THE NET | JANUARY 2021 1

ISSUE 61. JANUARY 2021 PRICE - £1.50 /€2.00 The NET “Wishing all a Sharing fruits of faith in Diocese Happy New Year”

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Oratory Blessing - St Joseph’s Derry.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, There is nothing I shall want, Diocesan School Mass - St Eugene’s. Fresh and green are the pastures, Where He gives me repose, Near restful waters He leads me, To revive my drooping spirit.” (Psalm 23)

Golden Jubilee - St Mary’s Melmount. Ness Woods Waterfall, Co Derry.

Divine Child Prayer – Termonbacca Diocesan Lourdes Mass - Steelstown. Colmcille 1500 – Long Tower Vocations - Fr Chris Ferguson in focus in People

Fr Michael Mullan RIP - . Katie Ascough - Called to More. Fr Patrick McGoldrick RIP - Buncrana. Mary O’Boyle - RE Advisor. Anne Friel DPC Chair - Glendermott.

Also featuring: Young writers share thoughts on New Year, St Columba, Role of the young in shaping the world post-Covid, and Francis’ moments of solitude; Diocesan Pastoral Council chair reflects on time of change as church; Faithful across the Diocese share hopes for 2021, Irish Page, Children’s Catechism Club, Quiz & Features and much more... 2 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 Bishop Donal reflects on the Pope’s prayer intention for January 2021 – “Human Contents fraternity...May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers

CopiesParish of ‘The Net’ will deliveries be available in parishes again and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all”. after restrictions, as a result of Covid-19, are lifted. Pray for the gift of forgiving hearts A reflection by Bishop Donal...... p2 Faith & Life Reflection by Mary McMenamin...... p2 Pray for the gift of forgiving hearts Act of Consecration to the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary...... p2 THE great document on day and a favourite way to the Church from the Second power. Indeed, there are Celebrating 50 years of St Mary’s Church, Melmount Vatican Council, ‘Lumen those within the Catholic by Hollie Frystal...... p3 Gentium’, includes in its family who have adopted that first paragraph a powerful confrontational approach in Dedication of Oratory another landmark day sentence – “the Church is... church issues. in history of St Joseph’s School...... p4 like a sacrament or as a sign ’ call to human and instrument both of a very fraternity follows on from Bishop Donal pays tribute to schools for creativity in challenging times...... p5 closely knit union with God his document of October It is with a faith full of hope and of the unity of the whole 3rd 2020, ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (FT). that we place our trust in God by Mary O’Boyle...... p5 human race.” His Letter begins Catholic Schools’ Week launch The Bible story had begun with an analysis of ‘Dark by Therese Ferry...... p5 with Adam and Eve making Clouds over a Closed World’. a mess of the initial harmony He refers to the ‘throwaway’ Carmelite Novena a humbling into which they were created. world and ‘globalization and and touching time of prayer...... p6-7 The purpose of the Church progress without a roadmap’. Derry youth impressed by Dublin couple’s is, through the grace of Jesus, All of this leads, he suggests, to Focus on ‘Called to More’...... p8-9 to speak about - and model both contempt for others and - that vertical relationship a widespread self-contempt. Our vocation is a gift to give thanks to God with God and the horizontal In any crisis, the temptation is by Fr Chris Ferguson...... p9 relationship between people. strong to build walls to protect Derry Diocesan Vocations’ Prayer...... p9 January is the month ourselves. Inside the walls, when Catholics are asked to those who see themselves as From seminary to parish life celebrate the Week of Prayer righteous can gather. That was – A tribute to the late Fr Patrick McGoldrick by Rose Ann O’Donnell...... p10 for Christian Unity. Jesus how the Pharisees reacted. had prayed that His followers But the Christian response Steadfast in prayer during long life would be so united that others to this reality, Pope Francis – A tribute to the late Fr Michael Mullan...... p11 would believe in Him (John proposes, is St Paul’s teaching Bishop Donal 17:21). For many outsiders, that the greatest danger is Young writers share thoughts on... Christian disunity is a source failing to love (cf 1 Corinthians Communities of the self- being famous! We have a lot of work to - Hopes for 2021 of scandal and makes Christ’s 13:1-13). He invites us to righteous can be very cold In a world where it is easy do in that respect in Ireland. - Relevance of St Columba today message seem incredible. prioritise ‘thinking and acting places, liable to constant to say that the bad enemy of There is a lot of healing to be - The role of the young in shaping the world post-Covid Much of the political world in terms of community’. (FT fragmentation! good us is out there – Russia, done and we have to start with - Pope Francis’ moments of solitude...... p12-15 in many countries is riven by 116) The pandemic has shown us China, capitalism, Islam etc our own backyard. Prayer for Bishop Donal launches Columban Year...... p16 bitter words and angry leaders. Loving people is more that the real heroes are those – Pope Francis encourages the gift of forgiving hearts is Diocesan Lourdes Mass of Remembrance...... p16 Division by condemnation important than merely who care for others and not us to be bridge-builders and what we are asked to pray in seems to be the order of the championing laws. those who are famous, just for peacemakers. the first month of 2021. Ár nDúchas Spioradálta Irish Page by Fr Oliver Crilly...... p17 This is a time of change for all of us as Church Reflection on Faith and Lifeby Mary McMenamin by Anne Friel, DPC Chair...... p18-19 AS the New Year 2021 begins, Mary as this New Year begins. Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus We face many challenges...but I believe the Lord it is a time for reflection, I look with sadness on the and Mary’ in our homes. will build up the Diocese by Bishop Donal...... p19 renewal of hope and new abortion laws that came into Mary mother of God pray Diocesan Pastoral Council...... p19 resolutions. The first day of effect in 2019, which is one for us! St Columba Prayer...... p19 January is the feast day of Mary of most extreme abortion We pray that 2021 will bring Mother of God, a very special laws seen anywhere in the everyone peace, joy, good New Year blessing...... p20 feast. There is no better way to world. Human life has been health and, most of all, faith! Looking forward to the blessings of 2021 with hopeful hearts...... p20-27 begin the New Year than with devalued here in Ireland by Our Lady. our governments and the Teach me to pray! St Therese of Lisieux St Pope John Paul II had a womb has now become one by Fr Stephen Quinn OCD...... p28 great devotion to Mary and of the most dangerous places Prayer for Priests...... p28 demonstrated this throughout for a baby to be. The job of Pope’s Prayer Intention...... p28 his life on earth. When Karol our government should be to Wojtyla was a young boy of protect the most vulnerable in Our Hidden God Act of Consecration to the Most Sacred eight, he came home one day our society, but unfortunately by Fr Johnny Doherty CSsR...... p29 from school to hear that his that is not the case today. Marriage and the Family Hearts of Jesus and Mary by Tom & Madeline McCully...... p29 Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, dear mother had died. He ran We, as Christians, have an We consecrate ourselves and our whole families to you. straight to the local parish important role to play in these Evergreen treasures We consecrate to you our very beings and all our lives, church in Wadowice and ran troubled times. What can by Vera McFadden...... p30 all that we have, and all that we love. up the aisle of the church, we do, you may ask. To put it To you we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls. where he knelt in front of the simply, we can pray! Children’s Catechism Club – C3 To you we dedicate our homes and our country. statue of Our Lady. Through The Rosary is a powerful by Veronica Harley...... p31 Mary McMenamin. Mindful of this consecration, we now promise you to live tears, he said to her, “I don’t weapon against evil. During Quiz Time with Lawrence...... p31 the Christian way know why God took my each apparition at Fatima, Our by that practice of Christian virtues, without regard for mother to His home at the Lady asked the children to pray The ministry of human respect. time He did, but I do know the Rosary every day. She also O most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, one thing, you are my mother asked that we practice the five The NET accept our humble confidence, now!” First Saturdays in reparation was dedicated to Our Sharing the fruits of the faith in the Derry Diocese and this act of consecration, From then, he entrusted to God for the sins committed Lady, through the by which we entrust ourselves and all our families to you. himself to Our Lady and lived against her Immaculate Heart. intercession of Contacting us: In you, we put all our hopes and we shall never be by the motto, ‘Totus Tuus’ Our own Eamon St Maximilian Kolbe, in a If you have a story that you would like to share or an event you confounded. (Totally Yours) throughout his Martin has also asked that all would like covered by The Net, just drop an email to ceremony celebrated by Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on us! pontificate. Like St Pope John parishes in Ireland do the five [email protected] Bishop Donal McKeown Immaculate Heart of Mary, Be Our Salvation! Paul II, we too can consecrate First Saturdays, along with the or ring/text 07809292852 on August 14, 2019. ourselves to Jesus through ‘Act of Consecration to the THE NET | JANUARY 2021 3 Celebrating 50 years of St Mary’s Church Melmount, Strabane, parish priest, Fr Michael Doherty tells parishioners…

Thank you for being the Church of Melmount by Hollie Frystal that storytelling and recalling are committed leaders. We are past events and memories was forever grateful to have them. common. It was also known The big question: What does as Christian oral tradition. As the next 50 years hold for the traditional Irish people, we are Parish of Melmount? And further, very good at reminiscing about the across the Diocese of Derry? We past and we naturally like to talk reflected on this question, at Mass, to people and get to know them. by looking back at how far we have For instance, in my own family, come until now. No one could we love to tell stories and to speak have ever anticipated the Covid-19 of those who have gone before pandemic and its huge impact. us. It brings real comfort and joy, As Fr Michael said - “We place and I have learnt so much from ourselves in God’s hands”. In other my parents, grandparents, uncles, words, we must trust in God and and aunts. We must cherish our in ourselves - in our ability to go memories and stories, and listen forward with God’s help and guide, to the wisdom given to us by our with the strength to face whatever elders so that we can go forth with lies ahead as a Church community. ON Sunday, December 13, we We also remembered those who support. I am a 17-year-old parishioner celebrated the 50th anniversary of had gone before us and who had Fr Michael, the longest serving of St Mary’s, Melmount. I have St Mary’s Church, in Melmount such a great impact on the life of Parish Priest in the Diocese with been baptized, had my first Parish, Strabane. In 1970, the Melmount Parish in the past. We 32 years’ service, concluded the Confession, received my First chapel today replaced the previous continue to pray for the future of anniversary Mass with a word of Holy Communion, and was St Mary’s Church, which was Melmount and its leaders. thanks to all involved, and referred confirmed in this Church. I cannot located across the road, where the Regarding leadership, Bishop to the first baptism, wedding express enough how proud I am old cemetery is presently situated. McKeown referred, in his homily, and funeral that took place in to be a parishioner of Melmount, Within this period of time, our to John the Baptist preparing the Melmount. and I am extremely grateful for Parish has had 7,700 Baptisms, way for the ‘coming’ of Christ. The Thankfully, the married couple, the opportunities I am given in 1,560 weddings and 2,430 funerals. Bishop said: “The heart of John’s the first baptized parishioner and the parish. Long after finishing the As a result of an increasing message is - in every generation – the children and grandchildren Pope John Paul II Award, I am still population, St Mary’s Church had ‘prepared to be shocked’ by God’s of the first ever deceased member reading and being entrusted with to be expanded. At that time, there anointed one.” of our Parish are still with us, to delivering the Word of God on the was a significant change in Church Mirroring Pope Francis’ words in celebrate 50 years of Melmount altar. I would not change it for the buildings regarding architectural ‘Christus Vivit’, Melmount Parish Parish. This further reflects the world. developments, and the changes and its leaders share a mission to generational aspect and impact of I would like to extend an made in Vatican II. pave the way and make room for the Church. invitation – peer to peer – to young Melmount Parish goes as far the young Church. Our excellent Fr Michael also reflected on the people out there, to take time to back as the penal times, through achievement of 50 years as a strong number of baptisms, weddings acknowledge their responsibility the old parish of Urney, to the Parish is a motivation that spurs us and funerals that had taken place in their parishes, and that they are time of the early Irish Church and on to aim to achieve further by its within this period. These are valued both in the present as well its prominent figures, such as St 100th birthday. extraordinary and encouraging as for the future of the Church. Colman, who Bishop Neil Farren The Holy Father speaks of statistics – especially the number Thank you to all of our clergy dedicated the old St Colman’s intergenerational relationships, of christenings, reflecting the high and parishioners of Melmount, Secondary School to in 1958, that as he expresses the importance of level of faith that is still present in and across the whole Diocese of preceded the present Holy youth being attached to their roots the Parish. Derry. I look forward with hope College. by having a relationship with their Our priest-in-residence, Fr and excitement to the next 50 We marked our 50th anniversary elders. John Doherty, who celebrated the years to come and more! with Sunday morning Mass “Helping the young to discover 12.30 pm Mass afterwards, came I’ll finish with the words concelebrated by Bishop Donal the living richness of the past, to to Melmount Parish about a year of a previous parish priest of McKeown, and our parish priest, treasure its memory and to make after its opening and served there Melmount, Fr Anthony Mulvey, Fr Michael Doherty. It was the use of it for their choices and for many years. He said that he at the opening of the Melmount third week of Advent, when the opportunities, is a genuine act of had many happy memories of Centre in 1985: “Christ is present pink candle was lit for ‘Gaudete love towards them, for the sake Melmount. in the simple, sincere, natural Sunday’, which is the Latin of their growth and the decisions Speaking at the end of the 10.30 goodness of people, holy and for ‘rejoice’. December 13 was they are called to make,” said Pope am Mass, Fr Michael said: “Thank happy. The people in the parish certainly a day of utmost joy, as the Francis (Christus Vivit). you for being the Church of are the Body of Christ. They are Parish of Melmount once again Melmount”. In turn, we thank both all Christ’s, the people of God, came together to celebrate the Cherish Fr Michael and Fr John for being showing God to the world and to sacrifice of the Holy Mass on its I suppose, looking back to the such inspirational role models, one another” anniversary. early Christian Church, we see who are absolutely fantastic and

Danny Blee, assistant sacristan St Mary’s, Melmount 4 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 Dedication of Oratory another landmark day in history of St Joseph’s School a lot of irresponsible behaviour and Christian community that is St and self-harm. It is remarkable Joseph’s Boys’ School”. that only a few of the modern She added: “The Oratory has sporting and music stars have been much needed to support shown themselves as generous and faith promotion, prayer, liturgical idealistic. events, quiet reflection, and a “Religious faith offers us the sanctuary for all in our school. belief that life is precious, that For this great gift, we wish to forgiveness, generosity and a fresh acknowledge the generous support start are available. It offers you role that we have received to make this models of great and heroic saints. St Joseph’s Oratory a reality, after Many young people feel let down all the planning and development by some adults in their lives. Jesus over a number of years. wants you to mature as wonderful “We would particularly like to adults that will inspire the next acknowledge the contribution of generation. This oratory is part of the former St Peter’s High School that rich message that we want to and the work and achievements offer to young people”. of the Christian Brothers, lay Bishop Donal also pointed out staff and pupils, as a school in the that the oratory was meant to Creggan community and beyond, be a quiet room: “Life is full of and the resulting gift to St Joseph’s noise. Silence is supposed to be a from the Creggan Parish.” bad thing. You are all bombarded Mrs McCarron went on to point by words and music all day long. out that one of the new stain glass Some people actually fear being windows paid tribute to St Peter’s still and quiet. This oratory says High School, with an illustration of that it is possible to find a quiet the ancient boat used as space in the midst of all the rush a symbol by the school to represent of life – and that we all need quiet St Peter, the Fisherman. time to listen to ourselves and to The school also received a gift hear what is going on in our hearts. from the Sisters of Mercy of a beautiful stain glass window Quiet depicting St Joseph; the work “Sometimes we may find that of Harry Clarke (1889 to 1931), uncomfortable. But it is only whom Mrs McCarron described ON the day that Pope Francis and remember adults who took by hearing our dreams and our as “undoubtedly Ireland’s greatest proclaimed a special ‘Year of St you seriously, wherever you are worries that we can start dealing stained glass artist”. Joseph’, December 8, 2020 to on your journey. And I hope that with them. Prayer is not merely Another special gift the school December 8, 2021, a very special you will remember the oratory as about saying holy words. Prayer community feel honoured to have event was happening in the a place where you found wisdom is being real about who you are received for the Oratory is the altar life of the family of St Joseph’s and support, silence and peace”. with the God of the universe who and tabernacle used by the late Boys’ School in Derry, with the Remarking that some might ask knows and loves you – a God who Bishop Edward Daly, which were dedication and blessing of their why waste money on an oratory wants nothing but the best for originally made by pupils in St new oratory dedicated to their at a time when money is in short you. This oratory is a place where Joseph’s. Patron Saint. supply for families, government you – whether you are a pupil or Acknowledging the pupils and Bishop Donal was joined by and schools, Bishop Donal went a member of staff - can be quiet their contribution, now woven priests from the parishes of St on to say: “This prayer room before the Cross, where everything into the fabric of the oratory, the Eugene’s and St Mary’s Creggan in the heart of the school says can find its meaning”. principal pointed out that their for the Mass of Dedication and that education is not just about Highlighting that the oratory designs had been used to create blessing ceremony, and he paid cramming into young heads and was a place too, where the pupils the new stain glass windows with tribute to those who had “worked then asking you to spew it out on and staff members could come symbols representing what St hard to ensure that St Joseph’s has the exam paper again. That is not together to pray, the Bishop Joseph’s and their community an oratory”. education. remarked: “We journey in life meant to them – workers tools, In a message for the pupils, “This school wants to offer a with friends and with others with the oak leaf and the dove of peace. Bishop Donal said: “The school way of looking at life that makes whom we have things in common. Expressing sincere thanks staff and governors want to offer sense of all the subjects you study. Catholics believe that we meet to all who had been involved you the very best formation and It wants to give you a meaning for Jesus in a special way in the Word in supporting, creating and opportunities that they can. The which to live and not just means of God and in Holy Communion. developing the beautiful oratory, oratory is part of what they believe by which to live. It proposes an The oratory provides space where including the parishes and can help you to blossom and to understanding of the human you can grow in faith together with communities of St Eugene’s and deal with the problems that you person which says that each person others in your year group and your St Marys, the Contractors Stewart already face and may well have to is of eternal beauty and value. That school. Belonging is an important and McConnell, O’Neill’s Joinery, deal with in the future”. rebels against the message that life part of believing”. Alpha Glass, and architect, Eoghan Noting that St Joseph “was is only a joke and that growing up Describing the occasion as Devery, Mrs McCarron said: “We a strong man who took his and maturing are a bit of a mug’s “another landmark day in the look forward to sharing this responsibilities in life seriously”, he g a m e”. history of St Joseph’s Boys’ School”, beautiful space with our pupils, added: “I hope that you will look He added: “The cultural message the principal, Mrs Martina staff and our local communities”. back on your days in St Joseph’s that it’s all about me has led to McCarron said: “St Joseph’s Disappointed that they had been Oratory represents who we are unable to celebrate the completion and what we do as a school. It is an of the Oratory as originally embodiment of our Catholic ethos planned last March, with their and tradition. The Oratory will local and wider community provide an explicit space where all and friends, due to Covid-19 of our pupils, staff and the wider restrictions, the school recorded community can have a sense of the Mass of Dedication and it can nearness and closeness to God, and be viewed online on the St Joseph’s an awareness of our faith and what Boys’ School Facebook page. it means to be part of the Catholic THE NET | JANUARY 2021 5 Bishop Donal pays tribute to schools for creativity in challenging times THE end of yet another for Christmas,” he said, before response to this challenging time. hope, searching for the truth, will challenging term for school going on to relate the travelling You have been prepared to journey. find it, probably in unexpected communities around the Diocese, theme to the journeys mentioned “It has been difficult for parents places. due to the ongoing concerns in the Scripture accounts of the and young people, some of whom “Like the Magi, after this surrounding the Covid-19 Christmas story, undertaken by are facing examinations. We are pandemic, we will be going back pandemic, saw pupils and school Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, not sure what is going to face us home by a different way, having staff gather around screens in their and the Magi. in January or in 2021, but it is learnt new lessons.” classrooms and assembly halls to Acknowledging that school important to face these realities.” He continued: “This is a tough join Bishop Donal online for the communities had had a long, Returning to the journeys of journey but it will end, and Christ celebration of Mass in St Eugene’s stressful journey this year, with the Christmas story, Bishop will be there and will have travelled Cathedral, to mark the occasion. lockdowns, e-learning, and Donal noted: “The difference in with us.” As the second school term closed class bubbles, and were facing our journey and that in the Bible The ceremony concluded with amid the countdown to Christmas, uncertainty about what lay ahead, is that it was undertaken with Bishop Donal reading some of the Bishop Donal remarked how, in Bishop Donal went on to point confidence; they knew they were kindness prayers that had been normal circumstances, people out that the theme for Catholic going somewhere.” written by pupils in schools around would be preparing to travel home Schools’ Week, 24-31 January, was Highlighting the importance of the Diocese for the occasion, to celebrate with their families, but “communities of resilience”. being aware of how difficult this and placed in the manger in the that this may not be possible for Commending the resilience time has been for many, especially nativity scene at the front of the many this year. shown particularly this year, he those who have lost loved ones, sanctuary. “I have nephews and nieces in said: “Schools have shown great those in hospital and prison, he England who will not be home generosity and creativity in their added: “Those who journey in

Thanking staff and students for the commitment, enthusiasm and resilience shown in 2020, and offering encouragement for the days ahead, Diocesan Post Primary RE advisor, Mary O’Boyle writes... It is with a faith full of hope that we place our trust in God Good-bye to the pain, suffering caring community, which had at faith, a hope, a belief in a world, and loss that was 2020 and yet... its core the belief that every child a person outside and beyond our I am mindful of the fact that is loved by God and deserves to be immediate environments. So, it God was in 2020, just as He is cherished. is with a faith full of hope that we with us as we journey into 2021. Moving into 2021, we rely place our trust in God. Henri Nouwen reminds us that once again on the commitment, “I alone know the plans I have we should not be “afraid to look enthusiasm and resilience of for you, plans to bring prosperity at everything that has brought us staff and students to ensure that and not disaster, plans to bring to where are now and trust that schools will continue to be centres about the future you hope for”. we will soon see in it the guiding of learning and of faith. I have no (Jer 29:1) hand of a loving God”. fears in this regard. I am filled with Mary O’Boyle, Derry Diocesan Post For throughout 2020, God was Hope, a Hope that relies on Jesus (References: Good News Bible; Primary advisor near, close at hand, walking with and his message “I will be with Nouwen, H (1997) ‘Bread for the AS I prepare, and the schools us as we battled coronavirus and you always; to the end of the age.” Journey’ Harper Collins; Havel prepare for the new term of the effect of its impact on the lives (Matt 28: 20) A Hope that sees V.(1936-2011) Hope is a state of 2021, I cannot help but take a few of those we love. Indeed, we have God’s guiding hand in everything. mind, not of the world. Hope, i... moments to reflect on the year a lot to be grateful for! Nouwen A Hope that does not see success quote by Vaclav Havel (meaningin. past. It was a year like no other; says that it is easy to be grateful as the yardstick of achievement com); Pope Francis New Year’s Eve a year where normal routines for the “good things that happen but a Hope that relies rather “on Homily 2020.) were abandoned, schools closed, in our lives”, but being grateful the ability to work for something lessons cancelled, and religious for the bad moments, the failures because it is good…” (Havel) liturgies moved online to be the rejections - that requires effort It is Hope that will see us celebrated virtually. and “hard spiritual work”. through – a Hope that gives us Catholic Schools’ Week launch Added to this, schools also And so, I take this opportunity the strength to adapt to changing had to with the wearing to say thank you to the schools teaching situations, to continue by Therese Ferry of masks, constant sanitising, and their staff who day and preparing for remote learning, CATHOLIC Schools’ Week 2021 celebrated by Bishop Donal in St schools, parishes and families and the need to maintain social daily, despite hardship, nurtured to support the vulnerable, to will be celebrated from January Eugene’s Cathedral on Thursday, will be available for downloading distance. Rituals which once the students in their care: who battle through restrictions and to 24-30, with this year’s theme being January 21 at 10 am. from The Catholic Schools seemed strange now have the made sure that educational continually try new and creative ‘Catholic Schools – Communities This Mass can be viewed via Partnership website, https://www. aura of normality! Many people, I opportunities were available, ways to serve those we teach. of Faith and Resilience’. the Cathedral webcam and on St catholicschools.ie/ am sure, breathed a sigh of relief who embraced each student and We are driven not by regulations A Mass to launch the celebration Eugene’s Facebook Live page. at midnight on New Year’s Eve. welcomed them into a loving and and school contracts but by a of our Catholic Schools will be National resources for use by 6 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 Carmelite Novena to The Child Jesus a humbling and touching time of prayer THE Novena to The Child Jesus to the Divine Child, a Prayer of brought comfort to many in Derry Intercession, a Prayer for During and beyond in the days leading up Difficult Times, a Child’s Prayer to Christmas, filling hearts and to The Infant Jesus, and a Family minds with peace and hope in the Prayer. midst of ever growing concerns There was great excitement about the spread of Covid-19, and in the Kelly Young home at keeping a welcome focus on God’s Ballymagowan Avenue, in gift to the world through the birth Creggan, when the Divine Child of Our Saviour. image arrived. Amanda told ‘The And many responded to the Net’ that she, her husband, Nic, Termonbacca Carmelite Fathers’ and children, Jordan and Faye felt promotion of an old Christian it was “an amazing privilege to be tradition to welcome the Holy able to be part of this experience”. Infant, by placing a lighted candle “When Fr Stephen contacted us in the window of their homes for to ask if we would like to have the the nine nights of the Novena, and Child Jesus in our home,” recalled erecting their cribs in prominent Amanda, “we were thrilled. We positions. loved the idea of the Novena and Each night had a different what it represented, and we gladly theme: The Journey to the Child, accepted. Divine Preparations for the Child, “Although we knew about this, John the Baptist and the Child, the knowing didn’t in the least Annunciation, St Joseph and the indicate how beautiful this would Child, Blessed Virgin and the be. On the day the Baby Jesus Child, The Visitation, The Finding was arriving the entire family was in the Temple, and The Child Jesus excited. We prepared the children and the Catholic Family, which the and told them all about it. Our Carmelite Fathers, Fr Stephen, Fr eight-year-old daughter, Faye kept Michael and Fr Ted, took turns to watching the window and saying speak on during the live streamed ‘is he here, is he here’, and she was Novena Masses celebrated each telling everyone about baby Jesus night in the monastery. coming to our house”. This was the first year of The She added: “The anticipation and Child Jesus Novena and the excitement was powerful in the general consensus is that it should house and when the time arrived become an annual occurrence, so we all rushed to the door. It may special and meaningful was the have physically been a statue we time of prayer, particularly for opened the door to, but there was those who had been honoured to no doubt we were welcoming Baby receive The Divine Child statue Jesus to come into our home. into their homes during it. “The team were amazing as This was a unique aspect to they led Baby Jesus to our door. the Novena, prompted by the It was a beautiful moment, as my Carmelite tradition of housing friend’s daughter, Erin was part of the image of the Child Jesus in a the prayer team. Erin is the same nun or monk’s cell prior to it being age as our oldest boy, Jordan, and installed in the crib. when she carried Jesus to the door, The image of the infant Child Jordan received him from her and Jesus was carried to nine homes, lifted him into our house. in nine different local areas, by an “The joy and the peace that was escort of volunteers, who prayed flowing was amazing, it was such as they carried their precious a beautiful experience. We shared load from one part of the city to in scripture and prayer as Jesus another, in a way symbolic of Mary came into our home. We all prayed and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem together; the prayer team and all and the subsequent search for our family, and while we prayed somewhere to stay. Faye sprinkled the Holy Water on At each of the homes, starting in the Baby Jesus, and we blessed him Nixon’s Corner, Killea, on night and our home.” one, and moving to Creggan, After the prayer team left, we Rosemount, Ballymagroarty, placed Jesus in a nice place and Galliagh, Skeoge, , joined in online with Fr Stephen Waterside and Southway, Quinn for the Mass and novena before returning to the crib in prayers. Termonbacca, on Christmas Eve, Commenting on the strong the bearers of the Child Jesus sense of a baby being in the house, statue received a warm welcome Amanda said: “At bedtime, I said when they knocked on the doors. to Nic, ‘I feel terrible leaving him The honoured householdersdownstairs alone’. So, we got a stood with a lighted candle and chair, placed it along my side of the Holy Water, to be sprinkled on bed and placed Jesus on the chair. the image of the Child Jesus as it He was beside us all through the was blessed and handed over to its night. temporary guardians. A booklet containing private novena prayers Amazing to say inside the home was also “Next morning, Faye was excited provided, and included a prayer to check Jesus was still with us and of Consecration of the Home helped bring Him downstairs. It THE NET | JANUARY 2021 7

