Reality September 2022

Redemptorist Communications are proud to present this new book from Jim Deeds, A Look of Love – Witnesses to Jesus Deeds brings the stories of Jesus and his early followers to life. Through a series of imagined conversations, stories and poems, he invites the reader to experience familiar Gospel stories through the lens of various characters who witnessed Jesus’ ministry first-hand.

Jim’s love of the Gospels shines through, while his gift for storytelling imbues each of these unique stories with emotion and gentle humour. With questions to encourage further reflection and prayer, this book is the ideal companion for anyone looking for a fresh approach to the Gospels.

€9.95 (plus P+P)

To order, contact Redemptorist Communications St Joseph’s Monastery, St Alphonsus Road Dundalk, County Louth A91 F3FC

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IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

proud Deeds, his series and experience of Jesus’ through, each emotion to prayer, for to

�� THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION

Increasing numbers of primary schools are changing from Catholic to nondenominational patronage

By Ann Marie Foley

18 THE ‘HOLY GROUND’ OF OUR ETHNIC MINORITY

Fr Paddy Kelly CSsR reflects on his ministry to Travellers

By Anne Staunton and Pat O’Sullivan

22 FROM DEVASTATION TO DELIGHT

How one Laudato Si’ animator is changing her community

By Sally Simpson

24 A NEW-OLD WAY TO BE CHURCH

People are finding spiritual nourishment in online prayer communities

By Angela Hanley

28 MASSES WITH CHILDREN

Involving young people in creative yet meaningful ways

By Maria Hall

32 LETTER FROM THE PHILIPPINES

A warm welcome is extended during school visits

By Colm Meaney CSsR

34 THE SOUNDCHECK SERIES

Kate Bush on bargaining with God

By Michael Sherman

37 MIRACLES AT LOURDES

A teacher reflects on the special experience of a Lourdes pilgrimage

By John Scally

REALITY BITES

CLONARD LAUNCHES NEW PEACEBUILDING RESOURCES

The resource aims to encourage other groups of Christians – Catholic and Protestant –to adopt the practice of regularly visiting other faith communities. It covers topics such as: ‘What is meant by unity?’, ‘Why do some Christians choose to visit other congregations?’, ‘What are the effects of visiting other congregations?’, how to prepare for visits, the role of prayer, and more.

Clonard Peace Ministry has launched new peacebuilding resources for use with youth groups and school groups.

The resources are: a booklet for use with school retreats and youth groups, a booklet for parishes and congregations who wish to embark on ‘Unity Pilgrim’-style initiatives, and videos exploring the life and peace witness of Clonard’s Fr Gerry Reynolds (d. 2015) and Fr Alec Reid (d. 2013).

The new resources seek to raise awareness of Reynolds’ and Reid’s non-violent work for peace, to emphasise the continued importance of faith-based peacebuilding, and to encourage contemporary inter-church activism.

The resources are inspired by the book Unity Pilgrim: The Life of Fr Gerry Reynolds CSsR, written by Gladys Ganiel, a sociologist at Queen’s University Belfast. They were produced after focus group consultations with young people, youth ministers, and people who have been active in inter-church peacebuilding. The project has been supported by a Queen’s University impact grant, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK).

The resource for school retreats and youth groups will be used by Clonard Youth Ministry, which each year organises retreats for up to 2,500 young people from schools across Northern Ireland and has about 40 young people in its own youth group. The resources include separate material appropriate for children at Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and Young Adults (17+).

Brendan Dineen, director of Clonard Youth Ministry, said: “It is our hope that young people will be inspired by the example of Fr Gerry and Fr Alec, who worked patiently and creatively for peace in a violent and divided society. We want these resources to empower young people to draw on their faith to respond to the contemporary challenges of peacebuilding and building better community relationships.”

The resource for parishes and congregations is titled, ‘Unity Pilgrims: What does it Mean to Practice Christian Unity?’ During his life, Reynolds pioneered the Unity Pilgrims, a group of Catholics who regularly visit services of other Christian denominations.

Ed Petersen, coordinator of Clonard Peace Ministry, said: “Communities in Northern Ireland remain divided along religious lines. Public discourses have become increasingly polarised. We know from our experience during the Troubles that people who participated in ecumenical activities often experienced changes in which their identities became more open and inclusive, resulting in better community relations. Fr Gerry was an activist, and we hope this resource will prompt others to continue to work for unity in our still-divided society.”

The videos and downloadable copies of the resources are available at www.clonard.com

Brendan Dineen, Dave Thompson, Gladys Ganiel, Ed Petersen and Fr Ciaran O’Callaghan CSsR at the launch of the peacebuilding resources

The ‘Unity Pilgrims’ resources Shannon Campbell reflects on the new resources in Clonard

GO AND SHARE! REDEMPTORIST YOUTH GATHER IN TORUN

A group of young people from Ireland were among those who took part in the 12 th European Meeting of Redemptorist Youth in Toruń, Poland from July 27-31. The event brought together 250 people from various Redemptorist youth ministries from 12 countries.

The meeting recalled the central theme of the Redemptorist charism, which is the proclamation of the Good News. The

days were dedicated to the themes of the kerygma, the community – the church, and evangelisation itself.

The young people took part in liturgy, catechesis, a praise concert, a visit to the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary Star of the New Evangelisation and St John Paul, and the traditional youth festival.

The meeting was attended by young people from France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia,

Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Albania, Belgium, Switzerland and Poland. Present were Fr Pedro Lopez CSsR, General Councillor; Fr Johannes Römelt CSsR, coordinator of the Redemptorist Conference of Europe; provincial superiors from Italy, Spain, Slovakia and Poland, as well as 20 Redemptorist pastors and seminarians.

LAY LEADERSHIP IN CHURCH TO DEEPEN – BISHOP LEAHY

Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said that the rapid changes necessary to deal with the decline in clergy numbers means we must look towards lay leadership in parishes and work more closely together in the church.

Commenting as he published forthcoming clergy appointments, Bishop Leahy said that as a result of the decline in priest numbers, a number of pastoral units in the diocese will be losing a clergy member. “It’s not news any longer to say the numbers of clergy in active ministry is declining rapidly. The ageing profile of clergy is also now very evident. It

is clear at this stage that we can no longer guarantee the celebration of a Mass in each church in the diocese each Sunday.

“The rapid changes are calling us to envisage and work towards putting in place new forms of lay leadership in our parish communities. As per our Pastoral Plan that came out of our Limerick 2016 Synod, we have already begun formation programmes to help lay people assume new pastoral roles. We need to build on this. We are hopeful others will step forward to offer their services.

“We will need lay people to lead prayers

at funerals, at gravesides, to visit schools on behalf of the parish, to be involved in pastoral councils and baptismal teams, to help with the practical administration of parishes.

“Thankfully, in the Diocese of Limerick there are many fine lay people with competencies and faith commitment and they will contribute much to the future shape of things.”

Several Irish dioceses have announced diocesan appointments in recent months, details of which can be found on www. catholicbishops.ie

REALITY BITES

FAITH INSTITUTIONS ANNOUNCE DIVESTMENT FROM FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES

A total of 35 faith institutions from six countries, with more than $1.25 billion in combined assets, have announced their divestment from fossil fuel companies.

Participating institutions include some Catholic organisations, such as five dioceses in Ireland, including the Archdiocese of Armagh, and two in Canada. Catholic institutions’ divestment amounts to $500 million. The July 5 announcement was organised by the Laudato Si’ Movement, World Council of Churches, Operation Noah, Green Anglicans and GreenFaith among other organisations.

Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam, coordinator of the Ecology Sector in the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development that assists Pope Francis’ work on the environment, commented: “In 2020, the Vatican called on Catholic institutions to divest from fossil fuel companies given their harm to the environment. I applaud these prophetic

institutions divesting today and encourage every institution in the world to reduce our dependence on such harmful energy sources by divesting from fossil fuels. This is how prophetic institutions can live out our values and help the most vulnerable among us. If we want to achieve peace, and ensure a livable planet for all, including the future generations, we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels that fuel the current climate crisis.”

According to Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Eamon Martin, “It is clear that many members of our congregations, especially our young people feel we have a responsibility to take action with regard to the challenges of climate change and climate justice. Climate change is already having a disproportionate impact on those who are on the margins, those most dependent on fragile ecosystems and most vulnerable to famine, to drought, to food and water insecurity

and conflict, to exploitative and ‘predatory economic interests’, to the destruction of their homes and displacement of their families.”

Last year’s Invest/Divest report found that faith institutions represented more than 35 per cent of all divestment commitments globally – more than any other single sector. More than 1,500 institutions from all sectors, with combined assets of over $40 trillion, have now made some form of divestment commitment worldwide.

CIVIL CLAIM BROUGHT AGAINST CARDINAL PELL AND ARCHDIOCESE

An Australian court has heard from the lawyer representing a man seeking legal action against the Catholic Church and Cardinal George Pell, former archbishop of Melbourne.

The man is the father of a former choirboy, who prosecutors alleged was abused by Pell. His son died from an accidental drug overdose in 2014, having never made a complaint against Pell. The father is seeking compensation in a civil case against the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and 81-year-old Pell, who served as archbishop from 1996 to 2001.

Australia’s High Court unanimously

overturned Pell’s conviction for alleged sexual abuse on April 7, 2020. The cardinal, who has always maintained his innocence, was released after more than 13 months of imprisonment and returned to Rome, where he had served as the Vatican’s economy czar.

