’s intimate self Mescal), is viewed as chivalrous more comfortable with social interaction and women, men also wanted love, in the perfect “safe space”, the longing to hear the expressions for using contraception and physical activity overall, two areas in which Jane Austen loving protective arms of a of love and their wives uttering telling Marianne (played by children with autism struggle with. husband or wife, not on a film the words ‘I love you’. Daisy Edgar-Jones) that they set to be viewed by thousands. “While karate, a form of martial arts, The 12 part television series, can stop anytime during what is approval. The US magazine, It’s a much richer and has documented benefits for the autism Normal People, has been lauded Marianne’s first experience of sex. Vanity Fair, points to how the more fulfilling vision than the population related to social interaction, by some as another great It can be a bit of a character, Connell, doesn’t want we hypothesised that the emphasis on love story: the relationship minefield to offer any critical it to be known that he’s dating impoverished view of sex that’s mindfulness and self-defence promoted between two teenagers, both commentary on a series that Marianne and refuses to talk to portrayed in Normal People. As believers in Christ, we need by Judo would provide additional benefits from a typical small town thousands of people are her in school, behaviour Vanity for ASD youth,” said study leader Jeanette in Ireland. Unlike Pride and enthusiastically applauding. I Fair refers to as exploitative and to stop keeping this vision of Garcia, UCF assistant professor of Health Prejudice, loved by many for its didn’t hear Joe Duffy’s Liveline refers to the “agonising” on/ love to ourselves and market Professions and Sciences. portrayal of how to negotiate and the complaints about the off relationship. The Christian our superior offering with the a relationship in early 19th sex scenes and nudity but vision of love is more like a same zeal as those promoting Century England, Normal People social media dismissed anyone line from Elizabeth Barrett Normal People. The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Family & Lifestyle ||33

» Continued from Page 31 Dad’s Diary Rory Fitzgerald this gives you the opportunity to influence how he newly arrived injured and twitching, unable swallows swoop to escape. Its terrified brown across the evening eyes looked up at us as the children’s creative side, or enhance skills Tsky; happy heralds life left its body. I told her of summer. They have I’d bury it and asked if she journeyed from Africa to our wanted to put a flower on A recent UK study looked at some children’s eaves, where they will nest its grave, she sobbed and for the summer. said, “no, that would make it Our little valley has even worse”. Later that same become rewilded in recent week, the children saw a Disney, Peppa’s Paintbox and Toca Boca years, with acres of new fox leap down upon another woods springing up nearby us. Buzzards and falcons now regularly soar overhead. Trout frequent our stream in greater numbers, while rabbits scamper in the disorders, which can make a person The study is a collaboration of based policy action and decisions in grass. There is even a wild YouTube, is not always successful at filtering more vulnerable to Covid-19. In epidemiological scientists from 11 times of crises to protect health and deer which sometimes particular, alcohol compromises the research institutes across Europe well-being.” visits at dusk. As we quietly body’s immune system and increases with the aim of linking alcohol Those wishing to contribute approach, it stares at us for the risk of adverse health outcomes. intake to experiences regarding the to the study can take a 10 minute one curious moment and “Therefore, people should mini- current Covid-19 pandemic. With anonymous survey by following: then leaps silently into the mise their alcohol consumption at the change in government regula- https://bit.ly/EUCovid19alc woods – disappearing into any time, and particularly during the tion regarding the pandemic, it the tangled green, like some Covid-19 pandemic.” is believed there could also be a Domestic abuse creature of myth returning to suffered considerably during the lockdown WHO add that as alcohol is a psy- change in alcohol consumption. It has been highlighted that although its otherworldly realm. choactive substance that is associ- The principal investigator of the many people are doing their best to online survey conducted by children’s ated with mental disorders, people survey is Dr Jürgen Rehm and it stay home and keep others safe, there Our little at risk or who have an alcohol-use is being co-ordinated through the are many that are unsafe in their ❛❛ disorder, are particularly vulnerable, Institute of Clinical Psychology and homes due to domestic abuse. valley has become especially when in self-isolation. Psychotherapy at Technische Univer- According to a post on Drugs. rewilded in recent rabbit, kill it and then saunter sität Dresden. nonchalantly back towards of five years in the surveyed families were “Medical and treatment services ie, which is managed by the HSE need to be alert and ready to respond Dr Rehm is a leader in generat- National Social Inclusion Office and years, with acres its den with the corpse to any person in need,” it says. ing and analysing the scientific data are responsible for providing services hanging from its mouth. needed to inform policy-makers of new woods Restriction connected to a range of issues includ- Nature is also cold and about strategies to reduce alcohol, ing addiction and homelessness, drug springing up indifferent, and its cycles of Alcohol is responsible for 3 million tobacco and other drug-related and alcohol use could increase the risk life and death are the engine deaths a year worldwide according harm. This includes economic stud- of domestic violence and could also be nearby us” of its flourishing. Twitter, WhatsApp and LinkedIn and ies on the costs of substance use to WHO, who say a third of these used as a coping mechanism by those Now that we are bound to and the cost-benefit and cost-effec- deaths occur in Europe. It says the who experiencing abuse. our immediate surrounds by Yet nature is tiveness of various interventions ‘European region’ not only has the In a message published on their the coronavirus pandemic, ❛❛ strategies. not all music and highest alcohol intake and the high- website it states: “Problematic use can the children are witnessing est prevalence of drinkers in the pop- prevent someone from seeking help the drama of nature’s great flowers. My eldest for children during the lockdown, while 74% ulation, but it is also the region with for domestic violence and can be used of the respondents reported the lockdown springtime awakening first- daughter ran to the highest prevalence of alcohol use as a threat to them by a perpetrator. hand. They are excited to disorders in the population and the Regardless if drugs or alcohol are find a blue blackbird’s egg me the other day highest share of deaths caused by involved, it is important for you to get shell in the grass, cracked alcohol, among all deaths. support for yourself during the Covid- open. They ask, did the in floods of tears, “Alcohol is consumed in excessive 19 pandemic. chick safely hatch, or did a having found a quantities in the European Region, “It is important that you know magpie take it? They creep and leaves too many victims. During you are not alone – domestic and softly towards the stream at badly injured the Covid-19 pandemic, we should sexual violence support services dusk, to see what creatures rabbit” really ask ourselves what risks we are from State agencies and the volun- they might see swimming taking in leaving people under lock- tary sector have been adapted and there. They issue a barrage I don’t think that the peace down in their homes with a substance increased to ensure they remain of questions: How do those we find in nature is a product that is harmful both in terms of their available to support you, even dur- insects walk on the water? of nature per se. I see nature health and the effects of their behav- ing the restrictions which are now in How do birds stick their as more like a signpost. Our thereby reducing their risk of heart disease, iour on others, including violence,” place due to Covid-19.” nests together? What is a immersion in it sets our souls says Carina Ferreira-Borges, Pro- The coronavirus crisis is not just hawk’s chick called? right, so that we become gramme Manager, Alcohol and Illicit a crisis relating to the danger of They often go out into susceptible to glimpsing Drugs Programme, WHO/Europe. the virus itself, as it’s increasingly the gloaming to see the bats something eternal, something The WHO go as far as to propose Eunan McKinney, Head of becoming clear, there are many more scampering in circuits through which permeates all nature. restrictions be put in places to “pro- Communications and Advocacy in implications to those who are suffer- the air, hunting flies and moths. I sometimes catch one of tect health and reduce harm caused Alcohol Action Ireland said: “The ing its wider affects that we may not From first light, the dawn the children sitting alone, by alcohol”. The WHO add that this dramatic impact of Covid-19 on all realise until it’s too late. Many of the chorus now fills the valley, lazing in the woods, gazing should be “complemented by com- our lives has been significant and severe outcomes can be avoided by and all the chirpy chatter even at the sparkling stream in “While karate, a form of martial arts, municating with the public about the early trade data, up to mid-April, personal responsibility, and it seems enters into our bedrooms and a reverie, happily lost in a has documented benefits for the autism the risks of alcohol consumption, indicates there has been a signifi- getting a hold of alcohol consumption intrudes upon our dreams. soundscape of water, breeze and maintaining and strengthening cant spike in alcohol sales. is certainly one of them. Yet nature is not all music and birdsong. As they stare alcohol and drug services”. “By collaborating with our col- and flowers. My eldest contently, I can see that their Already there are studies ongoing leagues across Europe, we hope this i Get information and support for daughter ran to me the other mind has shifted gear, and by Judo would provide additional benefits in Europe aimed at quantifying what study will contribute to a better domestic violence at Stillhere.ie Sup- day in floods of tears, having that a deep peace has come change, if any, there has been regard- understanding of consumption pat- port for drug and alcohol use during found a badly injured rabbit, upon them. That peace stays ing people’s relationship with alcohol terns and health outcomes during the pandemic can be found at the HSE which she begged me to palpably with them long during the pandemic. Alcohol Action times of pandemic or similar events Drug and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 help. It had been attacked afterward too. Something in Ireland promoted a survey this month involving restrictions and quaran- 459 Monday-Friday 9.30am -5.30pm or by a predator, and was left them has been unlocked. that is attempting to do just this. tine, and should support evidence- via email at [email protected] 34 | Family & Lifestyle || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 Faith, ministry and music a holy trinity for one deacon

