Fr John's Corner
October
The month of mists and mellow fruitfulness! ..... or was it?
We have been bombarded with predictions of gloom from the prophets of doom. The world monetary system seems to be in free fall. I seem to hear an echo from somewhere - "lay up your treasure in heaven where no thief can enter or no moth or rust destroy." The crazy spending, the extravagant life styles and the untrammeled greed of the last two decades were bound to implode. Wealth was measured in how much property one owned no thought for the many homeless that are in our world. Shanghai, Capetown, Marbella, Paracas became the sites for investing one's new found wealth and hey presto the money lenders said 'haste ahi no mas' the game is over and suddenly the tiger's roar is silenced and the little men become little again.
No Tears
I for one shed no tears, not for the fat cats whose desire for ever greater profits exploited the weak. I do for the minnows who will be asked to bear the burden. A fact of life in the neo liberal capitalism spawned by Regan, Thatcher and the Chicago school of economics is 'profits are private, losses are public'. Watch and see that public spending on health, housing and education for the lower to middle strata of the economic ladder will be drastically cut back. The fat cats will sit on their pile and hope that they will come out at the right end when the dust settles. What of the one who worked hard but found himself or herself drawn into the vivacious whirlpool of material greed. "I am only successful if I have two cars, two or more houses and a world cruise to boast of ". These are the people I see from day to day, they will be asked to pay the piper, and they will find that the big guy owes the middle guy who in turn can't pay the hard working guy; jobs will be lost, shutters will go up and tears will be shed. My understanding of the social teaching of my church is that neo liberal capitalism was as sinful and oppressive as was atheistic communism, but we spent all our energy of praying for the conversion of Russia to the detriment of what we believed to be the 'Free World'. Clerics were upgraded for supporting the system, I never heard of, read about or met with a cleric who was applauded for condemning the system. Bishops like Bishop Romero, martyred for his prophetic stance, were almost airbrushed out of history. Bishops like Bishop Untner R.I.P. of the U.S.A. who not only spoke out against the 'war on terror' but withheld his taxes in protest were disowned. I could go on but where is the point! All I know is someone has to pay. Is there any condemnation of our involvement in Iraq or Afghanistan? Is there any voice raised against to 78m pounds spent to date by the M.O.D. on the latest bomb for Tora Bora? Are there any eyebrows raised at the fact that Christie Hospital had 7.5million pounds invested in Icelandic Banks? When I think of all the charity efforts it took to raise that 7.5m pounds!!
Yes serious questions come to the surface as the game of monoply comes to a halt. Hopefully we will learn from it. 1929 was a long time ago, the world is overdue a dose of reality. In his recent book 'Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures' Pope Benedict reminds us that 'societies and cultures are only as great as their spiritual aspirations', that leaves us in a bad light as we have taken on materialism as the badge of our identity. All the values I grew up with have been ditched; the 'silver Merc' and the 4x4 seem to be the only things we now aspire to. Prayer, family life, hospitality have made way for vulgarity, promiscuity and prejudice. The poet wrote 'ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey where wealth accumulates and men decay'.
Irish Post - RTE --The Angelus
The Irish Post has entered the debate on the Angelus and its relevance to post modern Ireland. I feel so sad that there should even be a question as to whether we should or we should not honour the custom of calling a people to prayer at the key points of a busy day. Let's face it the Christian Catholic Faith is engrained in the Irish psyche. The new 'gurus' Gerry Ryan, Pat Kenny and the late Dermot Morgan have their own agenda, which would seem to be debunk the emblems of our past. If I were in Saudi Arabia or some other Muslim stronghold I would be expected to honour their local customs; I would in fact have no choice in the matter. Mr. Kenny has long since ceased to make any reference to the Angelus, maybe Ireland is better for this new found freedom from what people were prepared to die for. The roar of the alcohol fuelled 'tiger' is more acceptable than the gentle call to reflect on a higher destiny. Much of what goes on in the land of my birth is now totally abhorrent to me. A spiritual vacuum has been created. "What does it profit to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of your soul?" (Mark 8:36).
Congratulations
Our congratulations go again to Joe, Martin, Annette and all the Full Irish team on winning the Irish Post Award. The show provides a wonderful service to the community and is greatly appreciated. Long may it continue.
Fr. Pat Keane - Farewell
It was a wonderful evening even if it was tinged with the sadness of knowing that this great priest is retiring due to ill health. He will surely treasure the evening. All strata of society were represented. To me the beautiful moment was when all 35 members of his family accompanied him on the altar; a wonderful witness to family values something the 'tiger's roar' has almost destroyed. St. Bernard's parish awaits the appointment of Fr. Pat's successor. As they say in the trade - a hard act to follow.
Chimbote Reunion
The four girls who spent some time doing voluntary work in the Chimbote mission had a lovely get together recently in Levenshulme. Mairead, Ita, Aine and Lauren used their time together to raise 1,500 pounds for the work in Chimbote. Fr. Jack Davies will be delighted with the generosity of the girls and their friends who made this possible.