Speaking outside the Victorian Supreme Court on July 14, the lawyer for the plaintiff, Lisa Flynn, said: “We’re here for the father of the deceased son, a son who our client alleges suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the church when he was a boy.” She said she could not discuss the damages her client is seeking.

Pell’s lawyer, Nicholas O’Bryan, said the

cardinal “absolutely denies the allegations and will be defending the claim.” The case has been scheduled to resume on August 4.

POPE MONITOR KEEPING UP WITH POPE FRANCIS

POPE APOLOGIES TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ON “PENITENTIAL PILGRIMAGE” TO CANADA

During a week-long visit to Canada, Pope Francis apologised to the country’s indigenous communities for the church’s role in “forced assimilation” and in the system of residential schools.

“I am sorry,” the pope said, on the treaty land of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, Samson Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe and the Montana First Nation, near the former site of one of Canada’s largest residential schools.

“I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the church and of religious communities cooperated, not least through their indifference, in projects of cultural destruction and forced assimilation promoted by the governments of that time, which culminated in the system of residential schools.

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission called the system “cultural genocide”, a view with which the pope agreed. The Canadian government estimates that at

least 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend statefunded Christian schools between 1870 and 1997. At least 4,120 children died at the schools, and several thousand others vanished without a trace. Survivors have told of emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the schools.

During a visit to the home of Chief Wilton Littlechild, a 78-year-old survivor of abuse in a residential school and former grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, the chief gave the pope his late grandfather’s headdress to thank him for delivering the church’s first apology on Canadian soil.

Chief Littlechild has spent decades advocating for the rights of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people and had lobbied hard for Pope Francis to apologise in person.

The pope described the trip, from July 24-30, as a “penitential pilgrimage” to ask forgiveness

for the trauma inflicted on Indigenous children. The first step of the journey was to return two pairs of children’s moccasins, which had been left with Francis in March by Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier of the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, so he would think and pray about the children who went to residential schools and, especially, about those who never returned home.

As he continues to face health limitations, Pope Francis has said he is open to the possibility of retiring, if that is God’s will.

Speaking during an in-flight press conference on his return to Rome from Canada, the pope said that “the Lord will say” when it is time for him to step aside.

“I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to cut back a little bit to be able to serve the Church or on the contrary think about the possibility of stepping aside,” Pope Francis told journalists.

“The door is open. It’s one of the normal options, but up to today I haven’t knocked on that door.”

At 85 years old, the pope has been having difficulty walking and has been using a cane,

walker or wheelchair due to knee pain caused by an inflamed ligament.

Pope Francis said that “discernment is key in a Jesuit’s vocation” and that means that “he must be open to whatever the Lord asks of him.”

He acknowledged that in the meantime he may need to slow down a bit with his travel schedule due to his health. However, he will try to continue to go on trips to be close to people “because I think it is a way of service.”

In particular, Francis highlighted that he would like to go to Ukraine. He is also scheduled travel to Kazakhstan in September to attend the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

“THE LORD WILL SAY” WHEN IT’S TIME TO RETIRE, SAYS POPE FRANCIS

SAINTS IN THE CELTIC TRADITION

ST FINNIAN OF MOVILLE SEPTEMBER 10

Costal County Down between Newry to Belfast is not only rich in scenery but in Early Christian monastic sites as well – Bangor Abbey near Belfast, the island monastery of Nemdrum in Strangford Lough, and less than a mile from Newtownards at the head of the same lough is Moville of St Finnian. The Middle Ages were no less blessed by the arrival of Dominicans in Newtownards, Cistercians and Augustinians in Comber, and in 1193 the establishment of the impressive Grey Abbey by Affreca, wife of John de Courcy, the Normans conqueror.

St Finnian, founder of Moville, was born into the royal dynasty of the Ulaidh at the turn of the fifth/sixth century. Among his teachers at St Mahee’s monastery of Nendrum was St Colman, later bishop of Dromore. During Finnian’s student days, Rosnat in Galloway was already acquiring a name for Sacred Scripture studies, and when its abbot visited Nendrum young Finnian accompanied him to Rosnat. Throughout Mediaeval times Rosnat was affectionately known as the Magnum Monasterium (Great Monastery), or Candida Casa (the White House).

After ordination Finnian worked as a missionary among the Pictish people along the east coast and as far north as Dornoch. Although Scotland has churches and places dedicated to Finnian, few if any can be ascribed directly to him because of other saints and missionaries bearing the same or similar names. Even in Ireland similar problems arise, particularly in relation to two high profile figures namely, Finnian of Moville (Co. Down) and Finnian of Clonard (Co. Meath).

Before returning to Ireland, Finnian made a pilgrimage to Rome where the hot topic in church circles of the day was St Jerome’s translation of the Old Testament into Latin directly from the Hebrew. And while Finnian is credited with bringing ‘the Mosaic Law’ (the entire Old Testament) to Ireland, the portion that most appealed to the Irish monastic movement was the Book of Psalms. It contained the 150 poems or psalms that were the basis of the daily prayer life of monastic Ireland; it was their daily bread.

The story goes that when St Colmcille went on a visit to Finnian in Drumin monastery, Co. Louth, he spotted St Jerome’s copy of the Book of Psalms on the coffee table or other convenient location. The saint of Derry so loved and admired the work that he secretly copied it without permission and that led to a flare up which smouldered first into a law case over copyright, and then into the full-blown battle of Culdreimna, fought on the slopes of Ben Bulben within sight of Colmcille’s monastery of Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo.

The Annals of Ulster say that bishop Finnian, for he was a bishop, died in AD 589 and was laid to rest in Moville. It is widely believed, even in archaeological circles, that the Cathach, a manuscript in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin is the actual copy of the Book of Psalms made by Colmcille.

Volume 88. No. 7 September 2022

A Redemptorist Publication

ISSN 0034-0960

Published by The Irish Redemptorists, St Joseph's Monastery, St Alphonsus Road, Dundalk County Louth A91 F3FC

Tel: 00353 (0)1 4922488

Web: www.redcoms.org Email: sales@redcoms.org

(With permission of C.Ss.R.)

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REFLECTIONS

The windows are open, admitting the September breeze: a month that smells like notepaper and pencil shavings, autumn leaves and car oil. A month that smells like progress, like moving on.

LAUREN OLIVER

All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.

VIRGINIA WOOLF

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

O Lord, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

PSALM 104:24

The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.

POPE FRANCIS, LAUDATO SI’ §84

Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.

LAUDATO SI’ §91

The ecological crisis is a summons to profound interior conversion… Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.

LAUDATO SI’ §217

What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?

LAUDATO SI’ §160

The climate crisis is a deeply spiritual crisis… Our faith offers us a wonderful vision to rekindle these relationships, to renew a childlike sense of awe, wonder and beauty and thus set out in living the first commandment God gave to us, to be guardians and protectors of this beautiful world, not its polluters and destroyers.

ARCHBISHOP DERMOT FARRELL

Do not confine your children to your own learning for they were born in another time.

HEBREW PROVERB

Only ideas keep ideas flowing. When we close our minds to what is new, simply because we decide not to bother with it, we close our minds to our responsibility to ourselves – and to others – to keep on growing.

JOAN CHITTISTER

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.

BILL NYE

Children are not things to be moulded but are people to be unfolded.

JESS

LAIR

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

FRED ROGERS

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.

WISDOM 6:12

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking… We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

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UP FRONT TRÍONA DOHERTY

‘LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF CREATION’

September1 marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, an ecumenical period that unites Christians to pray and take action to care for our common home.

The theme for this year’s season is ‘Listen to the voice of creation’. Pope Francis invites us to “pray once more in the great cathedral of creation” and to revel in the “cosmic choir made up of countless creatures, all singing the praises of God”.

However, when we listen to creation, there is a dissonance: “On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home.”

As most of us are aware, we are living through a devastating environmental crisis. Some 70 per cent of the earth’s wildlife has been destroyed in the past 50 years due to human activity. The continuing rise in toxic greenhouse gas emissions is fuelling a climate crisis that is making parts of our world uninhabitable for human beings.

As Tomás Insua, executive director of Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM), commented recently: “The sweet song of creation is mixed with its bitter cry, as evidenced by the intense heat wave that is experienced in much of the northern hemisphere and that has already killed, only in Spain and Portugal, more than 1,000 people or has left 5 million people without water in Monterrey, Mexico.

“The crisis is no longer a hypothesis of a distant future but a tangible reality that is costing human lives.”

This message is at the heart of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, which continues to inspire and mobilise the global Catholic community to care for our common home and to work

for climate justice. Worldwide networks such as LSM and the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform are encouraging people to take action, whether in their family, community, organisation or business.

What is clear is that the ecological crisis is no longer a peripheral concern but at the heart of our Christian calling and a summons to interior conversion:

wildflower area, cut out single-use plastics. Why not start your journey with a visit to the online Laudato Si Action Platform and explore what your community can do?

I urgently appeal for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.

(LS 14)

We are invited as a Christian community to embrace the challenge of caring for our common home. The Season of Creation is a time to “listen to creation”, to spend time in nature and come to a deeper awareness of the beauty of our world.

It is a time to listen to “the cry of the earth” and particularly to “the cry of the poor” who are most affected by climate change and biodiversity loss.

It is a time for action, to examine our lifestyles and our choices as consumers and to make some changes. We start with small actions: plant a native tree, develop a

The Irish church is joining with the global efforts. Five Irish dioceses were among 35 Catholic institutions that recently announced their intention to divest from fossil fuel companies, given their harm to the environment. Last year, Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell published a pastoral letter The Cry of the Earth, The Cry of the Poor in which he talks about promoting a “culture of care”, a new vision for living and sharing our world. He recommends that the Season of Creation be used a springboard for parishes, schools and religious congregations to embrace a spirituality that encourages greater contact with the natural world, and to embrace small actions which can have a ripple effect across our communities.