“I have been an RE teacher for 32 years now and it’s been a joy to share the Faith with students.” Personal Profile Sadly the school was hit with a tragic loss of life recently, which Brendan feels has brought attention to the “harsh reality” of coping during the crisis. “One of our students, at just 15 years of age, tragically took their own life recently,” he says. “The funeral was the other day and we couldn’t go or attend it. “This tragedy brought home the harsh reality that we can’t be Aron Hegarty physically together or there for Northern Ireland deacon is each other when mental health putting his love for music and issues such as exam pressure, ministry to great effect as he isolation or loneliness are being Apreaches the Faith through felt by the person. broadcasts on social media. Deacon Brendan Dowd, one of nine permanent deacons in the diocese of I find it a privilege Down and Connor, has been using his that❛❛ people allow you Facebook page and YouTube channel to spread the Gospel during the into a sacred place coronavirus. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, the in their life to preach “working man” from north Belfast talks and share the Faith about how religion unites all his passions. “I’m essentially a nobody trying to do with them” something,” Brendan jokes about himself. He continues: “The school and “I have found since I was ordained a deacon in October 2018 it to be such a I are in contact with students on a privilege and it’s a wonderful way to be daily basis, but it’s tough that none with people. of us can be physically there to their life to preach and share the On being asked if his Faith has “It is wonderful, incredibly help them. Faith with them.” been enriched by his virtual and enriching and is a small example “We are reaching out by Like everybody Brendan reveals how one self- online experiences, Dowd replies: of people coming together, streaming religious services online ❛❛ isolating priest from Co. Galway, “That’s a very easy question to who want to share their Faith else, my journey of who broadcasts daily Mass from his answer. Yes. regardless of their geographical from our chapel, so that students Faith is an on-going home despite being diagnosed with “Prayer is what is bringing and location.” can still be a part of the prayer and a treatable leukemia condition, keeping us together because we In addition to music and service during this difficult time. one and it has been a inspired him. are separated due to Covid-19 ministry, Brendan is also a teacher “We are doing the best we privilege” “My inspiration came from Fr restrictions. in Religious Education (RE) at St can with what we have through Des Forde of Lahinch in Co. Clare, Despite much of the sacramental Malachy’s College. technology and social media; we “I work together alongside who does Mass everyday via life of the Church being unavailable The St Mary’s University College are encouraging them to talk to my wife (Pauline), I preach at social media and that gave me the or dramatically changed, he says Belfast graduate, who studied M.Ed their family, friends and teachers weekends in Holy Family, my inspiration to do music and prayer “we are working outside our church Religious Education at Queen’s as well as showing them that we parish, and then I work in ministry. and take it from there.” buildings to share our Faith through University Belfast, says his Faith are listening and there for them. He adds: “Ministry is a big part of “Being involved in music and technology”. journey is “ongoing” and a “joy” to my life, Faith is a key aspect for me ministry, gives me the opportunity He adds: “I am enriched by share with others. “We are trying to help and I also love being with people. to express my Faith and practice it online conversations with people “Like everybody else, my journey young people by keeping them “I find it a privilege that people through a means where the Lord is from around the world that I of Faith is an on-going one and it connected to prayer and Faith in allow you into a sacred place in calling me.” never knew before. has been a privilege. desolate times.”

