"Those lazy hazy crazy days of summer ..."

Not quite yet, as winter seems to have swallowed up spring and invaded some of summer's territory. But June eventually brings with it sunshine and long evenings so we live in hope. For us in the parishes June is usually the month of First Holy Communions; a time when we see our children in all their glory. Through the medium of this e-message may I wish all of them well and also remind the parents of the treasures they are. It saddens us to think that anyone anywhere could ever harm a child's innocence or physically abuse them but unfortunately through the 'perversion' of human nature it happened and happens; our commitment must be towards its prevention. There are so many ways of abusing children, we think of the obvious and gloss over the less obvious. It starts before birth, just think of the horror that abortion is. Recently our enlightened government legislated to make the killing of the unborn legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy. It does not bear thinking about. The strange thing is many of those who support this practice would be horrified at fox hunting or bull fighting (practices I do not agree with). Is human life more precious than that of a fox or a bull?

Another area of abuse readily accepted is the break down of family relationships. A child needs the love of father and mother, who can measure the damage done to the emotional development and stability of a child who sees father or mother wilfully walk out of home and responsibility. Ask honest educators, psychologists or any other people who have to pick up the pieces. I don't have statistics at hand, but I'm confident that a high percentage of prison population is there because of lives destroyed by the whims of irresponsible parents. I still believe that there are values that are not negotiable, family values are among them.

Back to First Holy Communions - thank God here in England we don't have to put up with the excesses of home, the vulgar 'show off' surrounding some celebrations in Ireland obscure the deep meaning of the event. We are not meant to make our children objects of our indulgence. Keep it simple, prayerful and dignified, the day is about Our Lord and our child, not about anything else.

Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional
How true this maxim turns out to be! I crossed the 'Rubicon' and qualified for the old age pension on May 12th. Growing up as I did in the local post office in Farranfore, Co. Kerry Friday was the day of the 'golden oldies'. The brave one's who did not see old age as a 'winter' space came to collect the few bob that was their reward. That was before the much maligned Charles J. Haughey made Ireland's 'old age' pensioners the envy of Europe. I marvelled at the stories of bygone days and hearing men and women talk of events that happened "40 years ago" caused me to look in bewilderment. "How can anyone remember 40 years ago?" I mused, little thinking that it would happen to me. The event when it came to pass was made painless by the lovely Mass and party afterwards that the people of St. Mary's are put on to mark the occasion. I am deeply grateful to all who came, all who remembered me by prayer, gift or handshake. It is always nice to be appreciated, so it's onwards and hopefully upwards from here on in. Mile buiochas leis na ndaoine agus mile buiochas le Dia.

Wonderful occasion - Lally Dancers - 50th Anniversary
A wonderful evening of celebration was held at Lancashire Cricket Club recently when Eileen Lally celebrated 50 years of teaching Irish Dancing in Manchester. Eileen and family did not bring their talent from the ground their late father John Joe was among the best of his day. Eileen gave so much to so many. As we watch the young stars like James Keegan 'tripping the lights' on the world stage we should never forget where it started. Eileen belonged to the era when dancing was for fun not for show. When will someone shout stop at what has been done to Irish Dancing, the costumes, wigs, false tans are a disgrace and the 'flatleyesque' gyrations and high kicks have reduced an art form to a kick boxing show. It was great to meet so many of the stalwarts of yesteryear and to see the young ones who will carry the torch to future generations. 'Buiochas' to Eileen from all of us. I send a get well wish to Margaret O'Neal one of Eileen's own teachers who is struggling with ill health at the moment. Another hero who is recovering from major surgery is the one and only Danny Claffey, get well quickly Danny your favourite team will need all your support next season!!

Dustin and all that sort of thing
So Dustin the Turkey ended up in the dustbin of the Eurovision Song Contest. I refrained from comment until now but the selection of this act was an indictment of our great heritage and indicative of the road we are choosing to follow. Ireland has such a rich history when it comes to song, dance and story and yet we ended up with this caricature of our nation representing us in the European stage. It grieves me to see and hear of crowds flocking to 'shows' fronted by Dustin, Tommy Tierney, Podge & Rodge and other banal 'entertainers', they are certainly not in the mould of Swift, McCormack, Bowyer, Potter and O'Shea. Post Celtic Tiger Ireland is not a nice place to be culturally. Let's hope that the disaster that was Dustin will shake us up in that regard.