“In the climate crisis,” he says, “God asks us not only what type of environment we want to inhabit, but also what type of life do we wish to embrace.”

We are at a critical moment as a global community, and these are big questions that deserve our time and reflection during this Season of Creation as we live out our call to protect and care for our common home.

Tríona Doherty Editor

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION

A GROWING NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IRELAND ARE CHANGING PATRONAGE FROM CATHOLIC TO NON-DENOMINATIONAL OR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. THE TRANSFER PROCESS TAKES CAREFUL PLANNING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN PARISHES, PARENTS, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

BY ANN MARIE FOLEY

Thousands of report pages and as many more surveys litter the path to change in Ireland’s primary education system. Pilot projects have been undertaken, and more are currently underway to facilitate the change to more diverse patronage of schools. A notable common denominator in changes of patronage is cooperation. Bishops and dioceses, parish communities and priests, parents, school boards and trustees have consulted and cooperated and come to practical decisions for education in their local communities.

In Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, this September sees the launch of a new multi-denominational Community National School (CNS) as the formerly Catholic St Mary’s Boys Junior School changes patronage and opens to

boys and girls. It is also to become a fully vertical national school with classes from junior infants to sixth class. Two other Catholic schools are becoming coeducational too, a sure sign that the face of primary education is changing in this modern, multicultural, rural town.

In Tallaght, Dublin, Scoil Chaitlin Maude Gaelscoil has new patronage and management support provided by An Foras Pátrúnachta. Pupils at the school have the choice of an ethics and morality programme or a Catholic programme. The change means that there are now three Irish-medium schools in Tallaght and surrounds, offering three ethoses.

In Kerry, five years ago, the previously named Cahorreigh National School became Two

Mile Community National School under the patronage of Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). The only multidenominational school in the Killarney area, it has seen parents bring their children from further afield and an increase in the once declining numbers.

FRUITFUL DIALOGUE

These recent pragmatic developments are different in tone from when divestment came to the fore in 2012, when the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector first issued a report. Surveys in 2012 and 2013 by the Department of Education and Skills showed that there was enough parent demand to merit changes in school patronage in 28 areas. However, several other survey results remained unpublished or were questioned over the years.

For example, in 2019, the parents’ association at St Oliver Plunkett’s School in Malahide warned that the loss of the school’s religious ethos could lead to the cancellation of Nativity plays and carol services. At that time the Department of Education had asked that one Catholic school out of eight in the Malahide-Portmarnock-Kinsealy area would divest its Catholic patronage. For many years,

the easiest way to have multidenominational patronage was to open a new school. Educate Together schools and other multior non-denominational schools that were up and running were often over-subscribed.

More recently, the Programme for Government set a target of 400 multidenominational primary schools by 2030 and highlighted towns and cities which have no multi-denominational schools (see panel). Some say that this is not ambitious enough, while others argue that there are no annual targets and that there is a lack of political will to progress it.

Recent statistics show that 89 per cent of all primary schools remain under Catholic patronage; newspapers often refer to this as under “Catholic control”. However, principal of the new multi-denominational CNS Nenagh, John Gunnell, who has gone through the process of divestment, says that there is “no row between church and state” as regards education.

The Irish Catholic Bishops in their role as patrons continue to affirm their commitment to the reconfiguration of patronage of primary schools. During the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference general meeting in June 2021, they stated: “Bishops, as patrons, are committed to proactively

“Parents are the first and primary educators of their children. It follows that the State should be responsive to the rights of parents to have their philosophical and religious beliefs supported during their children’s education” – Irish Catholic Bishops Conference

engaging with the Department of Education in relation to reconfiguration of patronage and are supportive of an educational landscape which reflects the reality of the increasingly diverse society in our country.”

The bishops also commented:

Parents are the first and primary educators of their children. It follows that the State should be responsive to the rights of parents to have their philosophical and religious beliefs supported during their children’s education. One of the great strengths of faith-based primary schools has been their rootedness in local communities. Bishops as patrons are very conscious therefore that any move to divest must involve a meaningful engagement at local level, supported by the Department of Education, with parents, teachers and the wider parish communities served by existing Catholic schools. Parental choice is paramount, and that choice must be given full expression in any reconfiguration process.

They want a “fruitful dialogue” about the best way of ensuring that the school system reflects a diversity of provision.

The Catholic Communications Office told Reality that since the summer 2021 statement, representatives of the Catholic school patrons continue to engage with officials in the Department of Education.

COLLABORATION IN NENAGH

Engagement is a key word. Alan Hynes of St Senan’s Education Centre, who was involved in the Nenagh reconfiguration, states: “You have to exercise an enormous amount of sensitivity. Schools are part of the community and the community have a large sense of investment and even ownership. So it is a process that has to be done not through a blunt assertion of authority but through a process of consultation.”

In Nenagh, change was already happening. St Senan’s and Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe had been working on changing the boys’ and girls’ Catholic schools to co-education. So, they went one step further to consider the reconfiguration of patronage as Nenagh has a significant population of families from Eastern Europe, Syria and elsewhere, and that plurality signposted the need for change. Once they identified and approached St Mary’s school and found it was willing to look into changing patronage, they contacted Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB).

Then there were discussions with the board of management, staff and parents, and it was confirmed that St Mary’s would go under the patronage of Tipperary ETB, as a CNS.

“I was fully supportive and 100 per cent behind the move in Nenagh,” Bishop Fintan

Monahan told Reality

The parish was central to the move and open to working with the school to provide religious instruction in preparation for the sacraments for pupils who want it. That will take place outside of school time, but most likely within the school building.

The new CNS in Nenagh is one of several state co-educational and multi-denominational schools, which state their values as: excellence in education, care, equality, community and respect. CNS’ ethical programme ‘Goodness Me, Goodness You!’ is a multi-belief and values education curriculum with four strands: identity, values, philosophy and multidenominational religious education (rather than the religious faith formation used in denominational schools).

Fr Des Hillery, then co-parish priest of Nenagh parish, was involved in the discussions about changing patronage and facilitating faith formation for children who want it in the new CNS.

“It really reflects the changing nature of our society and of our community and that people are given a choice, and that choice is theirs to value and support,” he says.

He explains that the faith formation classes will be co-ordinated by the parish with all the resources that it can call on. Earlier in the

summer, when plans were being finalised, he expected that a fully qualified teacher will take those classes.

“We have all learned a lot to date and we will all learn a lot more in September. At the end of the day, what is motivating us is what is best for the families who live in Nenagh. It is the same all over Ireland; we have a diverse multi-cultural multi-ethnic community, and our schools represent that. The teachers [in Nenagh] have done extraordinary work in accommodating families who have come from other countries and children who have had to start school in a new country. It has been extraordinary, and they have done a mighty job,” says Fr Hillery.

Ireland’s multi-cultural population is just one factor in changing patronage, but another development has been the change of approach reflected in the language used. There is now very little talk about ‘divest’, as the word ‘reconfigure’ is used instead.

“I suppose it is a milder word, ‘reconfigure’,” says John Gunnell. He tells how the consultation process was non-adversarial. It was important to have a detailed plan of how the change of patronage would work, to present to parents. In the past, he said, some surveys of parents had been done in a vacuum and in one instance the ensuing discussion was likened to the heated Brexit debate.

“There is always consultation with parents, but it was letting parents know what was happening, what was on the table,” he says. He is happy that many parents have enrolled their children in the new Nenagh CNS. “Junior infants and the new second class are oversubscribed. Around half of the first class pupils stayed on in our Community National School (CNS) for that second class, but the tradition

was that they moved to the Catholic CBS from what was a junior school,” says John. He expects that many towns in Ireland will see similar changes in the coming years.

“Parents want choice and if you want a Catholic school in Nenagh you have three of them. You have an Irish school, you have Church of Ireland and now multidenominational as well.”

SLOW PROGRESS

However, in terms of numbers, progress with reconfiguration has been slow to date.

The 2010/11 statistics (see Table 1) show that there were 2,841 of a total of 3,169 schools, or 89.65 per cent, under Catholic patronage.

ETBI states that the two sets of figures show that progress is “exceptionally slow”.

“Many argue that a target of 400 (out of over 3,000) primary schools by 2030 is extremely un-ambitious considering the social and demographic changes which have taken place in Ireland in recent decades. However, ETBI does not anticipate the current target being met by 2030. To meet this target, approximately 250 primary schools would need to reconfigure over the next eight years. Unless there is a radical change in the government’s/department’s commitment to achieving this, this will not happen at the rate required,” states Séamus Conboy, director of Schools, ETBI.

He adds that the schools which have reconfigured to become CNSs have all thrived as a result. He attributes this to the CNS ethos and the supports available to CNS schools that are not always available to other school types, such as human resources, information technology and school buildings.

Under Church of Ireland patronage were 174 schools or 5.59 per cent. Gaelscoileanna under An Foras Pátrúnachta numbered 57 or 1.8 per cent. Back then, Community National Schools were under Vocational Education Committees and numbered 5, or 0.29 per cent.

The 2020/2021 statistics (see Table 2) show that 2,757 out of a total of 3,108 schools, or 89 per cent, were under Catholic patronage. Church of Ireland came to 172, or 6 per cent while Gaelscoileanna numbered 36, or 1 per cent. These latest figures from the Department of Education showed that there are 28 Community National Schools (including Nenagh).

