Fr John's March blog - Reflections on St Patrick's day
Fr. John Ahern, parish priest of St. Mary's in Levenshulme, offers us his thoughts for March and St Patrick's day below:St. Patrick was a man of God
who came to Erin's land.
with God's own love within his heart
a shamrock in his hand.
He used the three leafed shamrock
to help the people see
how there could be three persons
in the Holy Trinity.
The God the Irish learned of today
can still be found.
A Truth that's far more beautiful
than creation all around.
Above is a lovely verse we learned in National School as we prepared to celebrate this great day, devoid as it was then of the hype and sham that have lately been foisted on to our Patron Saint.
Myth and legend surround him, but he was one of the most important figures in the fifth century Christian Church. He came to Ireland when heresies raged concerning the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus. He came in the wake of the councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon. His was what I call "a meat and two veg" faith. Basic to it is a belief that the incarnate Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity suffered, died and rose again to lift us out of the slavery of sin and selfishness. Holy Week, the sacred Triduum, was central to all his teaching, it is I think apt that for once we are asked to consider this mystery of our faith as we celebrate our Saint.
The St. Patrick's days that I remember from my youth had as their main feature a liberation from the fast of Lent, one could eat sweets, or sugar or whatever else was taboo on that day. Mass was central, nearly always celebrated in Latin with an Irish sermon and rousing renditions of "Cunamh cugainn Naomh Padraig" and Hail Glorious St. Patrick thrown in to liven proceedings. Then it was the Railway Cup Finals with alternating broadcasts in Irish and English, Michael Muircheartaig and Michael O'Heir Munster with Christy Ring always seemed to win the hurling, Connacht and Ulster were the kingpins in football.
During secondary school days it was the day of the Kerry Cup final usually between St. Brendan's, Killarney and Tralee CBS. Honours were even, but it was always a special game (this year they meet in the Munster Colleges' final what a game it promises to be) March 18th the rigor of Lent returned again but Easter was usually only a matter of weeks away. The simple badge, the green ribbon, the spray of shamrock, simple things: that was then this is now.
And now we have...
...the long awaited Manchester Irish Festival brochure in circulation. Well done to all who prepared it. During the festival we have some very worthwhile stuff to choose from. I draw your attention particularly to the Irish Studies Day, to the plethora of local and out of town musical and dancing talent, to the Irish Market and to what will hopefully be a colourful parade. One or two things I would not enthuse about; I think we have better theatre wise than what is on offer, but you can't have everything. Let's hope that the main purpose of the festival is attained namely 'projecting a positive image of Ireland, its heritage and culture' and from my point of view to acknowledge the rich treasure that the faith St. Patrick brought to us is, a faith that has marked us off as a special people, a nation set apart.
A great visit to Peru
It was lovely being back for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle. There were many highlights, but for me one of the most moving moments was when our Irish flag was brought up in the Offertory procession at the 'Thanksgiving Mass'. This was in recognition of the work of Irish priests and nuns in helping build up the sense of self worth in the residents of Peru's Ecuador's and Bolivia's 'new towns'.
I am extremely grateful to all the people who gave donations prior to my trip, in all I was able to dispense $30,000 to different projects, all gratefully received. I was delighted to hear the oceans of praise being heaped on our 'own young missionaries' Ita Sheehan, Mairead Rodden and friends Aine and Lauren, the four of them certainly got stuck in and who knows we may organize something bigger when all the girls are back, watch this space!
Good News of Cheetham Hill
It would seem that the long awaited day draws ever closer. Soon the first sod of the foundations for the new centre is due to be turned. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was upbeat in spite of his beloved Manchester United's defeat by City, about the prospects for the new centre it won't come a day too soon. Go n-eiri leis
Disappointed
I am very disappointed to see that the Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill continues to advertise entertainment for 'Good Friday Evening'. This is not in keeping with our heritage. St. Patrick locked horns with King Laoighoe on the issue of the Paschal Mystery, it is a shame that we can't honour his teaching. Good Friday is a day sacrosanct to Christians of all traditions; surely we can give witness for just 24 hours!
February Mass in Gaelic
There was a wonderful turn out at the celebration of Mass in Gaelic on February 17th. People, young and old came from all over and a real nice atmosphere prevailed. Thanks to Emma and Sean for the music, to Pat Shine and his helpers for the leaflets and Obair deanta roimh re.
