"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

'Hunger', the new film about the Irish hunger strikers and the last weeks of Bobby Sands' life, has won the Camera d'Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival for Best First Feature.

'Hunger' is the feature directing debut of Turner Prize-winning artist Steve McQueen and stars German-born and Kerry-raised actor Michael Fassbender in the lead role.

At the festival's closing ceremony, McQueen said of 'Hunger': "The film is about people in a situation of extreme pressure and what people do and what we do."

Commenting on the film's win, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen congratulated the cast, crew and producers.

He said: "This is the third year running that Irish film has been honoured at Cannes. Following the success of 'The Wind that Shakes the Barley' and 'Garage', this Camera D'Or will keep Irish film practitioners in the world's eye for the foreseeable future."

It is expected that 'Hunger', which was supported financially by the Northern Ireland Film Board and by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, will be released in the autumn.

"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