“While there are challenges for schools in convincing parents about a change of patronage, once schools transfer, the vast majority of parents are extremely happy with the decision,” he concluded.

John Gunnell is happy with the changes in Nenagh, and states: “The country has changed; we could have said ‘no we don’t want to do it.’ But the big question from our board was ‘What is right for Nenagh?’ rather than for us a church school with Catholic teachers. We are only passing through, we’ll only be there for a few years and then it will be someone else, and so, was this the right thing to do for the town? That was the big question, and ultimately it was. Hopefully time proves that it is, but so far it is.”

“We have all learned a lot to date and we will all learn a lot more in September. At the end of the day, what is motivating us is what is best for the families who live in Nenagh. It is the same all over Ireland; we have a diverse multi-cultural multiethnic community, and our schools represent that”

THE RECONFIGURATION PROCESS

ETBI states that, to date, all reconfigured Community National Schools have transferred patronage under the ‘early movers’ provision. ETBI has developed a pack that could guide schools considering becoming a CNS and ETBs. This pack is available at: cns.ie/changing-schoolpatronage

To begin the process, the principal or a parent may informally engage with the local ETB or ETBI to find out more before bringing this information to the attention of the board of management (BoM). However, the local ETB or ETBI do not engage with the wider school community, staff or parents until the BoM has received permission from their existing patron for the ETB to provide information to the wider school community.

“It is the responsibility of the school to consult with its community,” says Séamus Conboy, director of schools, ETBI.

For more information on the ethos of CNSs see www.etbi.ie/about-etbi/primaryeducation

PILOT TOWNS

On March 11, 2022 Minister for Education Norma Foley published a list of towns and areas of cities that have no multidenominational primary schools. The aim is to find potential schools and engage with school authorities, staff and communities to agree a transfer of patronage, where there is sufficient demand.

The statement added that the Council for Education and relevant bishops have confirmed their commitment to reconfiguration and their willingness to engage and co-operate fully with the Department of Education in seeking to facilitate a more diverse school patronage in these areas. The pilot areas are: Arklow, Athlone, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick and Youghal.

+ Community National Schools under interim patronage of Minister while legislation to confirm VEC patronage was being processed

++ Minister for Education & Skills is patron of model schools

Ann Marie Foley is a freelance writer living in Co Laois, covering a variety of topics including religion, food, farming and country life, transport and business. She has written for CatholicIreland.net and several other religious publications.

TABLE 1 NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS BY PATRON BODY (2010/11)

TABLE 2 MAINSTREAM PRIMARY SCHOOLS BY PATRON 2020/2021

LISTENING

Iwaswalking recently up on Divis Mountain, high above West Belfast. It was a bright and warm day, and the fields shone a warm emerald green beneath a cloudless deep blue sky. There weren’t too many other people about and it was just heavenly. I came to a point on the trail I was walking where there is a viewpoint that looks out over Belfast city, Belfast Lough and beyond to Scotland. I paused a while to take in the view. As I did, the wind got up and blew across the mountain. The breeze cooled my warm forehead. I was minded to think of the link between wind and the Holy Spirit; that cooling breeze of God’s energy and wisdom. I began to think about what the Holy Spirit was at in the world today, and particularly in the church. I allowed my mind to wander and wonder. Suddenly I was struck by the thought, that if I was the Holy Spirit, I wouldn’t send Ireland any more priests. The thought surprised me, even as it formed in my mind. I felt a bit guilty but stuck with it. Again, the thought came, this time with an extra word; I wouldn’t give Ireland any more priests… until . OK, I thought, I will go with this train of thought. Here’s where I went.

Until we take care of the ones we have. We know that the number of clergy has been in decline for many years and we know that the age profile of our priests is rising. And yet, structurally, we haven’t done much radically different in that time. We still have as many parishes as we ever did in my lifetime of 50

years. A lot of our priests, some of whom are my dearest friends, are tired and overworked. We’ve given them too much authority and responsibility, often without support or oversight, and that is not healthy for them or for anyone else. Do we care enough to consider radical change to our parishes and structures?

Until we rediscover and renegotiate the relationship between the priesthood of the ordained and the priesthood of all the faithful. Much work has been done on this in recent times with varying degrees of success. We lay people need to recognise that Christianity is a verb – it calls for us to stand up and do something about it, in society and within our church communities. Church central needs to work at facilitating, resourcing, training and enabling lay people to play their full part. This will, of course, mean a renegotiation of relationship and role between lay people and priests. A stepping up and a letting go. Are we capable of it?

More specifically, until we review the role of women in the church.

Remember that, for a time, the entire church consisted of just one person, Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ closest and most esteemed apostles. The women I speak to are the most committed of all our people. Many serve faithfully as ministers of the Eucharist, ministers of the Word, pastoral council members and much more. How do we better recognise the Mary Magdalenes among us, in terms of leadership, governance and ministry?

Until we take a hard look at the buildings we have. The word ‘church’ owes more in its meaning to a gathering of people than it does to a building. Buildings are, of course, important as places for those people to gather. And they are tied up in our family histories and memories. They can, however, assume more importance than they should. We can become inordinately attached to them. We have more churches and more halls than we know what to do with. Time, energy and money is tied up in keeping them open. Can we face into the hard decisions about which of our churches and

GO

halls would be better closed, in an effort to streamline and maximise our time, energy and resources?

After a few minutes of these wondering thoughts, I took a deep breath and began to walk again. As I did, I realised that my thoughts had employed hyperbole. They had been exaggerated and were not mean to be taken literally in their entirety. I don’t think the Holy Spirit wants to withhold priests from Ireland! And yet, as I walked, I became convinced that the areas of caring for priests, encouraging lay people to be able to get more involved, addressing the role of women in particular, and divesting ourselves of many of the buildings we own are indeed important areas for us to focus on going into the future. After all, the past is a good place of reference and a terrible place of residence. Let’s remember this and always take the church forward. Let’s allow the words of Jesus to ring in our ears and be our guide, keeping the church alive and relevant for the days in which we live. Let us pray for grace, amazing grace, that we might face into the future in unity and peace.

I can sense the Holy Spirit telling us “Do this and you’ll find that I will send you the priests you need, into a church more in keeping with what God desires of you.”

WITH EYES WIDE OPEN JIM DEEDS THE COOL BREEZE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TO THE SPIRIT INVOLVES STEPPING UP AND LETTING

Belfast man Jim Deeds is a poet, author, pastoral worker and retreat-giver working across Ireland.

THE ‘HOLY GROUND’ OF OUR ETHNIC MINORITY

BY ANNE STAUNTON AND PAT O’SULLIVAN

Fr Paddy, tell us how you came in contact with Travellers and what led to your decision to make ministry to them your life’s work?

Duringmy seminary days, I got to know and work with some Traveller lads living on an unofficial site in south County Dublin. I really enjoyed relating with them and often thought of working with the general Traveller community after ordination.

My first few years as a Redemptorist priest were spent in the Philippines but on returning to Ireland in 1975, that desire to work with Travellers got even stronger and I began to make some connections with other Religious already working in that area. Knowing of that aspiration of mine, Sr Patricia Lahiff, a Holy Faith Sister and director of St Joseph’s Travellers Training Centre in Finglas, invited me to join its staff as a teacher. That was the decisive moment that set me on the road I’ve been privileged to be on for the past 38 years.

Can you describe your work in St Joseph’s?

St Joseph’s was a unique place with a great respect for Travellers, for their culture and for the trainees who attended there. The teenage Travellers would be helped with literacy, maths, computing, cooking and learn new crafts such as knitting, carpentry, etc. From the centre itself we’d venture out to places and events well beyond their world at that time: trips to museums, cinemas, scenic spots but also joining with other centres in sports events and get-togethers. We travelled to many Irish holy wells and with smaller groups to places as far away as Knock, Wales, Lourdes and to Les Saintes Marie de la Mer, a great place of pilgrimage for European Gypsies in the French Camargue region.

One key element of our work in the centre was the yearly celebration of liturgies in various churches on Dublin’s Northside. Together we’d devise liturgies celebrating some aspect of Traveller culture. It was a novel way of transmitting the faith to the trainees and of giving them an appreciation of their culture and how it relates to their faith. Another vital aspect of the work at the centre was drawing on the experience of older Travellers as we tried to make the trainees more aware of the heritage that was theirs, especially in relation to their family tree and the unique language used by their ancestors, the Cant or Shelta.

Before I ever got to know the Travelling Community well, I think it was an awareness and concern for the conditions in which

they lived that attracted me to them. Once I became involved with St Joseph’s and got to know Travellers as people, that concern changed into a very real appreciation of their unique culture and tradition and a genuine empathy and love for them, both as individuals and as a community. Having seen their living conditions and the discrimination and racism they had to endure, I experienced revulsion and anger that, in this day and age, people had to live in such inhuman conditions. The situation of many was dire, living in trailers with no electricity, running water or toilets, often in fields that turned to mud in winter. With that I began to see the need to become involved with Travellers in their struggle to put right that which was so wrong in this regard. This

FR PADDY KELLY CSsR REFLECTS ON ALMOST 40 YEARS OF MINISTRY TO THE TRAVELLING COMMUNITY IN IRELAND

A certain self-emptying on our part is necessary, ridding ourselves of our preconceived notions of Travellers, our prejudices, and trying to see things from their perspective. In doing so, we come to see reality in a whole new way – from the viewpoint of one of those groups in Irish society at the bottom of the social ladder

Fr Paddy Kelly CSsR

Sr Patricia Lahiff at her desk in St Joseph’s Traveller Training Centre

awareness led me to become involved with other Traveller groups like Pavee Point, Irish Traveller Movement and Exchange House, all of which were supporting Travellers in their struggle for their rights as Irish citizens. With the emergence of very articulate and educated Traveller spokespeople who were well able to put their case very effectively before the public, I decided to concentrate on meeting ordinary Travellers ‘on the ground’, accompanying them through the joys and sorrows of their daily lives. And it was the great privilege of my life to be accepted and welcomed, not just into all homes but into all hearts.