said Betty, remarking that it had that people gave up their time to prayer with it. So, we took different something so holy was happening lost their lives jumping from that a special effect on her husband, do this. It was a real community time slots between us and said the along this route on which a lot of bridge. George, who has Alzheimer’s and effort.” prayers in our own homes, and bad things had happened during “There were great blessings from Parkinson’s. Saying that she and her mother even the grandchildren spent time The Troubles. So that was very being involved as a volunteer and “George doesn’t sleep well, and had prepared their home as they in prayer too. special and it was the same when saying so much prayer. People sometimes I give him a sleeping would if anyone was coming to “It was a beautiful experience. we walked to the Creggan along stopped us en route to ask what we tablet but I didn’t the night we had stay with them, Mandy added: “We We loved every minute of it and the back road and recalled the were doing and then they would the Baby Jesus statue in our home. wanted everything to be just right actually missed having the statue soldiers being at Piggery Ridge, as bless themselves and say that it was I brought it into our bedroom and for Him coming into our home. It in our home after it had left. We we prayed. a lovely thing to do, and it was also placed it beside the night light on was a beautiful experience and the felt very honoured, especially “The longest walks were from very touching to see the excitement, the dressing table. George loved it whole Novena was a lovely way when it arrived on the day when Shantallow to Top of the Hill, in reverence and real appreciation that much he kept looking over at it to prepare for Christmas, helping the Christmas Star was going to be the Waterside, which took one- of the people who opened their and he was so peaceful throughout us to focus more on faith than visible in the sky; something that and-a-half hours, and then from doors to receive the Child Jesus the night. shopping”. only apparently happens every 800 there to Southway the following statue; some were moved to tears. “He can’t remember the words Having the statue of the Divine y e ar s .” night, but neither walk seemed It was just a beautiful experience really was amazing”. of the Angel Guardian prayer Child in their Glenabbey home, As it made its way back towards that long. We stopped and said a for all involved and a wonderful With the Baby Jesus image due but he was able to say that whole at Skeoge, led to a special time of Termonbacca, Charlie and Louise special prayer for those who had preparation for Christmas.” to be moved on to the next home prayer when we prayed it during prayer and conversation for Martin McMonagle were delighted to before the children got home from the visit of the Child Jesus statue. and Kathleen Gallagher, and their receive it in their Southway home. school, Amanda and Nic decided He also asked me for his Rosary children, Dean and Gemma. Charlie recalled sitting up until to do the Novena prayers before beads and he didn’t leave them out Together after three o’clock in the morning, they left, with Faye leading the of his hands during that time, but Martin loved how the Divine enjoying sitting and praying in the children’s prayer and the family he hasn’t asked me for them since. Child image was being carried presence of the Child Jesus image. prayer. He just seemed to sense something around areas in the City, especially “I prayed for all my family and “We are so thankful for the very special while the statue was in in the midst of this challenging friends, and people who have died experience and loved every minute our home. period with the coronavirus: “It over the years,” said Charlie, “and, of it,” said Amanda, adding: “We “It was really a lovely time and gave a real sense of how we are all as I looked at it, memories came offered all the prayers for everyone when the statue was leaving again, in this together. I just thought that back of Nativity plays I had been in in our city, all our families, our it was like the coffin of a loved was beautiful. when I was younger. friends and those who asked one being taken out of the house; “As a family, we talked about “We have a statue of the Sleeping directly for prayer, and we want that’s how special the experience the hardships people experience St Joseph on our cupboard, and to thank everyone involved for was. There was also something and what it must have been like as I was looking at it, during the allowing us the opportunity to very comforting in knowing for Mary and Joseph going to time the Divine Child statue was experience this as a family”. that the people carrying it from Bethlehem and having difficulty in our home, I wondered what his Carmel and Don Moore also Rosemount to our home were finding somewhere to stay. It so thoughts had been when the Baby had the privilege of welcoming praying for us. It was just a lovely happened that, the next day, the Jesus was born. So, it was a very the Divine Child statue into their thing to do and I hope they do this Bishop talked about people in prayerful and reflective time. Rosemount home. En route from every year, so that more and more society who were isolated; who Feeling vexed after the Divine the Kelly Young home, the holy people can get to experience how didn’t fit in. So, the experience Child left their home, Louise told procession was met by Bishop special it is”. helped to open our eyes up to all ‘The Net’: “No money could buy Donal, who gave a blessing and When Mandy Bradley was asked that we have. It was an awakening the beautiful experience we had. helped to carry the statue in its if she would like the Child Jesus to our own blessings.” I love the Baby Jesus and Our special box. statue to visit the Galliagh home Kathleen found that looking Lady, and I have a great devotion Deeply moved by the experience, she shares with her mother, Dolly, upon the Divine Child image to St Joseph. I feel that he is with Carmel told ‘The Net’ how, in she welcomed it as one of the many stirred her maternal instincts: “It me all the time and I talk to him. ‘normal times’, she would have had blessings she has received through was a very emotional experience St Joseph has done a lot for me “the whole street invited round for all the prayers offered for her since for me, especially as a mother. I over the years and for others too, the occasion”. she was diagnosed with cancer last spent a lot of time on my own with especially those looking for jobs. “I told everyone that we would May. him, and it really made me sit back He is a very quick intercessor and offer prayers for their intentions “It was such a special time for and think as a mother. doesn’t want a lot of glory; he just and many asked us to pray for my mother and I, and we sat up “I thought about how blessed stays in the background”. them,” said Carmel, adding: “It to 3am praying and reflecting,” we were that our son survived One of the volunteers who was an absolute privilege to have said Mandy, “I look on it as a difficult birth, and what Mary accompanied the Child Jesus had the Divine Child Jesus statue another blessing, like the blessing must have gone through to see her statue on most of the journeys in our home. I could sense a lovely it is to have all the online Masses son suffer and die the way He did. between houses during the Novena peace. Don and I said the Rosary and prayer to tune into during This made me feel very grateful was Sean Gallagher, a member of and the prayers that we were given. this period, when I have to and also humbled. I just think the Creggan-based Divine Mercy “We placed the image in the shield because of the cancer. The this Novena was a brilliant idea, Prayer Group. living room and I spent most of the blessings have been unbelievable especially with all that is going on Describing the whole experience time there praying. It was just such and through them God is giving with the virus and abortion”. as “very humbling”, Sean recalled a lovely time and I was sad when me the strength to take one day at May Cairns and her family some moments that particularly it was leaving again the next day”. a time. also found it very special to stood out for him: “Every night, we Betty and George Fitzpatrick “And it is so comforting to think have the Divine Child image in prayed from the minute we lifted were also delighted to welcome the of all the prayer that is being said their Shantallow home: “It was a the statue until we left it at the statue into their Ballymagroarty by the volunteers as they carry the privilege to have the Child Jesus home receiving it, and on the first home. Child Jesus statue from house to statue in our home and we decided night, as we walked out to Nixon’s “It was just a fantastic experience,” house. I just think it is amazing to try and do a 24-hour vigil of Corner, it just felt surreal that 8 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 New online faith formation apostolate welcomed by Bishop Donal as... Derry youth impressed by Dublin couple’s focus on ‘Called to More’ YOUNG Dublin journalist, Katie Commenting on ‘Called to More’, first home schooling consultant. Ascough, who connected live with Bishop Donal recalled hearing, She does this through the Mother young people in the Diocese via during the 2018 Synod on Young of Divine Grace School, which is the Derry Youth Instagram to People and Faith, about “allowing based in California but is online, talk about the recently launched the new generation to lead the so it is international. She has also Catholic apostolate, ‘Called to Church forward”. appeared on television many times More’, has shared the story of her He added: “One of the great to talk about home schooling and faith journey with ‘The Net’, and features of the lockdown has been the Catholic faith, and is very how she hopes to spend the rest of the creativity that young people good at standing up for what she her days answering the call to help of faith have shown. They have believes in”. others know their faith as a way of come to the fore in using the Home-schooled, Katie life. new technologies, not merely as acknowledges the “real sacrifice” The 24-year-old and herconsumers but as creators. that was for her parents: “I am husband, Edward Barrett-Shortt, “Katie Ascough is a young very grateful to have been home- who just got married back in July, married woman. She and her educated, it was really good for my felt drawn towards helping form husband, Edward, have taken on whole education and I hope to do young people, in particular, in their the ministry of providing faith the same for my family. We used faith following the Referendum on formation materials for young a Catholic curriculum, so I got the Eighth Amendment, in which adults with the powerful message to learn about my faith very well 87 per cent of young people had of www.CalledtoMore.org. They from a young age. Faith and reason voted for abortion, and through are convinced that Jesus is calling really did go hand in hand for me. prayer and discernment, ‘Called to us to greatness. I have met with “I was quite a motivated and More’ evolved. them and am very happy to determined student, so home They were greatly encouraged promote their work.” education enabled me to spend by the support of the lay-people, Reflecting on her own faith more time on subjects that I loved, priests and bishops they spoke to formation and the development such as English, Latin and Science. before launching the apostolate of her relationship with God, I got to delve deeper into these, in February of this year, and one Katie describes herself as “a cradle which wouldn’t have happened of those they spoke to was youth Catholic; born and raised in a very with a public school”. champion, Bishop Donal, who Catholic home”. With regards to her faith growing is chair of the Commission for The oldest of 10 children born up, Katie remarked: “As is the case Worship, Pastoral Renewal and to Tom and Jacki Ascough, three for everyone, there comes a point Faith Development at national of whom are in Heaven, Katie in your life, usually in teenage level; which includes the Council feels blessed to have had the years, when you have to choose for Pastoral Renewal and Adult opportunity to know her faith very your faith for yourself, rather than Faith Development, of which he well from a young age, and for being trailed along to Mass, etc, is also chair and which includes that she is thankful to her father, by your parents. For me, it started youth ministry. In addition, he a self-employed engineer, and her when I was 14, when I went to is a Board Member of Catholic mother, who is also a journalist my first Youth 2000 retreat in Youth Ministry Ireland (CYMI), and a neo-family practitioner, Clonmacnoise. as liaison bishop between CYMI helping couples with natural “My uncle, Sean used to be the and the Bishops’ Conference, and family planning. national director of Youth 2000, was one of the two Irish Bishops’ “My mother is amazing and so I had been on their hikes and delegates at the 2018 Synod of does many different things,”would have been at retreats when Bishops on Young People, Faith remarked Katie, adding: “In the I was younger, with my parents. and Vocational Discernment. last two years, she was Ireland’s Going to this retreat was a huge moment for me. Before that, my Katie Ascough faith would have been very much half years. “I was a bit conflicted about saying ‘yes’ to God in a bigger way based on what I lived with my “While I always wanted to be fitting in and going to parties but than I ever had before,” remarked family, but when I went to this a journalist, I was advised not to still being true to my Catholic faith. Katie, who had just started dating retreat I saw a lot of young people study journalism but a subject I was living a bit of a double life her future husband, Edward, three on fire for their faith, and I was I was interested in, so I studied for the first three years of College weeks before she left for America. becoming on fire with mine but Medicinal Chemistry with but that changed after the FOCUS “I was on a flight to America the not just there yet”. Chemical Biology at UCD. This conference, having listened to talks day after the Referendum result She continued: “It was an would have taken me into a job about sobriety, chastity and prayer to repeal the Eighth Amendment, emotional and a social encounter working in a lab somewhere. I life. They all made so much sense. which I had been hugely involved with my faith, but I still had a like science; it is good for your “One theme that I found repeated in campaigning against through journey to go on in my relationship brain, and I feel that my degree during the conference was ‘What pro-life,” she said, adding: “I was with God, in a deeper sense, can be applied to lots of different if you gave God everything?’ going out there with the intention especially through prayer and things. However, I wanted to be That was a really important self- of staying one-to-two years, but I understanding what it meant to be a journalist in the area of pro- reflection question for me. I knew came back after an academic year, Catholic as a young adult. life and defending the Catholic I could give Him more but I didn’t in May 2019, because I missed “There were a couple of years, teaching, especially on bio-ethical have the guts to do that”. my boyfriend and felt called to between the ages of 14 and 21, issues and pro-life, and I have been Katie travelled with about start mission in Ireland as soon as where I was a retreat junkie. I went able to use my knowledge in this 20 other Irish students to the possible. to a lot of Youth 2000 retreats but way”. conference, which was attended “That year with FOCUS in I didn’t do too much in between Thankful for the Catholic faith by around 13,000 young people, Stillwater, Oklahoma, really these. However, when I was 17, during her time at university, Katie mostly aged 18-22 with FOCUS opened my eyes to the model of I started going to daily Mass for recalled that it was a time when being a campus ministry. And, evangelisation that works and about a year, on and off”. she really needed God and started while she was there, she applied to works really well. One of the to go to daily Mass: “During the be a FOCUS missionary. reasons I wanted to spend that Writing first three years, I wrestled on “I had previously missed the time with FOCUS was because Having always wanted to be a and off with how much I should deadline to apply as a missionary, I admired what they did, and I journalist, Katie began writing be drinking and partying. Then, but they offered me an opportunity wanted to learn it so that I could part-time when she was 18 years- during the fourth year, I went to to apply while I was at the do what I wanted most, formation old and at college: “I started with my first FOCUS (Fellowship of conference”, she explained, adding and evangelisation”. Spirit Radio when I was 18 years Catholic University Students) that two weeks later she received Disappointed at the Referendum old and then with the ‘Alive’ Conference in Chicago and news that she had been accepted result, Katie recalled discussions newspaper; neither was paid but received a lot of answers to very and six months after that she was with her boyfriend, Edward, who I did it for the experience not the practical questions about how to off to America for training. had also been part of the pro-life money. I was writing for ‘Alive’ Katie and Edward on their wedding day live my faith in a college setting. “That was a huge moment of me campaign, as to what the next steps every month for about two-and-a- THE NET | JANUARY 2021 9 continued from page 8 were in helping Ireland. donations from anyone who liked leading Catholic speakers such as “With 87 per cent of young the idea of what we wanted to do. Dr Scott Hahn, Fr Mike Schmitz people having voted for abortion,” It was a leap of faith for them as we and Fr Columba Jordan CFR, she said, “we felt that it was time hadn’t launched, and, thankfully, has had over 100,000 views, with for us to invest in the formation some continue to fund us”. the website getting 2,500 visits of young Catholics in the faith. As well as Katie working full- monthly. Knowing that there is a crisis in time with the ‘Called to More’ “Overall, our main audience is the , especially ministry and Edward dedicating 16-24 year olds, with 75 per cent with regards to catechesis and in his spare time to it, there are from Ireland, so we are reaching people knowing their faith, for about a dozen people who give the people we are intending to,” which the Church gets a lot of freely of their time to help, and remarked Katie. criticism, we considered where amongst them are three priests Planning to include more we could go from here and have a from different religious orders, a content next year, they aim bigger impact. seminarian based in Meath, three to launch a new video series “We felt that we wanted to use our Catholic journalists, a mother, a for personal use and group skills. Edward has a background catechist and a film-maker. discussion, as well as providing in branding and marketing, while In the process of fundraising for associated leader and discussion mine is journalism, and we had a next year, they have already raised guides. vague idea that we wanted to do two-thirds of the 30,000 Euros Much of the content reflects the something online regarding faith they need to continue the mission three pillars that are central to formation in Ireland. So, when I and ramp up content production the ministry of ‘Called to More’; came back from America, we got for 2021. helping young people know the ball rolling. We really started Prayer their faith better, helping them from scratch. We had to pray The website currently has a very grow deeper in their relationship about it and trust that God was strong read section, with around with God, and helping them be of the Catholic Church, and have America and said that he was ‘Called to More’ is also available to calling us to do this”. 40 articles released since the equipped and confident to share three priests and a seminarian on delighted to find something that give talks at parish and Diocesan During almost a year of February launch, including some their faith with others. our team to refer to, if we ever was Irish. Other people have also level, either in person or online, planning, they met with some on Advent and Christmas. In Katie also spoke about four have a question about theology. mentioned that it’s great to have depending on the circumstances. bishops, priests and lay people addition, a Prayer Series is being key values of the ministry: “Our “The fourth key is that ‘Called something home-grown. I think Looking to the future, Katie said who they felt would be able to offer launched, while plans for podcasts content is free. You don’t have to to More’ is Irish based. While it’s it is important to our identity as that she and Edward are planning guidance and spread the word, are currently on hold due to the pay for it, which is very important. great to have international guests Irish people”. to work at ‘Called to More’ for and they managed to raise 17,000 pandemic, and the virtual videos We feel that there is enough sometimes, our intention is to have During the pandemic, Katie the rest of their lives: “While we Euros to cover Katie’s salary for series, ‘Colloquy’ is going strong, goodwill in Ireland to not have to Irish accents and make cultural has received plenty of online think it is crucial now to speak to a year, as well as equipment and with plans for two more video charge our users. references, and we have had opportunities to promote the young people, we eventually want software, amongst other needs to series underway for next year. “High quality is another feedback that people care about ministry, including doing a to expand. The end goal is to have get started Greatly encouraged by the value, where we make sure that that. A man in messaged Youth 2000 workshop during the online content for all ages and all “We approached people that response in the nine months since everything we do is of a certain to say that he was coming into summer E-Festival, speaking at stages of faith. So, down the line, we knew and they referred us to ‘Called to More’ was launched, standard, as is the fact that we the Church in November and had the Ignite Conference organised we will have formation content for others who they thought would Katie noted that their Colloquy, are authentically Catholic. We are come upon ‘Called to More’. He online by the Cork-based pre-school, primary school and help,” said Katie, adding: “We got a series of conversations with always in line with the teaching had been using a lot of stuff from Dominicans, and giving a talk secondary school, and then RCIA in-person at another Ignite classes, sacramental preparation Conference in UCD. Queens and parish resources. A reflection by Fr Chris Ferguson - Diocesan Vocations’ Director University Chaplaincy also “We want to have a suite of organised an online talk and resources for lots of different age- discussion with Katie and its Fiat groups and stages of faith, so there Our vocation is a gift group, which led to a great open is a life-time of work in formation discussion, such as how to have in that”. ...to give thanks to God means becoming the person He created us to be difficult conversations with family While the ‘Called to More’ and friends about faith. website is the hub for all the and human in it. Who are the a God I want to control and tame. You, me, every one of us, Going forward, they are content, Facebook, YouTube and people, the voices providing light Péguy rallies against these false have been called, chosen, and planning to host a talk in January Instagram (@ctmcatholic) are also and hope? (Hubert Dreyfus & notions when he denounces those commissioned to share in Christ’s 2021 for university chaplaincies, used as different ways of reaching Sean Dorrance Kelly, ‘All Things who think they are too good for the saving mission. We can’t absolve for which they will invite a guest people. Further information can Shining.’) world around them “because they ourselves of this responsibility; we speaker to talk about formation be obtained by contacting Katie@ The French writer, Charles Péguy, have not the strength and the grace all have a part to play. All of our and evangelisation on campus. calledtomore.org goes one step further by claiming to be one with nature, because they lives are meaningful, because God the poet must be a prophet. Hope, have not got the courage to engage has chosen and sent us out into His for Péguy is a mystery of God’s love. with the everyday, they believe world, His creation. Our vocation God’s signature is the surprise of a themselves to have entered upon is a gift, and to give thanks to God loving, relentless pursuit, which we the eternal. Lacking the courage to means becoming the person He Holy Hours for are never able to elude or escape. be in the world, they believe they created us to be. Yet, we have to witnesses to are of God...because they love no Part of this dynamic of this relentless love; we have to be one, they believe they love God.” being called is to share in the Vocations Fr Chris Ferguson prophets of God’s love and mercy, In light of these sentiments, we responsibility of being a member A series of monthly ‘Holy the Italian teenager who was amid the flesh and blood of life. return to Christ’s words in the of the people of God. We all Hours’ has been organised by beatified on October 10, 2020, DAVID Foster Wallace, According to Péguy, you cannot Gospel of Matthew, “as long as you have a unique contribution to the Diocesan Vocations Team by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, described the vocation of a be a true Christian and distain the did it to the least of my sisters and make, a role, which only we can as part of the Columban Year of on behalf of Pope Francis, in the writer as helping their readers to everyday world, the physical, the brothers, you did it to me”. fulfil by using our talents and celebrations in the Diocese. Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, find a path in a modern world, natural, and the historical nature Can you and I claim to have personality. Part of this God- Focusing on the example of . His feast day is on October 12. which is characterised by much of the lives of all men and women. witnessed to Jesus’ presence in the given responsibility is the need to men and women who have lived confusion and lostness, a darkness As prophets and witnesses to the midst of the world’s joys and pains? help one another understand our their lives by faithfully answering caused by being adrift. The reign of God, we have been called From the moment of baptism, we vocation. Are we willing to take God’s call, like St Columba, the writer’s responsibility is to show upon to be salt of the earth, a light have been called, through the flesh an interest in the lives of others? time of reflection and prayer will a way forward, to offer a vision in the world. and blood of our lives, to build up Have we hearts big enough to offer encourage awareness of Jesus of hopeful possibilities available Charles Péguy warns against over God’s Kingdom. We have been encouragement, guidance and knocking on the door of our in the modern world. Where spiritualising our lives and seeking called and commissioned together support to the next generation? hearts. do we discover those voices in to flee the world, to cut ourselves as one people, to continue Christ’s Ultimately, how have we The Holy Hours will take place the modern world, who offer a off from our neighbour and their mission of gathering the nations. contributed to passing on the on the second Thursday of each light in times of such despair and problems. There is a temptation How have we responded to this gift of faith, ensuring the light month, at 8 pm, from churches darkness? Those who go beyond in thinking we are spiritual, when calling? How have we used our of Christ, the shepherd King, throughout the Diocese, with the dramatizing how dark and stupid in reality, we are a very modern gifts, talents, personality and the continues to shine in His disciples? first to be led by Fr Pat O’Hagan, everything is, and find a way to caricature of what it means to be a circumstances of our lives to fulfil How do we ensure young women PP Moville, from St Pius X depict this world and to illuminate Christian. We can be blind to the our vocation, to witness to being and men will continue to answer Church, on Thursday, January 14. the possibilities of being alive individualism, which concentrates made in the image and likeness of the call to build up the kingdom Fr Pat will focus on the life and only on my relationship with God, God? of God? vocation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, 10 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 Fr Patrick McGoldrick came to Moville as curate in the late 1990s. For the next 22 years, he was a source of spiritual guidance, friendship and support to many. He is remembered with fondest gratitude...writes Rose Ann O’Donnell From seminary to parish life retreats. On the contrary, however, home of someone whose life was ‘canonisation’ bestowed on many of condolence were available in and in good. He is thanked for his the new curate seemed to thrive in its closing days. a well-regarded person, in the St Pius X Church in Moville. The faithfulness and for his excellent on parish ministry. He appeared Another of Fr McGoldrick’s weeks after their death. Indeed, Fr messages written in those books example of prayerfulness and to be most content when serving much-appreciated qualities was his McGoldrick would be the first to reflect the affection and gratitude faithfulness to God. others, and he had the humility to ability to ‘talk to anybody’. I often repudiate any such attempt. With of the people of the parish. In short, the people of the take on any role or task required of heard this said of him while he a smile and a shake of the head, Those who wrote the messages parish remember Fr McGoldrick him and to carry it out with good was still living in the parish and it he would remind me that there remember Fr McGoldrick as one with holy affection, deep respect humour and grace. is a quality that earned him much is no saint who never had to fight who served the sick with kind and and warmest gratitude. May he The of ‘Doctor’ was never respect and endeared him to many. human weakness, and that no-one loving devotion. The words ‘gentle’ remember us always, in the House used when referring to Fr With his academic background can claim credit for his own virtues. and ‘gentleness’ appear repeatedly, of the Heavenly Father, and may McGoldrick in the parish. Indeed, and his natural sensibility, he However, it would be remiss not to as do references to Fr McGoldrick’s we meet again, rejoicing, in the many of us were unaware of his might have been expected to find attempt to describe, even in some humility. The comments also peace and the rest of Heaven. claim on such a title. His learned it difficult to converse routinely on small way, the ministry of one who recall his gentle smile and his writings, Doctorates and other everyday matters. However, that has left behind a legacy of loving holiness. He is remembered for Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis The late Fr Patrick McGoldrick academic achievements were same sensibility, far from being service. his friendship in difficult times unknown to most of us. Instead, problematic, seemed to act as a Fr McGoldrick lived life to the it was his kindness, his gentleness kind of antenna which enabled full, in the true Christian sense. FR Patrick McGoldrick came and his humble willingness to serve him to find the best wavelength He used wisely the talents gifted to to Moville as curate in 1998 from that earned him the affection and on which to communicate with him by the Lord, not only his gifts Maynooth, where he had been respect of the parish community. everyone he met. of intellect and academic ability, Professor of Sacred Liturgy for His unwavering service to the sick It was my personal experience but the humble gifts of service, more than 30 years. He might is probably the best-remembered that he was sincere and perceptive, kindness and gentleness. He gave have been forgiven for finding and most warmly appreciated with a deep understanding of the to the last drop and left us only parish life difficult; having spent so aspect of Fr McGoldrick’s parish human mind and heart and a when circumstances compelled many years in the confines of the ministry. Having, himself, warm sympathy with every human him to do so; leaving Moville in National Seminary, surrounded by undergone heart surgery while still emotion. mid-March, intending to return. It students and his fellow academics, in his 40s, and having undergone His sense of humour is another is fitting to remember his life as an but parish life seemed to suit him. further procedures and attended of Fr McGoldrick’s qualities that example to be followed. Fr McGoldrick walked the shore numerous medical appointments is fondly remembered by many Several years ago, I attended path every morning, making the in later years, he was no stranger who knew him. His wit was always Mass in Moville celebrated by Fr Fr Patrick and Bishop Francis Lagan, after a Confirmation ceremony in most of his scenic surroundings. to physical illness and debility. wholesome, never unkind and, like McGoldrick on the Feast of St Moville, with Fr Paddy O’Kane, who was parish priest there at the time. He walked to the local shops However, he rarely spoke of his conversation, an easy fit for the Vincent de Paul. In his homily, he for his paper and groceries. He himself and he seemed to accept person with whom he shared it. spoke of the saint’s virtues. While drank tea at wakes and officiated it all without complaint. If he did, Listening I listened, it occurred to me that at weddings. He served his time occasionally, speak of his own Fr McGoldrick had a gift for he could have been describing on Boards of Management and condition, it was generally in listening. He always appeared himself, although I imagine that the Parish Pastoral Council. Most response to a genuine enquiry. to be genuinely interested in he, himself, was unaware of the importantly, he celebrated the Even then, he kept his answers what the speaker had to say and comparison. Holy Mass with reverence and brief and free of self-pity. his responses were generally It was typical of Fr McGoldrick administered the Sacrament of It may have been this long- measured, honest and helpful. If that he did not want to talk about Reconciliation with gentleness standing relationship with physical he found that he did not have the himself, nor about his academic and insight. He visited the sick, illness - or it may have been his solution to a problem or difficulty, background. There were times comforted the lonely, gave counsel innate desire to serve - that drew he would say so, but his calm, when he would let slip a sliver of to the troubled and encouraged Fr McGoldrick to the service of the kind act of listening was often the Latin or Greek, or a few lines from the low in spirit. sick. Whatever the inspiration, he only remedy needed. He rarely, if a poem, but never as a show of It might have been expected that was unquestionably a friend to the ever, gave the impression of being superiority. Instead, he seemed a man of letters, who had attended sick and the dying. I have heard, in a hurry and nothing was too to take delight in the music of academic gatherings in the major many times, that Fr McGoldrick trivial to be taken seriously and the words and to take pleasure in cities of Europe, would prefer arrived unsummoned at a hospital responded to with kindness. sharing them for the sake of giving The late Fr Patrick McGoldrick, back, third from left, after the conferring of to withdraw from the duties of bedside or that he visited, quietly I have no desire to confer on Fr joy to the listener. the BA Degree in Maynooth in 1958, with (back l-r) Ciaran Devlin and Cathal parish life, conserving his energies and on an almost daily basis, the McGoldrick the kind of unofficial In the days after his death, books Logue, and (front l-r) Michael McEldowney, John Hume and Brendan Doherty. for theological studies or lengthy Moville will miss the brilliant mind and ministry of Fr Patrick McGoldrick BORN on August 12, 1937, into a the work he had done there while and fount of knowledge, since his Patrick hadn’t been idle: “He wrote family and a time of strong faith, Fr he was Dean of the Faculty of arrival as parish priest 11 years ago. a series of articles on the Eucharist, Patrick was the eldest of Liam and Theology in Maynooth. He had Fr Pat, who concelebrated of which only one, as far as I know, Kathleen McGoldrick’s three sons already been awarded a Doctorate the Mass along with Fr Patrick’s has so far been published. He who all joined the priesthood. They in Theology from Maynooth, back brothers, Fr Brian and Fr Neil, almost got the series completed, were following in the footsteps of in the 60s. with Bishop Donal presiding, and he was somewhat upset that their mother’s uncle, Bishop Neil He also served 10 years as editor remarked: “He had a brilliant he didn’t have the energy to put the Farren, and their father’s brother, of the Irish Theological Quarterly, mind, sharp and incisive, with a final touches to the last one.” Fr Colm McGoldrick. and worked to implement in breadth of knowledge that left the Having had the privilege to read Educated in Buncrana, Derry, Ireland the renewals introduced rest of us mere mortals breathless.” these, Fr Pat described the writings Maynooth and Paris, Fr Patrick in the wake of the Second Vatican Speaking highly of how Fr as “the most marvellous teaching was ordained in 1962 and spent Council, which opened in the year Patrick had totally dedicated on the presence of Christ in the the first 36 years of his priesthood he was ordained. He published himself to pastoral ministry Eucharist, and what it means for studying and teaching, with 33 of books and other texts, and was amongst the people of Moville, God’s people, for the Church”, and those years as Professor of Sacred involved in the Commission for Fr Pat said: “He had a particular expressed the hope that they will Liturgy in Maynooth. the use of English in our liturgies. ministry to the sick and the dying. be published. He spent summers teaching at Celebrating the Covid-restricted He was nothing but gracious, kind Buried in his homesoil of the Institut Catholique in Paris, Requiem Mass in St Pius X and generous to everyone who Buncrana, Fr Patrick is survived by attending conferences and talks all Church, Moville, the only parish called the house or called at the his brothers, Fr Brian and Fr Neil, over the world, and later working to in which Fr Patrick had served door, no matter how many times and younger sister, Caitriona. develop the Theology programme in the Derry Diocese and did so he’d have to go up and down the at the Maryvale Institute in faithfully as curate for 22 years, Fr stairs to greet and meet them.” (Thanks to Fr Pat O’Hagan PP, Birmingham. In 1999, he was Pat O’Hagan spoke of how he had He went on to note that, on Moville, for the inclusion of extracts awarded an honorary Doctorate come to know his former teacher moving temporarily to his from his Requiem Mass homily) from Maryvale in recognition of and colleague better as a friend Buncrana home in March, Fr THE NET | JANUARY 2021 11 True to his prayerful upbringing in the Mullan family home in Ballerin... The late Fr Michael Mullan remained steadfast in prayer during his long life for visitors, quickly having tea to 1975. This was followed by 11 He bore his deafness with great time when it was highly regarded older sibling during free days as on the boil, and was a daily Mass years in Craigbane (1966-75), manliness and acted as if he to have a priest in the family to a a boarder at St Columb’s College, attendee, when able. where he assisted in the reforming weren’t deaf, though it reduced time when social pressures would when Fr Michael was based as On finishing primary school, the of the GAA club there in 1972. him to quietness.” discourage such a choice”. curate in the Waterside. young Michael became a boarder Next up was a posting a lot nearer Knowing Fr Michael for over He continued: “Just as Fr Michael While golf and Man United stood in St Columb’s Derry and then home, to the parish of , 70 years, Fr Seamus recalled their took on the task of ministering as out as two of Fr Michael’s passions, went on to Maynooth. All this where Fr Michael ministered until football days with Ballerin, the fun well as he knew in the times when Sean also noted his brother’s love time, he had a passion for Gaelic 1986, when he was appointed of travelling around the carnivals he lived, there is need for others for his Catholic faith: “When he football where, with his height and Parish Priest of Ardstraw East for during the summer to watch to minister the same divine love was sick it always bothered him athleticism, he excelled at midfield. the next nine years. There he did matches, and the great occasion of and mercy in a different time that he couldn’t read his breviary. The Ballerin Club first took to the sterling work on improvements his friend’s ordination. and a different place, because, Fellow priests would tell him that field in 1945 and two years later, in in the parish. With the St Eugene’s The two got to know each without those who proclaim love he didn’t have to do it, but he did the year of ‘the big snow’, he was a Church in steady decline, he had other better when Fr Michael and mercy as the key virtues, we all that he could to catch up with key figure when his Club won the made advanced plans for a new was appointed as curate to become a harsh society”. his reading, so we thought it fitting Derry minor championship. church when he was replaced by Sessiaghoneill and his mother, Fr Michael’s youngest sister, to put his breviary into the coffin His ordination on June 19, 1955, the now deceased, Fr Stephen Susan, worried that he would be Anne, who also followed a religious with him.” The late Fr Michael Mullan along with Mgr Iggy McQuillan, Kearney, who completed the task. lonely so far from home, asked vocation as a Loreto Sister, was On behalf of the family, Sean the same year as Fr Art O’Reilly On retirement as a PP, he took the young Seamus, who had just only seven when he went off to the expressed gratitude to Dr WHEN Ballerin native, Fr and Mgr Brendan Devlin, was a up the role of CC in Knockmoyle. completed two years in Maynooth, seminary in Maynooth, and she McConville and Dr Healey, and Michael Francis Mullan died huge event in the Ballerin end of His last call was in , to stay with him for a while. remembers the great fuss that was the nurses who cared so well for Fr during the Christmas period, Errigal Parish. A marquee was where he remained until declining “It was a great experience for made of him by their mother when Michael while he was in Waterside after 91 years of life, his family erected at the family home when health caused his retirement. His me,” recalled Fr Seamus: “He was he came home to visit. She also Hospital, and those who cared and friends found comfort in his he was welcomed home after his family gave him comfort until his a great teacher. He didn’t set out to recalled a special memory of him for him in Hospital passing away on such a special ordination in St Columb’s College, final days, when he passed away teach, but he was a great example, accompanying her mother and and the Royal Victoria Hospital, occasion as Christmas Day, and in 1955, beginning an amazing 65 in the Royal Victoria Hospital on and I enjoyed my time visiting him father on the day she entered the Belfast, were he passed away his Requiem Mass celebrated on years in the priesthood. Christmas Day. there in Sessiaghoneill and fishing convent in Rathfarnam, Dublin. peacefully. the Feast of the Holy Family. Two years after ordination, Fr No matter where he ministered, in The Finn. Fr Michael happened “Our mother and father were Buried in St Mary’s Cemetery, Fr Michael was the second eldest Michael lined out at midfield Fr Michael made many friends to be there the day I caught my first good Christians,” said Sr Anne, Ballerin, Fr Michael is survived by in a family of eight born to the late with the Ballerin team that won who kept in touch. Outside of his salmon.” “and there was lots of prayer in our his siblings, Mary Teresa (Lagan), Bernard and Susan Mullan, and the county senior title. He did priestly duties the golf course was “He lived a very long life and home; the Rosary was the beat of Brian, Bridie (Gormley), Sr Anne grew up in their devout Catholic not stand in for the team photo his sanctuary and, like his early he enjoyed it, and spent it well,” the house.” and Sean. He was predeceased by farming family home in the as priests playing football was sporting career, he hit the ball well. remarked Fr Seamus, before going With the retreat centre she runs his brothers, Patsy and Colum P. townland of Tyberan, five miles frowned upon, or even forbidden, As his lifelong friend and former on to recall a time of great sadness in Llandudno, Wales, closed due from and eight from then. In the penal days they said Ballerin team mate, Fr Seamus in his life, when his younger to the Covid-19 lockdowns, Sr (Thanks to Bernie Mullan, . Mass in secret, and some played O’Connell said at his Requiem brother, Colum P, who had been Anne is thankful that she was friend of the Mullan family, for his His early education began at football in secret! This did not stop Mass, “Died on Christmas day and a student at Maynooth, was able to come home to look after contribution to this tribute to Fr St Columba’s Primary school, him from turning out for Derry in buried on the Feast of The Holy caught up in an accident with an Fr Michael in Limavady, when he Michael) Ballerin, which had been built in the first Gaelic football played in Family. Good timing Mick!” express bus along with three other became ill. 1908. He would have walked the Wembley Stadium. The opposition students, that left him paralysed “It was great to have him at five-mile round trip daily. Later, was Galway and over 50,000 exiles Effective for the last 33 years of his life. home,” she said, “and it was so he was educated at Limavady attended. Celebrating the Covid-restricted Presiding at the Requiem Mass, beautiful for him to begin eternal Convent, run by The Sisters of Our His priestly vocation took funeral Mass in Christ The King Bishop Donal spoke on behalf of life on Christmas Day, and that his Lady of the Missions. him to parishes all over the Church, in Limavady, which was the priests who would have been in burial was on the Feast of the Holy His father, Barney, was very Diocese, in Donegal, Tyrone and broadcast via the church webcam, attendance but for the restrictions Family. I am so glad for him”. much involved in parish life and Derry. His first call was CC in Fr Seamus described Fr Michael due to Covid-19. Fr Michael’s brother, Sean was a long time St Vincent de Fahan in 1955/56. His next was as “a quiet man, but very effective Noting that Fr Michael had lived recalled fond memories of Paul committee member. As a Sessiaghoneill (Ballybofey) until priest”. through times of great change, his ordination in St Columb’s contractor, any work at church 1958. He then had a five-year stay “One of his handicaps,” he noted, such as Vatican II and the Troubles, College and the great celebration grounds was carried out at a as curate in Glendermott, before “was that he was deaf to a great “when many old certainties were afterwards, with a band meeting minimum price. And his mother, moving to his first rural Derry degree and had found it difficult stripped away”, Bishop Donal him on his arrival in their home Susan always had a warm welcome posting as CC in Lavey, from 1966 to get involved in conversation. remarked: “We have come from a parish, and of time spent with his

