"The May dewy hills were burning, far and near
When our land's first footers beached boats in the creek.
In uisce fionn strange words that soon grow clear.
So on a day when newcomers appear
Let it be a homecoming and let us speak
The unstrange word as it behaves us here.
Move lips move minds and make new meanings flare
Like ancient beacons signaling peak to peak
From middle sea to North Sea shining clear
As phoenix flame upon fionn uisce here."

The above verses from Seamus Heaney's beautiful poem 'Beacons at Bealtine' describe the new born hope of this month of the year. In the Celtic calendar that once regulated the seasons in many parts of Europe, May Day known in Irish as Bealtine was the feast of bright fire, the first of summer, one of the four great quarter days of the year.

The Tuatha De Dannan the first magical inhabitants of Ireland were supposed to have arrived on Erin's green shore on this day. On this day the druids drove flocks out to pasture between bonfires hence the name Beal (mouth) tine (fire). Fertility rites, planting of crops and other activities pointing to the future were associated with this time.

Devotion to Mary
In our Christian heritage we place a lot of emphasis on our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary - Queen of the May. Many of you will remember this from your childhood; the altars with the first flowers of spring, the rosary which played such a part in pre-Celtic Tiger Ireland in holding us together as family and community were all part of our upbringing. It helped us to be what we are, and kept the 'egg off our faces' when other voices tried to lure us from 'sli na firinne'.
Reading some of our Sunday newspapers of late one realizes how far from the pristine beauty of our race we have travelled in our quest for hedonism. Not a Sunday passed without accounts of deeds and incidents that can only be described as 'ufasach'. Even the gurus of post modern Ireland are now crying for a return to the spiritual values that once defined us. What better way to return in the year when we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Lourdes than through Mary.

In Levenshulme we have a special Marian Retreat planned for the last days of May, it will be preached by Fr. Tom Lane C.M. Chaplain at Knock Shrine, the theme is 'Show me the way to Heaven'. On June 2nd fifty of us leave for a week's pilgrimage to Lourdes. I would strongly advise as many as possible to go to one of the Marian shrines this year, if you can't get to Lourdes, why not visit Knock or Walsingham? 'Renew your youth as the Eagles'. Our souls as well as our bodies need make overs.

Pope Benedict in USA
Recently Pope Benedict concluded a very successful visit to the USA. He impressed all idir uasal and iseal. The visit went a long way to healing the raw wounds left by scandals that rocked some of the key dioceses in the States acknowledging the pain caused by trying to cover up what can only be described as criminal neglect. Sadly the whole Church suffered. Good people, priests, bishops and laity were tarred with the same brush and opportunists had a field day as they sought to destroy the Church. Pope Benedict called on USA to champion the cause of the world's voiceless and he did not shirk from pointing out the futility of war as a solution to conflict.

Local Elections
As you read this 'posting' the local elections will have taken place and hopefully candidates with a desire to promote the good of their ward will be returned. Party point scoring is the ruination of local politics; the neglected areas of our city bear witness to this. Some of the 'manifestos' released at local level at this time are replete with party propaganda but unfortunately once the elections are over candidates who promise 'the world' through the party are conspicuous by their absence. Many of our localities bear the hall marks of neglect. The spiraling decadence of once lovely places like Levenshulme is a cause for alarm. So once the dust settles we need representatives who will show their concern by bringing people together to work together irrespective of blue, red or yellow on their rosettes - your city needs you.

Bertie's Swan Song
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was given a standing ovation on delivering an historic address to both Houses of Congress in Washington on April 30th, ten year's on from the Good Friday Agreement. The four words Ireland is at peace elicited a standing ovation from his distinguished audience. Bertie acknowledged the role that America played in the process. He spoke of Ireland's commitment to combating the unequal distribution of wealth in the world "for us famine and oppression are not tragedies that could only happen elsewhere. They happened to us at a sad time in our history. They happened to those who fled here and helped to build America and to many who did not survive the fateful journey across the ocean". He spoke of Ireland's contribution to America's (USA) place in the world and the reciprocated help towards us. As he announced his imminent departure from office he said there are no ends only new beginnings new challenges that call for new responses. Bertie will be missed.