were lucky to travel with the assisted sectionMysteries and magic behind washing up liquid on the plane I return to Lourdes each year as This would become a familiar youth section were given a tour out to Lourdes. It wasn theselovely days to be of lockdownit is simply many an parents amazing experience.Instructions: feeling for us all, as the daily of the shrineFor older and childrena crash coursewho have done some able to connect withare some doing familiar their best It to has keep taught their childrenme about what isl Add a fewtemperature drops of food did colouring not go below to the water.34C in safelychemistry, transporting it can be pilgrims explained in that water molecules faces in Shannon, thatoccupied I hadn’t and up to reallydate with important their in life, and howl Pour aboutfor the two duration tablespoons of our of stay. the theare voitures, polar molecules. more commonly That means one end of the seen since the previousIeducation. trip. After we shouldn’t take simple thingscoloured for waterWhile along the withassisted the moleculeknown as has the a bluepositive charge and the other catching up over someWith teaschools and being outgranted. of the equation it can two tablespoonspilgrims of got cooking set oil endbuggies. has a negative charge. This allows water scones, we werebe ready daunting to embark to teach childrenOn subjects arrival inthat Lourdes, may the warminto the smallup in bottle.the Accueil moleculesOther pilgrims to bond together. Oil molecules, on the 63rd Pilgrimage.not be a parent’s strong airpoint: hit likeus immediatelyscience. this year.l Screw theNotre-Dame, lid on tight the and thaton the had other landed hand, are non-polar. Children’s However, there are fun and easy experiments shake the bottle as hard as Non-polar molecules only mix well Corner that anyone can do with their children that require you can. with other non-polar molecules. This minimal preparation, household objects and a l Put the bottle back explains why oil doesn’t mix well with very basic understanding of chemistry. Some down and have a look, water. Their molecules aren’t able to Chai Brady it may have seemed as bond. things just don’t get along well with each other. Take oil and water for example, you can mix them though the liquids were So, what happens when you try to mix together and shake as hard as you like but they mixing together but the oil will oil and water? The water molecules attract float back to the top. each other, and the oil molecules stick together. just won’t mix. While explaining this in a fun way, If you really think oil and water belong together, the experiment can be taken a step further to What’s happening? show how washing up liquid works so well. While water often mixes with other liquids to add some washing up liquid or detergent to help form solutions, oil and water does not. Water them to bond. Detergent has molecules that have Apparatus: molecules (made up of hydrogen bonds), are both polar and non-polar parts, and is attracted to l Small bottle strongly attracted to each other, this is the both water and oil helping them all join together to l Water same for oil molecules. They separate and form something called an emulsion. This is extra l Food colouring handy when washing those greasy dishes, the l the oil floats above the water because it has a Two tablespoons of cooking oil lower density. detergent takes the oil and grime off plates and l Dish washing liquid or detergent into the water. The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Reviews ||35