Travellers were recognised as an ‘distinct ethnic minority’ in 2017. What difference is that making to their lives?

Up to the 60s and 70s, Travellers were regarded as failed settled people who needed to be rehabilitated, put into houses and made ‘normal’ like the rest of society. In the mid80s this began to change and we gradually began to understand Travellers as a distinct group with their own culture and way of life. We began to see them as having their own history, language, customs and traditions handed down through the generations. Their nomadic way of life, their history, how they organise themselves, how they relate to one another, the way they think, their values and beliefs, their way of solving problems: all of these make them the people and the unique group they are now understood as. This awareness finally led the Travelling Community to be recognised as a distinct ethnic group within Irish society. But the implications of this new awareness have not been seen or implemented as yet. The fact that Travellers are an ethnic group means that their culture and way of life is ‘holy ground’, God is present within it. So, it’s something to be respected, valued and loved. That’s why I believe it’s so important for all of us to ‘get inside’ it, to approach it with reverence, to see and find the human and Gospel values within their culture. To do that, a certain selfemptying on our part is necessary, ridding

Fr Paddy blesses a grotto at Avila Park, one of the largest group housing schemes for Travellers in Finglas

A community prayer session in Avila Park, Finglas

A blessing with holy oil after Mass at St John’s Well in Warrenstown, Co. Meath

ourselves of our preconceived notions of Travellers, our prejudices, and trying to see things from their perspective. In doing so, we come to see reality in a whole new way – from the viewpoint of one of those groups in Irish society at the bottom of the social ladder. And that opens our eyes to the injustices, inequalities and exclusion experienced by so many in our society today, challenging us to take action to transform that reality.

We have always known that baptism, marriage and funeral rites are significant events which Travellers celebrate. How do they view the Catholic Church?

Travellers are a religious people, even if that sense of God and the spiritual is slipping especially among the younger folk. They are religious, but as a people who were made feel inferior down through the ages, they are inclined to see God as ‘the all-powerful one’ who cannot be approached directly. That is why Our Lady and the Saints are so important to Travellers. They act as gobetweens who will put in a word on their behalf.

As well as that, Travellers approach God more with their hearts than their heads. So, the lighting of candles, having statues, medals and holy pictures in the home, sprinkling holy water, wearing rosary beads or scapulars and going on pilgrimage to holy places are

important ways of expressing their faith. Going on pilgrimage is an ideal way for them to approach God, because that links in very much with nomadism, one of the basic marks of their culture. Actually, some of the greatest experiences in my ministry with Travellers were associated with the National Traveller Pilgrimages of Solidarity which began in 1989. These were cross-country pilgrimages of Travellers and settled people walking, camping and praying together over the period of a week, highlighting the situation of the Travelling Community in the context of their faith and quest for justice. Each pilgrimage was centred around a biblical theme such as ‘Let my people go’, with weeks of reflection and then walking together up to 120 miles as we journeyed to a holy place for a special Mass and service. I experienced these pilgrimages as so uplifting and enriching that I began to use the idea of pilgrimage much more in my ministry.

Looking back now, Fr Paddy, how do you feel about it all?

In the 38 years of my work among the Travelling Community I’ve come to love them as friends and to respect their culture and way of life. They have great strengths and values we could all learn from. They have been around for centuries, have survived as an ethnic group and have helped preserve much

of what is good in Irish society. According to an expert folklorist, it was the Travelling People who preserved much of our native music, songs and stories. Looking back over the years of my involvement with Travellers, there have been some very rare difficult moments which fade into insignificance compared to the friendships developed, the achievements and the satisfaction and sense of fulfilment experienced. My aim has always been to be a companion and support to them in their personal and community struggle to bring about a better future for them as members of the Travelling Community. In solidarity with them, I and so many others have striven to have their distinct culture and way of life acknowledged, accepted, celebrated and resourced. And I see all that in the context of the struggle for justice demanded of all Christians. Along with many others, I would hope to be one of the friendly faces of the church, supporting Travellers in their faith and being readily available to help them express that faith in a way they consider appropriate in the differing circumstances of their lives. If I have done even some of that, then I could retire a happy man!

Anne Staunton, originally from Mayo, and Limerick-born Pat O’Sullivan are retired teachers and translators and former missionaries in Midwest, Brazil.

Travellers have been around for centuries, have survived as an ethnic group and have helped preserve much of what is good in Irish society. According to an expert folklorist, it was the Travelling People who preserved much of our native music, songs and stories

A colourful procession during a Gypsy pilgrimage to Les Saintes Marie de la Mer in Southern France

PINK PRAYER BOOK

Breast cancer: coping… healing… surviving… thriving… Inspired and written by breast cancer patients and survivors, their mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. The Pink Prayer Book provides prayers, scripture and quotations offering support for women moving through diagnosis and treatment towards recovery and hope of lasting remission.

Turas ar an Naomh Shacraimint Lenár Linn

Almost 300 years ago St Alphonsus Liguori published his Visits to the Blessed Sacrament, which became, and remains, a classic of devotional writing.

An Irish-language edition of Visits to the Blessed Sacrament for the 21st Century is offered in continuity with the spirit of that great work. Translated from the English by Fr Clem McManus and with additional material, it contains 32 visits – reflections and prayers – that draw us ever deeper into the mystery of God and God’s love for humanity, plus an Irish-English glossary.

It is a wonderful companion for all Irish-speakers who take part in Eucharistic Devotion and for those who like to make the occasional visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Beautifully presented in full colour throughout, this is a devotional gem you will treasure for years

FROM DEVASTATION TO DELIGHT

HOW ONE LAUDATO SI’ ANIMATOR IS CHANGING HER COMMUNITY

LAUDATO SI’ ANIMATORS ARE A GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE COMMITTED TO PRAYER AND ACTION FOR ‘OUR COMMON HOME’, INSPIRED BY POPE FRANCIS’ GROUNDBREAKING 2015 ENCYCLICAL LAUDATO SI ’. AS WE ENTER THE SEASON OF CREATION, ONE IRISH WOMAN SHARES HER UPLIFTING STORY

BY SALLY SIMPSON

Longbefore I was a Laudato Si’ Animator, I had a passion for sustainability and tried to live according to those principles. In fact, in 1980, I had a passive solarheated house that uses and stores solar energy without the need of solar panels.

But retiring in 2020 has allowed me to invest more and more of my time into bringing Laudato Si’ to life, a true passion of mine as a Laudato Si’ Animator. When I retired, I started a Laudato Si’ Book Club with Jane Mellett of Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM). The book club was a ‘wow’ experience that brought together my love of nature, creation and God, to the point where it was all inseparable.

From there, my climate activism only grew. I continually saw how things were interconnected when I took the Laudato Si’ Animators course and began applying that

knowledge in my community. I introduced the book club at church and suggested to the parish that we do something regarding sustainability and the environment.

But I was devastated when the response was a resounding “No.”

Yet I remained hopeful and relied on the strong community of Laudato Si’ Animators. I had done the Animators course with three nuns from Uganda who were working in Mali. I confided in them about how it was such an uphill battle at my parish, and they said that they would pray for me. One month later in my parish, when I proposed that we do something to honour and celebrate the Season of Creation, the response was, “Brilliant – let’s do it!”

The Holy Spirit was truly active in my life and my parish! During the Season of Creation, the

annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for our common home, I worked with the parish priest and parishioners, and we made an enormous banner to post on the church’s facade.

We used local flowers and a

recycling-themed arrangement. The choir collaborated by singing music that was picked specifically for the Season of Creation. We featured special weekly prayers and worked with local media to bring attention to the 26th United Nations Climate Change

Sally’s garden offers guests a space where they can contemplate creation and be inspired by nature to care for our common home

Conference in Glasgow [November 2021].

We contacted schools and asked for new students starting a school cycle to each plant a bulb to mark their fresh start. The initiative was implemented in the primary schools.

I’ve also started a self-sustaining fruit and vegetable garden. People can spend time in the garden listening to what God is saying through nature, and we’ve started hosting retreats throughout the year. It is amazing how being truly present and admiring God’s creation can be so potent.

BRINGING LAUDATO SI’ TO LIFE

As a Laudato Si’ Animator, I have loved participating in LSM webinars and other activities. I’m thrilled about becoming an Animator of Animators! An ‘AofA’

is a Laudato Si’ Animator that takes further training in coaching, leading teams, and supporting grassroots growth to help support other Animators in their region. Through the programme, I have a sense of networking, community, church and of belonging to something bigger. Being an ‘AofA’ for LSM also gives me credibility and confidence as I work to further bring Laudato Si’ to life. With my personality, if I want something, I become very passionate about it and I’m going to find a way to get it done. Since I retired, I have taken many LSM courses and webinars and loved the materials.

I was astonished when I was asked to be an Animator of Animators, but I excitedly took on the new challenge. For one Animators course, I suggested that we should have a night-time version for people in England and Ireland

and I was put in charge of facilitating those sessions. I am currently trying to set up an online Laudato Si’ Circle to cover the whole diocese and widen our circle.