Death of a noble man, Dr. Patrick Hillery
The death of Dr. Patrick saddened all who knew him. As doctor, politician and president he endeared himself to all. I met his nephew Fr. Des on my last visit to Peru. Fr. Des flew home from Lima where he is a volunteer missionary with the Columban Fathers. He conducted what can only be described as a prayerful, dignified funeral, liturgy in the words of Dr. Paddy himself 'no added bits', the exception being the lovely slow air 'An Buachaillin Ban' played by Clare musician Tony McMahon. While on the subject, his coffin was draped in the tricolor, this is an honour reserved for Presidents, past Presidents, gardai or soldiers killed in the line of duty or for others to whom the state accords the honour of a state funeral. Recently I have noticed here that the tricolor is placed on some coffins as they arrive for funerals, in my opinion this is not correct. I consider myself an Irishman through and through, but in the event of my death I would not merit that honour unless the Embassy or Taoiseach's office were to afford it to me.

Apology
In my March message I expressed my disappointment at seeing an event advertised for the Irish Centre, Cheetham Hill for Good Friday evening. In the past I have taken issue with Manchester United and other institutions for failing to respect this sacred time and space. I am happy to report that the advert in the Irish Festival brochure was an error. There was no event booked for Good Friday at the centre, so I apologize to the management for not checking it out, but I believed that those who produced the brochure would have done that. I commented on what was before me and I reiterate here my disappointment at seeing an event being advertised for Good Friday. The issue remains unaltered; we Irish would be expected to honour the sacredness of Good Friday and in keeping our time honoured custom refrain from public entertainment on that day. Mar a bhi ar dtus ta fos.

Food Riots - exorbitant prices - sinful profits
I was mildly surprised to see one of the major food chains Tesco announce a profit of 2.864bn pounds for the last financial year. Tesco with the other major chains are responsible for the inflated prices we pay for essential food items, this accompanied by their unjust payment for produce to the developing world caused the Riots in Haiti and other countries. It is all wrong that this situation prevails in our market driven economies. Charity will never conquer injustice so our giving to worthy causes should be accompanied by our protests at what we perceive to be the causes of the poverty we are responding to. Never easy to do.

Oisin Dinner Dance
This has always been one of the highlights of the social calendar. This year's event did not disappoint. It was held at Lancashire Cricket Club where a beautiful meal was served. Guest of honour John O'Mahoney of GAA and political fame was a good choice. He made no rash promises; he assures us that Mayo are on the right road. Can we say the same for Fine Gael!!

Sporting Scene
Well done to Derry footballers and Tipperary hurlers on their deserved victories in the National Leagues. The hurling final between Tipperary & Galway was classic; it whets the appetite for the championship. The awakening of the Tipperary giant is long overdue and the emergence of Galway's rare talent, Joe Canning, is exciting.
Derry will certainly be a force in the football championship, their successful minor team of 2003 is now producing a harvest. Paddy Bradley, Doherty, McCoy, McClusker and McIver are making their mark. It was nice to see Westmeath, Wexford and Offaly come through in the lower divisions, the fare served up in the division three final between Wexford and Fermanagh would have done justice to any championship final.
What a pity that Dublin and Meath made headlines for all the wrong reasons. We do not want to see this kind of stuff blight our wonderful games. Coaches should ensure that sport is the keynote, win OK, but not at all costs.

Under 21 Final
Kerry proved much too strong for Kildare. Playing fast, open football on Semple Stadium's verdant pitch, Kerry's much vaunted youngster's served a warning that they will be snapping at the heels of their senior counterparts come Championship time.
We already knew of the ability of Walsh, Moran, Young and O'Leary but add the names of Enright, O'Sullivan, O'Connor and Curran and Pat O'Shea will have countless selection headaches. Kildare did not play to their full potential they have fine prospects in White, O'Flaherty, Smullen and Smith. Kerry and Cork now head the way with 10 titles each.
The Cork women faced Kerry playing closing football in the league final. If the men stayed on strike they would probably give the Kerry men a run for their money.

Munster aided by some 'foreigners' keep the flag flying in rugby, let's hope they continue to win and not Toulouse excuse the pun.

Manchester United have made it to the European Cup Final and should be crowned Premier League Champions again. It looks as if it is going to be the case of Sven Going Eriksson at Eastlands, but he can go with the feather in his cap of being the first City manager in two decades to have done the double over United. Manchester City has had more managers in the last twenty years than United has had premiership titles!! Maybe the next one will bring the long awaited silverware with him.
As for Liverpool let's hear it... "it's so lonely round the fields of Stanley Road".

May the summer sun shine on you.
Go dti an cead uair eile
Go dte sibh slan

Fr. John Ahern
May 2008