TVRadio Brendan O’Regan All kinds of everything during lockdown ne of the things was popular with inmates. I’ve noticed about She thought hymns should be PICK OF THE WEEK public debate in challenging and we learned O SONGS OF PRAISE the media is that how her work sometimes BBC1, Sunday, May 24, 1.15pm sometimes certain views dealt with modern issue like Islands of Faith: Katherine Jenkins introduces uplifting are marginalised. People are threat to the environment. stories of Faith amidst spectacular scenery as she looks often unaware of this, or con- For Graham Kendrick back to when Songs of Praise has explored islands around veniently oblivious, until they hymns were a blend of experi- the British coastline. find their own views suffering ence poetry and theology – he the same fate and then the wanted to sing his Faith and WOMEN OF GRACE penny drops. wrote so that people could EWTN, Friday, May 29, 4.30pm This is happening to a cer- “sing the truth” – he per- Women of Grace encourages and affirms women in their tain extent in the debates over formed one of his best-known dignity and authentic femininity. Covid-19, with some cover- modern worship songs, Shine THE LEAP OF FAITH age seeming like PR cheer- Jesus Shine. RTÉ Radio 1, Friday, May 29, 10.05pm leading for the Government Kendrick was one of those Topical religious issues with Michael Comyn. line. Contrarian voices may featured in the YouTube sometimes be misguided, but hit UK Blessing which was it’s useful to have them. So I replayed on the show – it’s on Monday of last week but was glad to hear journalist one of those virtual choir split was repeated several times Karl Dieter on the Pat Kenny screen performances, and during the week on RTÉ and Show (Newstalk) last Thurs- if you liked that try also the BBC. It was emotional yet day, in debate with Dr Sam wonderful version of Be Not dispassionate, and a fascinat- McConkey. Afraid on YouTube by Catholic ing review of Dana’s life. In a The debate was about Artists From Home. clip from an EWTN show she the merits or otherwise of Also on the show we saw said “each one of us is created Dana featured in a documentary shown on RTÉ and BBC. our lockdown. Dieter was how Grammy Award win- unique” and her life has cer- in favour of opening up the during the recent referen- The focus was on modern ning American singer-song- tainly been unique – she is a economy more promptly, cit- dum, but he gets it now – he hymn writers, and while pre- writer Michael W. Smith was trailblazer in music (from folk ing arguments from freedom, challenged Dieter – yes, do senter Aled Jones’ pieces to inspired these days by looking club days through Eurovision human individual rights, the what you want with your camera and some of the inter- to the heavens – inspired by to Top of the Pops and her lat- damage caused to the econ- own body but not with mine views were new, they relied, the wonder of the universe, est album recorded in Rome) omy and to people’s wellbe- – don’t infect me! It’s not just as so many shows do these he wondered how anyone and in politics (uniquely an Graham Kendrick ing by lockdown. McConkey me bringing abortion into it days, on archive material. seeing this could not believe Independent presidential was more inclined to favour but Dieter explicitly made in God. orated and even lamented. candidate on two occasions the Government’s approach. the point, referring back to Rendition Music director Ken Bur- Modern hymns could capture and an MEP). Neither was arguing that the Repeal campaign with Among these featuring was ton, had lots to say about “the essence of the age” with It was clear that music Covid-19 was negligible, or approval, seeing the result Catholic composer Berna- hymns – they have a “collec- “deep theology”. He followed with its creativity was kinder to her than politics with its that social distancing or ‘res- of that referendum as a good dette Farrell and we got a fine tive empathy”; they could be his reflections by a clip where dirty tricks, but what a full piratory etiquette’ was to be thing. I was conscious yet rendition of her well-known cathartic, soothe the soul and he was directing a choral life so far. abandoned. again of how the strong indi- song Christ Be Our Light. She convey sentiments. He rec- piece Come Let Us Sing of a I wasn’t too keen on vidualistic streak can trump was humbled to hear how her ognised the power of the old Wonderful Love – a marvel- i [email protected], Dieter’s “bodily autonomy” social solidarity. songs connected with people hymns – they have “sustained lously heartfelt performance. @boreganmedia arguments. I didn’t notice Away from the fractious – particularly so when she Christian communities”. He Music was also central in presenter Pat Kenny getting debates, last Sunday’s Songs heard from a prison chaplain referenced scripture where Dana, The Original Derry the flaw in that argument of Praise (BBC1) was a tonic. about how this song of hers hymns celebrated, commem- Girl, which aired first on RTÉ1 Film Aubrey Malone Online movies worth paying for not in short supply Covid-19 has made us all has been halted from mak- pupils is a poet – he’s five If you’re into political films change the way we watch ing films for the moment. Maggie years old. Have you ever seen you might like Vice, which movies. Those of us lucky A sexual scandal about him Gyllenhaal a five-year-old poet? He even documents the life and career enough to have computers allegedly abusing one of his stars in The gives readings. of Dick Cheney, or The Front can cope easily enough with children in the past has re- Kindergarten Gyllenhaal takes an inordi- Runner. This deals with the online purchases. Others surfaced. It seems to have Teacher. nate interest in him. It leads rise and fall of Gary Hart, a have to be more innovative; made him surplus to Hol- her to perform a shocking presidential candidate from I saw a news report about a lywood requirements. He’s act. The film is directed very the 80s. He had his career man in Fermoy recently who’s transferred his attention to tastefully by Sara Colangelo. cut short by an extra-marital showing films on walls for his writing. His memoir, Apropos It’s European in its style. Out affair with a fundraiser. It’s neighbours. Desperate situa- of Nothing, has just been pub- of a very far-fetched premise also tasteful. The director, tions require desperate rem- lished. has come a very moving work. Jason Reitman, avoids any- edies. Woody has many succes- Everything is understated. It’s thing sleazy. The Irish sci-fi thriller Sea sors and they’ll take up the really a film about loneliness Fever is being streamed on mantle when he retires. Noah when you boil it down. The Ides of March is a digital platforms. So are Jihad Baumbach is one of them. Another director who’s Beware: these films are adult A Beautiful Day in the political film featuring Ryan Jane and The Disney Family Check out his film Frances heavily influenced by Allen and very quirky. Neighbourhood is an uplift- Gosling. He plays a staffer for Singalong – the latter is one Ha on Amazon. It’s reminis- is Todd Solandz. He’s like a ing Tom Hanks film concern- the campaign of presidential for all the family. Birds of Prey cent of Woody’s Manhattan, darker version of him. You Interest ing a jaded magazine writer hopeful George Clooney, a and the Fantabulous Emanci- another black-and-white might like to watch his most The best film I bought since who overcomes his cyni- character who hides his skel- pation of One Harley Quinn is nugget. Greta Gerwig is the famous film, Welcome to the the outbreak of the virus is cism about a neighbour and etons behind idealistic rheto- available on DVD and Blu-Ray. main star. She’s another Allen Doll House. Others I saw The Kindergarten Teacher. learns to appreciate his great ric. The Caesarean overtones The #MeToo movement aficionado and his finger- recently were Happiness, Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the decency. A strong friendship are obvious from the title. Et has meant Woody Allen prints are on her work. Dark Horse and Wiener Dog. title character. One of her ensues. tu, Ryan. 36 | Reviews || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020