Red Hand caused Kingdom Harte ache
For the third time in six years Mickey Harte's braves have halted Kerry's gallop. This time they won an absorbing contest, deservedly so. I maintain the team with most scores on the board at the end of the contest almost always deserves to take the honours.
Naturally post mortems throw up the 'what ifs' and 'might have beens'. This time what if Padraig Reidy had not slipped before Tom McGuigan toe poked Tyrone's goal? What if Declan O'Sullivan's shot were six inches further left and out of goalkeeper McConnell's reach? The fact of the matter is they were not and even if the contest was decided on such contingencies Tyrone still deserved their moment of glory.
It was a fabulous year for those of us who love our game, many memorable games and performances. Another golden moment was added to my bursting storehouse of G.A.A. memories on the final day. Brian Dooher's point kicked from directly under where I was sitting was as good as I have seen. Brian's uncle Fr. Paddy, a Columban, is a good friend of mine from our Lima days. Congratulations to him and all Tyrone people. You are the best in 2008, what else matters. Kerry will always be back but for now Brave Harte and his merry men are kings of castle gaelic football.
The Minor Final
The drawn minor final between Tyrone and Mayo was as good a game as I have seen in Croke Park. It put one in mind of the epic minor semi final replay between Tyrone and Kerry in 1997. Both teams can look forward to a bright future. Mayo were unlucky but as I have said the team with the highest score is the winner and Tyrone did just that in the replay to crown a brilliant year for them.
Can Sheik Man Sour shake Man City?
That is the question the blue half of Manchester ask as their City citadel becomes the property of Arab speculators. As yet it would seem to be more of the same as City flatter to deceive. I think Michel Platini is right; English football has ceased to be. I have never been a fan of the trend that has seen Russian Roubles, 'Disappearing Dollars' and Middle Eastern Moguls gobble up what was once a noble heritage and an enjoyable sport. I predict that the premiership will follow Italy's once glittering league into meltdown.
I don't believe in Santa
Already we see advertisements for Santa's premature arrival and it is not even November! The hijacking of Saint Nicholas by commercial interests has long since robbed Christmas of one of its endearing customs - 'Ho, Ho' switching on lights in November and appearing at Christmas Fairs in the heart of Advent makes no sense to me. Please can we get back to when Advent was the time of preparation and the Christmas season, starting on midnight December 24th and lasting at least 12 days was the time of celebration. What we have now is a dream time turned into a nightmare. Could stopping the abuse of Christmas be our way of responding to the credit crunch? just a thought!
Go dti mi na Samhain
Go dte tu slan
October 2008
Fr. John Ahern
The month of mists and mellow fruitfulness! ..... or was it?
We have been bombarded with predictions of gloom from the prophets of doom. The world monetary system seems to be in free fall. I seem to hear an echo from somewhere - "lay up your treasure in heaven where no thief can enter or no moth or rust destroy." The crazy spending, the extravagant life styles and the untrammeled greed of the last two decades were bound to implode. Wealth was measured in how much property one owned no thought for the many homeless that are in our world. Shanghai, Capetown, Marbella, Paracas became the sites for investing one's new found wealth and hey presto the money lenders said 'haste ahi no mas' the game is over and suddenly the tiger's roar is silenced and the little men become little again.
No Tears
I for one shed no tears, not for the fat cats whose desire for ever greater profits exploited the weak. I do for the minnows who will be asked to bear the burden. A fact of life in the neo liberal capitalism spawned by Regan, Thatcher and the Chicago school of economics is 'profits are private, losses are public'. Watch and see that public spending on health, housing and education for the lower to middle strata of the economic ladder will be drastically cut back. The fat cats will sit on their pile and hope that they will come out at the right end when the dust settles. What of the one who worked hard but found himself or herself drawn into the vivacious whirlpool of material greed. "I am only successful if I have two cars, two or more houses and a world cruise to boast of ". These are the people I see from day to day, they will be asked to pay the piper, and they will find that the big guy owes the middle guy who in turn can't pay the hard working guy; jobs will be lost, shutters will go up and tears will be shed. My understanding of the social teaching of my church is that neo liberal capitalism was as sinful and oppressive as was atheistic communism, but we spent all our energy of praying for the conversion of Russia to the detriment of what we believed to be the 'Free World'. Clerics were upgraded for supporting the system, I never heard of, read about or met with a cleric who was applauded for condemning the system. Bishops like Bishop Romero, martyred for his prophetic stance, were almost airbrushed out of history. Bishops like Bishop Untner R.I.P. of the U.S.A. who not only spoke out against the 'war on terror' but withheld his taxes in protest were disowned. I could go on but where is the point! All I know is someone has to pay. Is there any condemnation of our involvement in Iraq or Afghanistan? Is there any voice raised against to 78m pounds spent to date by the M.O.D. on the latest bomb for Tora Bora? Are there any eyebrows raised at the fact that Christie Hospital had 7.5million pounds invested in Icelandic Banks? When I think of all the charity efforts it took to raise that 7.5m pounds!!