Though I often feel a sense of urgency, I am constantly reminded that things will happen in the Lord’s time. We want authentic conversion – not just ticking boxes and getting numbers. You don’t have to be somebody special to make a difference – we can all do something. As St David, the patron saint of Wales, said, “Do small things well.”

This article was first published on www. laudatosianimators.org where you can also read other stories from around the world and register to become a Laudato Si’ Animator in your community. For more information see www.laudatosimovement.org

A NEW-OLD WAY TO BE CHURCH

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE FINDING SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT IN ONLINE PRAYER COMMUNITIES

BY ANGELA HANLEY

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church there have been many crises where opportunities to evolve, learn and reform could have been taken. Sadly, that history is also replete with opportunities lost. We are now in such another moment for the church. Covid-19 has cut a swathe through all our lives. It has accelerated even further the already steep decline in formal religious practice. People teetering on the brink, but unable to consciously walk away, found the decision made for them through lockdown. They walked away and discovered that the sky didn’t fall!

During Covid restrictions some people found spiritual sustenance by attending religious services online, but others found that unsatisfactory. For a faith that is meant to be profoundly communal, having a priest saying Mass in an empty church simply did not make sense to many. Some people, feeling the loss of the sense of prayer and the sacred, came together to form small praying communities online in an interesting return to the domestic church of early Christianity.

People who had never heard of Zoom and for whom the concept of virtual conversations didn’t make sense suddenly found a whole new world opening up. For some though, this getting together was not new. For years there have been small communities in Ireland, and elsewhere, who

no longer felt spiritually nourished by the church in its present format and formed small worshipping groups. They meet weekly for Eucharist and celebrate together. Some are led by women who are called to priesthood but denied their vocation, some by men who are called both to priesthood and marriage but are forced to choose. Some of these groups also foster a collaborative leadership where lay people take their rightful place as followers of Christ and lead the worship. For these people their worship is not something they do on Sundays as part of an ‘obligation’.

It is that which gives them the direction and strength to live a life according to the Gospel message of justice and hope. Some adopt a particular type of spirituality, such as Ignatian Spirituality, which forms and guides the group. Others are still experimenting.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Speaking to people involved, one thing is very clear – they possess a profound sense of the sacred, and they are deeply biblical in their approach to worship. The common trait of these groups is that they feel compelled

by their faith to take the path they have taken. Another characteristic of such groups is that they are not looking for attention. They are not looking to recruit members. These groups have grown organically, filled a need and answered a cry. Covid has broadened the scope for this type of small church community. People who would never have considered such worship before, now partake weekly. This is happening despite the re-opening of churches after health restrictions were lifted. Such groups have offered bread not stones to people needing

spiritual sustenance, in a way the institutional church can’t, or won’t, or has forgotten how.

Another benefit of Covid restrictions is the amount of lectures, talks and webinars that have taken place online. We have had access to amazing speakers from around the world that would have been unthinkable prior to the pandemic. Two groups who have done amazing work in making excellent speakers available for free are the UK Catholic reform group Root & Branch (R&B), and the Scottish Catholic group Scottish Laity Network (SLN). Their websites are well worth checking out.

Through attending various sessions with both of these groups, I have been in the company of many people around the world who have also found that the pandemic offered a new opportunity for small Christian communities. Participants hailed from Ireland, UK, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand/Aotearoa, Papua New Guinea, Uruguay, Philippines, to mention some.

There is a consistency of experience that shows there is something significant happening. And it is happening from the ground up. It truly is a grassroots movement. People are finding their voice. At both R&B and SLN events, people spoke of how they felt Mass has become too ritualised and has lost something vital. The increasing clericalism of the church is also alienating many. These people found the house churches (for that is what they are) more prayerful. The idea of ‘spiritual communion’ with online formal Mass didn’t make sense for many – the community coming together in prayer and reflection was more deeply meaningful. Another fact of these house churches is that they all see themselves as Catholic. They still want a church and to be part of a church, but they want a very different church than exists at the moment.

More than once I heard the phrase “a sense of freedom” or “being able to breathe again” with regard to the functioning of these groups. People are finding their voice, taking responsibility for their faith and worship, and are finding it nourishing and wholesome. That’s another word that’s cropped up for me in my discussions on house churches – “nourishing”. For many, the parish as it currently exists is anything but nourishing and often very clericalised. They are finding that the house churches are truly nourishing the sense of the sacred. This word arose so many times that I believe it is telling a deep truth. I think this is evident also, in the lack of return to the various ministries in parishes after restrictions lifted. Many ministers of the Word and Eucharist are choosing not to return to their ministries. Will that be seen for what it is – a red flag alert to take notice? Or will it just be ignored because it is happening quietly?

ENRICHING

My own experience of a house church is deeply nourishing. Like so many others, it started early on in Covid restrictions, in April 2020. It is a group of 12 people and we meet weekly (whoever is available) online to pray together. We meet on two Sundays and two Mondays per month. The gathering day had been Mondays until restrictions were lifted. To accommodate members who were working or had other commitments on Mondays, we decided to meet on two Sundays and two Mondays. Some members combine both formal church and our informal house church. The leadership is fluid and collaborative. The liturgy is prepared every week by a different person. There is no strict timetable or turn-taking – people just volunteer. One person leads the prayer, while another hosts the Zoom session. The leader compiles the prayer for the day, which has led to some truly inspirational liturgies. The activity common to all our celebrations is a space to reflect and speak about the readings and reflections, and a space for intercessions. Part of the speaking can have a confessional aspect where people challenge their own

personal attitudes and behaviour in the light of the Gospel. Nobody is obliged to speak, though, and that is respected.

Sometimes members, for a variety of reasons, cannot attend the liturgy, but there is no shaming or criticism involved. They are simply prayed for in their absence. We keep in touch during the week through a group email. This way members are supported and give support to each other throughout the week. While our group does not break bread together, many house churches do. But we are a Eucharistic gathering – we meet in gratitude and we give thanks for the work of God for, in and through humanity. Like so many of the other house churches that came together during Covid restrictions, our members did not want to stop meeting once all restrictions were lifted. Our community is both enriching and nourishing for our spiritual lives.

In his book Let Your Life Speak, the teacher, activist and author Parker J. Palmer speaks of “when way closes…”. It is a term used by the Society of Friends of which he is a member. It has resonance for where Catholics now find themselves in Ireland and elsewhere, in their faith practice: “…there is as much guidance

in way that closes behind us as there is in way that opens ahead of us…We must take the no of the way that closes and find the guidance it has to offer – and take the yes of the way that opens and respond with the yes of our lives.” The critical question now is: will the clerical church keep facing the closed door, or will it turn around and see the way that opens?

Angela Hanley is a theologian, author and editor. Her most recent book What Happened to Fr. Sean Fagan? was published by Columba Press in 2019.

Like so many of the other house churches that came together during Covid restrictions, our members did not want to stop meeting once all restrictions were lifted. Our community is both enriching and nourishing for our spiritual lives

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS CARMEL WYNNE LOVE

PREJUDICE

Mydaughter and I had a conversation about something I said that upset her. She had never been successful at juggling, but she had a plan that would help her succeed.

“I know you can do it,” I said. “If you do exactly what successful jugglers do, you will succeed.” I wanted to be affirming and encouraging. But seeing how she reacted, and aware that hurt feelings can be sparked by the smallest, seemingly insignificant remark, I asked, “What did I say that upset you?” “The way you said it made me feel like a child who was being told what to do,” she replied.

A recurring theme in motherchild relationships is the dichotomy between the positive intention of the parent who is having a conversation, and the implied negative messages that the adult child hears and is offended by. Linguist Deborah Tannen says that everything we say has meaning on two levels. The message is the meaning that resides in the dictionary definition of words. The metamessage is how meaning is gleaned from the way something is said.

The meta-message is the emotional piece, sparked by our own internal dialogue about what was said and how it was said. The emotional response is triggered by the interpretation of the intention behind the message rather than the words spoken. My

daughter and I have very different communication styles, temperaments and habits. I read books when I’m researching a topic. She goes online and comes up with all sorts of interesting information.

“What do you think about Spinoza’s idea of ‘love prejudice’?” she asked me recently. “It’s the belief that your spouse, partner or child can do no wrong.” She was amused when I asked if Spinoza was one of those influencers who blog. She seemed surprised that I had never heard of a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese-Sephardic-Jewish origin who lived between 1632 and 1677.

‘HALO EFFECT’

However, I did know of the ‘halo effect’ which is similar to ‘love prejudice’ and means looking at a person, place, idea or thing in an overly rosy light. The two of us were in agreement that a naïve parent who believes that a child can do no wrong has a love prejudice.

A simple definition of ‘prejudice’ is an assumption or opinion about someone based on incomplete information. We live in a world that is filled with prejudices we don’t recognise and these have an impact on our relationships.

For example, prejudice can undermine patient care in a healthcare setting. A doctor’s prejudiced belief that

menopausal women are too emotional or that men handle pain badly may deny patients appropriate care management. A mother’s belief that she can’t open her mouth without feeling accused of criticising her daughter is also a prejudiced belief.

One reason prejudice is assumed to be negative is that our brains have a tendency to erroneously deem something threatening or dangerous when in fact it is not. In order to respond quickly to visual cues that our brains deem dangerous, without any conscious awareness, humans adopted the fight, flight or freeze response.

Neuroscience has begun to tease out the neural underpinnings of prejudice in the human brain; to look at why people find it safer to make false positive assumptions, which might result in avoiding something good, than to make false negative assumptions and miss out on something that could be good.