Fr Michael with Fr I McQuillan, with whom he was ordained. The late Fr Michael Mullan with his family on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of his ordination.

Fr Seamus O’Connell celebrated the Requiem Mass for the late Fr Michael Mullan, with Bishop Donal presiding. 12 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 THIS month, Hollie, Peter, Oisin, Gemma, Zara and Hollie reflects on 2020 and shares John, ‘The Net’ youth contributors from the Co Tyrone, Inishowen, Co Derry and Derry City Deaneries, share her hopes for 2021... their thoughts about the year ahead in the aftermath of 2020, and their hopes for more opportunities to live and “The people walking in share their faith at parish and Diocesan level, as well as in their schools, especially in this year when the Diocese will darkness have seen a celebrate the 1,500th anniversary of St Columba’s birth. Passionate about caring for the environment, Zara looks (Isaiah 9:2) at the example of St Columba for people today in his great light” respect for nature, and John writes about his discovery of REFLECTING on the strange more appreciative of the human the Epiphany House Blessing, suggesting that this may be a year of 2020, there has been much connection, which has put the devastation, fear, anxiety, stress, obsession of technology into good year to dedicate our homes and families to Jesus. loneliness, and disappointment. perspective, although, technology Hollie and Peter reflect on a talk about the role of the However, we cannot overlook the has been a great alternative for young in shaping the world post-Covid and giving a voice blessings and the positive things when the idealistic way of doing to the voiceless, while Oisin comments on Pope Francis’ we received last year also, even things could not be done. though they may be overshadowed As a young person, and a student sharing of key times of solitude in his life. by the current crisis. in upper sixth, I have become The year of 2020 has proven to increasingly involved in my us that we do not know what lies Parish and Diocese throughout Hollie reading at the 50th anniversary celebration of her parish Church in ahead of us, therefore, we must the past year. During the big Melmount, Strabane. place our trust in God’s hands. lockdown which happened after to a diverse school, is that we have ceremonies and services brought I remember on New Year’s Eve St Patrick’s Day, in March, I found the responsibility of guiding young out people’s distress in not being 2019, my whole family came it incredibly difficult to sit in the Catholics in their vocational able to have their child baptized, together to celebrate the end to house and do nothing, until the journeys, and to help them realize confirmed, or receive their First 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Derry Youth Ministry took to that they are valued and that they Holy Communion. Couples I remember the excitement of online. Since then, I have been belong to, and are expected to take who had planned to get married everyone, the conversations, the involved in the online Instagram over the leadership of, the Church had to postpone their wedding, craic and, most of all, when the channel, undertaken the Alpha someday. congregations could not gather clock struck midnight, there was program, became a member of the Throughout 2020, I havefor Mass and receive Holy song, dance, and big hugs between Derry Youth Scholarship, and I am Hollie Frystal, Oisin Mulhern, Peter Grant, increasingly felt a sense of Communion for a very long time, everyone. now also a youth contributor from Co Tyrone Deanery. Co Derry Deanery. Inishowen Deanery. belonging in my Parish and Confessions were not available, Little did we know what 2020 the Tyrone Deanery for ‘The Net’. Diocese, and my responsibility and the Sacrament of the Sick was was going to behold! I see this I see these opportunities as in the Church has become more difficult to administer due to the memory as a blessing; that God blessings that I have obtained apparent to me. My hope for 2021 dangers of transmitting potential brought us together in celebration from 2020 that have strengthened is that fellow young people will infection. This seems to suggest of life and having that time with my relationship with the Church discover their calling and respond that people did not realize their one another before this tragedy and that have also kept me going to it wholeheartedly, without faith meant so much to them, and unfolded. We got the chance throughout the worst of lockdown. hesitation, whilst keeping in mind that in fact it was sorely missed. to get together before the new I am really doing things that I love the words of St Bonaventure, Regarding faith in schools, Pope rules of ‘social distancing’ and and I can see myself being involved “Voluntas Dei Pax Nostra” – “The Francis states in his encyclical, keeping within our ‘bubbles’ were in my Parish and Diocese forever. I will of God is our peace.” ‘Fratelli Tutti’, that teachers implemented. It is a lesson that would not change it for the world, Ways in which we can encourage “should be conscious that their teaches us to appreciate everyone as I am forever grateful. faith development and formation responsibility extends also to the and everything we have got, and to Hence, I do not think there is may consist of schools considering moral, spiritual and social aspects Gemma Gallagher, John Agustine Joseph, Zara Schlindwein, take nothing for granted. anything in particular I would vocation talks as well as career of life”. Derry City Deanery Derry City Deanery. Derry City Deanery. Recalling the Scripture readings want changed in my Parish or talks. Another idea maybe taking School is where young people that we heard during the season of Diocese, as the enthusiasm and part in the Year of St Colmcille and mostly be throughout their I have many hopes for the New Advent, we reflected on the words commitment of youth leaders is the mini missions planned out for childhood/teenage lives and it is Gemma has Year and I’m imagining it to be of the prophet Isaiah, “The people so strong. I have no doubt that this year – as I know many YR14s a wonderful environment where way better than last year. walking in darkness have seen a great things will come from that. are studying St Colmcille in RE they discover who they are, many hopes for I’ve decided to leave 2020 in the great light…” We have experienced For instance, the new online youth A-Level. grow and express themselves. In the New Year past and look forward to what dark days in 2020, more than in so ministry that was proposed this Another idea is maybe deciding addition to this, it is more than 2021 is going to bring me and called ‘normal’ years, but with the year has proven very successful; to take part in an annual charity important that each and every how it will help me to achieve my hope of a successful vaccination therefore, I would love to see this sleep-out or going on pilgrimage. young person is supported and goals. we are those people journeying remain in a post-Covid world. There are so many things that guided in their faith journey I plan to work hard in school towards light and peace. Therefore, we can get involved in, both through the shining example of now in this new term to get all we must have hope and trust in School individually and communally. their leaders. my GCSEs and to get into a good God. Regarding school, I would To conclude, even though I am Finally, I would like to thank career. For young people, we know that like to see more happening in happy to see the back of 2020, I all our leaders who have been I’m looking forward to 2021 the coronavirus pandemic has had the educational environment. have to admit that it has been a an absolute inspiration. Their and to see what it brings me as a an effect on their mental health Although we all have our annual wonderful year for me in terms courage, dedication and their good person and what it will provide and wellbeing, due to months school Masses and Carol Services, of a growing youth ministry, and will has been much appreciated for not only me but for others as of absence regarding school, I feel that if it were not for the Pope Parish and Diocesan involvement. and looked up to. I extend a very well. attendance to Mass, hobbies, and John Paul II Award, many schools My mummy and I were ‘Happy and Blessed New Year!’ to And I will keep praying and simply not being able to meet would not address faith as often. reflecting on the year of 2020 you all. trusting that God is taking care of up with extended family and The primary difference and aim coming to an end, and we noticed everything. friends. We have now become of a Catholic school, as opposed that the absence of sacramental May be it is time for us to be like the Magi and follow the star to Christ by John Augustine Joseph ONE of the most under-rated King of the Universe...coincidently, cathedral was a little shop, with the benedicat, ‘May Christ bless this to Christ. one family, one Church. feasts in the Church’s calendar year a feast that we celebrate right chalk engraving 20+C+M+B+20. house’. The stand for Christ After being confined to our St Martin’s is the Feast of the Visitation of the before the end of the church’s When I first saw it, I was and the numbers at the beginning homes for most of last year, we Cathedral, Magi, better known as Epiphany. calendar year. confused by what it meant, but and the end stand for the year. should take this New Year as an Mainz The thing to be understood Beyond the simple theological a Google search was to reveal They began the New Year with a opportunity to dedicate our houses about this Feast is this: Christ is points that can be made about something pretty interesting. The blessing from Christ. and families to Jesus. A nice way introduced not only to the nation this little feast are the traditions letters have a two-fold meaning: The start of this New Year has to do this may be the custom of of Israel but to all of mankind. that surround it. I remember a they represent the initials of the certainly not been easy for many chalking the door, as I mentioned. The adoration of the Three particular image that I have of Three Kings, Caspar, Malchior and of us. With all the buzz and trouble Above all, I hope that we are able Kings from the East, who came the City of Mainz, in Germany, Balthazar. that seems to surround daily life to go beyond the divisions and to the little town of Bethlehem, is when I visited there last January. They also abbreviate the Latin each day, it may be time for us to problems that surround us, so that a recognition of Jesus’ position as Just opposite the millennia-old phrase, Christus mansionem be like the Magi and follow the star we can unite as one people of God, THE NET | JANUARY 2021 13 Recalling Jesus’ words as recorded in Mark’s Gospel, “All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23), Peter writes... We should all believe that we can get through this together in 2021 THE parishes in our Diocese the predicted grades schemem hopes that we can make that trip in school learning. were hit badly during the year which depended on their points or in the future and, you never know, The Derry Diocese is doing 2020 due to the Covid-19 grades in further education. it could be late this year! a great job in supporting the pandemic, with periods of either So, you could say 2020 was an I would encourage all the churches and priests in our no public celebration of Mass or awful year which had its surprises parishes in the Diocese to keep in parishes, and the youth as well, congregation numbers limited, too, but at least we can look touch with others online and also especially the Derry Youth Group and virtually no other parish forward with some positives and, having an online Rosary every in helping the Pope John Paul activities. But there was an upside hopefully, steps back to normality. week to try and build up on a sense Award students to complete the to that problem people faced, as This year’s Pope John Paul II of normality, socially distanced. Award during the pandemic, and some could access daily Mass Award students have to complete I do feel bad for the students and for giving us a chance to pray online through smartphones and activities mostly online by tuning teachers attending school during together online as well, spreading laptops at home, though there into the Derry Diocesan Youth the uncertain times ahead, and the good news of the Lord and were some who could not. Group Instagram weekly, to also regarding having to do online sharing our ideas with one another. Priests in our diocese also undertake tasks given to them. learning in their homes instead of As Jesus once said, “All things suffered, as many could not visit The Papal Cross Students have to in a school environment. I wish all are possible for one who believes” the vulnerable and sick due to undergo projects online in their the best to teachers and students, (Mark 9:23). We should all believe government guidelines, and most parish also. especially exam year students in that we can get through this of them led daily prayer and Personally, I would love the Pope the future. We all must continue to together in 2021; a new year, a new celebrated Mass for a significant John Paul II Award students to work hard, even though we are not start. time in an empty church or experience some of the events I cathedral. did whenever I was undertaking Schools in our parishes, both it, before Covid; like the annual primary and secondary, were Sleep-Out for the Homeless and also affected from March as the trip to Knock, which would Covid-19 came, and exam years give them a wonderful experience had a huge disadvantage as they of what the Award is about. were expected to undertake their I was supposed to go on the exams in a couple months’ time Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to and most were not prepared, due Medugorje in the summer of last to the pandemic and lockdown. year. Covid prevented that from Instead, students had to rely on happening but I still have high Looking forward to a more enjoyable year in 2021, Oisin writes of his hope that... With great vision and hard work the future of the church could be very bright

LEAVING 2020 behind us and like to see more of these types of to the converted, however, at the moving into a hopefully happier youth ministry groups rolled out present time many have fallen and enjoyable 2021 has made me within different parishes, so that away. Much greater work is needed think about what I personally hope other young people have the same to build and foster links with the we see more of in all areas of this available to them as there is in the community and the young and New Year. While we all would like city. Perhaps each parish should this could be done through school to see the end of problems relating have a youth council, if viable, and settings. Perhaps allowing the Let 2021 be a new era in which to the pandemic, I have other this would enable young people to young to share their views and hopes as well. have a greater link to the church. make suggestions on what they One area that comes to mind is Finally on a school level, whilst would like to see, could help pave a we value each other, our health the parish. I would love to see a we learn a great deal through path back to faith for many. greater focus on including younger Religion class, I feel that there In conclusion, although I am people in the parish in different could be greater links with priests content and have a deep faith, by Zara Schlindwein ways. This could be anything from within the parish. People need I feel that much more could be and our world holding more Masses aimed at a to see that priests are human like done to involve the young people THE year 2020 was most been cancelled by the extreme sign, and we cannot ignore it. younger congregation or holding the rest of us. I also feel that, in of the diocese. With great vision, definitely a year to remember, cowardice of other individuals We have already been given events that could get children some cases, more could be done hard work and determination, the though not for the best reasons. who see themselves above plenty of time to re-evaluate our involved with their faith. to demonstrate what our religion future of the church could be very However, that does not mean that everyone else. lives, but as we hope to come out A further way that a parish could actually means. bright. we dismiss 2020 as a mistaken We have hope on the horizon, of this pandemic and restore our include young people would be Preaching at Mass is preaching series of events. I believe that it but I hope that once this is all over, own health, we must fight for the allowing them to be involved allowed us time to reflect and we do not forget what everyone health of our world. in certain ceremonies, such as reinvent our ideas about our lives has gone through, brush it off and I would like to see a more reading at Mass or creating a and what we value most. continue as we did before. ecological approach taken by our children and young people’s choir. Many of us place our We, as a population, have learned schools, parishes and the diocese On a diocesan level, for the most materialistic consumerism above to adapt to the struggles we face overall. It is what most young part, I would not change very the true elements that combine and that has made us stronger. people want to see, as we worry much as there are many ways that to provide happiness, and the Our world was struggling before deeply about the effect we have younger people are involved, such worrying fact is that so many this pandemic, yet we only began on the climate. We shouldn’t wait as this very publication, which continue to do so, without change to notice and care when our lives on government instruction; we encourages young people to speak or consequence. Perhaps that is became impacted. should make the changes now and about certain issues in our own why we have had such a dramatic So, my hope for the coming year lead by example. diocese. year. is that we begin to nourish the With a new year just underway, Furthermore, in the Derry Despite that, countless heroes wonderful world in which we live. let it be a new era in which we Diocese, there is a youth ministry have risen to the challenge and We must realise the damage that value each other, our health and which constantly tries to further fought to sustain our healthcare we cause to the earth and correct our world. connect the youth of the diocese service. Yet, their work has it before it is too late. This is our with other faith aspects. I would 14 THE NET | JANUARY 2021

