Janus Looks To The Future With An Eye On The Past
Fr. John Ahern, parish priest of St. Mary's in Levenshulme, offers us his thoughts for January below:
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for.
Unable to giggle no longer a riot
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet.
So ended a humorous verse on 'after Christmas blues'. It catches the mood as we face into a dark and cold January, the month of good resolutions. No more beer! No more cigs! No more gluttony etc, etc. But on the positive side it is a New Year and it has never been lived before, so with the help of God we will make a good hand of it.
Christmas was Good
Here in St. Mary's, Levenshulme and in neighbouring parishes it was great to see the numbers that turned out to Carol Services, Masses and other ceremonies. It proves that the need of Faith is still very strong and needs nurturing, the promises of Celtic Tigers and such like beasts are vain and ultimately lead to nowhere. Our challenge is to live what we believe, it accommodates the line from the 'Faith is for life and not just for Christmas'.
Early Spring-Easter
Easter is at its earliest this year and as a consequence some strange things happen. The strangest perhaps as far as we are concerned is that St. Patrick's Day falls on the Monday of Holy Week, the last time this happened was in 1940. No liturgical feast takes precedence over the days of Holy Week so religious celebrations will come two days earlier Saturday March 15th to avoid such a conflict. Liturgical norms would require the feast to be moved to the earliest available date after Easter but the Vatican approved of March 15th in order to minimize conflict with the scheduled civic events around the world.
My own fear for poor St. Patrick is that no matter when we celebrate he is in danger of asphyxiation through alcohol. Already Diageo (drug dealer) and his pushers are asking "when are you celebrating St. Patrick?" not for love of the Saint but for love of the beer he generates. The next conflict of dates occurs in 2160 by then most of us would hope to be in his company in heaven!
All quiet on the social scene
From now to Easter is a fallow time on the social circuit. The coffers have to be replenished after the Christmas spending sprees. Kilkenny folk no doubt will celebrate at their association dinner dance. The Irish Association in Chorlton will have their annual bash at the end of the month and Mayo's turn can't be far away. I am sure all revelers of my generation will have been saddened by the death of Joe Dolan R.I.P. Joe was an institution, the first real break through for Ireland on the pop scene. I remember listening to his rendition of 'Tar and Cement' in far off Lima in 1979. I also remember the last St. Patrick's concert at the Free Trade Hall organized by St. Lawrence's GFC in 1985, the late Fr. Fullen, Harry Purcell and Mick Butler were the main organizers. The other star of that show was Leo McCaffrey R.I.P., unfortunately the show was far from a sell out, I have no doubt that the worry ensuing contributed to Fr. Emmet's untimely death. I wonder have they all met up to evaluate the event in the light of eternity.
Superstars let us down
The much published Manchester United Christmas party was a poor reflection on the history of a great club. Even if half of the lurid 'details' were factual it besmirched the image of a world wide institution. The money that was wasted in a world where so many lack the basic necessities of life was a scandal. Just think of what 4,000 pounds could do for Fr. Pat Clarke or for any of the parishes. I will visit in Peru this month! Young people look up to these men consequently they have a responsibility to act within the parameters of acceptable behaviour. Respect is a commodity that has been sacrificed in modern culture, there is nothing edifying about seeing young men and women out of their minds on a legal drug (alcohol) or the illegal ones that seem to be readily available on our streets. We need to take a hand in these matters before damage is done.
Deaths around Christmas time
It is always sad when a family is burdened by the grief of a relative's death at this time. Our sympathy and prayers are with Martin Logan and all the Logan family on Michael's sudden death. I know they were comforted by the huge attendance at the Vigil Ceremony and Requiem Mass at St. John's, Chorlton.
Conflict abroad
The chaos in Kenya and Pakistan is regrettable. Both countries have suffered centuries of foreign domination. The independence in both places came with the legacy of empire-partition. As in our own case no progress can be made until reason prevails over violence and foreigners cease to meddle. We think of all who have relatives in the affected areas and pray for a swift solution. The Bhutto family joins the ranks of the Ghandis and Kennedys in suffering personal tragedy in the cause of the common good.
GAA 2008
Who will challenge the two K's in 2008? Of the two I think Kilkenny are the least in danger. Cork is on strike, Galway or Loughnane? Who knows! Tipperary is in transition, Wexford is in decline, Offaly is in hide Limerick and Waterford seem most likely to dethrone the 'Cats'. As for Kerry, Cork is in the same boat as Mayo unlikely to scale the height required. Dublin are two or three players short of what it takes, but are near enough. Monaghan can't be taken lightly, Tyrone have the talent but still need the blend. Armagh needs to rebuild. Galway, Donegal and Meath have possibilities. Kerry seem to have the answers, but are vulnerable after the lay off between provincial final and play offs.
Mass in Irish
The next Mass in Irish will be on Sunday February 17th at 3pm. Meantime I'll be in Peru armed with $27,000 that your generosity has put my way. I promise it will be well used.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh agus
Go dti an cead uair eile go dte sibh slan
Fr. John Ahern
January 2008
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for.