META-MESSAGE

Researchers at Washington University developed the Implicit Association Test (IAT), based on flashcards. Designed to measure the gap between what we say we believe and our actual unconscious attitudes, the test routinely shows that most people have deeply ingrained prejudices of which they are unaware. If we lack clarity about exactly

what we are reacting to when our feelings are hurt, we will end up talking about the message when it’s the meta-message that is at the root of the upset. It’s good to be aware that when a pleasant conversation becomes strained, the responsibility for the upset lies with the meta-message, not the message.

It took me decades to learn to be aware of my own metamessages; the prejudiced beliefs I reacted to about the motivations and intentions of others. It seems to me that the distinction between the message and the meta-message clarifies why two people can walk away from the same conversation with completely different ideas about what was said and what was meant.

Isn’t it good to know that the friction in mother-child relationships is normal, natural and worthy of reflection?

Carmel Wynne is a life coach, crossprofessional supervisor and author based in Dublin. For more information go to www.carmelwynne.org

WHEN FEELINGS ARE HURT, THE RESPONSIBILITY OFTEN LIES WITH THE ‘META-MESSAGE’ RATHER THAN THE MESSAGE

MASSES WITH CHILDREN

BY MARIA HALL

Asthe new academic year begins, it seems a good time to look at how we celebrate the Mass with children. Liturgy has a wonderful way of marking time: the passing of the day, week, season and year. It is a rite of passage too; as children grow up, they become more involved, they receive the sacraments and move on to secondary school. Each year, schools mark Advent and Christmas, Lent and Holy Week, Easter, feast days and holy days. And all of this continues to accompany us quietly through life.

Vatican II was keen to include reforms for children within the liturgy. The Directory for Masses with Children dates back to 1973 and, in spite of its age, is still very relevant today. It is our start point and reference. It is a mustread for all catechists, teachers and priests. It reminds us that children have a right and

a duty (by way of their baptism) to take part in the liturgy, and the church (especially the priest) has a right and a duty to enable this.

The Directory addresses celebrating Mass in different circumstances, and while it states clearly that home is the primary place of catechesis for children, we know that for a large percentage, that isn’t the case anymore.

I’ve seen how some parishes have tried to address the issue of falling congregations by focusing on the youngest members. Lots of colouring, cutting and sticking, and banging musical instruments. Gimmicks that satisfy in the short term won’t reverse falling congregations and won’t encourage young adults to return to church. People do this with the best of intentions, and it’s absolutely right that we should involve our children, but let’s get it right! Taking a fresh look at the

JESUS SAID, “LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT PREVENT THEM; FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE” (MT 19:14)

We should be very welcoming of families with very young children. We must exercise patience and accept everything that children bring with them. They are part of the Body of Christ too!

Directory for Masses with Children (DMC) may help us focus and encourage their faith with integrity and authenticity.

There isn’t an easy answer, but what we must do is remain faithful to the magisterium and the liturgy, celebrate and live our lives with faith and passion, and be examples and role models for our young people. They deserve to look up to the beauty and reverence of the Eucharist, and see how it fulfills, inspires and encourages. They need to see the Mystical Body in action and see that they are members too!

There are lots of great ways to teach children about the church building and the Mass. Here is a look at some general principles that encompass parish and school Masses.

CATECHESIS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE CHILD’S ACTIVE, CONSCIOUS AND AUTHENTIC PARTICIPATION (DMC 12)

School has become the primary place of learning for many children because there isn’t that faith element at home. So there is a huge responsibility for teachers to be role models and catechists.

In the 1960s, the church recognised that this was absolutely crucial, and also recognised how pre-teen children learn, and how important it is to accommodate appropriate learning styles and experiences. I have spent 26 years as a teacher, preparing Masses with children, and these are a few points I think are essential among many more:

• Teach that we are all members of the church, young and old. I’ve even started to talk about the Mystical Body with junior children (8 to 11 years). They get it! We should never underestimate them.

• Explain how we join in: through postures and gestures, singing, listening, and the responses. This is part of our responsibility as the Mystical Body.

• Teach the responses and dialogues of the Mass. In the early days of the church, these were deliberately fashioned so that everyone could respond. They are short and easily remembered. Perfect!

• It’s really important to know that listening and silence are taking part. Silence needs to be taught, even for adults. (DMC 37)

• We should be careful to teach about the Mass as a meal. Most children would be

sorely disappointed! The Mass is so much more, and once an idea has been taught, it’s very difficult to undo.

Remember that the Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sundays is a liturgy! It should follow the same structure as the main celebration: readings, Profession of Faith, Prayers of the Faithful. A practical activity may be included but it is not the main focus. Any children’s liturgy should always aim towards the Sunday celebration with the entire community.

PARTICIPATION BY MEANS OF GESTURES AND POSTURE SHOULD BE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED (DMC 33)

Physical participation is a wonderful way for children to participate. But of course,

they should know why and what they are doing. Genuflecting is the first thing we do in church (on its own; no need to make the Sign of the Cross at the same time). Standing is a call to attention, we sit to listen, and kneeling is an act of reverence. The Sign of the Cross, and the three crosses we make at the Gospel are a good place to start, then there is the Sign of Peace, striking of the chest during the ‘I Confess’, the reverent bows at the Consecration and before receiving Communion. They should also know that going forward to receive Communion is a procession not a queue!

The Offertory Procession is a great way of involving children. This should be taught and rehearsed; show the children how to walk slowly and hold the gifts up high. This is where dramatic elements elevate and emphasise the liturgical action. On special occasions, children can carry the altar cloth high in procession and lay it on the altar before the other gifts are brought forward. It requires careful practice but is a very powerful action.

PRACTISING IS CRUCIAL

Things shouldn’t just happen at Mass. Explanation and practice is vital for proper understanding. When I taught, the weekly hymn practice was actually a liturgy practice. We practiced all the postures, gestures and the responses regularly. I had a weekly quiz question which covered all manner of liturgical information. It was light-hearted, but at the same time the children knew it was for a serious purpose.

Singing, children and liturgy are a natural combination. But the aim is for children to have a deep connection with God, not a superficial enjoyment of a song

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIEST TO MAKE THE CELEBRATION FESTIVE, FAMILIAL AND MEDITATIVE (DMC 23)

The priest has a massive responsibility to include children and, on occasion, adapt the liturgy to meet their needs. These young people are the future of the church! One of the biggest issues I come across is that the pupils aren’t accommodated when they attend the parish Mass. It’s so important to read the Directory for Masses with Children When the readings of the day are unsuitable for youngsters, it is absolutely acceptable to select more appropriate readings from the Lectionary or the Bible (see resources).

In order to involve children as much as possible, in addition to the homily it is suggested that the priest might talk to them at various points during the Mass, for example at the Penitential Rite, the Prayer over the Gifts, the Sign of Peace and at Communion. The priest has a difficult job. He is expected to be all things to all people. Many are brilliant at speaking to children and using ageappropriate language. The Directory suggests that another person may speak to the children after the Gospel if this is more suitable. The worst thing is to ignore them!

MUSIC, DRAMA, ART, AND TECHNOLOGY (DMC 35)

Singing, children and liturgy are a natural combination. But the aim is for children to have a deep connection with God, not a superficial enjoyment of a song. So, the choice of music for the Mass should start with the text of the Mass. It would be great to have some elements of common repertoire between school and parish; the Gospel Acclamation and Eucharistic Settings are a good start.

Drama is appropriate at school Masses and during the Liturgy of the Word on a Sunday. Acting out a Gospel story, or a reallife scenario, may help explain the point being made, and keep children interested (it’s interesting how many times the Directory refers to children being bored!)

Art can also be very powerful. The church has always encouraged artistic talent and children’s work is often amazing. Paintings, drawings, pillar or wall hangings and sculpture and should be encouraged and shared with the community. Artwork can also be pictured and made into a PowerPoint or video. There are lots of opportunities for creativity with a purpose and effect.

WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY

Those of us who are able must do all we can to facilitate and encourage parents to be involved. Their reluctance might be through ignorance or fear, therefore opportunities for adult formation must be accessible. We should also be very welcoming of families with very young children. We must exercise patience and accept everything that children bring with them. They are part of the Body of Christ too! Pope Francis said, “The cry of a baby is God’s voice; never drive them away from the church.”

RESOURCES

• www.dioceseofkerry.ie ( Directory for Masses with Children and many more useful resources)

• 50 Masses with Children, Francesca Kelly (Columba Press)

• Hear the Good News: A Book of the Gospels for Young People, Katie Thompson (Mayhew)

• Children in the Worshipping Community, David Ng and Virginia Thomas (John Knox Press)

• Celebrating Mass with Children, Edward Matthews (Collins)

• ‘Look’ – children’s activity sheet for Sunday Liturgy of the Word (Redemptorist Communications www.redcoms.org)

• Children’s Mass Sheet (free at dioceseofsalford.co.uk)

• Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little Ones, Katie Warner (a fabulous book for 10s and under)

• litmus.dublindiocese.ie/2011/12/resources

Maria Hall is a music director at St Wilfred’s Church, Preston, England. A qualified teacher, she has a Master’s degree from the Liturgy Centre, Maynooth, and is a consultant on liturgical matters for schools and parishes. www.mariahall.org

GROWING IN WISDOM AND GRATITUDE

BY COLM MEANEY CSsR

Icrosseda wide river and made my way to a nearby village in quite a remote spot: the village consisted of some houses scattered among the hills, and a school. I headed to the school and instantly recognised the four teachers by their distinctive attire (standard nationwide dress for teachers). The puzzling thing was that they should have been teaching their students at this hour, but instead were under a mango tree trying to find some shade from the tropical sun and chatting pleasantly, with no sense of urgency whatsoever. I introduced myself and wondered what was going on. They told me it was harvest time and most of the students were helping their parents harvest the corn. Ah yes, the relaxed, easy-going atmosphere of the rural Philippines.