neighbouring Pagan Picts, in the kingdom of the Dál Riata, he felt St Columba is a brilliant role obliged to protect his people, and so, when he went to visit King Bruide of the Pagan Picts, it was model for young people today acknowledged that this was the first step in improving relations by Hollie Frystal between these two groups. THIS year, all Christian churches challenges that Columba had to Celtic monasticism in the past two Columba’s visit had a long- throughout Derry and Donegal face, he succeeded in building a years, I have been able to relate it to lasting impact as it brought will commemorate and celebrate strong monastery and bridged the my experience of the 5th century peace, improved conditions for the life and legacy of St Columba divide between the Christians and ancient pilgrimage site of Lough his own people and, by creating to mark the 1500th anniversary of the Pagans. He is known to have Derg, which has helped me to a friendship with the king, the his birth. converted pagans to Christianity imagine what life was like not only lines of communication remained Also known as St Colmcille, in Iona, and the surrounding for St Patrick, but also St Columba open. Throughout his mission, Columba departed from Ireland areas, through his dedicated and and his fellow missionaries. it is said that there was a strong around 563 and landed on the inspiring missionary work. Furthermore, the fact that Lough possibility that he had converted invitation for all young people to Western coast of what is now I am a student in upper sixth Derg or, as it is very well known, the king to Christianity and so was without violence had proven very reflect on where God is calling Scotland. He was to labour there and, this year, we are studying ‘Purgatorium Sancti Patricii’, still given the permission to evangelize successful. them to be. for about 34 years of his life. the mission of St Columba and attracts a great number of pilgrims throughout his kingdom. Finally, St Columba is an Today, there are still many people St Columba’s missionary work is fellow missionaries such as Aidan, who undertake these penitential First of all, St Columba mirrors absolute inspiration and a brilliant who enter strict religious life, and associated with the foundation of Colmán, Columbanus, etc. What practices in renewal of their hearts Old Testament prophets such as role model for young people today. ancient retreat and pilgrimage sites Iona which was split between the struck me about St Columba was and faith. Moses, who was another religious A brief analysis of his ministry are still very popular today, which Christian Scots of Argyll and the the practice of stark asceticism, figure who had a profound and mission shows that the issues connects us with the marvellous Pagan Picts, therefore, his mission which was a popular religious Connects impact on politics. St Columba’s which he had to face, all those figures in the early Irish Church involved facing both religious and ‘way of life’ back in the early Irish I feel that retreats, like that on faith shines through his courage centuries ago in Ireland and such as St. Columba. political dilemmas. Church. Lough Derg, connects us more in speaking up against social nearby, are very similar to what In this special year, we, in the Like most peregrini, Columba According to St Columba’s closely with the earliest figures injustice, which reflects so many we encounter in today’s world, Derry Youth Scholarship, have had mixed motives for wanting hagiographer, Adomnán, “He of the Celtic Church, and as we of our modern-day campaigners for instance, the persecution of dedicated our scholarship prayer to leave Ireland and to travel to could not pass the space of even are brought more closely to them who are seeking justice and peace foreign missionaries, immigration, to St Columba, the Patron of Iona, however, it is worth noting a single hour without applying through these still very popular in today’s world. the poor, etc. Derry, and we look to him for that when Columba had settled on himself either to prayer, or practices. His example proves that faith Following the example of St guidance and blessings in all the this island, he never attempted to reading, or writing, or else to For young people, I reiterate does have an influence in decision Columba, we must try to share a work that we hope to do. travel further afield into Europe or some manual work…He endured Pope Francis’ emphasis on staying making, and that religion does genuine concern for the welfare of I hope that you can join us in the beyond, unlike his fellow monks, hardships of fasting and vigils connected to our roots. This is rich, have a place in society, with the others and make it our problem as celebration of our Columban year, which was quite unique. without intermission by day and inclusive, and unifying history aim to protect all people’s rights, well by tackling those issues that and that you also look out for the Columba is recognized for his night; the burden of a single one that we share with all Christians values, and lives. For young affect our brothers and sisters in 2021 ‘Colmcille School Project’, outstanding skills, persistence, of his labours would seem beyond in Ireland, Scotland, etc, which people, we learn from St. Columba Christ. which invites all schools in the faith, and discipline in his the powers of man” (Adomnán, we should reflect more on and be to be the “voice for the voiceless” St Columba’s ascetic life has Derry Diocese and the Raphoe monasteries. He demonstrated a 7th century). proud of. (St Oscar Romero), and to not be shown his wonderful devotion Diocese to explore the ‘life and great deal of courage and penance. Adomnán also tells us that Politically, St Columba also afraid to do what is right, noting and commitment to his faith legacy of St Colmcille/Columba. For example, Iona was an isolated Columba used a stone for a pillow, demonstrated the ability to make that his peaceful negotiation and calling, which serves as an place off the coast of Scotland, with which clearly gives evidence of difficult Christian decisions in vulnerable borders. It suffered the living out of a very strict- secular situations, and the impact brutal weather of heavy rain and disciplined life. of his decisions had proven to St Columba’s respect for nature should be applied to high gales, which meant that living In June 2019, I went on the be miraculous. For instance, there was a challenge. Diocesan pilgrimage to Lough whilst the Christians were our faith lives today by Zara Schlindwein Although there were many Derg. Throughout my study of suffering persecution from the THE name of our city in Irish years ago and now, more than ever, many monastic settlements in is ‘Doire Colmcille’ and is derived we should follow in his footsteps. Iona and around Scotland, but in from the native oak trees and the Columba founded around 30 575, he was persuaded to return As a young person of faith, I wish I had association with St Columba, monasteries in 10 years, which to Ireland to mediate a dispute Derry’s Patron Saint, who was showed tenacity and perseverance. between the high king and the St Columba’s determination to act how an Irish abbot and missionary However, his strong personality league of poets. evangelist. and forceful preaching aroused Insisting on remaining faithful to Columba was born in Co considerable antagonism. In 563, the terms of his exile, that he never God wants me to by Oisin Mulhern Donegal in 521 and, as a boy, he he was accused of starting a war see Ireland again, he travelled RECENTLY, I was told by Bishop Finnian of Clonard, in Ireland, and us and guide us like a ruler would. was so often found praying in between two Irish tribes and blindfolded. Whilst visiting, he Donal that he had launched the even set up several monasteries I feel like we can all learn from the town church that his friends was sentenced by the high king realised that his reputation was Columban Year of celebration in Ireland before venturing off this description of God, as He is called him Colm Cille, which never to see Ireland again and to respected by everyone, despite his to commemorate the birth of St later to Scotland, after being first and foremost there for us in translates to ‘Dove of the Church’. spend the rest of his life in exile. allegiance lying with the unpopular Columba. Before I was told this, excommunicated for unfortunate many different ways. These could After Columba was ordained, he With 12 companions, he sailed poets. He spoke to the assembled I will admit that my knowledge reasons. include giving us help in many founded his first monastery in from the shores he loved and nobles and clergy with such force about St Columba was quite When I look at this man’s journey different endeavours, such asDerry. settled on the island of Iona, off and authority that the king was sparse, with me only recognizing and all that he achieved, I must school or work, or even protecting The church which he built there the coast of Scotland. He taught persuaded to reverse his original his name, but, as I read up about say that not only am I impressed us from many different dangers came to be known as the Dubh the pagan and war-like people of decree, and the hostility between him, I discovered how influential a but also it speaks a great deal and illnesses. Regles and was long believed to Scotland about Jesus even though the two parties was calmed. figure he was. about him as a person. It shows have stood somewhere in the it was dangerous, highlighting his Columba was so self-assured St Columba was an Irish abbot an unwavering determination to precincts of the present Long devoted promise to spread the that he wasn’t afraid to go against and missionary and was born on spread the message of God among Tower Church. Because of his love good news about God. what everyone else was saying, December 7, 521, making this year, people who, at the time, may have of nature, Columba refused to He settled in and continued and that sent a message to others 2021, the 1500th anniversary of been very resistant to change. build the church facing east, as was to fulfil his mission. Histo always stand up for what you his birth. He is primarily credited In many ways, as a young person the custom; he wanted to spare unwillingness to give up displays believe in. That message should be with spreading Christianity in of faith, I wish I could achieve this the lives of as many oak trees as he how strong his faith was, with his reciprocated today. With so much what would become present-day level of determination as well, to could. determination resulting in the uncertainty in the world, everyone Scotland and is the Patron Saint properly represent my faith and act I think that his respect for spreading of Christianity. Despite should be content with their own of my home Diocese of Derry. as how God would want me to act, nature should be applied to our his trials, Columba remained ideas and not be frightened of Finally, he also set up an important without giving in to certain vices faith today. Columba didn’t see confident in himself and his possible deviation or tension. abbey on Iona that became a that are common at my age. himself above biodiversity but relationship with God. Although After his visit, Columba returned prominent religious and political This is coupled with an was willing to let it thrive, whilst he made mistakes, he continued to Iona and spent the rest of his life area in Scotland for many years. appreciation for God which is still completing his missionary to try and make things right. That there. He was regarded as a saint When talking about Columba’s evident in Latin hymns that are work. That is truly inspiring for act depicts Columba’s humility by his fellow monks and became life before all of these important attributed to Columba, where he young people now, as it shows us and allows us to relate to his story, a beloved figure in Ireland and achievements, it is equally as consistently calls God a helper, that no matter how important whilst encouraging us to do good Scotland. We remember Saint storied. For example, he was ruler and guard. He sees God in a our own agendas are, we should in our own lives, no matter what Columba for his great faith and taught by some of the most very caring light, showing him as a never sacrifice the natural world. may have happened in the past. fortitude and hope to continue to prominent church figures, such as loving figure who is there to help Columba was aware of this 1,500 Columba helped to establish live by his message today. THE NET | JANUARY 2021 15 Youth called to solidarity in welcoming the marginalized! by Hollie Frystal “The ones who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless” (St Oscar Romero) THE undersecretary of the degree of rejection and feel a lack face inequality of opportunity, practiced together. Pope Francis Vatican’s Migrants and Refugees of self-worth. As Christians, we marginalization, discrimination, continued by adding: “Teachers, department, Cardinal Czerny, has are called to welcome, include and prejudice, and lack of protection. who have the challenging task of spoken of young people being love those who are living on the As Christians, we are invited to training children and youth in at the core of shaping society, margins of society, simply through follow the example of St Oscar schools…should be conscious especially in a post-Covid world. the example of Jesus. Romero regarding social injustice. that their responsibility extends Speaking an online seminar Vatican News covers the themes He said: “The ones who have a also to the moral, spiritual for Sophia University, Tokyo, the that were discussed in the online voice must speak for those who and social aspects of life… Cardinal held that we can only seminar, one of which is the are voiceless.” In other words, Communicators also have a emerge greater from the effects of recent and an ongoing problem our voices are the best tool to use responsibility for education and this pandemic if we concentrate on of the effect the coronavirus has when raising awareness and trying formation, especially, nowadays, overcoming ‘individualism’ and on migrants. We have consistently to achieve justice peacefully. Often when the means of information instead focus on the marginalized, heard people labelling our latest the voices of the poor are ignored, and communication are so rejected, and neglected people ‘way of living’ as the ‘new normal’, therefore, it is up to us who are in widespread” (Fratelli Tutti). living on the edge of society, like the but what struck me in this article, a stable, comfortable, and secure Families have the natural duty blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who was regarding migrants, is that it points position, to use our strong and to ensure that their young people way or another, must avail of the educationally, religiously, and cast aside and unacknowledged by out that even ‘normal’ times are respected platforms to make sure grow up without being prejudicial, technology that we have in order mentally. his community until Jesus came, not normal for them. This is a very the voices of the poor are heard. and instead pass on the values of to raise awareness, and to be the The absence of school, Mass and welcomed, and loved him. Jesus sad reality in which many of our love, compassion, and respect – ‘voice for the voiceless’. face-to-face communication for welcomed the outcast. brothers and sisters are suffering. Speak up in order for them to be inclusive, Referring back to Cardinal months has had a sore impact on In chapter three of Pope Francis’ Consider the closure of the In some countries, people are welcoming, and forgiving, to create Czerny’s point, that youth are people, which they would rather Encyclical, ‘Fratelli tutti’, the Holy borders – acknowledging that afraid to use their voice due and maintain a peaceful world. central to shaping society for the not look back on. However, this Father writes: “Individualism does some people already have so little to potential punishment and Teachers have a vital influence on future, this reflects the importance experience has strengthened our not make us more free, more equal, to survive on, their resources are silencing, therefore, we must speak youth, as young people spend a of teaching youth and passing appreciation of each other, the more fraternal. The mere sum of again reduced and transportation up for the underprivileged in our great amount of time in school and down the vital moral values to help Eucharist and the Liturgy, and the individual interests is not capable of these goods are blocked due society, from the safety of our own they are in a diverse environment, them to understand and accept gift of education. of generating a better world for to the closure of borders. As well, homes, livelihoods, democracies, where they face people of different others. The pandemic is an example the whole human family…Radical this prevents migrants returning and support. backgrounds. As Pope Francis has expressed in of how young people will be able individualism is a virus…it makes to their country of origin and In connecting migrants with This is a challenge, as teachers ‘Christus Vivit’ and has reiterated to look back and acknowledge us believe that everything consists possibly losing their jobs. Vatican youth, Pope Francis speaks must be neutral and show wide in ‘Fratelli Tutti’ – it is important that this period is a time of an in giving free rein to our own News makes an interesting point, of ‘the value of solidarity’. His inclusivity, and simply be a shining for youth to be attached to their ‘awakening of reality’; where our ambitions, as if by pursuing ever that some communities live in Holiness said, “Families are the example for the relationships roots and to reflect, respect and eyes have been opened to the greater ambitions and creating very poor conditions and have no first place where the values of between youth for the future. The appreciate their history. We will hungers of the world in which the safety nets we would somehow be room to move about, therefore, love and fraternity, togetherness educational environment also never move forward together pandemic has helped to expose. serving the common good.” the inability to social distance is a and sharing, concern and care for offers chances to unite in charity, unless we understand one another We are living through an Basically, we are called to step danger. others are lived out and handed such as the annual ‘Trocaire and learn from our mistakes. The exceptional time, where we have outside our comfort zone and Although, the coronavirus is on” (‘Fratelli Tutti’). Lenten Appeal’, and to invite young pandemic has had a profound gained a unique experience and welcome the foreigner. dangerous, Cardinal Czerny As the Holy Father mentioned, people to explore global issues impact on the lives of so many, learnt lessons which we should There are a few common issues addresses a long and reoccurring our parents are our first teachers through school lessons, such as and for youth it has taken its toll never forget that both migrants and young ‘virus’ which has always been and it is usually the primary ethics. Communicators like clergy people share, although at different present, known as ‘social environment in which the gift of and journalists, although everyone levels. Both groups may suffer a injustice’. Migrants commonly faith is introduced, shared, and is can be a communicator in some The role of young people shaping he was in a Jesuit residence in Cordoba, Argentina, and spent the world post-Covid by Peter Grant one year, 10 months and 13 days Pope Francis – Moments of RECENTLY, I read Cardinal He also pointed out the extent without ever leaving the residence. Michael Czerny’s speech from his of social injustice and the lack of He states that this helped in a wide online conference at the Catholic protection for the weakest in our variety of ways; giving him more Jesuit Centre of Sophia University, world today. Solitude by Oisin Mulhern understanding, empathy and in Tokyo, and which was later Cardinal Czerny suggested that improving his ability to forgive and IN a book released by Pope avoiding cheap consolations, he Francis’s case it arose when he reported on by Vatican News, in some ancient Christian teachings, his patience. Francis and British journalist and refers to many people offering was spending time in Germany which he talked about the role of as mentioned in the Pope’s third He tells us in the book that three author, Austen Ivereigh, entitled him cheap promises of a good in 1986, away from his home of young people shaping the world encyclical, ‘Fratelli tutti’, on main things stuck out for him at “Let Us Dream: The Path to a recovery, even those usually made Argentina. post-Covid. fraternity and social friendship, Better Future, the Holy Father has with good intentions. This, and his He talks about finding a vantage this time; those being his capacity Cardinal Czerny, who is the could hold the answer to the detailed moments in his life where experience with a nun who taught point in the cemetery of Frankfurt for prayers, temptations he faced undersecretary of the Migrants and current crisis. he has dealt with intense solitude, him as a child, made him realize and watching planes pass by, and how inspired he was to read Refugees Section of the The Cardinal called for the right which he called his ‘Covid’ that many people when they are and his wanting to go back to about the history of the . This for Promoting Integral Human of equality for everyone and that moments. ill do not want cheap consolations Argentina, and about Argentina all helped him become a better Development, was highlighting people should not be forced out of Pope Francis repeatedly talks but simply a friendly presence and winning the World Cup during his Pontiff, as he was well aware of the the issue of migrants, refugees, and their countries of origin because of about how each experience taught a few well chosen words. This is time there and him being unable storied history of many different victims of human trafficking, and hunger or war or climate change. him many different things and why he speaks little to the sick he to celebrate with others. popes. how they are affected during this Sometimes we don’t know how changed his thoughts as well. visits and hopes to be a calming When I look at this story When looking at what the Pope global pandemic, and the need for lucky we are. We take everything presence to them. from Pope Francis, I feel a deep learned from this experience, you their safety to be prioritised. for granted in our world today, Illness at young age Personally, this moment of connection as there have been cannot help but be amazed at how During this time, we might not that migrants or refugees can’t The first major ‘Covid’ Pope solitude resonates deeply with me many times where I, and many a situation that could be described think about migrants or refugees, access. Francis faced was when he was and provides a valuable lesson for others, have been in the situation as a negative in some aspects, as we don’t hear much on the news Cardinal Czerny sees young struck down with a lung infection all. There are many times were sick where we are in a new place and turned into such a large positive or social media, but we should people in the role of creating a at the age of 21, while studying in a people, and those who are deathly know nobody there. For many, this overall. consider that they are still suffering culture of fraternity and solidarity seminary at Buenos Aires. Some of ill, do not want cheap promises can be very daunting. I, personally, think that it is very in poverty and travelling for miles in the world we live in. I believe the lessons this experience taught that they themselves know might However, on the other hand, amazing and it makes me look on to different countries to find work that these are the stepping stones him included how he saw life, and not happen, but instead they may we must know that God is always Pope Francis as a great role model, and a home. to achieving this goal in the future, that cheap consolations should only want a calming and familiar there with us and we should not be as we can see that even though he Cardinal Czerny commented helping refugees and migrants live be avoided. He was also helped presence around them that is there too worried, as we will eventually was tempted in many ways, he still that even “normal” times were a good life of peace and freedom. greatly by two separate nurses, to reassure and speak a select few acclimatize to these new situations. followed God properly and fully. not normal for refugees, who can’t We must help and support one who saved his life by upping words with them at any given time. In closing, I believe that Pope go back to their countries and migrants and refugees during this a dosage of medication and the Self-imposed lockdown Francis’ story can be a great can’t migrate to other developed time, as they are vulnerable. Just as other who eased him when he Solitude of non-belonging The third and final solitude example to us all. It shows us that countries either because of Cardinal Czerny says, the youth of was in intense pain with the use of This next solitude is one many Pope Francis experienced was although negative situations do restricted travel across the world today must come together across painkillers. people can relate to and it is the what he calls his “Self-imposed arise, sometimes, if you let them, during the pandemic, so they have the globe and change the world for When the Pope talks about solitude of not belonging. In Pope Lockdown”. This occurred when they can change you for the better to survive for themselves and their the good in the future, and help you improve yourself. families. 16 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 Bishop Donal launches year of celebration for 1500th anniversary of St Columba’s birth LAUNCHING a special bubble. He lived and worked with of this city and its surrounding Covid-19 pandemic. Columban Year to mark the 1500th imperfect people – and he knew areas. “I can only imagine what that anniversary of St Columba’s birth, that he, too, was flawed. Can we “A community that is honest morning would have been like had Bishop Donal celebrated Mass in remember Columba as a real about the faults and proud of the there been no Covid 19 virus,” said the Long Tower Church dedicated human being who grappled with good things in its past is able to Ivor. to the saint before an online the human problems of his day move forward. We have many He added: “There has always congregation, due to Covid-19 and would challenge us to do the stories of pain and loss from the been a great loyalty in the Derry restrictions. same in this generation?” past. But we also have memories area for the memory of Columba The Mass on December 7 Bishop Donal went on to talk of great people who created beauty and I feel that there would have marked the traditional birthday about how St Columba had taken and offered great example. Some been a large crowd assembled in of Derry’s Patron Saint and the “responsibility for the past and of them are remembered. Many the church for the occasion. Many launch of a year-long celebration sought to give his life and talents are forgotten but their legacy lives of the school children would have lasting until December 7, 2021, in the service of building a better on in our faith communities and been brought to the event by their with a series of events planned f u t u r e”. other institutions”. teachers. to commemorate the life of the “His strength of character Celtic spirituality “The beautiful music and singing Donegal-born Columba. brought him across the sea to Expressing the hope that, in this were provided by Ann Marie Thanking those involved in Iona,” he relayed: “There he built year of Columba, “people, of faith Hickey and Aidan Watkins, and the planning of events for this up a community of others who can rediscover his call to heroism there is nothing more moving to anniversary year in such difficult dedicated their lives to study and and to leaving the world a better me than when, at the end of these circumstances, Bishop Donal to bringing good news of mercy place because of his life”, Bishop occasions, the congregation joins in expressed the hope that “as we to the people of Scotland. That Donal said: “This is a chance the singing of the age old hymn to celebrate in our present day this will not have been easy. Living to reconnect with the Celtic St Columba, which was composed moment of our past rooted in our with others in community is spirituality that left an indelible by Mr Edward Conaghan for the faith and our city, we will walk always a challenge. Living with the mark on Europe. 1897 celebrations”. ever more confidently into our truth about yourself can be very “And I hope that all of us in A digital launch also took place, future filled with the faith of our demanding. society can celebrate the rich with leaders of the Catholic, ancestors.” “Columba grew in his belief that traditions that we belong to and Protestant, Presbyterian and He went on to remark that not he was loved by God and that can find ways to build bridges Methodist Churches in the only had the saint’s rich legacy forgiveness was always available that will offer hope to our young counties of Derry and Donegal shaped the language, culture and for our mistakes. That enabled him people. And when we get to this featuring in a short film, which can history of Ireland, Scotland and the to go out to the Scots, talking about date next year, we will not just be viewed at Longtower.com. north of England, but continued both forgiveness from God and look back and be glad of a rest but Commissioned by The “to transcend borders and inspire reconciliation between people, no will look further forward because Churches Trust to celebrate the cooperation, not least in the Gaelic matter how painful the past was. we are inspired by the past that 1500th anniversary, Geraldine traditions of Scotland, Ireland and “There is a lot of that healing we have celebrated. And it will O’Connor described the film as “a the Isle of Man”. work to be done today in a time be with pride that, from his place powerful expression of hope for a Considering the relevance of when there is much pain and fear. in heaven, St Columba will look community that has many reasons Columba today, particularly in Real saints get their hands dirty”. d o w n”. to work together and to celebrate these tough times experienced by Highlighting that this Columban Speaking afterwards, Longits future.” so many, the Bishop noted that the Year was not just a Catholic Tower parishioner and local In the film, the church leaders saint had lived a tough, disciplined celebration, Bishop Donal historian, Ivor Doherty expressed discussed the importance of life: “Columba was a man who explained that the main Christian sadness that the Mass launching Columba 1500 years on, why he grappled with the realities of life churches in Derry and Donegal the 1500th anniversary of is still relevant today and why – the cold winds of winter and the were working together “so that we Columba’s birth ended up being we should celebrate him. The harsh words of others, friends and can remember one who is part of celebrated virtually in the midst of production of this film was made enemies, faith and doubt”. our shared history”. a two-week lockdown due to the possible with funding. “He had many challenges to He added: “Our past contains face,” he pointed out, adding: “Life more than wars, death and Link for film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvvXBGuGxuY&feature=youtu.be was not easy, and disease was division. It also contains stories Link to download: https://mega.nz/file/ widespread. There were lots of of great saints and wonderful dMdSBDiZ#4So7w8MsmE8FTwO8eH7_HStSgJuHsryEPvdlY5jNApE little local wars between families people of learning. This is a civic and clans. We understand that he celebration involving both those A number of other events were held too, across the North West, including got involved in a conflict over a who are believers and those for an all-night vigil of prayer in St Canice’s Oratory in the Columba Community book and that others were killed. whom faith means comparatively Celtic Prayer Garden, at the IOSAS Centre, Muff, Co Donegal, as well as “Columba did not live in a cosy little. Columba is part of the history prayer services in the Raphoe Diocese. Charlie Glenn, Diocesan Fr Colm O’Doherty, Julia McIvor, Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage spiritual director Dioce- Lourdes Pilgrimage Diocesan Lourdes Mass of Remembrance... director. san Lourdes Pilgrimage. secretary. Giving thanks for life and for hope OUR Lady of Lourdes Church, features of the Lourdes pilgrimage and hope, maybe at times when hard and the sense of the Derry in Steelstown, Derry, was the - the High Stations, which is a one- hope has disappeared. Diocese as a family on pilgrimage. setting for the Diocesan Mass mile long path tracing the Stations “This is one of those times to have He added: “We do not for deceased Lourdes pilgrims of the Cross that winds its way hope for better days ahead and we know when largish, organised celebrated by Fr Colm O’Doherty, up a wooded hill overlooking the have to remember to support each pilgrimages will be able to return pilgrimage spiritual director. town. The Twelfth Station – The other. What a pilgrim must do is to Lourdes, however, the Mass The Mass was celebrated during Crucifixion – is at the highest be a pilgrim to others.” for deceased pilgrims gave an November, the month dedicated point of the path, before it slopes He continued: “At this Mass of opportunity to remember those to praying for the Holy Souls. downward to the last Station and Remembrance and offering up who have travelled with us and In his homily, Fr Colm noted the caves. of prayers for deceased Diocesan who have journeyed on beyond High Stations that deceased pilgrims and their “There is this great sense of Lourdes pilgrims, we give thanks death to Resurrection. families were usually prayed for going up the Hill of and for life and for hope”. “It was a chance to remember at one of the Masses celebrated weeping at the tomb, and then you Describing the annual Diocesan pilgrims, staff and the many during the Diocesan pilgrimage come down the hill to realise that Pilgrimage to Lourdes as “a sick that have been able to travel to Lourdes, however, the annual the story is not over, but that life high point of the year for many because of the great organisational pilgrimage did not take place in continues,” said Fr Colm, adding: hundreds of people”, Bishop Donal experience that the Derry Diocese 2020, like many other events, “That is what our pilgrimage to commented on how it generated has collected over the years. because of Covid-19. Lourdes is about; thanksgiving for great memories of the ceremonies, “May the dead rest in peace while He went on to recall one of the life. It is to give us encouragement the young people who work so we journey on as a pilgrim people”. THE NET | JANUARY 2021 17 Eangach Ár nDúchas Ár nDúchas Spioradálta Oilibhéar Ó Croiligh Páis Chríost ath-fhoilsíodh ag Cumann na Féach coróin na ndealg maol; Sagart sa bhliain 2006. Luaigh sé Féach mar a chlaon a cheann san gcroich; trí chomhartha a bhí le sonrú in Féach fós áladh ina thaobh; oidhreacht na hEaglaise in Éirinn: Féach Longínus, féach an tsleá. Bhí ómós ar leith ag ár muintir Féach an dealg ina dhá chois; don Scrioptúr agus do Thraidisiún Féach cló na mbos mín; na hEaglaise. Féach dúnadh na rosc; Bhí tuiscint dhomhain ag ár Féach an fhuil ag teacht ón spín. muintir ar Chomaoin na Naomh agus ar an dlúth-cheangal idir baill Féach ríoghadh an dá lámh; na hEaglaise agus iad ag urnaí. Féach an beol do bhí ina thocht; Donnchadh Ó Floinn Bhí tuiscint acu ar an stair Pobal Dé. Tamhlacht Uí Chroiligh Féach mar ceangladh é go crua; leanúnach a bhí taobh thiar de Féach an uaigh ar cuireadh a chorp. Chuaigh mé go Maigh Nuad shaol na hEaglaise, gur chuid de chreideamh. Bhí Íosa lárnach, é an liotúirge agus sa teaghlach, agus mí Mheán Fómhair 1958. Ní shlabhradh gan briseadh iad: bhí Féach mar théacht an purpar mín rabhamar i bhfad i gColáiste i láthair i gcumhacht, ag slánú, ag oscailte, tuisceanach do riachtanais ard-mheas acu ar chomharthaí leigheas, ag tabhairt maithiúnais na ndaoine mórthimpeall, sa Lena chréachta den taoibh istigh; Phádraig mar ábhair sagart nuair ghrásta Dé sna céadta bliain a Féach mar tarraingeadh í go teann, a fuair an Pápa bás—an Pápa Pius dúinn, ár scaoileadh saor chun pharóiste, sa phobal áitiúil, sa chuaigh thart, agus dóchas acu creidimh agus chun dóchais. Agus deoise, san Eaglais dhomhanda Óna cheann go n-uige a throigh. XII. Ina dhiaidh tháinig an Pápa go mbeadh a leithéid arís ann. As Eoin XXIII, agus níorbh fhada gur thart ar Chríost bhí an pobal dílis agus i saol ár linne. sin a tháinig an spiorad iontach cruinnithe, ag urnaí i gcomhluadar Féach mar teannadh an chnáib; ghlaoigh sé easpaig an domhain le misinéireachta a bhí iontu. Féach an fhonóid do rinneadh faoi; chéile sa Róimh le haghaidh Dhara Féach mar d’iompair an chroich; Comhairle na Vatacáine. Mhair an Rinne Michael Paul Gallagher S.J. Féach an domlas do ibh an Rí. Chomhairle le linn na mblianta taighde ar bhuaine an chreidimh nuair a bhíomar ag déanamh nó ar a dhiomúine i gCeanada na Féach an tiomna do rinne an Rí; ár gcúrsa diagachta, agus bhí Fraincise. Mar chuid de chúrsa Féach mar ghoir Eli san gcroich; fuinneamh agus inspioráid ar leith ar chomhairlí tréadacha, chuir Féach gadaí na láimhe clí; ag baint le gach gné den Eaglais an tAthair Johnny Doherty CSsR Mar nár adhair an Rí go maith. ag an am. Sular thosaigh mé ar taighde Michael Paul Gallagher i an diagacht, bhí céim sa Léann láthair mar léarscáil aibíochta sa (Séamus Dall Mac Cuarta.) Ceilteach bainte amach agam, agus bhí an tAthair Donnchadh Ó Floinn mar ollamh le Nua- Ghaeilge againn. Bhí bá faoi leith ag an Athair Donnchadh le luachanna agus inspioráid na luatheaglaise in Éirinn, agus d’aithin mé ar fhís na hEaglaise i ndoiciméid Chomhairle na Vatacáine na comharthaí sóirt céanna a bhí luaite ag an Athair Donnchadh go minic. Chuir sé cuid dá thuairimí ar an luatheaglais in Éirinn ar pár in alt dár teideal: The Integral Irish Tradition, a Aspail, Maoin Cholm Cille. Creideamh Aibí. Focal agus Gníomh Is sacraimint simplí go leor Agus cuimhnigh nach Vatacáine ar aghaidh tá ceannairí Ní féidir leanúint leis an tuairim é an Cóineartú. Urnaí agus bronntanas aonarach don duine na hEaglaise ag maíomh faoin gur sin obair an tsagairt amháin. séalú le criosma, focal agus féin amháin é an Cóineartú, ach tábhacht atá le saol na dtuataí Tagann dualgas leis an Bhaisteadh gníomh. Ach is iontach go deo bronntanas don phobal agus don san Eaglais. Tá dualgas ar gach agus leis an Chóineartú, agus is den an rud a tharlaíonn faoi ghné an Eaglais ar fad. Nuair a thagann an Caitliceach óna Bhaisteadh agus dualgas sin a bheith ag cuidiú leis tsearmanais. Bronntar an Spiorad Spiorad Naomh anuas ar an duine óna Chóineartú a bheith ag an phobal agus leis an Eaglais sa Naomh ar na daoine óga, agus óg, is ar mhaithe leis an phobal feidhmniú i measc a phobail féin, pharóiste. Agus caithfidh an sagart déantar baill iomlána de chlann Dé ar fad é, agus tagann dualgas in agus istigh ina pharóiste féin le an scil a fhorbairt ann féin le bheith san Eaglais dóibh. Tá cuid mhór le éineacht leis, go gcaithfidh sé hobair Chríost a chur i gcrích. Tá ábalta buanna a aithint i measc ceiliúradh ag paróiste ar bith, nó saibhreas an ghrásta agus saibhreas dualgas ag dul leis an Chóineartú, an phobail, buanna an Spioraid is ócáid í a bhfuil tábhacht ar leith na hEaglaise a roinnt leis na daoine dualgas a bheith ag cuidiú le daoine Naoimh, agus dul ionsorthu agus aici don pharóiste uile, agus don eile. Agus tá dualgas ar phobal agus ag tógáil pobail, dualgas fosta cuireadh a thabhairt dóibh a Eaglais ar fad. Is iontach an rud é na hEaglaise úsáid a bhaint as an taobh istigh de theach an phobail, bheith páirteach i ngnéithe éagsúla nuair is féidir an tsacraimint seo a ghrásta sin le pobal na hEaglaise a a bheith sásta páirt a ghlacadh i de shaol an pharóiste. cheiliúradh ar an Domhnach agus fhorbairt agus a neartú. gceiliúradh na sacraimintí agus i pobal uile an pharóiste i láthair. ndeabhóidí na hEaglaise. (Buíochas le Foilseacháin Ábhair Ó aimsir Dara Comhairle na Spioradálta) 18 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 This is a time of change for all of us as Church As chair of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Anne Friel shares her thoughts on the way forward with the Pastoral Plan – considering where we are at, what we have come through, and how the creativity shown at parish and Diocesan level can be used as a springboard to progress with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan as we, hopefully, emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Where are we at with the or so people all coming from the their knowledge and experience of This was a time of opportunity, the moment to put our plans and Diocesan Pastoral Plan? worries of their everyday lives? going out and bringing God’s word a time to try new ways of reaching ideas into action, and then to learn Parishes have progressed with As a Diocesan Pastoral Council, to others. out, using social media. Although and adapt as we move forward. a number of different parts of the we have discussed how Parish We need to ask challenging we need to recognise that not Members of the Diocesan Plan. Parish surveys have been Pastoral Councils (or their questions - What is the vision for everyone uses a computer or Pastoral Council plan to meet undertaken. In my own parish, equivalents) should: the future of the Diocese, within mobile phone. Some of us were with Parish Priests and members we have identified one global • Collaborate in planning the the context of the Pastoral Plan, paralysed and needed a little extra of Parish Pastoral Councils from social cause to address each year way forward for a parish in light the need for restructuring? What help, some were overwhelmed January. We will listen to their – we have built wells in Africa and of the circumstances of the parish. would be different in 10 years’ with work and anxiety, some tried experience of Church, hear their supported the work of the Good • Work in the context of the time? What would we hear people new things. We need to learn from ideas, what they can share, and Shepherd Sisters working with Gospel, the teaching of the saying that they are not saying all of this. determine what support they need young people of different faiths in Church, the ‘signs of the times’ and now? What would we be doing to move forward with the Diocesan Beirut. the reflections of the members of that we are not doing now? How Lockdown creativity a Plan. We can start to help with this. There is a wealth of knowledge the community. can we have a fresh and different springboard to progress We need to ask individuals and and experience within our We need to continue to develop conversation with people, meeting Diocesan Plan groups how we can work together parishes of establishing different parish communities where them at their point of need, During COVID, our increased to discover God’s way forward for Anne Friel is Chair of the Derry ministries such as bereavement, individuals pray together and involving them in determining the use of social media has helped the Diocese of Derry. We will learn Diocesan Pastoral Council. She lives baptism and liturgy groups. We continue to support each other vision? make known the creative and adapt with each meeting. in the Waterside in Derry, within need to share these experiences, in growing in faith and love of initiatives in parishes and at the Parishes of Glendermott and making the information available God. We need to be mindful of What we have come through Diocesan level. Bishop Donal has Reaching out , and has been a member to other parishes – not solely on encouraging current communities Over the last few months, we been very visible and has been a O’Hanlon (2018), in his book of her Parish Pastoral Council since a website but through creating to continue to develop their sense have experienced loss in many focal point of support for all. His ‘The Quiet Revolution of Pope 2011, as both Chair and Vice- opportunities to talk through of local identity and self-worth. ways: loss of the usual patterns of on-line work, such as the Lough Francis - A Synodal Catholic Chair. Anne works as a hospital the practicalities of how these Our Parish Pastoral Councils our daily life, loss of income, loss of Derg Pilgrimages and sharing Church in Ireland?’, highlights pharmacist in Derry. ministries work. These supportive (PPCs) are learning how to involve loved ones, loss of being able to do personal reflections, for example, that in its Pastoral Constitution on conversations between parishes others, how to go out and ask what we want to when we want to. using the windows in St Eugene’s the Church in the Modern World, IN 2019, Bishop Donal invited 15 will build networks and give each people to give of their ideas, gifts It has been an unimaginable Cathedral, have been talked about ‘Gaudium et Spes’, the Second people from across the Diocese to other confidence in taking things and time. This can be a hard and time. We haven’t been able to across the Diocese and have been Vatican Council “declares that form a Diocesan Pastoral Council. forward and sustaining them. thankless task. It says as much visit friends, hug and be hugged, unifying. the Church hopes to teach and He defined our purpose as Each parish should follow its about how we live and work in offer sympathy by shaking hands, The Diocese has helped some help, but also to learn from and be assisting him in: implementing the own path through the Diocesan our parishes, with individuals not attend funerals and wakes, the parishes to have an on-line helped, by the world”. Diocesan Pastoral Plan; preparing Plan, taking into account different, being able to input due to other Mass and sacraments. Some presence. The Diocesan Youth During the early months of for a Diocesan Assembly in 2021; individual parish needs. commitments. We must learn how have been traumatised at work programme has been very visible the pandemic, this was visible and addressing the pressing Pope Francis speaks of a church to do this, maybe taking smaller – trying to do a good job in very with large numbers of young in the Church reaching out, for pastoral challenges facing the where all of the People of God steps, asking people to become difficult circumstances. In health, people linking in to on-line example, to discuss the use of diocese. These three things are play an active part regardless of involved with single pieces of work looking after a dying patient in discussions and activities. personal protective equipment and interlinked. their background or age, and that they are passionate about, a dignified manner when loved On Holy Wells Sunday, Noel infection prevention and control. I In his introduction to the where each one of us has a voice. knowing that they have not signed ones cannot be there. Some of the Bradley, from the Diocesan believe that we, as Church, need Diocesan Pastoral Plan, This ‘synodality’ asks us to ‘walk up for life! things that we have had to do have Laudato Si Group, shared a to continue to reach out, to go Bishop Donal asks us to “take together’ as a pilgrim church. We should not make things been counter-intuitive. There is a meditation on, ‘Water the Source to where people are at, to have responsibility both individually Central to this is a ‘mutual hard for ourselves. A number of greater need than ever to reach out of Life’ – encouraging us to let conversations outside our church and collectively, for making our listening’, where everyone is Parish Pastoral Councils (within and build welcoming and inclusive our imaginations soar with the buildings. parishes places of welcome; where listening to the Holy Spirit and has Deaneries or across the Diocese) communities. imagery. The Diocesan Pastoral Plan those who feel excluded or far something to learn. We each need should meet together at least twice These last months have made asks us to consult and involve from Christ’s love, can begin to to work to make Jesus known and a year to provide mutual support me think about what parish life Learning by doing parishioners in decision-making. feel the genuine love and warmth loved. The Diocesan Plan asks us to and share good practice. They can means to me. I was baptised in I have learnt that sometimes I We have used parish surveys of our parish communities. As “spread the message of the Gospel also discuss what hasn’t worked and have lived in my parish nearly find it easier to read, research and to ask perhaps more practical disciples of Christ, we must into all areas of human life and, and identify what support and all of my life. I have a strong sense put together plans than to actually questions, but we need to build on prayerfully seek the grace to reach in doing so, our actions should development they need in moving of my grandparents and great do things. This gives me a sense of this by talking and listening to our out in love to all, and by doing this, be characterised by sensitivity, forward with the Diocesan Plan. grandparents having prayed in achievement but it doesn’t make a parishioners in small groups, by even imperfectly, we can make compassion, mercy and joy.” This may help to develop self- our parish church and that gives timely difference. During COVID having an ongoing dialogue. Jesus known and loved” (‘God is To take any plan or change sustaining networks of people, me a huge sense of belonging. there was a sense of immediacy to How do we reach out to those Love’ page 1) forward, we will need a structure who can support each other in Parish is important to me. Being our work, for example in the health who feel excluded? How do we This statement along with the in each parish to help us, as well trying new things. able to attend Mass on YouTube service, when we had to do things make all feel welcome and at three pastoral themes of the as resources. In my experience, We can also learn from continued to give me an experience right away literally to save lives. home in our churches and in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, provide a establishing both of these can individuals who have worked as of the familiar but I missed seeing It would be good to hold on to communities? How do we identify focus for each of us. It is good to be challenging and sustaining missionaries and who can bring people, catching up. that ability of being able to act in those who could do with some make them explicit in a formal them almost impossible, despite plan. However, when I think everyone’s best endeavours. about formal plans in other walks Parish Pastoral Councils (or their of life, it would be easy to leave equivalents) are the structures that the Diocesan Pastoral Plan on a have been put in place in two shelf to gather dust. Or we could thirds of the parishes of the Derry use it as a check list of actions Diocese. We need to learn quickly against which we are being held to about what makes them work well account, for example, ‘organise at or not and share this learning. It least one Parish Mission,’ no later can be hard to be a member of than 2021 – tick/done. such a pastoral group - easier to The members of the new discuss tangible things such as Diocesan Pastoral Council budgets, statues and the layout of talked about how little we knew the bulletin. about the Plan before we came Encouraging prayerful together. However, in all of our conversations that are led by conversations as a Council, the the Holy Spirit, discernment, is themes we were discussing always something new to us. How do we seem to be reflected in the Plan – a do this in a 90 minute meeting, good test of its validity! with a structure/agenda with 12 Glendermott & Strathfoyle Parish Water Project. Glendermott & Strathfoyle Parish Water Project. THE NET | JANUARY 2021 19 more help and support – our time, ministry. This starts withwill act as a resource for parish live in parish community, how we The Diocese could develop a guide to designing the path to the our energy, our money or our knowing and talking about what teams. support each other in the small network of coaches and mentors Diocesan Assembly and beyond. prayer - and how do we give it? is happening within the parish What can we learn from the things, how we pray together and to support us in taking forward We need to recognise that each openly and regularly when people history of the pilgrim nature of for each other. different parts of the Plan. Resources one of us is continuously learning assemble, and encouraging people the Catholic Church in Ireland? Then, how do we raise our There is a need for initial and We need resources to help us to and not exclude those who are not to get involved. In this centenary year of the birth game, learn more about our ongoing formation for current move forward, to implement the up-to-date, for example, with the Parish groups should be of St Columba (521), what can we faith and not be afraid to take and new PPC members. At first, Diocesan Plan. There is a balance changes to the Mass. encouraged to speak about draw from Celtic Spirituality in on new challenges. This can this would look at the role of to be achieved between asking their work proactively and to taking forward the Plan, in our be frightening and difficult to Parish Pastoral Councils within people in each parish to share Communication encourage new members. We faith formation? sustain. We can be enthusiastic the current Diocesan context. their expertise, skills and time, These last months have really need to physically display who I believe we need to help but not have the energy or time Ongoing formation could include and employing an individual highlighted the importance of we are and take time to talk about individuals to set up small, local, to continue to grow. That is why knowledge of scripture and parish worker. We cannot do being able to communicate with what is happening in our parish. contemplative prayer groups that we need ongoing formation for theology, as well as skills such as this work by relying on goodwill each other. Social media has This can be difficult to do. continue to build and strengthen clergy, religious and laity, and change management and effective alone. supported getting messages and our parish communities. structures to learn and support us communication. We could think of other new ideas out to many people Prayer COVID may have provided a on the journey. Training methods should innovative approaches, such and we are learning how to use All that we do must be chance to experience desert and “We must renew our efforts for a foster collaborative working as setting up programmes to Zoom! I believe we are not good supported within a community of contemplative prayer. It may have formation which is more attentive and discernment, so that PPC facilitate experienced individuals communicators - we are an prayer. I would welcome further encouraged more of us to walk and focused on the vision of the members become skilled in to give of their knowledge and introverted Church. support to grow further in my and experience nature. We also Church and this should be both working together. This would time over a six-month period. We need to continue to learn to own personal prayer life. During can look at how we build on our on the part of priests as well as result in a body of people within This would build up capacity talk with each other, be respectful, these last months, the Diocese has culture of poetry, art and music to of religious and lay people to each parish who are equipped across the Diocese in a network listen and reflect. We need to helped to develop and promote grow as parish communities. understand even better what this and informed to take on new of skilled individuals, who could be positive and enthused as we new prayer resources each month church is, this People of God in roles, and who have been part of support each other moving move forward with the Diocesan as part of the Northern Pastoral Formation and Training the Body of Christ”. (Opening a parish dialogue on what change forward. Pastoral Plan and collaborative Network. This work will grow and Formation and training are of the pastoral convention of is needed. Most of all, we need to progress further practical tools that we the Diocese of on the This work will take longer than with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. need to help us take the Plan theme: ‘Church Membership and the three years of the current We need to be clear that this forward. Pastoral Co-responsibility’. Pope Diocesan Pastoral Plan. It would is a time of change for all of us O’ Hanlon quotes theologian, Benedict XV1, 26 May 2009.) be good to take stock of where we as Church – an exciting time. Eugene Duffy, who has likened Learning and ongoing are at on the journey of the Plan Learning to live outside our Karl Rahner’s assessment of development is needed in any and refocus for the next 3-5 years. comfort zones during COVID the German Church in 1971 as walk-of-life, especially when A Diocesan Assembly in 2021 may have helped us and given being similar to the Church in taking on a new role or changing (COVID-permitting) may be us that push to continue to do Ireland today. Rahner said that our practice. It is good to get seen as a milestone along the so as we reach out to others, the Church’s public life can be help to take things forward, and way. We must be clear about its implementing the Diocesan “...dominated by a boring and introducing coaching for leaders purpose and how we can use it Pastoral Plan. resigned spiritual mediocrity in different organisations has as a spring-board into the next Reference: O Hanlon, G (2018), continuing along familiar lines”. been shown to be beneficial, for part of the journey. With the The Quiet Revolution of Pope I believe that if COVID has example, the Connect Cross- 2021 focus on the centenary of Francis. A Synodal Catholic any positive outcomes, it is in border coaching network set up the birth of St Columba, we may Church in Ireland? Messenger One of three Finn Valley Pastoral Area Gatherings held pre-COVID, involving challenging each of us on how we in health in the border counties. use his work and spirituality as a Publications, Dublin. the parishioners of Clonleigh, Urney & Castlefin, and Donaghmore.