The collection amounted to 125 pounds and has been donated to Cornerstone.
The next celebration in Gaelic will be on March 9th at 10am in the Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill (prior to parade). Let us hope that this act of worship central to all of St. Patrick's belief and his legacy to Ireland will be treated with the honour and respect that is its due.
End of an Era
The news that Fidel Castro has stepped down from office in Cuba will no doubt be met with mixed reactions. As with all single-minded people there are positives and negatives. Prior to his overthrowing of the Batista regime in 1959 Cuba was the playground of the United States, some described it as U.S.A.'s biggest bordello, this aspect was certainly consigned to the dustbin of history since '59. Under Fidel, Cuba's health and education systems became a model for many other countries. On the negative side Fidel broached no opposition and leaned on the then USSR to bolster his position. An amazing aspect of the reaction of President Bush to the news was his saying 'that now there will be free elections in Cuba, not rigged ones as has been the case since 1959'. Does he forget Miami in 2000 when with his brother he rigged things up to defeat Al Gore? Does he forget Guantanamo Bay which is in Cuba, where human rights are flagrantly ignored and over which the star spangled banner so proudly flies? Whatever we think personally, Fidel Castro like Nelson Mandela was one of the defining political figures of the 20th century.
Sad News
When will the vicarious violence that seems to have taken hold of Ireland come to an end? We had the brutal murders of two young Polish workers in Drimnagh over the weekend of February 24th. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern assures his Polish counterpart that it was not racially motivated. Some of the comments I hear from and some of the attitudes I hear expressed by people who should know better convinces me that racism abounds among us. Sooner or later these attitudes spill over into drastic actions with tragic consequences especially when alcohol comes into the equation. Are we the Ireland of the cead mile failte that we like to believe we are?
...the long awaited Manchester Irish Festival brochure in circulation. Well done to all who prepared it. During the festival we have some very worthwhile stuff to choose from. I draw your attention particularly to the Irish Studies Day, to the plethora of local and out of town musical and dancing talent, to the Irish Market and to what will hopefully be a colourful parade. One or two things I would not enthuse about; I think we have better theatre wise than what is on offer, but you can't have everything. Let's hope that the main purpose of the festival is attained namely 'projecting a positive image of Ireland, its heritage and culture' and from my point of view to acknowledge the rich treasure that the faith St. Patrick brought to us is, a faith that has marked us off as a special people, a nation set apart.
A great visit to Peru
It was lovely being back for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle. There were many highlights, but for me one of the most moving moments was when our Irish flag was brought up in the Offertory procession at the 'Thanksgiving Mass'. This was in recognition of the work of Irish priests and nuns in helping build up the sense of self worth in the residents of Peru's Ecuador's and Bolivia's 'new towns'.
I am extremely grateful to all the people who gave donations prior to my trip, in all I was able to dispense $30,000 to different projects, all gratefully received. I was delighted to hear the oceans of praise being heaped on our 'own young missionaries' Ita Sheehan, Mairead Rodden and friends Aine and Lauren, the four of them certainly got stuck in and who knows we may organize something bigger when all the girls are back, watch this space!
Good News of Cheetham Hill
It would seem that the long awaited day draws ever closer. Soon the first sod of the foundations for the new centre is due to be turned. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was upbeat in spite of his beloved Manchester United's defeat by City, about the prospects for the new centre it won't come a day too soon. Go n-eiri leis
Disappointed
I am very disappointed to see that the Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill continues to advertise entertainment for 'Good Friday Evening'. This is not in keeping with our heritage. St. Patrick locked horns with King Laoighoe on the issue of the Paschal Mystery, it is a shame that we can't honour his teaching. Good Friday is a day sacrosanct to Christians of all traditions; surely we can give witness for just 24 hours!
February Mass in Gaelic
There was a wonderful turn out at the celebration of Mass in Gaelic on February 17th. People, young and old came from all over and a real nice atmosphere prevailed. Thanks to Emma and Sean for the music, to Pat Shine and his helpers for the leaflets and Obair deanta roimh re.
The collection amounted to 125 pounds and has been donated to Cornerstone.
The next celebration in Gaelic will be on March 9th at 10am in the Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill (prior to parade). Let us hope that this act of worship central to all of St. Patrick's belief and his legacy to Ireland will be treated with the honour and respect that is its due.