BookReviews Peter Costello Following the pilgrim paths across Ireland and Europe Journeys of Faith. medieval Ireland, the research legends, the rites and prayers Stories of Pilgrimage creating the foundations of involved. And in the very from Medieval Ireland this book. end of it all gets her pilgrims by Louise Nugent But she also curates a pop- home again. (Columba Books, €26.99) ular blog on the topic, and In these pages we can fol- Peter Costello so is skilled in communicat- low in very human detail the ing the subject to the widest continuing story of the pas- his book is an epit- possible audience, bringing it sage of faith over the centu- ome of a thousand right into the public realm. ries in Ireland in a very vivid years of Irish history, This book deals in depth way. Troughly 500 AD to with Irish pilgrimages, such But a point strikes this 1500 AD. It is a reminder, if as Lough Derg, and the reviewer on reaching the end: one is really needed, of just mentalities behind them. St is there not some way that how important the context Patrick’s Purgatory brought these ancient pilgrimages in of history is to understanding people from all over Europe. Ireland can be revived and present attitudes to religion But to reach the mountains sustained, while not allowing and spirituality in Ireland. of Donegal from, say, Hun- them to become a part of a Dr Nugent’s book is one gary one needed status and ‘tourist industry’ . which I suspect many ordi- wealth; travel, remember, I feel myself that in Brit- nary readers, especially those was for many in the middle tany people manage to get the who are local historians, ages an expensive affair, it balance right between prayer have long felt the need of. was not for everyone. and patrimonie. A pilgrimage Her theme over this period such as that to Sainte-Anne- is the various kinds of pil- I feel myself d’Auray (Morbiahn) is an grimage, local and European ❛❛ example. with which people in Ireland that in Brittany This dates from 1625, out- have involved themselves. side Dr Nugent’s period. But But this is also a book which people manage to this shrine shows how on a will be valued by many aca- get the balance right still intimate scale pilgrimage demics too: the astonishingly can sustained itself and main- detailed and lengthy bibliog- between prayer and tain the medieval sense of raphy, which suggests that patrimoni” reverence and devotion and the author may have read or simplicity, that are essential seen everything connected The author also follows to true religion. with Irish pilgrimages and the Irish abroad to European Difficult to achieve, but pilgrims. shrines, so giving, in the con- not impossible, and much Medieval pilgrim entering the cave of St Patrick’s text of time, a universal view would depend on local peo- Purgatory, Lough Derg, a European view © Morgan Humanities of Christendom, from Clon- ple, of course, and a devel- Library/New York Public Library). The fanciful city in Like so many others these macnoise to Jerusalem, the oped resistance to turning the background is meant perhaps for Armagh. days, in a period when uni- city on which the medieval everything into a ‘revenue- versities are keener on pro- Christian imagination was stream’. Some company or moting posts in science fixed. association should take it rather than the humanities, The illustrations which in hand. We will have to see voices could be heard from manim bera latt ní fhogbai. seek in vain. time to time: (Translation by Frank she works as an independent are numerous and very well ‘when all this is over’. To go to Rome / is little scholar. She is eminently well selected also enlarge the book But even in early medieval O’Connor) Techt do Róim, profit, endless pain; / the qualified with degrees from in a remarkable way. days, the era of what Frank i UCC and UCD. Her doctor- Aside from all this, Dr O’Connor once called “the mór saítho, becc torbai; master that you seek in To contact Louise Nugent’s ate dealt with pilgrimage in Nugent also deals with the little monasteries”, cautious in Rí con-daigi i foss, Rome / you find at home or blog and share in the con- Raphael, a past master of r Raphael’s World school and colleges that few was about, an essentially painters of Western culture. by Michael Collins Catholics can have avoided warm human scene. He is one of the great past (Messenger Publications, them before the 1970s. masters, not just of art, but €19.95 / £17.95) Certainly in the large His religious of religious art in particular. Peter Costello junior class room in the ❛❛paintings are just His religious paintings Sacred Heart in Leeson Street are just one topic explored The Renaissance painter over the fireplace there one topic explored by Fr Michael Collins in his Raphael (1483-1520) is an hung a copy of Raphael’s by Fr Collins” new book, published to mark artist whose work is widely Madonna della Segiola (c. the 500th anniversary of the familiar to many people 1514). Outside of the pictures To provide holy pictures death of ‘the divine painter’ without them being aware at home I think this was may seem an unkind which falls this year. In this of it. His images affect their the first real painting that fate, one the painter did concise but detailed book imagination because of affected me as a very small not deserve, but careful he manages within a very their content, not because child: it seemed to sum up scholarship has thankfully limited space to provide an of whom they are by. This is so much about the nature of preserved him from that. exemplary account of the because (rather like Murillo) motherly love, and so of love But the pervasive influence painter, his era, his life work he was a source of prints for itself. I had never heard of of early images cannot be and influence which could La Madonna many ‘holy pictures’. These Raphael, of course, but could escaped. In that sense then not be better for a beginner. Dela Sedia. hung in so many convents, recognised what this picture Raphael is one of the great He also explains that The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Reviews ||37