society. We want to be able to Reflecting on the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, ‘God is Love’, and his hopes for open hearts, honest offer that in Jesus’ name, when we are open to journeying together in conversations, ongoing formation and much prayer, Bishop Donal writes... faith, because that is the meaning of the word syn-odos!

We face many challenges...but I believe that the Lord Diocesan will build up the Diocese Pastoral Council time for members to look beyond diocesan plan would have supporting this. Bishops, in the context of the 2022 JOINING Bishop Donal and their local sense of parish identity - a vision about what we wanted - Growing in faith together. Synod on Synodality, are working chairperson, Anne Friel, on and develop a sense of diocese. the diocese to be; There has been a considerable on a process of promoting the Diocesan Pastoral Council Secondly, it deals with pastoral - a strategy for how we would amount of faith formation during synodality across the national are Nathan Adam, Mark issues. It is not a finance body or start moving from where we are; the pandemic and its lockdowns. church. Holloway, Rory McGilligan, a personnel organisation. It seeks and - Making Jesus known and The DPC is not merely a strategy Jack McLaughlin, Noel Bradley, to look at the pastoral needs and - tactics for what steps we would loved. For us as a missionary for changing times but a core part Geraldine Conwell, Michelle opportunities of the Diocese in a take. church, this is always our priority. of a changed model of being Toner, Marguerite Hamilton, time of rapid change. Secondly, many parishes have church in the 21st century. Thus, Teresa McMenamin, Sr Johanna And thirdly, it is a Council. It We spent well over two years discovered just how vital and wise I am immensely grateful for the Horgan, Fr Francis Bradley PP, Fr is there to offer ‘counsel’ to the wrestling with these issues and the lay voice has been in facing energy that has gone into the Kevin McElhennon, PP VF, and Bishop in his role. Thus, it is not produced the plan in June 2018. the new challenges. The result Interim DPC and the current one, Fionnuala Brogan as secretary. a diocesan ‘parliament’ with The three-year life of that plan has been impressive in very many chaired by Anne Friel. legislative power. But it is an was intended to prepare parishes cases. We face many challenges, as Bishop Donal important place for the bishop for some sort of Diocesan Thirdly, beginning with the the Church has done right form to hear and benefit from the Assembly in the centenary year of 2018 Synod of Bishops on young the time of Jesus. But with open St Columba Prayer IT was on January 16, 2016 that wisdom of baptised Catholics in St Columba’s birth 2021. And the people, there is now a much hearts, honest conversations, the first meeting of our Interim the diocese. new Diocesan Pastoral Council more church-wide emphasis on ongoing formation and much Almighty God, Who filled the Diocesan Pastoral Council took And, of course, the DPC had began its work of implementation synodality or co-responsibility in prayer, I believe that the Lord will place. And the first agenda item heart of your abbot Columba to work at seeing where its work in the spring of 2019. the life of the Church. The DPC build up the Diocese. was ‘What is a Diocesan Pastoral with the joy of the Spirit and fitted in with the other diocesan But something else called a has been part of that growing There is a huge need for mercy, Council?’ with deep love for those in bodies. That meant an ongoing ‘pandemic’ intervened! role in our local context. The Irish healing and hope in our current Five years on, that is still a conversation with the Council However, as we note the fifth his care, grant, through his question for many people! of Priests to ensure cohesive anniversary of the DPC project, a intercession, that your pilgrim Firstly, it is a diocesan body. thinking across the diocese. few things strike me. people may follow him, strong Parishes may have their own Firstly, even though the priorities and there are many in faith, sustained by hope, Pastoral Plan pandemic has changed many varied spiritual apostolates in the and one in the love that binds The principal matter that the things, the core vision of the Plan diocese. But the Diocesan Pastoral Interim DPC had to engage remains valid. us to you. Council (DPC) is made up of 14 with was the development of a - Building welcoming and Through Christ Our Lord. laity, clergy and religious who Diocesan Pastoral Plan. Parishes inclusive communities. The on- look at the strategic direction of can do their own planning. But a line presence has been vital in the Diocese as a whole. It takes Amen. 20 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 Looking forward to the blessings of 2021 with hopeful hearts AS we look forward with Sharing his New Year thoughts, Bishop Donal highlights the first words of Jesus hopeful hearts to the blessings of this New Year, in Mark’s Gospel as being the most important New Year message for us to hear... a number of people from around the Diocese have taken up the invitation to “The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is close share their thoughts about the extraordinary year just at hand. Repent and believe the Good News.” (Mark 1:15) past and 2021, when we WE will all have specificdiscipleship. Attending Sunday pandemic, their studies have been will celebrate the 1500th memories of 2020. We have come Mass is part of that journey – but interrupted, their job prospects anniversary of St Columba’s through what we would never not all of it. We have to lay the put in question, and their social birth and a year dedicated to have imagined was possible. For foundations for a new way of interaction curtailed. It is young ‘Family #Amoris Laetitia’ by many families it has been a time of being Church, if we are to be fit people who can best engage with Pope Francis, with a special pain and loss. for purpose in a very changed their peers. focus on St Joseph. But my thoughts this year go, environment. Fourthly, we all know that not to January 1, 2021, but to Secondly, in that process, we many people will be facing November 29, 2020, the First have learned many new ways unemployment and serious Sunday of Advent. As people of communicating with people, financial pressures. The parish New Year Blessing of faith, we are not tied to the active parishioners and searchers. communities will have to be very ‘calendar year’ but to the Liturgical We have been up-skilled in how aware of those who are suffering Year that starts nearly four weeks to reach schools and parishioners. in their midst – and find ways of God bless the corners of your house Bishop Donal. and all the lintels blessed. before Christmas. That is our Many priests and parishes have reaching out to them. Our concern for ‘the least of my brothers and And bless the hearth and bless the journey. That is what nourishes been amazing in their creativity. under pressure. This creates the us as we deal with the different Some of those were developed sisters’ will be a critical measure board and bless each place of rest, context for parishes to reconsider seasons of the heart through the to reach out during lockdown. of how much we are disciples of And bless each door that opens wide what their pastoral priorities are. celebration of our core beliefs. But many of them will have to Jesus. Buildings are important only to strangers as to kin, I have found these last months to continue. And we know that being Fifthly, parishes have discovered And bless each crystal window pane insofar as they support the mission be very rich, especially when seen together physically is part of being that, where active, generous lay of ‘making Jesus known and loved’. that lets the starlight in, through the eyes of the Sunday Church. involvement is promoted, great This Liturgical year we will And bless the rooftop overhead and scripture readings. They have Thirdly, I have been struck by things can be done. I hope that journey with the Gospel of St every sturdy wall. helped me to reflect prayerfully on how some of our young people one fruit of the pandemic will Mark. The first words of Jesus in The peace of God. our current realities and on who have come to the fore. They have be growing ‘co-responsibility’ of that short Gospel are, ‘The time With peace and love for all. @catholicbishops we are as Church. In the midst of become very active through clergy and laity as we venture into has come, and the Kingdom of all sorts of shrill politicised calls, engagement with our Instagram the new circumstances. God is close at hand. Repent and I have tried to let the words and presence, the on-line Alpha There is great talent and much believe the Good News.’ (Mark The Spirit of God alive in you and actions of Jesus be a measure for courses, the Youth Scholarship goodwill in our active parishes. 1:15) what the Church needs to do and programme and the impressive There will be much planning to That is the most important New me could make this a better year say as we move towards the end of articles and on-line interviews for be done by our Parish Pastoral Year message for us to hear. My this Covid experience. ‘The Net’. Councils. For Jesus’ disciples, wish for 2021 is that we can all by Fr Francesco Gavazzi, CFR Firstly, the journey will entail, not This has been a very difficult time going back is never the way hear those words loud and clear just getting people ‘back to Mass’, for young people. Life pressures forward! – and be blessed as we travel with WHAT could make this year be the most miserable of people. but beginning again to engage were already causing considerable Finally, it has become clear Jesus. better than last year? The end of With Holy Spirit joy, you could them in the life-long journey of stress for them. Because of the that parish finances may well be Covid-19? No more lockdowns? be in an earthly hell, and sing the (Rom 8:9). The same Spirit that the catacomb of St Sebastian)…he like wealth and riches, does the Philip and Patrick and Columba Financial security? Good health? praises of God like St Maximilian anointed Jesus, now dwells in us. suddenly felt himself filled with such soul no good and brings no and Brigid and Clare and Francis. The freedom to travel and visit Kolbe did in a starvation bunker When we were baptized, the a violent inrush of the divine Spirit happiness. He tried to keep people Here are some prayers. They’re with friends and family? As good as at Auschwitz during WWII, or Holy Spirit came to dwell in that his heart began to bound within from putting him on a pedestal by simple and to the point. they all are, if any of these answers the Carmelite nuns of Compiegne, us. That’s why St Paul calls us his breast, and to be inflamed with dressing in comical outfits, putting “Come Holy Spirit, in a new are true, then we would have to who went to the guillotine singing “temples of God” (1 Cor 3:16). But such heat that, as he told us, his on outlandish disguises, going and wonderful way”, or “Come say that a better year is contingent God’s praises during the French for most of us, this happens on nature was utterly unable to bear it, around with only one side of his Holy Spirit, come through Mary”, upon better circumstances...‘if it all Revolution. an unconscious level as babies. If as his heart began to palpitate in a face shaved, and doing practical or simply “Come Holy Spirit”, or comes together’, ‘if things go well’, That is why there is something it doesn’t become a reality on the strange way.” jokes. This joyful saint was filled “Father, in Jesus’ name, fill me with ‘if the situation improves’, etc. even better than seeing an end conscious level, it can be like a fire As it turns out, the space around with the Holy Spirit. But remember Your Spirit”, or “Spirit of Jesus give But what if, this year, the to all of these hardships. Better that cools to a few glowing embers. his heart was enlarged by the that before he was filled, he asked, me a heart to love”. circumstances get worse? I sure because our joy will no longer But it’s meant to be a fire! So St breaking of two ribs! Don’t worry, persistently and perseveringly and I’d also recommend the ancient hope and pray they don’t! But be dictated by what happens ‘out Paul tell us to “fan into flame the this was really extraordinary with great desire. hymn, “Veni, Creator Spiritus” what if they do? Less financial there’. It will be something we gift of God” (2 Tim 1:6). How? Ask. and praying to be filled with the Better than better circumstances, (“Come, Creator Spirit”). security, more lockdowns, even possess within, a flame that can It’s that simple. “How much more Holy Spirit probably won’t break greater than the greatest How often should we pray this food shortages, bad weather and never be extinguished, no matter will the heavenly Father give the your ribs! The Holy Spirit was circumstances, the Holy Spirit way? Until He comes! Remember sickness, etc. Could this year the circumstances. We will be Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” so aflame in Philip Neri that he alive in you and I will change the witness of St Philip Neri: “I still be better than last year? Not able to say with St Paul: “I know (Luke 11:13). had to undo his collar even in the world from the inside out. It used to pray to the Holy Spirit, AS easy, maybe even more difficult, how to be abased, and I know The saints are our greatest guides the middle of winter, because he happened in 16th century Rome, FERVENTLY AS I COULD, to but better? I believe so. How? By how to abound; in any and all and the real ‘superstars’. Take, for was so hot! He became known as beginning with the heart of St come to my aid, and to fill my soul discovering and living a simple circumstances I have learned the example, St Philip Neri. A normal the Apostle of Rome – countless Philip Neri. It can happen right with His gifts. One day, when I was truth: True joy (and a better year) secret of facing plenty and hunger, guy like you and me. He asked healings, miracles and conversions here in Derry, beginning with your praying like this, he answered my does not depend on favourable abundance and want”. (Phil 4:12) and he received…in abundance! were attributed to him. But he heart. Without knowing it, you prayers.” circumstances but on the Holy Jesus did not promise to spare us And do you know what he is best would be the first one to tell you will become a man or woman of One day. And Rome was never Spirit who makes you and I fully from hardship, “In the world you known for? Joy. In fact, he is the it wasn’t him, but the Holy Spirit renewal. Why? Because you will be the same. One day. And Derry will alive – rain, hail or shine. have tribulation”. But He did tell patron saint of laughter, humour in him. This was the secret to his moved by the Spirit of Him who never be the same. The Holy Spirit us to be joyful, “…but be of good and joy! In 1544 he was 29 years boundless love and joy. “makes all things new” (Rev 21:5). I certainly want to see the end cheer”, and He gives us the reason old, and this is what a friend of his “To preserve our cheerfulness Will we struggle this year? of Covid-19 and lockdowns and why, “…I have overcome the world”. tells us: amid sicknesses and troubles is Undoubtedly. Will we suffer? financial hardships and sickness. (John 16:33) “Every day Philip used to pray to a sign of a right and good spirit.” Most likely. More than last year? But I also know that we could We overcome the same way the Holy Spirit with all the ardour (Philip Neri) It’s possible. Remember St Paul – see an end to all these things and He overcame. How? Remember at his disposal, to endow him He hated to be praised by people. beatings, a stoning, shipwrecks, never know true joy - Holy Spirit when He read from Isaiah in the with His holy gifts. No day passed He actually begged the Lord not to imprisonments, sleepless nights, joy. And it’s this joy that our heart synagogue at Nazareth, “The Spirit without calling on the Spirit’s aid. work miracles through him and hunger and thirst and all that longs for. It’s this joy that Jesus of the Lord has been given to me” And this was not without result… said that if they did happen they (see 2 Cor 11:24 ff). And yet, this came for: “that your joy may be (Luke 4:18)? He said that about yet a layman (only later was he should be credited to the faith of year could still be better than last full”. (John 16:24) Himself. This is what He says ordained a priest), and not 30 years those who received them. Why? year? Yes. How? The Spirit of God Without Holy Spirit joy, you about you and I through St Paul: Fr Francesco Gavazzi, Franciscan old…(on the vigil of Pentecost at He knew that honour from people, alive in you and me. Like Paul and could be in an earthly paradise but “the Spirit of God dwells in you” Friars of the Renewal, Galliagh THE NET | JANUARY 2021 21 “What’s another year?” by Gráinne Doherty introspection and re-evaluating of not paying any attention. Pope that everything will be fine if it is When we wish to forget 2020 in l i v e .’ who we are and who we want to Francis says that we haven’t paid fine for me.” its entirety, we risk going back to The pandemic has revealed anew be. Leaving one year behind and attention because we think these living out another pandemic - a the power of prayer and showed facing into a new one opening up other catastrophes don’t affect Shaken pandemic when the earth itself us that, in the same way as Jesus is one of those natural times. us. He suggests that the reason Every part of our very and all of its creation struggles appeared to the disciples who had The ancient Greeks had two that the coronavirus crisis may being has been shaken by to breathe; a pandemic wherein locked themselves into the upper words for time which are used seem frightening and challenging, the Covid-19 pandemic. We the most vulnerable and invisible room in that first Easter because of in different ways throughout the and such a unique experience, is struggle emotionally, physically, continue to be denied the fullness their fears and an uncertain future, scriptures: ‘Chronos’, which refers because it affects all of us, not just economically, spiritually. On a of life promised by the gospel. God has also been journeying with to chronological, sequential time people on the margins of society – daily basis, we dig deeply and When we wish to forget 2020, us and has been present with us (clock-time), and ‘Kairos’, which the people whom we usually fail to courageously into our inner we forget the countless acts of in our homes when restrictions refers to times in the life of an see. resources to be a source of hope kindness and love lived out in our forced us to self-isolate and individual, of a community, or of While the virus itself may be for both ourselves and for others. community – the ‘shop and drop’ cocoon. the whole world, which call for invisible, its effects are very visible We see the exhaustion of health runs for the housebound, the So, in light of my own ‘Kairos’ transformation and new direction. and, as a result, we have taken workers, the loneliness of those creative fund-raising challenges, moment at the beginning of this We have all had ‘Kairos’ times in it seriously. Pope Francis points cut off from their families and socially-distanced community new year, my resolutions for our lives or, if not, we will have at out that there are a thousand neighbours, the hidden pain and initiatives organised by volunteers, 2021, formed in the midst of the Grainne Doherty, Moville some stage; the death of a loved other crises that are just as dire, grief of those denied the possibility the attempts to stay in contact Covid-19 pandemic, are very one, serious illness, the failure but because their effects are not of being with their loved ones through phone-calls, postal simple. The annual aspirations to AT the beginning of every year of an important relationship or immediately felt by us, particularly through illness, death, and deliveries, and the inevitable exercise more, to lose weight, and when I was younger, I would business, some big disappointment in the wealthier parts of the bereavement, the anxiety and stress Zoom calls that became the new to become more organized, are of - with great enthusiasm and or hurt, the loss of a job. ‘Kairos’ world, we can act as if they don’t of parents concerned about their norm for many. course still faithfully present, but commitment! - draw up a list times are times when I am forced exist. Most of the time, we can children, their jobs, their homes. When we wish to forget 2020, they are secondary to my resolve of resolutions that I planned to to re-examine what is important to turn a blind eye to the hundreds We are moved by the emotional we also forget the overwhelming to live out the following: follow fastidiously during the me, what my core values are, how of thousands of refugees fleeing images of family members trying generosity and commitment • To not take the company of months ahead. After several years I want to live my life, rather than poverty, hunger, and lack of to communicate with loved ones of those working in a myriad family and friends for granted but of doing so, however, I began to drifting along day to day and doing opportunity in life, or those who through the windows and doors of essential services who have to appreciate each person’s unique notice a similar pattern unfold: the things because ‘that’s the way I’ve are caught up in the many wars of nursing homes; we worry kept not only the health service gift in my life. resolutions which I thought about always done them!’ in different parts of the world, or about the unknown and silenced functioning, but also the whole of • To more consciously and with such diligence were inevitably The Covid pandemic thatthe aggressive destruction of our suffering of those behind closed society. deliberately take time each day broken within a few days, and continues to rage through the planet through climate change. doors in abusive relationships; Rather than forget 2020, we to notice and give thanks for the abandoned in their entirety entire world - and which has Like the Covid-19 crisis, these and think of those who are already must take what we have learned many simple instances of the within a few months, only to be deeply affected each one of us in a crises affect the lives of each one of invisible in our society as their from the year and let it guide us goodness and generosity that resurrected again at the beginning variety of ways over the past year us and the very life of our planet, already meagre supports of care as we begin to discern what kind happen in my life on a daily basis. of the following year with equal - has thrust us into a ‘Kairos’ time. but we fail to be moved to change and assistance disappear. The list of family, society, and Church • To pay attention to the beauty fervour and good intention! Pope Francis says that “this is a our ways as they often seem at a is, sadly, endless. we wish to have post-Covid. As of the world around me. Even in Obviously, I had never listened moment to dream big, to re-think distance from us. Despite all of this pain and human beings, we all share the these early days of January, the to the saying: “the definition of our priorities – what we value, We have discovered that we can sadness, I struggle with the same sorrows, the same hopes, increasing volume of birdsong insanity is doing the same thing what we want, what we seek – and act with incredible urgency and narrative that surrounded much the same potential. The Covid-19 and the opening up of spring over and over again, but expecting to commit to act in our daily life on radically transform how we live of our New Year celebrations – the pandemic has helped us remember flowers is amazing and uplifting! different results!” what we have dreamed of”. when we feel threatened but, in the wish to fully forget the past year how interdependent we are - what In his wonderful encyclical on As I write this, we are already While we talk of and long for a year ahead, will we be energised and firmly close the door on it, so happens to one person can soon ecology, ‘Laudato Si’, Pope Francis a few days into 2021. While return to ‘normal’, we have to ask to respond to what Pope Francis that we can return to the way things affect many others, even on the far tells us that each part of creation now thankfully free from trying ourselves if this is actually possible, calls “the hidden pandemics” of were. The Christian message is a side of our planet. is a unique ‘caress of God’ - a unsuccessfully to following and re-think what ‘normal’ might the world – the pandemics of radical one and contradicts the The pandemic has reminded comforting substitute at a time resolutions that I believed would mean after our experiences over hunger and violence and climate myth that we can have life without us that despite our valuing when we are unable to hug others! of course result in a ‘me’ who was the past year. We fool ourselves change? He says that unless we pain or struggle. It instead holds our independence, we are And on that note, as I enter magically super organised and if we believe that ‘going back to keep focussing on these other together the two ongoing realities fundamentally relational beings, 2021, I wait in hope and belief, for wonderfully productive – as well the way things were’ is a realistic pandemics and unless we keep of life – the powerlessness and pain wanting and needing the company that time when we can hug our as being instantaneously slimmer option. With this pandemic, remembering the most vulnerable, of the cross, and the uncontained of others. It has shown that people loved ones again without having to and healthier! – I still take time, everyone has had some experience the silenced and invisible in our joy and new life of the resurrection. are predisposed in the main, to think twice. And I root myself in like most people, to reflect on how that has changed them; the world society, both now and as we The message of Christmas is one act out of love and compassion, God’s word to each one of us and the year ahead might unfold for itself has been changed. look beyond Covid-19, we may that tells us that the Incarnation, and look after one another. It has to the world: me, and for the world generally. Many people who commit their be struck by a worse virus – the the divine, resides in places we demonstrated to us that we can “For surely I know the plans I While such reflection does not lives to working for social justice virus of what he calls “selfish least expect, and reminds us that live a lot more simply than we have have for you, says the Lord, plans have to be limited to this time and for climate change remind indifference”, and which, he says enduring strength and leadership been doing prior to 2020, thus for your welfare and not for harm, of year, there are certain times us that similar catastrophes are is “spread by the thought that life resides in the vulnerability of a reminding us that we must ‘live to give you a future with hope.” that lend themselves to such happening all the time, but we are is better if it is better for me, and baby in a manger! simply so that others may simply (Jer. 29:11) Hanging on to HOPE in 2021 by Fr Peter McCawille SMA ON several occasions over the Blessed today with many been a wonderful nurse. In many and their close family members Anniversary, Pope Francis past year, during my days in self- caring heroes parts of Africa, I have for long knew long before Covid-19 sprung proclaimed a year-long celebration, imposed exile in Abuja, Nigeria, Today, I recall those fairly admired the dedication of local into our midst like a thief in the beginning on December 8, 2020, while Covid-19 was just beginning insignificant moments from my nurses, working as they often do in night, or even during the day, dedicated to the foster father of to display its ugly fangs, I was early days in secondary school abjectly inadequate surroundings! how genuinely sensitive, caring, Jesus. In an Apostolic Letter titled, transported back 60 years in time to simply illustrate how acutely When we first heard of the courteous and committed they ‘Patris Corde’ (translated as ‘With to my second week at the Christian conscious I have become of how coronavirus in Lagos, our spirits were, in patiently responding in a father’s heart’), Pope Francis Brothers’ School in Omagh. We truly fortunate we are, in having in were deflated until we heard more the face of often overwhelming said Christians can discover in were still trying to find our faltering our midst such a marvellous group comforting reports locally from odds. St Joseph, someone who usually feet in a new world, when we were of heroes who have encouraged those in the caring professions, goes unnoticed as, “an intercessor, ushered one afternoon into a senior us to renew our confidence in who gave us a much-needed boost Celebrating St Joseph - a a support and a guide in times of classroom to witness an annual the sheer goodness of the many at a time when all we could hear respectful and sensitive man trouble.” No better man than this debate. As youngsters we were the young men and women, who have from near and far were words of I am convinced that it is genial, self-effacing caring father, last to be brought into the arena embraced different aspects of the gloom and doom. For too long, uncannily appropriate at such a to remind us that “those who when the scene was already set. caring professions as a vocation. the work of those in the caring crucial time in our history that, appear hidden or in the shadows Fr Peter McCawille SMA. Written on the blackboard in big It is the one vocation that professions everywhere has throughout the world for the can still play an incomparable role letters were the words ‘The world resonates deeply with me been hidden; consequently often coming year, we are being called in the history of salvation. A word in these perilous times, such huge is unfortunate in its heroes’ and personally, mainly because my taken for granted and not fully to mark the 150th anniversary of of recognition and of gratitude is numbers of heroes who have underneath were the names of the mother often told me that she recognised in terms of adequate St Joseph being declared patron of due to them all”. joined the caring professions four speakers who were preparing would dearly have loved to be a remuneration. Only the doctors the Universal Church. Pope Francis surely had in mind to put to good use their caring to lock verbal horns. nurse and I know she would have and their colleagues, the patients By way of marking the how fortunate we are in having, natures in furthering the healing 22 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 continued from page 21 This New Year I find ministry, particularly at a time their own to shoulder the almost greatly edified when I witness through regular funds donated by when Covid-19 was causing such intolerable burden by themselves. how hope-filled and comfortable a dedicated group of volunteers, devastation throughout the world. From time to time, I listen on the people always are when they and their supporters, in the Third myself returning to Pope Francis went on to say the radio to their plaintive pleas have to deal with a crisis. A few World Shop, in , Co that St Joseph’s unconditional as, often at their tether’s end, it is years ago they coped with a much Derry, plus contributions from acceptance of Mary and his evident in their voices that they more contagious epidemic called individual donors, North and childhood values, where decision to protect “her good have been forced to pick up a ‘Ebola’. In the face of the breaking South. name, her dignity and her life”, also phone to find anyone who might news about Covid-19, they never I, long ago, learnt that the people serves as an encouragement to the listen to their story (we thank resorted to self-pity or despair here are at their most resilient family matters most! rest of us, including those who are God for Joe Duffy). We also know at the appearance of yet another when they listen to the Good serving as missionaries in Africa that those who can summon up ‘thorn in their flesh’. They rallied Friday story, which is one of fear, by Jean Doherty and other parts of the world, to the courage to pick up the phone round immediately, drawing isolation, betrayal, abandonment jingling. step back from being judgmental are only a fraction of the many from resources built up since the and a lonely death; a reality which I remember going to six o’clock and dismissive when we are asked thousands whose overwhelmed day they were born for when the they have been coping with for Mass on Christmas morning and to deal with difficult issues being voices remain unheard. family experienced different forms many years. Good Friday teaches my mother crying for lost children experienced in our own, or in of adversity and, more particularly, us that even in our darkest and loved ones when the choir other families! The need to be more aware of as they experienced as parents moments, as Covid-19 attempts, sang ‘Silent Night’ and ‘O Holy In this 150th anniversary year, our neighbours and adults the crippling demands with what is now referred to as N i g h t ’. we thank God for all the caring As 2021 begins to unfold, of inadequate health facilities, a the Variant or the Second Wave, I remember going for a cooked people in our world who identify Covid-19 must also have taught lack of water and electricity, an to wreak even more havoc, there breakfast to my grannies after more wholeheartedly with “the us how important it is to focus our inability to adequately clothe their remains a well-established hope Mass and feeling really happy. figure of a respectful and sensitive attention more on the members children or meet up with school that offers us the promise of a new I remember visiting Santa’s man” like St Joseph, who reminds of our local communities. We fees where there were schools, a and better way of living, when we Grotto in Austin’s and standing for us that being ‘respectful and are told that all politics is local lack of employment and a myriad begin to appreciate that our future ages in the queue, as the excitement sensitive’ is a sign of great strength and the same must be even more of other emergencies that we can lies in working more closely at of meeting him mounted. and conviction, not a sign of applicable to the living out in never imagine. the local community level, with Jean Doherty I remember going to the weakness. our estates and townlands of our our family, our friends and our cemetery and placing holly Christian obligations towards the The resilience of the people in neighbours. I don’t remember what toys I wreaths on our loved ones’ graves. Unsung public and private carers hungry, the sick, the lonely, the Nigeria In conclusion, I feel guilty now, got for Christmas when I was I remember the lovely dinner on I am even more conscious imprisoned, the naked. Only someone in the but I freely admit that I began two, four, six or eight, but I do Christmas Day and opening the today of the selfless commitment Isn’t it reassuring to know, neighbourhood who has 2020 with two objectives in mind: remember the excitement in our tins of biscuits and selection boxes of family members, leaving in the immediate aftermath of completed the full honours my first home leave in Dregish in home on Christmas Eve. after, whilst playing box games on Covid-19 aside for a moment, in Covid-19, that families, friends course in insularity could fail three years and a plan to take my I remember my mother busy in the floor. thousands of homes throughout and neighbours, with a little to be moved by the need to do first Sabbatical, a year of study the kitchen and the smell of home- I remember watching ‘It’s A the world who are so consumed encouragement, have decided to something to help such people. possibly even in Dregish and the made soup and jelly and mince Wonderful Life’ in black and white by the almost excruciating, and come out of their shells and make More particularly, when the surrounding area, in 44 years. pies. and everyone crying. often without any opportunity themselves available to assist each double whammy appeared with Today, I thank Covid-19 but I remember the fun putting up I remember playing Monopoly for respite care, demands on their other at any time of the day or the introduction of the lockdown only for helping me to realise that the Christmas tree and ceiling and my daddy cheating. time and energy as they lovingly night. Further welcome evidence here, in Nigeria, in mid-March, the there are a lot more important decorations, and our father What I don’t remember is what look after sick parents, husbands that when faced by a challenge, parishioners rallied round without things in life than my annual leave swearing every time the fairy toys I got on Christmas morning. and wives, brothers and sisters, or a crisis, people’s better nature me saying a word to them. I was and my Sabbatical. lights went out just when the tree Gifts don’t matter. Memories do. sons and daughters; conscious at becomes evident! blessed in being able to offer them was finished. Now that I am no longer a child, times that they are often left on Here, in Nigeria, I am always some help which came my way I remember the joy of shopping for new clothes and shoes. my wishes and priorities have I remember going to the chapel changed, but this New Year, in Let’s continue newfound respect for those who, through to see the Crib and altar decorated particular, I find myself returning with holly and candles. to those values of my childhood. doing ordinary things, become extraordinary people I remember standing outside Family is what matters most in Austin’s windows just looking life, along with good health. And, at the beautiful decorations and in 2021, I hope and pray that my by Roisin Rice family and circle of friends will delivery drivers, the mechanics, and The year 2021 is dedicated to As we look forward to brighter Christmas display. I remember visiting family and enjoy good health and remain safe the electricians, etc, not the highly the humble father, the person who times in 2021, we should continue from Covid, and continue to enjoy paid celebrities and Instagram worked tirelessly to support the this newfound appreciation and friends with my aunt to deliver Christmas cake and puddings, the magnificent gift of life, which influencers, who saved the day. people in his care, the guardian of respect for those who do not seek is God-given, to the full. There was no one more ‘ordinary’, Jesus and Mary. A key figure in the the spotlight but who, through and coming home with my pocket and yet ‘extraordinary’, than both life of Jesus, who has none of his doing ordinary things, become of my grannies. My father died words recorded in the Scriptures. extraordinary people. suddenly when I was little and One of the cornerstones of In this Year of St Joseph, let I remember going to stay with Christianity is living a life in service Novena Prayer my , his mum, who lived of others. At times, we can forget “O Saint Joseph, whose protection is us open our hearts more to in another town in the summer that to serve is all in the little acts, so great, so strong, so prompt before after his death. She had a great the quiet and humble actions that the throne of God, I place in you all devotion to St Joseph and when come from love and kindness, that my interests and desires. God’s plan for us I was leaving to return home one we can have most impact. “O Saint Joseph, do assist me by Roisin Rice of her parting gifts to me was the I am reminded of the famous your powerful intercession, and by Marguerite Hamilton novena prayer to St Joseph, which quote of Saint Mother Theresa of obtain for me from your Divine Son with awe on the choice God made THIS year more than any other, I have said frequently throughout Calcutta: “In this life we cannot do all spiritual blessings, through Jesus – the humble stable, signalling we are looking forward to the my life. She loved St Joseph, his great things. We can only do small Christ, our Lord, so that, having from the beginning His concern prospect of better times in the gentle tenderness, his caring and things with great love.” engaged here below your heavenly and love for the poor. I look at year 2021. We look forward to all compassionate love for the child In 2020 there were many little power, I may offer my thanksgiving Mary and wonder as she gazed at the things that we missed out on Jesus, and that is one of the reasons acts of great love carried out by and homage to the most Loving of her child was she thinking of the last year; the family gatherings, why she named her son, my father, thousands of people around the Fathers. angel’s message, “Rejoice so highly hugging, meeting up with friends, Patrick Joseph. globe amid so much death, pain, “O Saint Joseph, I never weary favoured…you will bear a son … playing sports, eating out, holidays 2020 was the year that ordinary and suffering. It could have been contemplating you and Jesus asleep he will rule over the House of and shopping in bustling city people did extraordinary things easy to turn inwards, into our in your arms; I dare not approach Jacob forever?” centres without having to worry and I believe that this is one of “bubbles”, yet so may did not. while He reposes near your heart. I have always loved the contrasts about social distancing and hand the reasons why Pope Francis Instead, they reached out to the Press Him in my name and kiss of this momentous, life changing sanitiser. announced in his letter, ‘Patris vulnerable in society in so many His fine head for me and ask Him event happening at a specific Marguerite Hamilton, Columba 2020 was the year it became Corde’ (‘With a Father’s Heart’) that ways. Pope Francis acknowledged to return the Kiss when I draw my point in human history and yet Community extremely apparent that the 2021 is dedicated to Saint Joseph. those “who, without making any dying breath. the ordinary things of life are ordinary, quiet people just routinely Pope Francis states: “We clearly noise, have tried to make the “Saint Joseph, patron of departed I have to admit that of all the going on around it; shepherds are doing their job are, in fact, the see the importance of ordinary burden of the trial more bearable”. souls – pray for me. (Mention your characters in my crib scene, St watching sheep and, no doubt, backbone of society. It was these people, who though far from the 2020 was full of ordinary people intention) Amen.” Joseph gets the least attention. the townspeople were going about key workers; the shop assistants, limelight, exercise patience and who carried out little acts, silently The focus is rightly on the infant their business. the care workers, the cleaners, the offer hope every day”. with great love, just like St Joseph. born to redeem the world. I reflect continued on page 23 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 23 continued from page 22 May this be a year of blessing and renewal through As a child, I was captivated by a man of faith in God’s will and the visit of the wise men, following plan for his life. His life of prayer the star, travelling all that way to and silent listening prompted the intercession of St Joseph and St Columba meet Jesus. Of course, I had no him to act. He was decisive and idea what all that way meant. The courageous when he knew what by Patricia Casey symbolism in every action of every God was asking him to do. person in the scene is a lifetime’s Joseph was a righteous man who One of those blessings was my Patron Saint. Corde’, by Pope Francis, “Each reflection as we journey to know followed the law, taking Jesus to wee niece, Lucia Pearl, who was Pope Francis will open the of us can discover in Joseph - the God, but what of Saint Joseph? be presented to the Lord in the born on the Feast Day of the ‘Amoris Laetitia’ Family Year on man who goes unnoticed, daily, This year, I was given a beautiful temple, and giving the offering of Immaculate Heart of Mary. March 19, 2021, which is also the discreet and hidden presence - an statue of ‘Sleeping St Joseph’, with a the poor, two turtle doves. I recently saw a lovely and Feast Day of St Joseph, and I’m intercessor, a support guide in card that contains a very personal While little is written of the practical suggestion made by Pope looking forward to what good God times of trouble.” sharing by Pope Francis. He hidden years in Nazareth, we know Francis, when he said, “Here are is going bring in this special year. My advice if you are struggling writes that when he encounters a Joseph worked as a carpenter to three short phrases, ‘please’, ‘thank Families need every grace and this year is to go to St Joseph; he problem or difficulty, he writes a provide for his family, living an you’, ‘I am sorry’...if in a family, blessing from heaven for these very is our spiritual father and, with his little note and puts it underneath ordinary life which, because of his these three words are used, the difficult and challenging times tender loving care, all will be well. his statue of St Joseph so that he love, faith and obedience, God was family is fine.” I thought that would in which we live. Family life is a There is also a book written can dream about it. He says, “in able to make it an extraordinary, be a good New Year resolution, so vocation and there are hundreds, if by American priest, Fr Donald other words I tell him: pray for this powerful life. The name of Joseph I’ll use that throughout 2021. not thousands, of opportunities to Calloway, called ‘Consecration to problem.” The Pope has declared a is known down through the The New Year has already begun be sanctified and made holy. St Joseph: The Wonders of Our ‘Year of Saint Joseph’, leading us to generations. He generously gave with hope, as Our Holy Father, There is a lot of virtue to practice Spiritual Father’. I got it for my dad December 8, 2021. love and security to Jesus and Patricia Casey, Kilrea. Pope Francis has designated it in family life. Family is the as a Christmas present and he was What do we know of Joseph Mary, and showed an acceptance as a special year for The Family, foundation of society and, with the excited to begin it. from the scriptures? He is a of his role in life that is born out of I look forward to this New Year honouring St Joseph in particular, many graces that God will give in May 2021 be a year of blessing silent man, not one word of wisdom and deep trust in the One with a hopeful heart. 