Yes serious questions come to the surface as the game of monoply comes to a halt. Hopefully we will learn from it. 1929 was a long time ago, the world is overdue a dose of reality. In his recent book 'Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures' Pope Benedict reminds us that 'societies and cultures are only as great as their spiritual aspirations', that leaves us in a bad light as we have taken on materialism as the badge of our identity. All the values I grew up with have been ditched; the 'silver Merc' and the 4x4 seem to be the only things we now aspire to. Prayer, family life, hospitality have made way for vulgarity, promiscuity and prejudice. The poet wrote 'ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey where wealth accumulates and men decay'.
Irish Post - RTE --The Angelus
The Irish Post has entered the debate on the Angelus and its relevance to post modern Ireland. I feel so sad that there should even be a question as to whether we should or we should not honour the custom of calling a people to prayer at the key points of a busy day. Let's face it the Christian Catholic Faith is engrained in the Irish psyche. The new 'gurus' Gerry Ryan, Pat Kenny and the late Dermot Morgan have their own agenda, which would seem to be debunk the emblems of our past. If I were in Saudi Arabia or some other Muslim stronghold I would be expected to honour their local customs; I would in fact have no choice in the matter. Mr. Kenny has long since ceased to make any reference to the Angelus, maybe Ireland is better for this new found freedom from what people were prepared to die for. The roar of the alcohol fuelled 'tiger' is more acceptable than the gentle call to reflect on a higher destiny. Much of what goes on in the land of my birth is now totally abhorrent to me. A spiritual vacuum has been created. "What does it profit to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of your soul?" (Mark 8:36).
Congratulations
Our congratulations go again to Joe, Martin, Annette and all the Full Irish team on winning the Irish Post Award. The show provides a wonderful service to the community and is greatly appreciated. Long may it continue.
Fr. Pat Keane - Farewell
It was a wonderful evening even if it was tinged with the sadness of knowing that this great priest is retiring due to ill health. He will surely treasure the evening. All strata of society were represented. To me the beautiful moment was when all 35 members of his family accompanied him on the altar; a wonderful witness to family values something the 'tiger's roar' has almost destroyed. St. Bernard's parish awaits the appointment of Fr. Pat's successor. As they say in the trade - a hard act to follow.
Chimbote Reunion
The four girls who spent some time doing voluntary work in the Chimbote mission had a lovely get together recently in Levenshulme. Mairead, Ita, Aine and Lauren used their time together to raise 1,500 pounds for the work in Chimbote. Fr. Jack Davies will be delighted with the generosity of the girls and their friends who made this possible.
Red Hand caused Kingdom Harte ache
For the third time in six years Mickey Harte's braves have halted Kerry's gallop. This time they won an absorbing contest, deservedly so. I maintain the team with most scores on the board at the end of the contest almost always deserves to take the honours.
Naturally post mortems throw up the 'what ifs' and 'might have beens'. This time what if Padraig Reidy had not slipped before Tom McGuigan toe poked Tyrone's goal? What if Declan O'Sullivan's shot were six inches further left and out of goalkeeper McConnell's reach? The fact of the matter is they were not and even if the contest was decided on such contingencies Tyrone still deserved their moment of glory.
It was a fabulous year for those of us who love our game, many memorable games and performances. Another golden moment was added to my bursting storehouse of G.A.A. memories on the final day. Brian Dooher's point kicked from directly under where I was sitting was as good as I have seen. Brian's uncle Fr. Paddy, a Columban, is a good friend of mine from our Lima days. Congratulations to him and all Tyrone people. You are the best in 2008, what else matters. Kerry will always be back but for now Brave Harte and his merry men are kings of castle gaelic football.
The Minor Final
The drawn minor final between Tyrone and Mayo was as good a game as I have seen in Croke Park. It put one in mind of the epic minor semi final replay between Tyrone and Kerry in 1997. Both teams can look forward to a bright future. Mayo were unlucky but as I have said the team with the highest score is the winner and Tyrone did just that in the replay to crown a brilliant year for them.
Can Sheik Man Sour shake Man City?
That is the question the blue half of Manchester ask as their City citadel becomes the property of Arab speculators. As yet it would seem to be more of the same as City flatter to deceive. I think Michel Platini is right; English football has ceased to be. I have never been a fan of the trend that has seen Russian Roubles, 'Disappearing Dollars' and Middle Eastern Moguls gobble up what was once a noble heritage and an enjoyable sport. I predict that the premiership will follow Italy's once glittering league into meltdown.
I don't believe in Santa
Already we see advertisements for Santa's premature arrival and it is not even November! The hijacking of Saint Nicholas by commercial interests has long since robbed Christmas of one of its endearing customs - 'Ho, Ho' switching on lights in November and appearing at Christmas Fairs in the heart of Advent makes no sense to me. Please can we get back to when Advent was the time of preparation and the Christmas season, starting on midnight December 24th and lasting at least 12 days was the time of celebration. What we have now is a dream time turned into a nightmare. Could stopping the abuse of Christmas be our way of responding to the credit crunch? just a thought!
Go dti mi na Samhain
Go dte tu slan
October 2008
Fr. John Ahern