Readers should note that The Irish Catholic circulates throughout the island of Ireland and the book prices listed are the retail price recommended by the Irish or British publishers, in either euros or sterling, as a general indication of what purchasers may expect to pay. Stuck for something to read during lockdown? A suggestion... Over the coming irony central to its message. weeks some of our Detachment, compassion literary collaborators and amusement would seem will give suggestions to be in question there…all for ‘lockdown’ reading, Christian concerns, surely? books of all kinds to Distinguished Spanish amuse and raise our novelist Javier Marias goes spirits. This week, so far as to say (Between Des Egan on James Eternities) that “there is Thurber... no real greatness without irony”. I have always had a soft Cartoons spot for cartoons, even to Where better to come across the point of proposing some such than in Thurber? He has cartoon-plays consisting of given us in his short stories a single sentence, the rest of much to laugh at and think which is ironically implicit – about – from Walter Mitty as in the following. to The Macbeth Murder Setting: Outside Mystery; but there is only a wigwam, the Chief time here to promote his addressing a group of young cartoons. Rather than start braves: ‘So there I was, analysing them, let them minding my own business speak for themselves: here when... ’ (curtain). goes with two favourites. So, in all the welter of May they help you not to cocoon-reading, to cheer not to go cuckoo from being myself up I went from cocooned. cocoon to cartoon, and (though I also love the work i Desmond Egan’s most ❛❛ of the late John Glashan) to recent book is Last Poetry James Thurber especially, Collection: Epic (The and his Men, Women and Goldsmith Press). Much of Dogs collection, from 1943. James Thurber’s finest work can be found in The Thurber Impression Carnival (Penguin Modern I enjoyed it as much as ever. comic side? and parables, which look at Classics, £9.99), currently Who else can convey such an Philosopher Roger the spectacle of human folly available. impression of character with Scruton suggests, in and wryly show us how to Cartoons from Men, so few tiny strokes? Who Confessions of a Heretic, live with it, and goes even Women and Dogs (New better saw through human that, there is a new kind of further, to suggest that, the York: Harcourt, Brace and pretension to its ironically irony in Christ’s judgments Christian religion has made Co.); © James Thurber 1943. A healthy soul in a healthy body

Tin Can Cook She suggests a range of cans and dry by Jack Monroe goods that can be bought in advance versation visit her website is held annually on July 26, (Bluebird Books for Life, £6.99) and used from store: simply open the www.pilgrimagemedieval- the feast of St Anne, with During this current term of trial, I was cans. She provides 75 recipes for every ireland.com. religious services, picnics talking on the phone to a friend who kind of meal from breakfast, through The Grand Pardon de and dancing, many pilgrims is unmarried and lives alone and was working lunch, to evening dinner with Sainte Anne, the largest pil- wearing traditional cos- finding life very hard. Feeding a single snacks on the side. All are tasty and grimage in southern Brittany tumes. person economically – takeaways are attractive, and those we have tried costly – is difficult. He said he was very work well. clever though at “opening a tin”. Well Yet she also sees that her I said that’s not so bad and told him suggestions retain the vitamins and about this book. nutrients that are so essential to a er of religious art Author Jack Monroe, having healthy body, but with nothing that had a hard time of it when her has had to be flown in from Kenya Raphael’s World there are still many a departure, not a final stop. son was small, is very much in to in the last day or two (or daily from unresolved mysteries about There are seven paintings uncomplicated everyday cooking for Manchester, as is the case with the his life, his career, his sitters and drawing by Raphael in healthy living. Foodies may balk at sandwiches in M&S). and their identity, and his the National Gallery. They opening tins, but what do many of In this time of lockdown, and ❛❛ relations with other great will be there to be explored them know about depending on food indeed at any time, isolated individuals artists of the day. The size another time; but in the banks. need to keep an eye on healthy eating. this is the one to buy. of his book precludes very meantime many will enjoy Her book is to be warmly It is all very well getting freezer We are constantly encouraged extended illustration, but this encounter with a great welcomed. It will appeal to all those dinners, from say Wiltshire Farm, but about mindfulness and developing our it provides an excellent painter until they are open who, for one reason or another, live what do you do in the outage and the spiritual insights. But these fine things introduction which will lead again. alone: students, single parents, seniors, flood? Be sure though to store these can only be achieved fully on a healthy to a long period of happy It is great to see a new even clergy with no house-keeper. tins upstairs away from the flood diet. As the Roman poet Juvenal exploration for those who book from Fr Collins, who You feed yourself out of a store plane! reminds us, mens sana in corpore fall under his particular spell. has suffered ill health over cupboard which is independent of Space precludes rambling on with sano, a healthy mind in a healthy body. An annotated list of the last few years. His freezer and fridges, which in many sample ideas, but take it from here The normal healthy soul also relies on some essential books friends and readers will look places can now be important when that all of this is clever and tasty and a healthy body. about Raphael for further forward to more books from there seem to be so many local floods you won’t regret the price of the book. i Visit the author’s website, exploration would have been his ready and well-informed and electricity ‘outages’. Tinned food If a child needs a cookbook to take to jackmonroe.com, for more useful. pen – or should that word remains safe to eat for a life time. college in the autumn – whenever – information. A book of this kind is only processor in these days. 38 | Classifieds || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020

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I enclose Cheque/PO: €...... I wish to pay by Visa� Mastercard � Laser � Name ...... My Visa/Mastercard/Lasercard number is: Address ...... Landline ...... Mobile ...... Expiry Date: ...... Signature ...... TheThe IrishPlease Irish Catholic, Catholic, return 23 this Merrion St Marys,form Square and Bloomfield payment North, Dublin Avenue, to: 2.FREEPOST, Morehampton The Irish Road, Catholic, Donnybrook, Irish Farm Dublin Centre, 4. Bluebell, Dublin 12. TELEPHONE: Phone:Phone: 01 0101-4276488 687 687 4094 4024 The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020 | Classifieds ||39 Leisure time