Kerry Archaeological & Historical Society
At the beginning of May 35 members of the Kerry Archaeological & Historical Society paid a visit to Manchester. They were enthralled by Michael Sheehan's illustrated talk on Manchester's Irish story. A visit to all the places of interest followed the talk. Tommy Walsh of St. Michael's Irish Centre, Liverpool, hosted the day in Liverpool. Professor Frank Neal from Salford University gave an enlightening lecture on the Irish in Liverpool; this was followed by a tour to all the places of Irish interest in the city. Rose Morris accompanied the group to Chester and on the final day a beautiful meal at the Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill and a visit to Old Trafford brought a great weekend to a close. This is the kind of thing I envisaged as part of the function of our county associations, reverse trips to the home counties and Manchester to explore the historical and cultural links between home and away. Organising the event was a headache but seeing it draw to such a happy and beneficial conclusion was rewarding. My thanks to all who helped along the way. Lourdes PilgrimageAs I write this my cases are packed for St. Mary's Parish Pilgrimage to Our Lady's Shrine in Lourdes. It comes as we conclude an inspiring Marian Mission led by Fr. Tom Lane C.M. Thanks to the 'Full Irish radio programme' for its help, many people came from other parts of Manchester due to Martin's & Joe's propaganda. All will be remembered in Lourdes.

Mass in Gaelic
We had a lovely celebration on Sunday May 25th support. Canon Moss O'Connell, Fr. Paddy Connolly S.M.A. joined as concelebrants. Again mile buiochas to Pat Shine, to Sean, to Emma and all who helped to prepare for the Mass

Sporting Scene
GAA
Micko the magician wove his spell again. The Waterville maestro took Wicklow to their first win in 124 years in the Leinster Championship, the man is unfathomable; the next challenge for him is to go to Kilkenny and get their footballers on a par with their hurlers, could he do it?!

Monaghan's bubble burst in Enniskillen as Fermanagh proved tactically and physically superior to the Farney men but the back door is open.

Meath could not be judged on their facile win over Carlow yet there was definite promise about the way they set about their task.

Galway beat what was surely the worst Roscommon team ever to contest a Connacht championship. Galway does have some great players, I particularly liked young Conroy, but they need a sterner test before we know just how much they have progressed under Liam Sammon.

You know, it will be Kerry & Cork in Munster; watch out for injury rumours. Kieran Donaghy seems to be the Louis Saha of the Kingdom (always a scare concerning him!).

Ulster is always hard to call, they are so lucky to have a championship that hardens their team up for the latter stages of the All Ireland series. Galway hurlers and Kerry footballers both suffer from lack of meaningful games until July.

Champions League
Well done Manchester United; it was great to win it on the 50th Anniversary of the tragic Munich disaster. Sir Matt R.I.P. pioneered the participation of England's champions in the European Champions Cup. What has developed since is a league comprising of the top four in each country. We have a situation where a team languishing 28 points off the top in their domestic league e.g. Liverpool 2005 can win it. What was nice about United's most recent triumph was they achieved it as champions and were unbeaten in the competition. The penalty shoot out was gripping, but for me it is an inconclusive way to settle a game of such importance. It is truly a lottery that owes as much to luck as it does to skill, there has to be a better way of deciding the issue.

Manchester City can look back with satisfaction on a season that culminated with a massive dose of after eight's but at least they did the double over the dual champions; not many can say that!

It is nice to see a new dimension to the story of the Englishman, the Scotsman and the Irishman unfold as the sculpture to Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best was unveiled outside the Theatre of Dreams - Ryan Giggs can soon be added to satisfy the Welsh.

Well Done Munster
A second Heineken Cup in three years puts Munster in an exalted position among Europe's elite in the game of Rugby. Aided as they were by three foreign nationals (they are always welcome when they are helping us!) Munster ground out a thrilling victory in a game that certainly wasn't compulsive viewing. I sat watching for 16 minutes as 16 rear ends dominated the viewing area of the screen, all the while the commentator assured me that Munster had the ball, what ball? The main aim seemed to be 'keep it hidden, while we have it Toulouse can't play'. Rugby has failed to excite me, but I render to popular opinion as the neophytes dance with joy, singing the Connacht song about Athenry, fair play to them! During the game a recurring image for me was that of cattle jobbers trying to get bullocks on to a truck from a loading bay at Farranfore fair when I was a boy (hup-hup-heave-ho). One man's meat is another man's poison.

Enjoy the summer weather when it comes, be sure to nourish the body and soul, holidays should be for both.

Go dti an cead uair eile
Fr. John Ahern
June 2008