2020 was while our Bishop has recently 2021, we could see a renewal in the and renewal through the his is recorded in the Gospels. who is ever faithful. a very challenging year with the launched a Columban year of Church and the world around us. intercession of St Joseph and St Matthew’s Gospel presents him as God had a plan for this simple global pandemic but it was also a celebration to mark the 1,500th I loved this short paragraph from Columba. a listener, like Mary, who was open carpenter. He has a plan for our year with many beautiful blessings. anniversary of the birth of Derry’s the recent Apostolic Letter, ‘Patris to the promptings of God. When lives too. Let us live mindful of the angel came to him in a dream who we are as children of the and said, “Do not be afraid, take Father, children of light. In this Year of St Joseph, perhaps 2021 is a year for Mary home as your wife,” he acted Perhaps in this year dedicated to in obedience and trust and did Saint Joseph, we will pray through what he had been asked to do. He the intercession of this silent more action and less words! by Stephen Ward believed the message of the angel, listener, this man of courageous Particularly evident is the impact appears to be a complete denial be vulnerable. However, it is “He is the one who is to save Israel action that we, living our ordinary it has had on how we continue to of the situation in which we find recognizing our vulnerability that from their sins.” lives, will increasingly open our practice the faith, and frequent the ourselves. causes us to look towards the Lord Again, in Matthew, he is the hearts to God’s plan for us. Let us Sacraments. Also, on how we are Observing both perspectives, I and His mercy, so that we may obedient listener, following the be seekers of His will, obedient able to interact with one another see perhaps another virus…that of cling to Him as He remains with direction of the angel and taking to His promptings, dreaming in ways we wouldn’t normally be fear. It is important that we have us through difficult times. It is this his family to safety in Egypt, and like Joseph and serving others in accustomed to, with technology hope and trust in the Lord, who mercy that we should seek to look staying there until he was told to whatever way God will lead us such as Zoom! is faithful to His promises and His at society with, and on ourselves. bring them back to their own land. to do. Every blessing for the year Personally, I found what may be steadfast love for us. This will give Another relevant point the Pope He was surely a man of prayer and ahead. considered to be two extremes in us a middle way through both makes, which applies to us today, how society has come to terms with perspectives that is grounded in is that St Joseph, in the face of the circumstances in which we find faith and reason. adversity, set aside his own ideas Let’s pray that we will be Stephen Ward ourselves as the virus continues to It is no coincidence that, on and accepted the course of events, be in our midst. the Feast of the Immaculate embracing them. In embracing AS 2021 gets underway, I look inspired to ‘run the race’ set One position is that where people Conception, Pope Francis society and the circumstances we forward with anticipation and hope have shut themselves away from promulgated his apostolic letter find ourselves in at this time, we as to what will become of this New the world and from society. This ‘Patris Corde’ (With a Father’s will begin to recognize the presence before us and become a light Year, not to mention the ways and is completely understandable for heart), which focuses on St Joseph of the Lord in our midst, in the bits means in which the Lord continues people who are elderly and/or as a model of fatherhood and how and pieces of our everyday lives. for others to follow to remain with us; He who remains who have issues with their health we might live as Christians in a It is in this that the Lord gives us faithful to us as we continue to which leaves them vulnerable to time of pandemic, uncertainty, fear the strength and graces we need to by Rhonda McColgan embark upon our pilgrim journey infection. Thus, it is a prudential and doubt. continue in faith and trust. of faith towards our heavenly this past year of pandemic, with judgement that one has to make in Some aspects of this reflection In terms of a plan of action for homeland. sadness due to bereavement, social order to attempt to live their lives. It from Pope Francis I have found this year, I am reminded of what is What is abundantly clear is that isolation, restricted movements, is those who are vulnerable in our to be beneficial, and that is the evident from Sacred Scripture, in 2020 was an unprecedented year job losses, business closures and society whom we are called to pay history of salvation is worked out relation to St Joseph – that there are not just for our island, but for the financial burdens. The list just goes attention to in acts of charity and “in hope against hope” (Romans no particular words attributed him. whole world in coming to terms on. almsgiving at this time. 4:18) through our weaknesses. The However, what is demonstrated are with the coronavirus pandemic People often ask the question, Another position that appears Pope invites us to look upon our his actions. and the impact it has had on us as “Where is God in all of this?” to be taken by some, and it is weaknesses with tender mercy. Perhaps 2021 is a year for more faithful Christians, our families and As I ponder this question, I am certainly apparent in the realm of In the face of the current action and less words! our communities. reminded of a scripture in the book social media, is that where there pandemic, we might seem to Rhonda McColgan, Iskaheen, Co of Amos, “Though I withheld rain Donegal. from you when the harvest was still live eternal life; And I will raise him Jesus walked it first, preparing the anniversary of the birth of Derry’s This is good news for us. In fact, three months away, though I sent up on the last day” (John 6:40). way, leaving signposts through own patron, St Columba. it is great news, this message of a IN this New Year of 2021, we rain upon one town and withheld So, in this time of darkness, that giving us the gift of our dear These great saints are a wonderful loving Father that transforms His can almost hear the echo of a it from another, though people light of hope is the Good News of Mother Mary and the great saints. reminder of how a life lived in children through love. It reminds united prayer throughout the staggered from town to town and our Saviour calling us to return to Moreover, Jesus walks it again union with God transforms us me of a flower that blooms as it world pleading with God to make found no water to quench their Him. Aristotle said that it is during and again through us, willing us on into our full potential of becoming turns towards the morning sun this year a better one. With all the thirst, yet you never returned to the darkness that we must focus to and guiding us - “Will He let your saints. They are true beacons and, therefore, revealing its true “Happy New Year” wishes received, me, says Yahweh” (Amos 4:7-8). see the light. St Augustine, a great foot slip, the one watching over of hope lighting the path and beauty. they are almost always followed by, Amos, a prophet of social justice, theologian, said that he began to you? Will He slumber? No, the pointing the way forward towards So, let us pray that this year, “And let’s hope this year will be a points out that these trials give understand that happiness is found guardian of Israel neither slumbers a God that calls us His children - through the intercession of St better one!” us a chance to reflect. This does in search of truth and not in the or sleeps” (Psalm 121: 3-6). “But to all who received Him, He Joseph and St Columba, that we Well, it is true that we never not mean that we have an unkind desires of the flesh. So, as we begin this New Year empowers to become children of too may be inspired to “run the know what lies ahead but for or unloving God, but quite the It is true that this turning towards of 2021, I believe that it is no God” (John 1:12) race” set before us in Christ and people of faith there is always opposite in fact. Jesus tells us in the Lord and making a choice to coincidence that the Pope has This loving union with God that we, in turn, may become that that light of hope. Of course, it is John’s Gospel that He wants us all follow Him places us on the right announced a year of St Joseph in allows Him to do that work in light for others to follow. understandable how some people home on the last day, “This is the path to salvation. We know that the Church, or that locally, Bishop us – “My grace is enough for you; May the good Lord protect us, may find it difficult to share in will of the Father that whoever sees this is the narrow path and not Donal recently launched a year of my great strength is revealed in keep us safe on our journey and this enthusiasm, especially during the Son and believes in Him shall always the easy option. However, celebration marking the 1500th weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). send comfort to all those in need. 24 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 St Joseph was a decent man by Noel Bradley through the grounds of Loreto and two big round eyes seeming College as far as the sea. The to look up at me. I pledged all my midwife had bade me go. I was heart and life to that face, all the a man of fifty…And I thought I usefulness of my days to that face. would do anything for that woman And that was Dolly. And that was of mine behind me in the house, just as the candlelight fails, and the Martin Harran and his wife, Carmel, in a pre-Covid gathering with their where we had done all our talking early riser needs no candle for his grandchildren. and laughing and quarrelling. t a s k .” But my mind was in a peculiar state… I thought of how much Unconditional love Focusing on parish-as- her daughter and her son loved The third episode is in the her, and depended on her. How conclusion of the play, when the she made the world possible and old man is recalling his childhood. family could really turn hopeful for his son and the two Knowing that his father will ‘put girls. I started to tremble, it was a down’ the family dog who has moment in your life when daily killed a sheep, the little boy runs 2021 into special year things pass away from you, when away with the dog and stays out all your concerns seem to vanish, all night in the snow. He returns at Noel Bradley, Buncrana, with his family. Pope has called for and you are allowed by God to see dawn to meet his father. a little space of clarity and grace. “It was as if I had never seen DURING the Christmas season to describe his character. He was a by Martin Harran When you see that God is in your him before…never looked in his we, especially Christians, would JUST man. We might say in this wife and in your children, and they entirety, from head to toe. And I DESPITE all the misgivings demand for tickets for Christmas have heard as usual a lot of things part of the country that he was a hold in trust for you your own knew that the dog and me were for coming up to Christmas, we ended Masses this year – and a special about Mary, how she bravely ‘dacent’ (decent) man. measure of goodness. And in the the slaughter. My feet carried me up having a lovely one. I think what word of thanks and appreciation consented, after questioning, to Pope Francis has designated manner of your treatment of them on to where he stood, immortal made it very special was that it was is due to the priests who worked become the mother of Christ, how this year for the family and for lies your own salvation. I went you would say, in the door. And very focused on family, rather so hard at providing extra Masses, she conceived outside marriage honouring St Joseph. In the light back to the house with a lighter he put his right hand on the back than the usual razzmatazz that has along with all those who put so and gave birth in a stable. of what I said, we can only imagine heart, a simpler man than the one of my head, and pulled me to him been increasingly associated with much effort into making sure that We hear that “her man Joseph, what St Joseph was like. What who set out”. so that my cheek rested against the Christmas. everyone could attend in a safe because he was a just man, and might a just or decent man be like? And that moment led him buckle of his belt. And he raised In our own case, we have five environment. reluctant to make an example of We are free to imagine and, in to commit himself, to ‘pledge’ his own face to the brightening children and 11 grandchildren, What the demand showed is that her, wanted to let her go secretly” fact, we are encouraged to do so in himself: “…The house was quiet. sky and praised someone, in a and over the two days of Christmas people’s needs far exceed sitting (Matt 1:20). We hear that he gets contemplating Scripture passages It was as if it were asleep, the very crushed voice, God maybe, for my we were able to interact with all of watching Mass on Facebook or guidance in dreams four times; to in our prayer. This was a method bricks, living and asleep with a safety, and stroked my hair. And them either physically or online. YouTube. There is an unrelenting take Mary as his wife, to flee into dear to St Ignatius, who, in fact, quiet heartbeat. Suddenly, I was the dog’s crime was never spoken Up until this year, many people desire for people to gather as a Egypt with his family because was building on those who went terribly afraid that my new child of, but that he lived till he died. were very negatively disposed family in the presence of the Lord. King Herod wanted to kill him, before him. was dead, I don’t know why. You And I would call that the mercy of towards social media and the Pope Francis has declared 2021 later to come back to Israel and, When I tried to do this before expect its cries, you long for its fathers, when the love that lies in damage it was doing to society, but as a special year for family, and I later again, not to go to Judaea but Christmas, three episodes from the cries. I pushed open my front door them deeply like a glittering face of thank God for it this year. think within our parishes, and to go to Galilee. Then he goes off play ‘The Steward of Christendom’, and hurried down into the back a well is betrayed by an emergency, I think that one of the few especially through our Pastoral stage and we hear nothing more by Sebastian Barry, came to mind. room. The midwife was over by and the child sees at last that he is good things that have come out Councils, we need to look at ways about him. I think they might connect with the window, with a little bundle. loved, loved and needed and not to of the Covid pandemic has been in which we can recapture some of So, all we know from Scripture your own experience in some way And Cissy (the wife) was lying be lived without, and greatly.” an increasing awareness of how the aspects of the parish-as-family is that he had guiding dreams and fit St Joseph very well. quiet, still, at ease. The midwife In the light of this, I would like important our social contacts are that we may have lost in recent and that he was a ‘just man’. Some came over immediately and placed to be more sensitive and loving in general, with a particular focus years. translations have ‘righteous’ or ‘a A little space of clarity and light her bundle in my arms. It was as a father towards my wife and on family. It looks like on-and-off man of honour’ or ‘upright’, but In the play, the man is old and like holding a three-pound bag of children. That would also be Again, in our own case, I am one lockdowns are a feature of our lives the original Greek word ‘dikaios’, in a home, and he is recalling the loose corn. And there was a little my prayer for all fathers. May St of a family of 13, with 12 of us still for some time ahead and, even which comes from the word for birth of his third child. face in the midst of the linen, a Joseph help us. Amen. surviving. Earlier this year, we set when the lockdowns eventually justice, seems to me the best word “Candlelight…I walked out little wrinkled face, with red skin, up a family group on Messenger, do end, it is likely that elderly and where we chat about life in general, vulnerable people may be reluctant sometimes by text, sometimes by to physically return to Mass. video, often reflecting back on Providing online Mass through My wish for 2021 is that we continue times past and how different life webcams or Facebook or YouTube was growing up in Ireland in the has been wonderful in enabling 1950s and 1960s. The sort of things people to participate in some that families chat about when they limited way, but I think we should to trust in God to guide us daily occasionally get together, but use our imagination to explore using social media has allowed how we can extend this further. by Briege O’Neill us to engage on a regular basis Schools, especially third level, book and it is our chance to write So for me, the wish for 2021 is find some more ways to show instead of, like most large families, have developed ways of delivering another chapter in the story of our that we continue to have renewed my appreciation. From my dad, ending up depending on weddings education online; many businesses lives and, perhaps, in the life story faith and trust in God to guide us Gerry, 92 years young and such and funerals! are now largely operating with of those we love as well. daily in His works. an inspiration to us all with his It is not, however, just our staff based at home using online “Do not lose courage Pope Francis has proclaimed resilience, gratitude and faithful, immediate families or our communication. Is there any in considering your own that 2021 be the Year of St prayerful life, I can continue to extended families. As Catholics, reason why we, as a church, cannot imperfections but instantly set Joseph. Within the backdrop of learn a lot. we are part of a much larger make more use of this approach in about remedying them.” (St the COVID-19 pandemic and As we continue to be affected by church family and especially our various ways? Francis de Sales) the immense role that ordinary numerous COVID-19 restrictions local parish family. Again, the Adult faith formation is one Since I was able to write, I would people played in supporting their for the foreseeable future, I tend to importance of that family has been obvious candidate where existing always jot down a few New Year neighbours, doing so quietly and look for the good rather than the reinforced during lockdowns, with materials could possibly be resolutions, goals, aspirations... discreetly, St Joseph is a good role bad in these. I see the bright side the very high numbers of people tweaked for delivery to a home whatever you want to call them... model for us all, as he supported not the dark side and I strive for who have engaged with Mass base, just as has happened in every January. I would consider Our Lady and Jesus in a like-wise hope rather than despair. and other parish services online. education. what changes I could make in fashion. I intend to continue to be Again, thank God for things like There are other less formal areas Briege O’Neill, Banagher. various parts of my life. The now COVID-19 certainly thankful and grateful for the Facebook and YouTube! that can be considered. We have “more mature me” has discovered demonstrated the importance of many blessings of good health been exploring this in my own NEW Year’s Eve invites us to that, in reality, God knows the family, if we didn’t already realise and abundance of fresh air and So what can we learn from all parish of Urney & Castlefinn. We look back to what has gone and plans He has for us and how He this. I feel I am truly blessed with countryside we have in the Parish this? set up an online facility similar look forward to what is to come. wants to bless us and bring us true the strong family bonds that I of Banagher. I suspect that many parishes to Zoom and other conferencing Each New Year is like a blank happiness. already have, and so, in 2021, will were taken aback by the level of software, but operating within a THE NET | JANUARY 2021 25 continued from page 24 religious environment rather than our hearts and souls through the Enjoy this New Year with those you love a secular one. We successfully used Eucharist. Physical attendance by Kathleen Clifford it for a small group who prayed the must always be our ultimate Rosary daily during October, and target, but that should not stop us THE year 2020, it would be fair we also used it to enable a number exploring ways we can supplement to say, has been a year like no of people to contribute from home that. other. I know it was difficult and to the Remembrance of the Dead By focusing on parish-as-family very different, especially for the and Prayer for the Bereaved service and working on a range of ways to old and vulnerable, yet there are in November. The Legion of Mary achieve that, I think we really can many wonderful, happy things has also used it for their weekly turn 2021 into the special year for to remember, like how humanity meetings during lockdown. This family that Pope Francis has called clearly showed its strengths by year, we would like to look at ways for. caring for each other like never of extending that further. (Anyone who would like to before; providing food, hot Webcams or Facebook or know more about online prayer is dinners and daily checking on the YouTube can never replace the welcome to contact Martin by email well-being of the older and more wonder of physically being present - [email protected]) vulnerable in our communities. at Mass and receiving Christ into Great support was given to all Kathleen Clifford, Carnhill, Three Patrons. our doctors, nurses and front- The past year has made me line workers. Our Churches also more aware of the importance of One of the things looked after our spiritual needs, family, friends and neighbours; with daily online Masses and how much we need each other. It Rosaries, which we will continue sure places material things to the to have until such times as those bottom of my list. we absolutely owe of us in the high-risk category are This New Year has been able to attend in person. So there designated by Pope Francis as a is a lot to thank God for, as I really special year for the family and, in you in dreams, while you slept, to Saint here in Derry. to our merciful appreciate all that. particular, St Joseph, and he has warn you and guide you as you St Columba / Colmcille’s How do we feel about entering a shared a very personal story of his cared for the Holy Family. connection with Derry and new phase of our journey through love for St Joseph. He describes You were both silent and strong, a Donegal is evident from the many Lord is to never be life? Are we in an expectant and him as a man of silence and loyal and courageous protector. landmarks, churches and schools hopeful mood or are we apathetic strength. Dear St Joseph, as you rest in the which have adopted his name. or despondent? Pope Francis has told us that Lord, confident of His absolute This will be a great occasion and by Annie Mullan I welcome 2021 with faith and he has a statue of the sleeping St power and goodness, look upon me. something to look forward to, afraid hope, also realising that the first Joseph and, if he has a problem or Please take my need into your though I don’t know yet what has everything; Jesus is the master of three or more months will be difficulty, he writes it down and heart, dream of it and present it to been organised. the impossible. Jesus I trust in you. uncertain due to the coronavirus. places it under the statue, asking your ‘Son’. Many people of my vintage, 73, One of the things we absolutely If the majority choose to have St Joseph to pray for his problem. (Mention your request) will have received some, if not all, owe to our merciful Lord is to the vaccine, I sincerely pray that I was given this statue of the Help me then, good St Joseph, to of their sacraments in the beautiful never be afraid. He has gifted us we will have a normal way of life Sleeping St Joseph for Christmas, hear the voice of God, to arise and Church of St Columba, in the with His Holy Spirit. Neither need again. no doubt he will be receiving act with love. Long Tower, as I myself have done. we fear for the Church, Christ’s How great it will be to meet family many notes from me throughout I praise and thank God with joy. I expect that a lot of events will be living body on earth, to which His and friends, to give and receive the year! St Joseph, I love you, Amen”. taking place there. sheep belong. hugs from our grandchildren, and I love this Sleeping St Joseph Enjoy this New Year with those Making Peter the first Pope, He freely go to Mass and again be prayer: This year, also, plans are being you love. May the Lord bless you said, “You are Peter and upon this part of community. These are the put in place to mark the 1500th all with health, love, peace and joy rock I will build my Church and things I most want this year, and “O Saint Joseph, you are a man anniversary of the birth of St in abundance. the gates of the underworld can good health to do these things. greatly favoured by the Most High. Colmcille, our very own Patron never overpower it”. The angel of the Lord appeared to The Good Shepherd promised He would be with us until the end of time. Let us enter 2021 with May we dream dreams and celebrate all the tiny treasures of joy in our hearts and love for our the everyday by Sr Rosemary Gallagher Annie Mullan, . neighbour, with faith and hope in the arms of our Blessed Mother, WAS there ever a year when events. Who amongst us has not and the invocation of God’s WHAT a year 2020 has been, a ‘family’ took on a new dimension been like Joseph, “deeply troubled” glorious Saints. challenge for the entire world, but in our consciousness as in 2020. by the myriad of events that Thanks to Pope Francis, the what a gift we have in God. What Experiences have been so diverse... marked 2020? shepherd of the flock on Earth. God is there like our God? Like the separation from loved ones, remote There are two very striking He has granted this the year of psalmist, we too want to tell the or limited visiting to the most images of Joseph. One by the St Joseph; Joseph, whom God whole world of His mighty deeds, vulnerable, children often needing artist, Seiger Koder depicting the entrusted to look after His Son and of His mighty arm at work. more care and understanding as annunciation to Joseph as he lies His Blessed Mother. Surely, He will And we are glad at every parents had to take on the task of asleep, carrying the anxiety about look after all that belongs to Jesus opportunity to proclaim His home schooling and, to add to this, Mary’s pregnancy in his heart and Mary. greatness. The Lord is my the worry, tension, grief associated and is reassured by the Angel of Sr Rosemary Gallagher, Loreto. And let’s check out our shepherd, there is nothing I shall with the pain of bereavement, job the Lord that this pregnancy was, profound deepening of all it means from wonderful friends. Grateful wonderful St Columba on this the want, and so nothing else on loss, the shattering of hopes and indeed, like no other. The other to be disciples. May we dream for all the little things which we 1500th anniversary of his birth; earth compares to the gift of faith plans, and the uncertainty about image is the beautiful statue of St dreams and may we celebrate in never noticed because we were so he who worked tirelessly for God. in Jesus; this super abundance of the future on a variety of levels. Joseph in the Apparition Chapel gratitude all the tiny treasures of ‘busy’, often about nothing! With Columba, let us pray his love, like a rushing stream when But, even in the midst of all this, in Knock, where we see the strong, the everyday and make our own And we look forward with prayer: the water is in full flow. the human spirit can dream of a gentle, reverent presence of a the prayer of Alexis Valdes: hope...doesn’t the God of the When the Good Shepherd better future. That is why, at the person of Emmanuel – God with “When the storm passes Exodus always bring order out of Be a bright flame before me, O becomes our personal God, we beginning of 2021, we need St us. I ask you Lord, in shame chaos? God, a guiding star above me, long to praise and bless His holy Joseph, that man of dreams...that With 2021 underway, we look That you return to us better, There is a certain excitement Be a smooth path below me, a name. We say, “You are there with “just man, that wise and faithful forward to the vision of a post- as you once dreamed us”. among us also because the two kindly shepherd behind me, your crook and your staff. With servant whom you placed at the Covid Church. Let us, with St Sharing the mood amongst branches of the Order, the CJs and Today, tonight and forever, these You give me comfort”. My head of your family”. (Preface for Joseph, dare to ‘dream dreams’. our little group of Loreto Sisters, ourselves, the Irish branch, are Alone with none but you, My personal God. My saviour. My the Feast of St Joseph) Peter, on Pentecost Day, saw I look to an expression Bishop moving closer to amalgamation, God, I journey on my way, protector. My rock. My home. My Joseph experienced doubt, this new beginning, this birth Alan McGuckian often uses when and also a wee glimmer of hope What need I fear when You are everything. anxiety...that state of mind so aptly of the Christian Community as leading the Ignatius Examen at that, perhaps, the Venerable Mary near, O Lord of night and day.” And so, the Good Shepherd described as “greatly troubled”... a fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy – night...“Exercise those gratitude Ward may be officially declared a becomes my personal saviour. and, in each crisis, Joseph received “your young men will see visions, muscles!” saint. Thank you Lord for your He desires to be in a personal a reassuring dream (Matt 1:20, your old men dream dreams...” We are very grateful. Grateful for Seeds of hope, seeds of gratitude, merciful love. To God be the Glory. relationship with everyone; no 2:13, 2:19) that pointed to a route, May we dream dreams of a so much kindness, concern, even moving towards fruits of love and one is excluded. Yes, Jesus is a new path, an unexpected turn of new beginning, a new energy, a laughter shared among us and joy. 26 THE NET | JANUARY 2021 One word that comes Hope is what sustains us as we persevere by Joemon Joseph to mind to sum up One thing that almost all of them as underlined in the apostolic great feeling of a new Pentecost for have in common is that they are exhortation introduced to us five the diocese, as well for the church grasping for something to give years ago on March 19, 2015. in Ireland. We need faith-filled 2020 is ‘gratitude’ them hope. Hope that things will The proclaimed year will be and evangelised members to join get better. Hope for healing. Hope known officially as the year ‘Amoris leaders of the church in rekindling by Cara McLaughlin that God will be with them while Laetitia Family’. The pandemic the families in strong faith and four year olds, who I hope to teach they are going through turbulent experience has highlighted the hope, to lead a life pleasing to the that anything is possible if they put times. central role of the family as the Lord Jesus. their mind to it. The immediate after effect of domestic church, and has shown St Joseph, being the heavenly Despite the pandemic affecting all these troubles, especially due the importance of community patron and protector of families, many areas of our lives, such to this pandemic of COVID-19, ties between families, which make let us entrust our family with as, in my own situation, not is suffering in our family. Many the church an authentic family of families all over the world, to being allowed to finish my of our loved ones have fallen to families. the Holy Family of Nazareth, in final placement, not having a this deadly virus and been taken Recently, I had an opportunity particular to St Joseph, the devoted graduation and struggling for away from our lives. Many have to meet Bishop McKeown at his spouse and father. months looking for a job, it really lost their livelihood. Businesses are residence to discuss about the A year dedicated to St Joseph, permanently closed. Media Ministry I work for, Shalom which began on December 8, 2020 helped open up my eyes to the Joemon Joseph, Cappagh, Omagh. things unseen and how God’s plan When everything around us World, and how best the Shalom and will conclude on December was intended to unfold for me. AS usual and customary, I too gives the impression of gloomy Media Ministry and its resources 8, 2021, is truly a blessing and gift I cannot take away that 2020 was received many Christmas and and doomed times ahead, let’s not can be best used in the Diocese. from Pope Francis. in some ways difficult, but it gave New Year messages in WhatsApp give up and instead believe and Thankfully, he was kind enough to Also, for families in Ireland, and me a new spark of self-confidence, and many other social media hope that there is light at the end add a direct Shalom Media Gallery in particular for people in Donegal and it gave me time to really enjoy platforms. One of the messages did of the tunnel. To see the light, we link in the diocesan website, which and Derry, a year-long celebration being home with my family and catch my attention in particular must trust and believe that nothing is a great resource for our parishes of the life and legacy of St Columba happens in our life without the and schools to link in their own is a great opportunity to learn and Cara McLaughlin, Derry. loved ones. That would not have and I saved it for future reflections. happened if I had still been away I thought it appropriate to mention knowledge of God Almighty, and websites. know more about his life. He is capable of putting our life We talked about the pandemic, As Bishop McKeown mentioned REFLECTING upon the past from home, and it was time that it here. Perhaps you have also God knew I needed before going received the same, as many of us back in order and leading us in the and the crisis for families and in his homily, Columba was a man year, one word that comes to mind right path. church in particular, the long who grappled with the realities of to sum up my year is ‘gratitude’. to complete the rest of His plan for keep sharing the same messages to me away working in England. our friends and family. Hope is what sustains us as we spell of lockdown and keeping life; the cold winds of winter and Within 2020, I achieved more persevere; remaining steadfast in the church doors closed for long the harsh words of others, friends than I have ever dreamt of in Therefore, for whatever happened during last year, be “Sunshine is not Cancelled times of trial and discouragement. periods, affecting the families, and enemies, faith and doubts. becoming a primary school We should live hopeful lives. made him and other leaders of the Let’s seek the help of St Columba teacher, taking the leap to move to thankful for where it brought you. Love is not Cancelled Where you are is where God wants Relationships are not Cancelled As families have been affected church reflect on the consequences to help us sail through this difficult England, and having my first ever the most by all these troubles, and how to overcome this kind of time and ask St Joseph to protect class of beautiful, little three and you to be. Reading is not Cancelled Naps are not Cancelled we must be grateful to our Holy situation. It made them realise our family. Going for a walk is not Cancelled Father, Pope Francis, who has that, until now, the church and This pandemic situation did Kindness is not Cancelled announced a special year dedicated its activities were fully focused on lots of harm to families and I look forward to the Imagination is not Cancelled to the family, marking the fifth direct church services. However, people around the world, but Conversations are not Cancelled anniversary of the publication of now the bishops and leaders let’s not forget that it helped us HOPE is not Cancelled.” his , ‘Amoris acknowledge the need of reaching to understand the importance of days ahead in 2021 with Laetitia’. out to families, bringing more love and mutual respect within the “Now faith is the assurance of In his Angelus address on the family-oriented programs and family and brought back the family things hoped for, the conviction of Feast of the Holy family, the Pope services tailored to our homes. prayer space in the house, which great hope and joy things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) noted that March 19, 2021, would He acknowledged the importance was, to some extent, lost in the by Martine Mulhern mark five years since the signing of of the involvement of laities in influx of social media and secular We all need hope. In the past ‘Amoris Laetitia’, following synods church activities. media’s negative propaganda on couple of years, we have heard on the family in 2014 and 2015. I am sure the diocesan family will churches and faith. IN looking forward to 2021 experience the joy of learning from people and media that The Feast of Holy Familyacknowledge, like me, our Bishop’s unfolding, I reflect on all that and watch them simply having many are going through divorces, reminds us of the example of great initiatives for the diocese, “Let us hold fast the confession of happened in 2020. It undoubtedly fun –albeit in their ‘bubbles’. They people have lost their jobs and evangelising with the family, especially to interact with our our hope without wavering, for He was a traumatic year where we had continued to make me laugh every many are struggling with illnesses. proposing to us, once again, the youth and younger generation. I who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews to learn to keep our distance, cover single day! ideal of conjugal and family love, came out from his residence with a 10:23) our faces, and many of us really Like many others, I have learned struggled with anxiety. a lot about myself as I have root and growing strong and tall I journey on my way; Yet 2020 also provided an developed new skills. I’ve taken throughout 2021. what need I fear when you are near, opportunity for us all, in many to baking and have had more Never again do I want our O Lord of night and day? In these strange times ways, to recognise and to reconnect disasters than successes but I’ve young people described as the More secure am I within your hand with the core elements of our loved failing and learning! ‘snowflake’ generation. They are than if a multitude did round me lives – family and faith. We took I have watched our wee school resilient, respectful and faithful stand. the joy of our faith the time to be really present with in Creggan claim the title: UK and, when their time comes, will Amen.” family – walking together, playing Secondary School of the Year and lead our world with passion, faith gives hope together, talking and listening to realised that in doing the ordinary and justice. each other, and praying together. with love and faith we can be It took a pandemic for many of In contrast to dubious extraordinary! us to recognise and truly value the by Myra McLaughlin ‘leadership’ from the ‘powers that I, therefore, look forward to incredible work done by all of our MY thoughts on the past year St Joseph by Pope Francis is such a be’, I have witnessed exceptional the days ahead in 2021 with great key workers. Please God, we will bring the words sadness, strength, blessing to us all for the protection leadership, humanity, faith and hope and joy. Pope Francis has never forget to celebrate them and trust and hope to mind. Having of our families. For me, the Rosary kindness from the old and young, designated 2021 as a special year to value their work. started the year 2020 in ill health, is the weapon against all evil to rich and poor in our communities. for ‘Family’. I have not seen two of 2021 marks the 1500th which continued for a few months, be prayed daily, and I ask you all I have been truly humbled by it. my own children for a year, as they anniversary of the Patron Saint I found my strength and inner to pray it, especially for families. I I am in awe of the resilience of work for the NHS in Scotland and of Derry, St Columba and, as we peace could only be found in keep my Rosary with me and my our young people, who adapted Wales, so I really look forward to embrace this New Year with hope prayer. St Benedict Cross. No problem so quickly to our ‘new normal’ being with them and to once again in our hearts, I leave you with his I spent time praying at the start is too difficult for Our Lady to – without complaint. I have felt go to Mass as a family. I hope I prayer: of each day with a grateful heart. resolve through interceding on such pride in the staff in all of our remember what a privilege it is to Each new day is a new beginning; our behalf, and with St Joseph by schools who have shown such be able to do so! “Be a bright flame before me, O God a fresh start. Try your very best her side we are doubly blessed. professionalism, love and care to I look forward to all of the seeds a guiding star above me. to start your day this way, and if To begin this New Year, my all of our children, whether they of faith, kindness and community Be a smooth path below me, at times you find you can’t, don’t husband and I went to Doon have been in school or at home. spirit that I saw multiply a kindly shepherd behind me see it as failure but rather as being Well in Donegal, where there is I have been so blessed to witness exponentially throughout our today, tonight, and for ever. Martine Mulhern, Principal of St human, and just start again. a tradition of pilgrims praying our young people continue to communities, during 2020, taking Alone with none but you, my God Cecilia’s, Derry. The year 2021 being devoted to the Rosary and taking Holy THE NET | JANUARY 2021 27 continued from page 26 Caring St Joseph, pray for us Water from the Well back to their taking one day at a time. The families. message, “Be not afraid” is by Catherine Sharkey I felt a lovely peace there; a found in the bible 365 times, and sense of a holy place. While we remembering this can help when O St Joseph whose protection haste in asking for the intercession felt the chill in the air, there were we feel anxious. When in doubt, is so great. When we lose a father of St Joseph in all we do, in all we children walking barefoot around worried or afraid, let Jesus take what better substitute than St say and in all we are. the blessed tree. Seeing this made over; surrender all to Him, who Joseph. He was there for Jesus, for Caring St Joseph, pray for us. it easier to brave the cold as we loves us all unconditionally. all His needs and he is there for us prayed, and we both felt very Doon Well is a wonderful gift to too. blessed to be there. have on our doorstep and, when St Joseph, we are told, was a In these strange times, the joy of it is safe again to do so, I would quiet and gentle family man who our faith gives us hope. God never encourage you to go there on is waiting for us to ask for his leaves us alone. He is always with pilgrimage. Leave any worries you intercession for our family and for us. Just like in the poem about have there and when you return all our needs. footprints in the sand, He is there home you will feel lighter and He wants to be part of our family, to carry us when needed. happier. that is his desire, to be in every I try not to look to the future Remember...all will be well... family however large or small. but to live in the present moment, nothing before prayer. God bless. Myra at Doon Well on New Year’s Day. So this year, 2021, may we make Catherine Sharkey.