Crossword Junior Gordius 323333 Crossword Gordius 446456 Please pray for the beatification of 1234567

Little Nellie 89 of Holy God 10 11 12 “May God enrich with every blessing all those who recommend frequent Communion to little 13 14 boys and girls proposing Nellie as their model” – Pope St Pius X, June 4, 1912 15 16 17

18

19 20 Legacy 21 22 23

for Life 24 25 Across Down 1 Sounding like a dog (7) 1 Use chalk to write on this 4 A pig lives here (3) (10) 26 27 7 You set it to help you wake 2 ‘_____, steady, go!’ (5) up (5,5) 3 There are sometimes pearls Across 2 & 23d Chet on Gueek? You 8 Use it to open a lock (3) in this piece of jewellery (8) 1 For starters, fruit is truly 9 Against the law (7) can’t be serious! (6-2-5) 5 A plus tells you to add, a healthy (3) 11 Just a single time (4) 3 Confuse a veteran - hew 3 Brandish (5) 13 Underground place for minus tells you to ____ something to show what way 4 The underground part of a storing things (6) ____ (4,4) the wind is blowing (7,4) There is no greater legacy that will leave a mark 6 You might give one to dog faucet plant? (3,4) 15 In this place (4) 8 The park official is in a right on future generations than supporting our pro-life rage (6) 5 & 13d It’s not often on the 16 This cereal is used to to chew (4) and pro-family work. 10 Insect which makes honey 9 Misbehaved, perhaps cards that one is found in the make bread and drinks (3) causing a delay, pup (6,2) office on 061 414142 or [email protected] With your legacy commitment today we will 17 Cook something in a pan (3) palace Rebuild a Culture of Life in Ireland. 10 Discovered (5) (3) 12 Part of your face (5) 11 One who stands in for a toilet! (5,5) Call for our free brochure today to find out how 19 It’s like a boot with wheels 14 Big (5) doctor, for example (5) 6 Cue Dad might reconstruct to you can save countless lives for years to come. (5) 18 You might spread it on 13 The parade vehicle may be present as proof (6) 20 Test (4) your bread (3) reconstructed aloft (5) For further advice or to avail 15 Yields a call for volunteers 7 One’s sixth sense (1,1,1) of our Solicitor’s free Wills Family Life SOLUTIONS, MAY 14 (5,2) 12 Can this ship of old be service, please contact us 26 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1 16 Telepathic (7) Ph:01 8552790 | email: [email protected] GORDIUS No. 455 described as a trader male? today on 20 He (golfer Ernie) identifies www.familyandlife.org Across – 1 Alb 3 Black coffee 8 Bird of paradise 10 Eaten 11 Argot cads (5) (11) 01-8552790 www.prolife.ie 13 Backs 15 Abetted 16 Pelican 20 Drown 22 Ditto 23 Comic 21 Over-economise (5) 13 See 5 down opera 24 Kedgeree 25 Malibu 26 Trojan horse 27 Net 23 & 24 It was placed on Our 14 Onerous jobs (5) Down Lord’s head during the – 1 Abbreviated 2 Baritone 3 Brown bread 4 Caprice Passion (5,2,6) 17 Funny (8) Will the MSC Missions 5 Osaka 6 Fringe 7 Ewe 12 Tennis court 14 Skein 17 Champion 25 About the hare’s home - 18 It’s a good book, for a start- 18 Torpedo 19 Studio 23 Chase 24 Kit improve it (6) off! (7) 26 Everything but this might Missionaries of the Sacred Heart bring hope to the No. 332 poorest people living in over 48 countries worldwide. CHILDREN’S make the galley go under 19 Edict (6) Across – 1 Hole-in-one 6 Guilty 7 Abel 9 Sunflower 11 Emerald (7,4) 22 Barker has a part in the Please help us with a gift in your Will 13 Tired 15 Icing 17 Swan 18 Lily 19 Guess 27 The closest star (3) Shampoo Chorus (5) Down – 1 Hagrid 2 Leinster 3 Intended 4 Elbow 5 Solar 8 Sleeping Down 23 See 2 down Contact: 10 Eel 12 Alive 13 Tail 14 Easy 16 Gas 1 Golfers’ ancestors? (11) 24 Producer of acorns (3) MSC Missions Office, PO Box 23 Western Road, Cork. Tel: 021 – 454 5704 Email: [email protected] Last week’s Easy 332 www.mscmissions.ie Sudoku Corner 333 Easy Hard

When you remember It’s easy to get started, and we’ll help you every step of the way. Trócaire in your Call Grace Kelly on 01 629 3333, email [email protected] Will, you bring hope or write to me at Trócaire, to people living in Maynooth, Co Kildare. Last week’s Hard 332 the world’s One day, parents and their children will tell the story poorest places of how your legacy of love changed their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to Trócaire in your Will. 40 | Comment || The Irish Catholic, May 21, 2020