Unable to giggle no longer a riot
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet.
So ended a humorous verse on 'after Christmas blues'. It catches the mood as we face into a dark and cold January, the month of good resolutions. No more beer! No more cigs! No more gluttony etc, etc. But on the positive side it is a New Year and it has never been lived before, so with the help of God we will make a good hand of it.
Christmas was Good
Here in St. Mary's, Levenshulme and in neighbouring parishes it was great to see the numbers that turned out to Carol Services, Masses and other ceremonies. It proves that the need of Faith is still very strong and needs nurturing, the promises of Celtic Tigers and such like beasts are vain and ultimately lead to nowhere. Our challenge is to live what we believe, it accommodates the line from the 'Faith is for life and not just for Christmas'.
Early Spring-Easter
Easter is at its earliest this year and as a consequence some strange things happen. The strangest perhaps as far as we are concerned is that St. Patrick's Day falls on the Monday of Holy Week, the last time this happened was in 1940. No liturgical feast takes precedence over the days of Holy Week so religious celebrations will come two days earlier Saturday March 15th to avoid such a conflict. Liturgical norms would require the feast to be moved to the earliest available date after Easter but the Vatican approved of March 15th in order to minimize conflict with the scheduled civic events around the world.
My own fear for poor St. Patrick is that no matter when we celebrate he is in danger of asphyxiation through alcohol. Already Diageo (drug dealer) and his pushers are asking "when are you celebrating St. Patrick?" not for love of the Saint but for love of the beer he generates. The next conflict of dates occurs in 2160 by then most of us would hope to be in his company in heaven!
All quiet on the social scene
From now to Easter is a fallow time on the social circuit. The coffers have to be replenished after the Christmas spending sprees. Kilkenny folk no doubt will celebrate at their association dinner dance. The Irish Association in Chorlton will have their annual bash at the end of the month and Mayo's turn can't be far away. I am sure all revelers of my generation will have been saddened by the death of Joe Dolan R.I.P. Joe was an institution, the first real break through for Ireland on the pop scene. I remember listening to his rendition of 'Tar and Cement' in far off Lima in 1979. I also remember the last St. Patrick's concert at the Free Trade Hall organized by St. Lawrence's GFC in 1985, the late Fr. Fullen, Harry Purcell and Mick Butler were the main organizers. The other star of that show was Leo McCaffrey R.I.P., unfortunately the show was far from a sell out, I have no doubt that the worry ensuing contributed to Fr. Emmet's untimely death. I wonder have they all met up to evaluate the event in the light of eternity.
Superstars let us down
The much published Manchester United Christmas party was a poor reflection on the history of a great club. Even if half of the lurid 'details' were factual it besmirched the image of a world wide institution. The money that was wasted in a world where so many lack the basic necessities of life was a scandal. Just think of what 4,000 pounds could do for Fr. Pat Clarke or for any of the parishes. I will visit in Peru this month! Young people look up to these men consequently they have a responsibility to act within the parameters of acceptable behaviour. Respect is a commodity that has been sacrificed in modern culture, there is nothing edifying about seeing young men and women out of their minds on a legal drug (alcohol) or the illegal ones that seem to be readily available on our streets. We need to take a hand in these matters before damage is done.
Deaths around Christmas time
It is always sad when a family is burdened by the grief of a relative's death at this time. Our sympathy and prayers are with Martin Logan and all the Logan family on Michael's sudden death. I know they were comforted by the huge attendance at the Vigil Ceremony and Requiem Mass at St. John's, Chorlton.
Conflict abroad
The chaos in Kenya and Pakistan is regrettable. Both countries have suffered centuries of foreign domination. The independence in both places came with the legacy of empire-partition. As in our own case no progress can be made until reason prevails over violence and foreigners cease to meddle. We think of all who have relatives in the affected areas and pray for a swift solution. The Bhutto family joins the ranks of the Ghandis and Kennedys in suffering personal tragedy in the cause of the common good.
GAA 2008
Who will challenge the two K's in 2008? Of the two I think Kilkenny are the least in danger. Cork is on strike, Galway or Loughnane? Who knows! Tipperary is in transition, Wexford is in decline, Offaly is in hide Limerick and Waterford seem most likely to dethrone the 'Cats'. As for Kerry, Cork is in the same boat as Mayo unlikely to scale the height required. Dublin are two or three players short of what it takes, but are near enough. Monaghan can't be taken lightly, Tyrone have the talent but still need the blend. Armagh needs to rebuild. Galway, Donegal and Meath have possibilities. Kerry seem to have the answers, but are vulnerable after the lay off between provincial final and play offs.
Mass in Irish
The next Mass in Irish will be on Sunday February 17th at 3pm. Meantime I'll be in Peru armed with $27,000 that your generosity has put my way. I promise it will be well used.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh agus
Go dti an cead uair eile go dte sibh slan
Fr. John Ahern
January 2008