End of an Era
The news that Fidel Castro has stepped down from office in Cuba will no doubt be met with mixed reactions. As with all single-minded people there are positives and negatives. Prior to his overthrowing of the Batista regime in 1959 Cuba was the playground of the United States, some described it as U.S.A.'s biggest bordello, this aspect was certainly consigned to the dustbin of history since '59. Under Fidel, Cuba's health and education systems became a model for many other countries. On the negative side Fidel broached no opposition and leaned on the then USSR to bolster his position. An amazing aspect of the reaction of President Bush to the news was his saying 'that now there will be free elections in Cuba, not rigged ones as has been the case since 1959'. Does he forget Miami in 2000 when with his brother he rigged things up to defeat Al Gore? Does he forget Guantanamo Bay which is in Cuba, where human rights are flagrantly ignored and over which the star spangled banner so proudly flies? Whatever we think personally, Fidel Castro like Nelson Mandela was one of the defining political figures of the 20th century.
Sad News
When will the vicarious violence that seems to have taken hold of Ireland come to an end? We had the brutal murders of two young Polish workers in Drimnagh over the weekend of February 24th. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern assures his Polish counterpart that it was not racially motivated. Some of the comments I hear from and some of the attitudes I hear expressed by people who should know better convinces me that racism abounds among us. Sooner or later these attitudes spill over into drastic actions with tragic consequences especially when alcohol comes into the equation. Are we the Ireland of the cead mile failte that we like to believe we are?
Sporting Scene
Over the past few months the Gaelic scene has been dominated by the Cork strike saga, there were no winner's only losers in this sorry episode. How Cork teams are allowed back into the league with only points deducted beats me. What of the teams they agree to play, are not they being penalized? Dublin and Meath have been awarded full points for the games they were due to play against Cork, what of Roscommon? If they lose to Cork on March 2nd they are doubly penalized. It is not because of our healthy rivalry but I think Cork got away with murder, player power became the tail wagging the dog, and the Association is the sufferer.
St Patrick's Day Club Finals
We should have great games in football and hurling this year. Mickey Whelan's St Vincent's (Dublin) come up against the Cork kingpins Nemo, in football. I go for St. Vincent's merely because a Kerryman Michael O'Shea powers their midfield.
Portumna and Birr provide the hurling finalists I go for the classier Galwaymen.
From what has gone so far in the National Leagues...
I have been impressed by Galway and Monaghan in football. Both teams have played good attacking football and have players to match those of any county. Kieran Fitzgerald and the Meehan brothers will no doubt put the trauma of last year behind them (I wish a speedy recovery to uncle Tadhg).
Kerry as usual were slow from the blocks but fair play to Donegal for doing the double over them. That's twice they have done it so we could call them champions of the West Coast!
Tyrone seems to have problems not only with injuries to established stars but with the calibre of new ones coming through. Armagh has shown nothing yet. Tipperary have shown signs of better things to come in hurling, but the 'cats' are still purring, they will be hard to beat.
In rugby...
Ireland continue to be the curate's egg good in spots, why oh why have we allowed Phil Coulter's "Ireland's Call" oust Amhran na bhFiann as our national anthem? Again are we asked to stand up and be counted.
If our hosts England can sing 'bring her victorious happy and glorious' in their National Anthem surely we can sing of the freedom that was won by those who gave their lives for our country in ours. PC gone mad!!
Soccer
The 50th Anniversary of Munich dominated the Manchester soccer scene. Great credit to Manchester City fans for the impeccable observance of the one minute's silence, and great credit to the team for taking the points. I always say sport can be a unifying exercise, it is meant to be, what baffles me is the nastiness that some so called fans harbor towards opponent fans, the chants and gestures leave a lot to be desired.
Soccer
The 50th Anniversary of Munich dominated the Manchester soccer scene. Great credit to Manchester City fans for the impeccable observance of the one minute's silence, and great credit to the team for taking the points. I always say sport can be a unifying exercise, it is meant to be, what baffles me is the nastiness that some so called fans harbor towards opponent fans, the chants and gestures leave a lot to be desired.
Trappatoni for Ireland! I hope he is given time and that people realize that Ireland does not have the pool of players available to them as other countries do. After all, soccer comes 3rd to gaelic football, hurling and rugby in the hierarchy of interest at home (that is outside of Dublin 4)
So enjoy a great Festival and a Holy and happy St. Patrick's Day
Beannachtai na feile ort gach la as seo amach
Slan tamall
Fr. John Ahern
March 2008