family, and so it would be great to spirit. including reference to this being Please God, we can come together be able to run the camp and the There is to be a particular a special year focusing on the community fundraising events in emphasis in the Church this year family and St Joseph, and also, the lead-up to it in this Year of the on St Joseph. In the seven years here in Derry, we are celebrating as parish in 2021 and continue our Family, as it will have even more of the Limavady Hope Camp, we the 1500th anniversary of St significance for parish families. found that most of our volunteers Columba’s birth. At this time of year, we are were female in the early stages, All being well, it will be great journey with HOPE by Leo McCloskey usually planning fundraising ideas but in the last three or four years to run HOPE camp and the HOPE is the key word for me and thinking about the camp we have had more dads getting fundraisers this year, and I think, this year regarding many things, programme. In Limavady, we try involved, and so we will have a after all we have been through, including our parish HOPE Camp to involve as many people in the focus on St Joseph to celebrate that. that people will welcome the here in Limavady, and in the community as possible and one It’s great to have men involved as opportunity to get out and get parishes of Claudy and Banagher, event that is proving very popular they are brilliant at helping with involved, if not in the week of the the latter of which was to hold its for people to get involved in some anything that needs to be built and camp itself then in helping in other first HOPE camp last summer but way is our pantomime, which is lifting heavy equipment, etc, and ways, such as with the fundraising couldn’t because of Covid. just a bit of banter and reaches out the young boys really look up to events. HOPE is not just about one And, the hope is that there will be to all ages, while the Claudy parish them. These men are setting good week of camp, it is part of parish two more parishes launching their usually run a big family fun day. witness. life 52 weeks of the year. HOPE Camp this summer as well. It’s all about bringing the families The HOPE camps promote Please God, we will be able to HOPE stands for Help Our of the parish together to give them faith, fun and friendship, and has come together as a parish in 2021 Parish Evolve and is all about the a sense of being one big parish a daily faith element built into in faith, fun and friendship, and Leo McCloskey family, and help build community the programme. So, we will be continue our journey with HOPE. We hope and pray 2021 will see us cherish more quality time with those we love most by Pat Ramsey to let go of grudges and bitterness so we hope and pray that 2021 is family and family life, to begin on strong Christian and family to many from right across the that eats away at us. going to be all about cherishing March 19, the fifth anniversary of values, young people can succumb City and further afield. This is Clearly top of everyone’s list more quality time with the people his document, “The Joy of Love”. to peer pressure and stumble a significant event in the Derry is for an end to the coronavirus we love most. In making the announcement, upon unwanted consequences, Diocesan Calendar. Covid-19, to be able to return to the Pope offered some friendly including substance or alcohol Alongside these celebrations, some normality that will mean Year of the Virtual Communion papal advice to bickering families, abuse and various forms of Derry City and Strabane District visiting family and loved ones. We have already traded TV and reminding them to say ‘pardon addiction. Council have been working closely All countries, cities, communities internet binges for FaceTime, me’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’, and to It’s best to start embodying with Donegal County Council, and families have experienced Zoom, and WhatsApp online to never end the day without making good values when your kids are Foras na Gaeilge and the Heritage the awfulness of this deadly virus. speak to parents, grandparents, peace. young. That way, as your children Council in the production of the All Christian churches have been sons and daughters, as we could The importance of family starts encounter critical decisions, they Columban Heritage Audit, as a united like never before in prayer not make personal contact due to at birth and baptism, and stays are already prepared to make good precursor to establishing a shared for an end to this pandemic and the levels of lockdown. constant throughout life. As choices. programme of works and events for everyone to have access to the We watched Church Masses children grow into their teens and in 2020/21 to celebrate one of the vaccinations, which scientists have and services online and live on early adulthood, families can be a Colm Cille 2021 most influential figures in Irish Pat Ramsey worked wonders, if not a miracle, Facebook, in particular with the bedrock of support during times December 7 marked the and British history. The specially to fast track. We, certainly in the serious reduction of mourners of change. traditional birthday of the City’s commissioned audit was carried NEW Year’s Day is traditionally North West, have suffered and not being able to attend all Families should be a source of Patron Saint and the start of a year out by Abarta Heritage and also Day 1 of keeping the resolutions seen at first hand the high volume churches. Who would have unconditional love and a resource of celebration to mark the 1500th helps to identify key opportunities we made as we start out afresh of people becoming ill and, sadly, thought or imagined receiving for all of us to weather life’s changes anniversary of the birth of Colm for upcoming commemorations. on another year. I really need to many others losing their lives. online communion, but many of and challenges. In healthy families, Cille, until December 7, 2021. St Colmcille, also known as be more active this year and get Many of my own neighbours us where glad to receive a Virtual children can learn what it means Events have also been planned to St Columba, is one of Ireland’s back to a swimming programme. passed on after being proven Eucharist in our own homes: to be a happily married woman take place in Inishowen and at St patron saints; a distinction he I have put on a few pounds of late positive for Covid, and we have “My Jesus, I believe that You are or man, along with the qualities Columba’s birthplace in Gartan, shares with St Patrick and St so, in 2021, I’ll focus on exercise experienced the trauma of not in the Blessed Sacrament. I love of a good father or mother. Most Co Donegal. Bridget. Born in Gartan, County and losing a few pounds, and stop being able to have an open wake You above all things, and I long for people would also agree on the Bishop Donal McKeown Donegal in 520 (or 521), there are searching the fridge at night for that helps families come to terms You in my soul. Since I cannot now importance of Christian values launched a year-long series of many sites associated with the life goodies. I am sure most people with the death of a loved one. At receive You sacramentally, come at in families and in the home, in events to mark the 1500th birthday of the inspirational ‘Colmcille’ and would want to start eating healthier the beginning of the pandemic, least spiritually into my heart. As creating healthy individuals and of St Columba with Mass in the also dedicated to him throughout food, and less food overall, and to Requiem Masses could not be though You have already come, strong communities. Long Tower Chapel. St Columba’s Derry and Donegal. In 545, he reduce worry and stress. held for fear of the unknown. In I embrace You and unite myself In today’s hyper-connected Church is also the setting for the founded his first monastery in But, maybe we all should fact, some families still have not entirely to You; never permit me to world, it’s easy to get over-exposed traditional celebration of Mass on Derry/Doire Cholm Cille – and consider volunteering and giving been able to have a Mass for a dead be separated from You”. to unhealthy ideas and images. June 9, the Feast of St Columba, in 563 set sail with twelve monks more to charity. Devoting time relative, which in itself helps with However, a close family with with a very special event at St from Derry to the island of Iona, and energy to helping those in the mourning. Family strong values can help young Columb’s Wells afterwards, during in Scotland, where he died in 597. need can be most rewarding in For many wrong reasons, 2020 Pope Francis has proclaimed family members avoid or resist which the Well is opened and the So, all being well, there is much itself. Also, we all need to learn was a tough year for all families, 2021 as a year dedicated to the negative influences. Withoutwater is blessed and distributed to look forward to in 2021. 28 THE NET | JANUARY 2021