Notebook Fr Martin Delaney

LAST WEEK I had a very sad Words worth... phone call from a colleague It’s all about love, love, love... A lexophile describes those of mine in another part of the that have a love of words. An country. He has been a very our church which allows us to stay freedoms always take precedence annual competition is held in dedicated priest for almost 50 in contact. over yours. the New York Times to see who years. For the last eight weeks he Despite all the help that is This pandemic has challenged can create the best original has been cocooning in his home available there are dark days, us to look again at the notion of lexophile. Some of this year’s unable to celebrate any kind of when we hit a wall, days when offering up our suffering for the submissions include: public Mass or have any of that maybe the more healthy supports good of others. But this idea only l A thief who stole a calendar normal pastoral contact with his are not doing it for us and we just makes sense if somehow we are got 12 months. parishioners. want to take to the bottle or to the motivated by love. That was the l I got some batteries that were In addition to being a priest, bed or both! The only thing that unique element that Jesus intro- given out free of charge he is also a trained therapist and helps me on days like that is to duced on Calvary. He endured that l A dentist and a manicurist despite having those spiritual and somehow force myself to go back torture and death because he loved married. They fought tooth and psychological resources to call on to the ‘why’: why are we being us, you and me. If there’s no love nail. he is clearly struggling with this asked to endure this extraordinary involved, then the world is right: l A guy who fell onto an present situation as we now head those who are most important to and unprecedented curtailment of suffering is useless and pointless upholstery machine last week is into week nine and a very unclear us. As other countries begin to open our basic freedoms? The obvious and should be avoided at all costs. now fully recovered. path ahead. He is struggling with up faster than we are, this can also answer is to protect ourselves In the last line of the read- difficult for all of us the only way feelings of loneliness but perhaps bring a new level of anxiety and from contracting the virus. How- ing from St Peter last Sunday we we can endure it is to constantly worst of all feelings around having impatience. Italian grandchildren ever the more significant answer heard: “It is better to suffer for remind ourselves that the main no purpose anymore, of being are running to hug their nanas and is that we are doing this to protect doing right rather than doing reason we are doing this is worthless. grandads, Spaniards are queuing for others, particularly the most vul- wrong.” Jesus picked up that because we love our families, the barbers of Seville while we look nerable within our communities. theme in the Gospel: “If you love Conversation our neighbours and our fellow like we are starring in an episode of me you will keep my command- human beings, enough to offer up Reflecting back on that Reeling the Years from the mid-70s. Sufferings ments.” whatever level of suffering this conversation I thought perhaps my There are a myriad of self-help I found myself going back to a very That link is there between demands of us. colleague’s situation finds an echo techniques and coping strategies old-fashioned Catholic idea which genuine love and living our lives in not just in many more presbyteries out there to assist people who are we don’t hear much about these a particular way. Now Tony Holo- around the country but also in struggling through this period of days, the notion of offering up our han or the Taoiseach would never 2 1 the homes of other people who isolation and lockdown. I’m also sufferings for the good of others. use this language of love to appeal live alone or even those who very aware of the importance of This idea is rooted in the Easter to us at this time, but as people of don’t live alone but are also prayer at this time. Many Faith story of Jesus suffering and dying Faith we can use that language in struggling. While Zoom, Facetime communities are finding ever for us so that we could all share in our present situation. In this time and WhatsApp are very useful for increasing creative ways to keep his resurrection and in eternal life. of pandemic the commandments both work and social interaction, their congregations in touch with This flies in the face of our modern are around social distancing, wash- they are no substitute for genuine each other and with their God. I culture where love of self is always ing our hands etc. human contact, especially with thank God daily for the webcam in put first and where my rights and But as this journey gets more 4

HELP TRAIN A YOUNG MAN FOR THE MISSIONARY MISSIONARIES PRIESTHOOD NEED YOUR MASS YOUR EASTERTIDE GIFT TO OUR RISEN SAVIOUR OFFERINGS Your Mass offerings help to Each year THE LITTLE WAY ASSOCIATION receives numerous requests from Religious Orders in mission provide the missionary lands for help to train their seminarians. priest’s maintenance and assist him to extend the The Little Way It costs approximately €100 a month Kingdom of God upon earth. Association (€1,200 a year) to feed, clothe and educate We like to send a a student for the priesthood missionary a minimum of €6 or more for each Mass. Crossed POs and cheques should be sent and made payable to: The great majority of young men who come forward to offer their lives to God, and His people, come from THE LITTLE WAY ASSOCIATION poor families. Their parents do not have the means to WELLS NEEDED Sacred Heart House, 119 Cedars Rd, Clapham Common, London SW4 0PR support them financially. The cost of educating and (Registered Charity No. 235703) Tel 0044 20 76 22 0466 maintaining seminarians is often a heavy burden on Missionaries constantly www.littlewayassociation.com the Religious Orders. It costs approximately €100 a appeal to The Little Way for I enclose €...... to be allocated to: month (€1,200 a year) to feed, clothe and educate a funds to sink wells in order to To donate online go to provide clean water, the lack €...... TRAINING FORTHE PRIESTHOOD tinyurl.com/lwadonations student for the priesthood. We appeal wholeheartedly, €...... NEEDS OF MISSIONARIES this Easter/Pentecost, to all readers to help train and of which causes much illness €...... MASS OFFERINGS support a candidate for the priesthood. and many medical needs. On (Please state number ______) DONATIONS FOR THE average, women in Africa and €...... WELLS AND CLEAN WATER MISSIONS ARE SENT WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR ANY Asia walk around three hours €...... LITTLE WAY ADMIN EXPENSES Any donation you can send will be most EXPENSES. gratefully received, and will be sent every day to fetch water, Please tick if you would like an acknowledgement often in scorching heat. without deduction, to help to train a Name (Rev. Mr. Mrs. Miss) (Block letters please) young man for the priesthood. Can you help provide a well? Address EVERY EURO YOU SEND WILL BE VERY Your kind gift will be forwarded GRATEFULLY RECEIVED AND FORWARDED intact and gratefully received. IC/05/21 WITHOUT DEDUCTION.