Teach me to Pray! St Therese of Lisieuxby Fr Stephen Quinn OCD ISCALCED Carmelite life rests firmly on greater significance than when it always acting as Father/Mother. was easy, are you not saying much Therese put her finger exactly on St Therese of Lisieux. the foundation that each day the friar or more to the one you truly address? this point when she talked about nun spends two hours in personal prayer Does it not mean much more to what she had newly discovered andD meditation. From the 10 years I have lived God? Does it not mean that you about prayer. In the silence of this life, I can personally testify to the fact that the have truly loved the Other because prayerful communication, “prayer you have been prepared to push is an aspiration of the heart, it is a practice is the most precious moments of the day; yet through all the difficulties? Are simple glance directed to heaven, in equal measure those very same moments are the you not saying so much more this it is a cry of gratitude and love most difficult and taxing that anyone could imagine. way to that person? in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, Relationship supernatural, which expands my In these reflections on prayer, soul and unites me to Jesus.” I must confess to you that repository to find just how many Therese opens up for us new So often when it comes to there is a sadistic portion to my formulas there are to use and buy. territory for our consideration. prayer, we are thinking in terms character. There is a little bit of Their very beauty and common There is always more to her prayer of moving beads, reading prayers, me that wants to see the saints supply of perfectly manicured than her many failures; her sleep, and meditating on the Scriptures. suffer, that loves to discover their words was little or no use to St the words that she repeats, or Therese shows that to pray is struggles, that desires to feel their Therese. They did not so much the feelings that she gets when always and everywhere a way of humanity, and I want to know that improve her praying as give her a she practises prayer. Prayer is being with God. The Scriptures they struggle every bit as much “headache.” Each prayer wordier essentially about relationship taught Therese the true mystical as I do. It comforts me, for some and more beautiful than the next, with another person. For a context for every single prayer. reason, to feel that I am not on my it just left her more distracted and relationship to have any kind of Many times in prayer, both she own. still without the words by which real authenticity then we have and most other people have been So, when I open St Therese’s she could directly address the to be concerned about the other working on the basis of a mistaken book the first thing I turn to is Almighty. And if that were not person rather than ourselves. notion that prayer is some activity to try to find her dirty washing. enough, even the Rosary caused Most of my parents’ we have to do ourselves. It What I love about Therese is her some difficulties. She had grandchildren have been born in involves such activities as reading, that she does not disappoint me. a deep devotion to the Blessed America, so our family has not speaking, and meditating. Therese is wonderfully frank Mother that should be true of had any real close contact with Our compass is often not quite about everything, particularly every member of an order devoted new-borns. Last year, my sister working to the optimum, we are about her struggles; she does not to the Lady of Mount Carmel. But gave birth to a baby girl. Since the turned around and looking in the attempt to butter them up and every time she would go for the birth of this precious baby girl, wrong direction at our own self, hide them in any way. She is so beads when she was on her own, we have been party to some truly our attention is on what we are utterly human and wants anyone she was struck with a sense of Bless, in a special way, beautiful moments. It is quite thinking or saying. Why are we who turns to her to know her emptiness and a real impression Your servant amazing to ponder a mother and a looking there? It is such a waste humanness. that things were not happening. new-born child in action together. of our time and effort! While we When it comes to describing The Rosary, that form of Father.... When this girl, and I presume are at that futile activity all the what she did when she prayed, she prayer that seems so familiar Send your Spirit upon him any child, is in its mother’s arms, time the one, who is love itself, has does not change her method. She and so straightforward, for St So that he may always walk it is as if there is some kind of not for one moment taken those gives the whole picture, blemishes Therese became a bitter trial, a in the path of faith, hope and love, telepathy going on between eyes of us, every moment that and all. Therese is frank enough hard penance to go on saying. in the footsteps of Christ, them. It really seems that they gaze communicates the intensity to share with us what went on in She found it so dry to simply the eternal priest, who offered can read each other’s minds. As of his love for each one without a her hour of prayer. In the moment repeat words and, even more Himself on the cross for the life of the mother cradles her child word. The Divine Love beams like when she should have been giving than all these things, she had to the world. Amen. there is a real communication rays of the sun, radiating down her whole attention to a Divine force herself to meditate on the going on that no one else can perpetually upon hearts, souls Someone else, Therese tells us that Mysteries, while all the time she Remember in prayer: read or decode. In addition, this and bodies, warming our souls after some moments she would just could not fix her mind on communication does not need with presence and lightening our just nod off to sleep. To fall asleep anything. She was stuck between Fr Alex Anderson (Jan 1st) words. This communication is not darkness. in prayer, you might well observe, the devil and the deep blue sea. Fr Patrick Arkinson (2nd) merely emotion, feeling or just The Psalmist again advises us is something that is so easily “For a long time, I was desolate sentiment, but is rather merely on the true nature of prayer: “No Fr Patrick Baker (3rd) done. How simple it would be to about this lack of devotion that the silent language of love. Their speech, no word, no voice is heard Fr Declan Boland (4th) start saying to ourselves, in a self- astonished me, for I love the interaction has a power all its very but their span extends through all Fr Eugene Boland (5th) justifying manner, that “everyone Blessed Virgin so much that it own. The scriptures themselves the earth. All that truly matters is Pope’s monthly Fr Francis Bradley (6th) does it” and really it is of “no should be easy for me to recite, in are well aware of that power and to pay attention to the Divine Son. Fr Manus Bradley (7th) m att e r.” her honour, prayers which are so point to it as a mysterious sign of As Therese so eloquently intention For all the commentary that pleasing to her.” All Priests (8th) the relationship between God and observed when she had come you could put upon that sleep, one One can well imagine the The Holy Father has asked for Fr Brian Brady (9th) Israel, God and the Church, and to her insight into prayer: “This reality remains indisputable; that feelings that this evoked in All Priests (10th) God and the individual soul. is my prayer; I ask Jesus to draw prayer during January for: while you slept you never paid Therese; frustration, distress, Fr Thomas Canning (11th) The Psalmist, in Psalm 130, me into the flames of His love, to attention to the One who was there darkness, and emptiness. And we Fr Michael Canny (12th) wrote: “O Lord, my heart is not unite me so closely to Him that He Human fraternity: all the time. Therese’s problems all know from our own experience Fr John Cargan (13th) proud nor haughty is my heart; lives and acts in me. I feel that the May the Lord give us the grace did not exhaust themselves with that so many use feelings as the I have not gone after things too more the fire of love burns within to live in full fellowship with Fr Neal Carlin (14th) forty winks in the chapel. Then barometer to measure how well great nor marvels beyond me. my heart, the more I shall say, our brothers and sisters of Fr James Devine (15th) there was the whole business of their prayer went. When we feel Truly I have set my soul in silence ‘Draw me after yourself’.” other religions, praying for one Fr Colum Clerkin (16th) what to say whenever she was consoled then everything seems and peace. As a child has rest in its Therese encourages us to make another, open to all. Fr Roland Colhoun (17th) finally able to stay conscious. to be at rights with the world, mother’s arms even so is my soul.” our prayer as simple and direct as Fr Michael Collins (18th) There is a sad lacking in our but when we feel desolation then, The Psalmist is crystal clear that can be. To refine our prayer into education. No one has taken somehow, God has left us behind. Fr Oliver Crilly (19th) each one of us lives our whole life being “an aspiration of the heart, a Prayer for Priests their time to really train us on So, Therese, in the midst of Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless Fr Patrick Crilly (20th) in this mystical context of God as simple glance directed to heaven, the appropriate words that you these trials, decided that she was our bishops and priests and to Fr Brendan Crowley (21st) Father. A father who has his two a cry of gratitude and love in the address the Divine Word of God, not going to be guided on her confirm them in their vocation of All Priests (22nd) arms wrapped around his child, midst of trial as well as joys.” Jesus. Where do you go to find feelings in prayer. In so doing, service. All Priests (23rd) and all the time never takes his There you have it! Therese has such words? Well, Therese did Therese was teaching herself As they stand before us as All Priests (24th) eyes away from his precious child. explored and discovered the truth exactly what we all attempt at one and others not to let how we ministers of Your Sacraments, That is the mystical context in of prayer. No matter the prayer, Mgr Brendan Devlin (25th) time or other; she went and got a feel determine how she prayed, may they be channels of the love which every single prayer is made. we always begin with a simple All priests (26th) hold of novenas, prayer cards, and whether she prayed, or her sense and compassion of the Good Prayer is exactly that wordless look of a child looking into the Fr Peter Devlin (27th) prayer books. These are filled with of the value of each prayer that ran Shepherd, who came not be served communication that passes face of its parent. In your prayer Fr Fintan Diggin (28th) beautifully formulated sentiments over her lips. but to serve. between the human person and keep looking at Him. Regard his Fr Brendan Doherty (29th) and manicured words that we In prayer, we are dealing with Give them the grace they need to the person of God; the human person. Be overwhelmed by his All Priests (30th) think are suitable enough to speak soul and spirit not with emotion. respond generously to you, and person in the role of the child love. His face is your light. He is to the Divine Word. You just have If you have continued to pray in the courage to proclaim your All priests (31st) or infant and the person of God the devotion that you truly need. to look around the monastery’s spite of your feelings, is that not of Word of justice, love and truth. THE NET | JANUARY 2021 29

A Word of God for your Family Life Our hidden God by Fr Johnny Doherty, CSsR THE great effort of every human yet everyone has heard of it. We Hidden among others “You are my Son, the beloved, my parents with children, as sisters person is to search for more. Most celebrate this extraordinary love of Jesus’ mission in the world was favour rests on you.” With this, and brothers. And the parish people would not identify this God now, not just as a past event to reveal our hidden God as the the Christmas season ends and community is not just a place with a search for God, yet that is but as happening among us, in the God who loves us with an infinite the new season of mission begins. where we worship together but precisely what it is. The human ways God is still being born in us love. Jesus was anointed with this Jesus is declared our hope and our is a real presence of Christ in the heart cannot be satisfied except by and among us. In Christ, God is mission at his Baptism by John in salvation by the Spirit of God. world. We will discover Christ God and God’s love. And yet God still sending His angels, He is still the River Jordan. The wonderful thing is that in all these places, in so far as we remains hidden from us. Even for gathering us to rejoice like the The family of Jesus, Mary, and God’s Spirit speaks those words answer His call to love God with people of faith, God is not seen shepherds, He is still prompting Joseph were like every other to each of us also because of our our whole heart and to love one most of the time. Faith does not people to search for Him and find family around them. Jesus was Baptism into Christ. Just listen to another as He loves us. give us a vision of God but rather a Him, like the Magi did, in spite of like every other young boy in God speak those words from His direction in which to look, so that so much turmoil in the world. their community. But He was heart into your heart: “You are my Fourth Sunday of January... we can catch glimpses of the God destined to be known as the Son daughter, my son, my beloved, my ...Reveal the hidden presence who loves us so much. First Sunday of January of God, the Messiah, the One favour rests on you”. It is almost of God “The Word was made flesh, who would bring the world to unbelievable and yet it is true. Our “Follow me, and I will make you Hidden in Mary’s womb He lived among us, and we saw a knowledge of the wonders of major task is to live out the truth into fishers of people”. These words our God, who loves us and who During the four weeks of Advent, His glory.” These words from God’s love through His three years of those words so that others may from the Gospel of this Sunday are wants us to know how precious we we celebrated our God hidden the Gospel of the first Sunday in of ministry and through His death come to know the truth of them addressed to us as they were to the are in His sight. in Mary’s womb. Pregnancy is a January remind us that we are and resurrection. for themselves. disciples of the early Church. In wonderful, mysterious, awesome still very much in the Christmas It is only in Christ that we can His great letter, ‘The Joy of Love’, Conclusion event in human life. It is a silent season, as we continue to reflect know the hidden God and enter Third Sunday of January... Pope Francis speaks about every The Sunday Eucharist, week after event, and it is into that silence of on the wonderful mystery of into His hiding place. We celebrate ...Hidden in our committed family as a missionary family. week, is core to our growth in our Mary’s womb that God enters. It Bethlehem. our faith in Him. We also begin relationships As they grow in their love for faith as individuals, as couples, as is there that He is still to be found It is said that the “glory of God again taking on our mission as In the Gospel on this Sunday, one another they become aware families, and as a faith community. – in all the silent, mysterious is humanity fully alive”. That is our the Church, which is the same the disciples ask Jesus: “Where do of the presence of Christ among What happens at the Eucharist on things of life. Advent was a time of challenge for the week and, indeed, mission as that of Jesus – to bring you live?” and He replies: “Come them. But this cannot remain Sunday depends very much on waiting, a time of listening for that for the whole journey of faith as the world into the hiding places and see”. In another part of the there. Each family of faith has a how we bring it into our family God who is so close to us and yet followers of Christ. At this time of of God, and in there, in our own Gospels Jesus tells us: “Where two mission of helping to reveal this and community lives Monday to not seen. New Year’s resolutions, it would be hearts, to know His wonderful or three are gathered in my name I same presence in every family, Saturday. to the glory of God and the good love. am there with them.” so that each one can know their As we travel the journey of faith Hidden in Bethlehem of all if we were to make the health Jesus lives in our community greatest dignity and worth. with one another, let the Word Our hidden God reveals himself and well-being of marriage and Second Sunday of January with one another. He lives in We do this by witness and not so of God form us in our love and to us in the most unexpected way family life our main concern this On the second Sunday of every married couple because of much by preaching! The deepest enthuse us about our privilege of – as a baby born in total poverty, year, as couples, as families and as January, the Gospel for the Feast the sacrament they share. He lives truth of every person, and every being the bearers of good news to in a place where no one should parish communities. of the Baptism of Christ tells us in every family because of the family, is that we are all standing the world in which we live – to the ever have heard about it and of a voice from Heaven saying: love that bonds them together as on holy ground in the presence of glory of God. Marriage and the Family by Tom & Madeline McCully and empathetic to the needs of her couple exchanged their vows, frequent the sacraments and lack flock. they became a family. It would be or almost lack — knowledge of Tom and Madeline McCully Pope Francis, in ‘Amoris Laetitia’ helpful to couples in that position Christ. (287), says: “...couples and parents (around 10%) to know that they, “Christian spouses should learn should be properly appreciated as husband and wife, are a family. from Aquila and Priscilla how to active agents in catechesis...” “It follows that Spouses to whom fall in love with Christ and become We see that the strength of God has not granted children can neighbours to families deprived of Domestic Church, the family with have a conjugal life full of meaning the light of faith, not through their the couple at its heart, is relevant in both human and Christian own fault but because they were to the strength of the Church as a terms.” (Amoris Laetitia 80) left at the margins of our pastoral whole. Each member of the family, work — a pastoral work for the This quotation from ‘Gaudium husband, wife, child or single adult, elite that forgets people. et Spes’ (p.13-14) is very central is, by the Sacraments of Baptism, “How I long for this message then to developing the richness Confirmation, Matrimony ornot to remain just a symphony of POPE Francis has declared of our Catholic doctrine: “The Priesthood, called to evangelize. words, but to push priests, bishops a special year dedicated to the Christian family, which springs They may express theirand pastors to try, like the Apostle Family ‘Amoris Laetitia’, which will from marriage as a reflection spirituality differently but to the Paul did, to love married couples be inaugurated on the Feast of St of the loving covenant between same end. The married couple as humble missionaries ready to Joseph, March 19, 2021, and will Christ and the Church and as a cannot live a monastic spirituality reach those squares and buildings honour St Joseph in particular. participation in that covenant, but is called to live a matrimonial of our cities where the light of the This is timely because there will manifest to all the Saviour’s spirituality, where each expression Gospel and the voice of Jesus don’t are increasing changes in social living presence in the world and of love and care for each other is reach and don’t penetrate.” patterns that can place stress on the genuine nature of the Church. prayerful. Every person is part of a family married couples and consequently This the family will do by the The words of Pope Francis in his and each has a charism that he or on their families. One particular mutual love of the spouses, by their address to the judges and staff of she brings to the Church family. change is less support within the generous fruitfulness. And by the the Roman on January 25, “All of us should be able to say, extended family which, in the past, loving way in which all members 2020, (as reported by the Catholic thanks to our experience of life in provided so much for parents and of the family work together”. News Service on 27/01/20) seem the family: ‘We come to believe in children. Throughout the aboveapt: “I marvel at the fact that for the love that God has for us’ (1 Jn During the pandemic, this lack document, parenthood is spoken centuries, the Church ignored the 4:16)” (Amoris Laetitia – 290) of support has manifested itself in of as if it were the most important example of Aquila and Priscilla, A Marriage Encounter Weekend the usual residential weekends St Valentines Weekend, February new ways, particularly in the area call of the couple, whereas their the married couple described in offers a unique enrichmentcannot take place. Instead, 12-14. of mental health, in the feelings love for one another as husband several parts of the New Testament experience for married couples Marriage Encounter recognises For those couples intending of loneliness, inadequacy, and and wife is what is most essential. as evangelising with St Paul. to learn new techniques of that couples and their families can to marry in 2021, Engaged hopelessness. The effect of this is No wonder then that many “Evangelising spouses are what communication which enables be under greater pressure and that Encounter will present an online that many grandparents have been couples who are infertile believe our parishes need, especially in them to build and enjoy a deeper, better communication could help Pre-Marriage Course on March isolated from their children and that they are somehow failures or urban areas where the pastor and richer relationship. It is a technique couples and families cope better at 27-28 for a nominal cost. grandchildren. Every person has not as ‘good’ as those who have his priest collaborators will never that they can continue to use at this time. For more information, or to a need to belong and, more than children. We once heard a priest have the time and energy to reach home to benefit themselves and To this end, a free virtual book either of the above, visit the ever before, the Church is rising to who was officiating at a marriage, all the faithful who, while calling their families. weekend, which couples can website www.marriageencounter. the call to be more compassionate state very clearly that once the themselves Christian, do not However, during this pandemic, attend online, will take place on ie 30 THE NET | JANUARY 2021

Evergreen treasures by Vera McFadden he wrote “Confessio”; the story its South Shore. A few centuries of some parts of his life and how later, Bangor Monastery was they affected him. on that site, and it had a strong There is a very ancient musical reputation. prayer hymn called ‘St Patrick’s Two greats then at Bangor were Breastplate’, or ‘The Lorica’. It is St Comgall, its founder, and St also known as ‘The Deer’s Cry’, Columbanus, who was taught by because there is a legend which him. Later, Columbanus became tells of Patrick and some friends the principal teacher of monastic walking across an area which lifestyle and part of his work was was being watched by the king’s to instruct the choir. He was very soldiers who were waiting to strict with himself and others, and capture them. In answer to this so the monks who sang during prayer said by Patrick, all that the the day and night had to maintain soldiers saw was a herd of deer. So, their posture, no matter how tired the prayer is connected with the they were. saint in name and in legend. This prayer hymn is about the Chant unity of God’s Creation and is a The oldest Eucharistic hymn THERE were always many thought provoking one for our in Europe was written in Bangor. musical families in Derry, and present time, when there is much It was chanted by priests as they our family was one of them. disregard and consideration for approached the altar for Holy There was always singing in our the protection and care of our Communion. It is dated to the house, sometimes folk songs and environment and of the entire seventh century, but some believe sometimes hymns. Some of these ecosystem. that it may belong to the sixth were gems. Some linguists point out that, century. I wonder if it was sung Yes, among Irish cultural in places, the language dates to by the monks in the time of treasures are its sacred music, the eighth century, others say that Columbanus. My brother, Seamus hymns, prayers, and poems. there are also very ancient parts knew this chant too. Some of these are centuries old, that go back to the time of Patrick, Columbanus left Bangor, in St. Patrick still being sung, and still loved, and so it is agreed that it could 591, with some companions to go Scotland, he found that the name St Columba went to the nearby a kind never heard before. Was evergreen treasures written by very well have been written by our on missionary work in Europe. of the authors were unknown and island of Hinba to pray, the monks it the music of the future, even of scholars and saints. national saint. He founded several monasteries decided that they may have been on Iona saw lights above it. When today? The musical instruments St Patrick’s biographer, It certainly seems to have the there, the most famous being written in a monastic cell in Iona he returned, he told them that he were different in those days and Secundinus, wrote of him, same spirituality as the ‘Confessio’. Luxeuil, known for its music and or Derry. had been given great insights into so was the way music was written “Hymns and the Apocalypse and It has been translated several times choirs. The last monastery that We sang the ‘Deus Meus’ often some passages of Scripture, and down. psalms he sings and explains and set to music by a number of Columbanus founded was at in St Patrick’s Church choir. It was had heard music and singing of Glory and praise to God for ever. them for the edification of God’s composers. Some of its translators Bobbio. Several years ago, I visited written by Maol Iosa p e o p l e”. were Cecil Frances Alexander, the village and prayed at his Ó Brolcháin (Bradley), from Of course, St Patrick was not Kuno Meyer and Fr Noel Dermot tomb. The journey took us across Inishowen, in the 11th century. a native of this country, but he O’Donoghue. lowland, up mountain roads, and At a very early age, he went to the spent the years here, and later his My brother, Seamus had great past forested hills, with glacier monastic school in Both Chonais, vocation was to bring Christianity devotion to St Patrick and he said covered peaks towering above at Carrowmore. He was a very introduce the Irish people to the this prayer every day. Once he them. holy man and very diligent, and true God, the Trinity. We all have sang it for us. I wanted to learn When Columbanus went on he wrote a lot. The ‘Deus Meus’ times of struggle and pain in our the words, which are a translation his missionary journey, he sailed was written in Latin and Gaelic, lives and, at the times, God reveals from the original, old Gaelic across to the continent, along with half of each verse in each of His comforting presence to us. and short Latin ending, and my rugged ground, up and down these languages. This is what happened to Patrick granddaughter gave me a CD, so hills, sailed across lakes and There is a sense of wonder in his captivity. As he watched now I often sing it as I work in the along rivers. He preached and that these hymns are all over a animals on Slemish Mountain kitchen. converted as he went along. Our thousand years old. Of course, in all weathers, he realised that Another legend about St work can give glory to God, and, the monks who wrote them God was there and he began to Patrick tells that when he was as they moved across water, he transcribed sacred Scripture pray many times, day and night. in the Belfast Lough District he encouraged the monks as they too, including the Psalms. They We know this because in later life heard lovely music coming from rowed, telling them to keep their also chanted the Psalms at the minds on Jesus. hours. The Psalms are part of the Later, he made a song about Tomb of St Columbanus. Old Testament and were there this. It is now called ‘The Boat before Jesus was born. They are Song’ and it was translated by still prayed and sung today. That Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich. Two is the wonderful inheritance of of my brothers, Anthony and Christianity – the Old and New Seamus, enjoyed singing it and Testament. seemed to put extra energy into And today, God continues to the part where the monks were gift us. Each generation has its encouraged to ‘Heave!’ They were own creative people and some probably picturing the strong of the works of Fr Liam Lawton, efforts of the monks as they pulled John Michael Talbot and many at the oars. others, will become evergreen An eighth century anonymous gems as well. Gaelic prayer was translated by St Columbanus I sang a passage from Scripture, Eleonor Hill and when a melody “If you seek me, you will find me”, was added it became a favourite at my granddaughter’s wedding. hymn, entitled ‘Be Thou my I had learnt it from a music vision’. It is one of the songs that tape. These people – the writers, I taught to the children in St composers, singers – use their Patrick’s Girls’ Primary School. gifts to uplift our spirits, to bring Eleonora Hill did not know the us the word of God. identity of its author. Every song or hymn has its When William Carmichael was own story. One about the ‘Sancti collecting old Gaelic prayers and Venite’ claims that angels sang it hymns in the highlands and low to a holy man before it was ever lands, on the shores and islands of written down in Bangor. When The River Rhine, Germany, that is associated with ‘The Boat Song’. THE NET | JANUARY 2021 31

was baptised by John the Baptist. when the fullness of time had come Children’s Catechism Club - C3 The baptism which John the Baptist and He was about to send to earth offered moved people to confess His only-begotten Son, the Saviour of by Veronica Harley their sins and repent. Jesus, however, the world, He chose another Joseph, Hello children. C3 wishes you all a very happy New Year! written above the door will sink into was sinless and therefore did not of whom the first had been the type, Welcome to the month of January. The first day of January is the depths of our heart and be visible need this baptism. But He did not and He made him the lord and chief through our words and actions. hesitate to identify himself with of His household and possessions, the very special. We begin a new year and we look ahead to new Remember the Latin words, Christus humanity and our struggles and guardian of His choicest treasures”. beginnings and hopes for the future. But it is also the day that mansionem benedictat, “May Christ accepted the baptism from John. (Quaemadmodum Deus). we celebrate the wonderful feast of our Blessed Mother Mary, bless the house.” The baptism of Jesus marks the God trusted Joseph to be the foster the Holy Mother of God (CCC 493). Mary received the Word beginning of His public ministry. father of Jesus, and because God of God in her heart as well as in her body and gave life to the Saints of the Month Many of the aspects of Jesus’ baptism gave this magnificent duty to him, Saviour of the world. We treasure and honour Mary on this day January 2 – St Basil happen at baptism today. The Holy the Church has always honoured Spirit descended on Jesus in the form and praised St Joseph, next to the as a faithful servant of God and truly the Mother of Jesus. & St Gregory Nazianzen January 17 – St Anthony of Egypt of a dove; likewise, at our baptism the Blessed Virgin Mary, and asked for January 24 – St Francis de Sales Trinity comes to live in our soul. At his intercession. St Joseph’s paternal The Holy Name of Jesus - January 28 – St Thomas Aquinas His baptism, Jesus was proclaimed protection of Jesus continues from January 3 Son of God; likewise, at our baptism Heaven, as he watches over Christ’s This month is dedicated to The Holy Baptism of Jesus we are called to be the adopted sons Mystical Body, the Church on earth. Childhood and Name of Jesus. We And when Jesus had been baptized, of God. The heavens opened at Jesus’ God the Father is our Father in the remember the years that Jesus spent just as He came up from the water, baptism and through our baptism most perfect sense. But even Jesus, growing up with Mary and Saint suddenly the heavens were opened heaven is open to us. Jesus prayed at Son of the heavenly Father was Joseph. We celebrate the special feast, to him and He saw the Spirit of God His baptism and we, too, are called obedient and entered the care of The Holy Name of Jesus on January 3. descending like a dove and a voice to that special relationship of prayer St Joseph. As members of Christ’s On this day we honour the powerful from heaven said, which leads us to God. body, the Church, we too enter to the name of Jesus. The name ‘Jesus’ ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with care of St. Joseph, who still acts as a (CCC 430), which was commanded whom I am well pleased’ (Matthew Everything that happened to Christ “faithful and wise servant” over his by God to be given to the Child, is a 3:16-17). lets us know that, after the bath of Master’s household. Hebrew word Yeshua, which means The Baptism of Jesus (CCC 535) is water, the Holy Spirit swoops down The bright star guided the kings to ‘salvation’. celebrated each year on the Sunday upon us from high heaven and that, St Joseph, Patron of the Universal the stable where Jesus had been born. following the Feast of the Epiphany. adopted by the Father’s voice, we Church, pray for us. They brought with them special gifts ‘In the name of Jesus every knee This feast day brings the Christmas become sons of God. should bow, of those that are in of frankincense, gold and myrrh. On Saint Joseph, heaven, on earth and under the earth’ the day of Epiphany we give thanks to Pope Francis has watch over me (Philippians 2:10). God for the gift of His Son and for all and care for me the other gifts and talents which we proclaimed a year just as you cared for dedicated to St Joseph Epiphany – January 6 have received. the Child Jesus; On December 8, 1870, Pope Pius and by your help, The feast of the Epiphany (CCC 528) IX declared St Joseph Patron of is on the 12th day of Christmas and may I come to know the universal Church. To mark the your Son, is sometimes referred to as ‘Little 150th anniversary, Pope Francis has Christmas’. The word Epiphany and so grow in strength announced a year-long celebration and wisdom comes from a Greek word which dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. means ‘appearance’ or ‘to show and the favour of God. In an apostolic letter ‘Patris Corde’ Amen. oneself’. We celebrate this day in (‘With a father’s heart’), published on remembrance of how the three wise December 8, 2020, Pope Francis said kings visited Jesus and recognized Christians can discover St Joseph Him as the Saviour the world had who often goes unnoticed, “an been waiting on. Tradition – Epiphany intercessor, a support and a guide in Traditionally, the kings are known as times of trouble”. Balthazar, Casper and Melchoir, and it Chalk House Blessing Pius IX wrote in 1870, “As almighty is believed they were very clever men An ancient Catholic tradition on the season to a close. The Church God appointed Joseph, son of the who probably studied mathematics feast of the Epiphany is to bless the recalls on this day how Jesus went patriarch Jacob, over all the land of and astronomy (the stars). They knew home using blessed chalk. Blessed down into the River Jordan and Egypt to save grain for the people, so about the prophecies of the birth of chalk is taken by a family member God’s Son and how He would bring and used to write across the lintel 13. Which Bruce Springsteen song includes the lyrics... salvation to the whole world. They of the front door 20+C+M+B+ ___. Quiz Time with Lawrence “Cos down the shore everything is alright. You and looked for a sign in the stars for the The last space is filled in with the your baby on a Saturday night...”? 1. Who played the character ‘Manuel’ in ‘Fawlty Towers’? 14. What was the fictional name of the block of flats birth of the baby. When a very bright numbers which make up the last half 2. Which is Europe’s longest river? where Del and Rodney Trotter lived? star appeared in the sky, they knew of the new year. 3. What number is directly opposite 6 on a dartboard? 15. How many Brontë sisters were there? that if they followed it, they would be 20+C+M+B+21 4. Which famous sportsman was ‘elevated’ to the UK 16. Which company produces the electronic game led to where the baby had been born. Christus Mansionem Benedicat House of Lords in October 2020? console ‘Playstation’? 5. By what name was Oliver Hardy affectionately known 17. Who played the role of Irene in the 2000 movie, “Me, throughout his acting career? This is what the chalked markings on myself and Irene”? 6. Who was lead singer with British rock band ‘Dire the door mean: The 20 is for the first 18. Of which country is Orange Free State a Province? Straits’? two numbers of the year, the three 19. A dodecagon denotes a shape of how many sides? 7. In which country would you find the Bridge over the letters are the first Initial of each of 20. Who currently hosts the USA’s ‘Tonight Show’? River Kwai? 21. In horseracing, what is the minimum distance for a the kings (Caspar, Melchior, and 8. Which football club plays its home games at the National Hunt race? Balthasar) and the last two numbers Priestfield Stadium? 22. What nationality is violinist and conductor, Andrè are the last half of the year. The C, M, 9. Which TV presenter published his memoirs, entitled Rieu? B also stands for the Latin blessing ‘Life’s What You Make It’, at the end of last year? 23. Of the UK’s five busiest airports, four are in London. 10. What is the name given to the area where the batter Christus Mansionem Benedicat Where is the other? stands in Baseball? which means ‘May Christ Bless this 24. Anastasia and Drizella are characters in which epic 11. The opening of which William Shakespeare play H o u s e’. fairytale? includes the line...“If music be the food of life, play Chalking the lintel of the door is 25. What date represents exactly half way through the on...”? a way to celebrate and mark the calendar year? 12. In which South American country would you find the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s Magellan Straits waterway? blessing of our lives and home. In Quiz Answers: 1, Andrew Sachs. 2, The Volga. 3, Eleven. 4, Ian Botham. 5, ‘Babe’. 6, Mark Knopfler. 7, Thailand. 8, Gillingham. 9, Philip Schofield. 10, The Plate. 11, time, the chalk will fade but we hope Twelfth Night. 12, Chile. 13, Jersey Girl. 14, Nelson Mandela House. 15, Five. 16, Sony. 17, Renėe Zellweger. 18, South Africa. 19, Twelve. 20, Jimmy Fallon. 21, Two miles. that the meaning of the symbols 22, Dutch. 23, Manchester. 24, Cinderella. 25, 2 July. 32 THE NET | JANUARY 2021

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