The education system here is quite impressive. Basically, parents have a choice as to where their children will receive their education, from kindergarten to college, depending on the family budget: either in staterun or private schools. The private schools are mostly run by religious: either Catholic congregations or Protestants.

There are also parochial schools, but these are a fast-disappearing phenomenon, simply because the parishes cannot compete with the much higher salaries which the government can provide. The Columbans did mighty work setting up parochial schools, often in quite remote areas. Every village in the country has at least one elementary school and, if the area is widespread, will have two or even three. Most have a secondary school, or else students walk to the nearest one in the neighbouring village. The universities are exclusively in towns and cities, so any students from the hinterlands will have to rent digs during the school term.

In the more remote rural areas, the teachers arrive mid-morning on Monday and depart again on Friday before lunch. They may have to travel 20 miles on a motorbike, along very rutted tracks. They sleep in a sort of dormitory and eat their meals together. As well as the teachers, most schools have catechists who teach the children the basics of the Christian faith. Their teaching is truly a labour of love; they are definitely not in it for the money! They often have to pay for their own uniform, and receive a

pittance for their dedication. But as I say, money is not what they’re after.

INNOCENCE

I always enjoyed visiting the schools in the mission areas, especially the elementary schools: the teachers were very welcoming, the children so innocent and untouched by the cynicism of adult life. And yet conditions were sometimes very simple altogether, almost primitive. Some pupils would bring their lunch of steamed rice and a single salted fish (sardine) wrapped in a banana leaf. They would get water from the pump in the school grounds. On special occasions, like the visit of the inspector or graduation day, the parents would be asked to contribute something for the festivities: maybe a chicken or a kilo of rice or corn.

I visited each classroom and either later that day, or on another occasion, I would celebrate Mass for students, teachers and the handful of parents who attended. I looked on these occasions as opportunities for evangelisation through a combination of simple Gospel messages and humour. In the classroom I would share one of Aesop’s Fables (‘The Lion and the Mouse’), alternating my voice to suit each animal. The teachers would have heard the story in college but always kept mum regarding the thrilling end of the tale. When I said “…and the mouse helped the lion by biting on what?” the children who knew the tale would shout out “the rope!” It’s actually a profound tale of how the seemingly insignificant mouse became the hero. After all, the lion had scoffed at the tiny rodent’s offer to help him in the future, if the mighty king of the

“OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF CHILDREN AND OF BABES, YOU HAVE FOUND PRAISE” (PSALM 8:2)

jungle would have mercy on it: like the seed, so seemingly small, which grows into a tree where the birds of the air make their nests (Mt 13:32). And I would ask the students: here in the school, who are the lions? The teachers, the parents, myself. And who are the mice? The students: and they can come to our aid, even in their childlike innocence and apparent powerlessness.

GIVING THANKS

The story is followed by an action song, usually ‘His Banner Over Me is Love’ which has very simple Gospel references and concomitant actions which are both entertaining and memorable (“He is the shepherd and we are the sheep”, “He is the bridge over troubled waters”, and so forth). And the classroom visit would not be complete without our thanking various people; this is done by introducing some new ways of giving applause. The first group to be thanked are the parents, who bring their children to school, rain or shine. So for them we perform the ‘rain clap’, starting by simply touching a finger of one hand to another on the other hand, then two, then three; we proceed to increase the sound until we are applauding as loud as we can. These stages correspond to five different degrees of rain: light mist, drizzle, steady rain, cloudburst, prolonged downpour. I ask the children to accompany the last stage with vocal sound effects of thunder and lightning: hilarity reigns.

The next group deserving of mention is the teachers, and for them we perform the ‘barber clap’; for as the barber seeks to

improve our looks, the teachers aim to improve our minds and characters. We imitate a person brushing himself down after having his hair cut, removing any remaining hairs: clapping palms together, then palms on the lower arms, then the shoulders, finishing with pushing back the hair on the head, saying “Wow”. Done in unison, it’s really impressive. And with the “wow”, more howls of laughter.

The final group is the youngest children: for them we do the

same room and each gave birth within a few days of each other. One tragically smothered her son by accident, then in the dark of night, exchanged the dead body with the other woman’s healthy child. In the morning the mother of the healthy child sensed she had been duped, but the other woman would not agree. They went before Solomon, and in the face of an impasse, wherein both claimed to be the mother of the living child, he proposed slicing the boy in two, giving half

10:1-13); but the story I tell is not in the scriptures, but part of later tradition. The queen had heard of his fame and wanted to try to trap him. So at the formal banquet, when all the dignitaries in Israel were present, she tried to outsmart Solomon. At the head table, she had placed two vases of flowers: one contained real flowers, the other contained imitation plants, cleverly made by her technicians. Both sets looked identical, there was no way to tell them apart.

‘mosquito clap’ (a tiny insect). We clap our hands together randomly around us: in front, over our heads and so on, mimicking a person trying to catch a mosquito. It is at this point that I feel like the apostle Paul, who wrote that he made a fool of himself so as to bring others to Christ (1 Cor 4:10).

GROWING IN WISDOM

During the school Mass, the readings are chosen to suit the children. I usually use the story of Solomon and the two women who claimed to be the mother of the same child, and how Solomon solved the dilemma (1 Kgs 3:16-27). I act it out rather than read it; it’s quite a gripping tale. Two women shared the

to each woman. At that point the real mother cried out that the boy wasn’t to be harmed, for she would sooner see him given to the other claimant than killed. Thus Solomon cut the Gordian knot, not the baby. His fame spread. I see the children wide-eyed with excitement and consternation as I mime Solomon holding the razor-sharp sword over the new-born! I try to link the king’s wisdom with life in the school; they are there not simply to fill their minds with information and knowledge, but hopefully to grow in wisdom. Then I add another story about Solomon which involves the queen of Sheba, who indeed visited him in Jerusalem (1 Kgs

In front of the crowd, she challenged Solomon to decide which was real, which was imitation. He proposed touching them to discover the answer, she said “no”; he proposed smelling them, again the answer was “no”! The tension was building; was Solomon going to be outwitted? I ask the children for their suggestions, but they hardly ever find the answer. So I tell them that Solomon called his attendant and told him to open one of the windows. Then some insect flew in, but what was it? The children try butterfly, cicada, mosquito, and more. Eventually we identify the humble bumble bee as the insect that solved Solomon’s problem; it passed over one of the vases but didn’t descend; it flew over the other and landed on the sweet-smelling flowers! Mystery solved. Apart from wisdom, the children can learn to be as canny as serpents (Matt 10:16); they are already as innocent as doves.

The first group to be thanked are the parents, who bring their children to school, rain or shine. So for them we perform the ‘rain clap’, starting by simply touching a finger of one hand to another on the other hand, then two, then three; we proceed to increase the sound until we are applauding as loud as we can

A native of Limerick city where he went to school in St Clement’s College, Fr Colm Meaney CSsR first went to the Philippines as a student and has spent most of his priestly life there.

‘IF I ONLY COULD…’

KATE BUSH ON BARGAINING WITH GOD

THE FRAGILITY OF THE HUMAN CONDITION IS LAID BARE IN KATE BUSH’S HIT SONG

BY MICHAEL SHERMAN

Takingresponsibility for yourself is never as easily done as it is said. Coming to grips with who you are, facing the challenges you meet in your life, and choosing your path are tasks that require persistence, perspective, and patience. As Simone Weil observes ‘to be rooted’ is the most important and least recognised need of the human soul. But life is tough, and a lot of tragedies and heartbreaks begin with phrases like ‘if I had only’ and ‘what if?’. Such standpoints are often a painful realisation from a space between ‘what could have been then’ and ‘what it is like now’. Kate Bush’s song ‘Running up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ powerfully demonstrates the persistence of never giving up and the experience of torment and heartbreak from a failing relationship, a relationship which, for Bush, could be redeemed if only God was open to bargaining. In recent months the song found fame again when it was introduced to a new generation after it featured in season four of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things Subsequently, social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram were awash with

tributes to the song which has rocketed back to number one in the music charts in Ireland and the UK. In this article I will offer a theological interpretation of this song.

DEALING WITH GOD

Bush’s inspirations for her songs often come from the world of film, especially the works of Alfred Hitchcock. But it is her own dreams and the many real-

song’s chorus, Bush seems to believe that their problems could be fixed by asking God to switch their places with each other in order to understand the other’s perspective:

And if I only could I’d make a deal with God And I’d get him to swap our places.

The idea of asking God to directly intervene in the relationship is intriguing because it highlights the

In an interview about the song, she discloses that it is about exploring the possibility of “a man seeing things from the perspective of a woman and vice versa”. If they could make a deal with God to change places, they would understand what it’s like to be the other person. It also highlights the possibility of an ultimate relationship, that is, relationship with God.

Really the only way I could think it could be done was either… you know, I thought a deal with the devil, you know. And I thought, ‘well, no, why not a deal with God!’ You know, because in a way it’s so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you.

The couple in this song love each other very much, but the power of their emotions is getting in the way.

life characters that have visited her in her sleep that she says have equally influenced her creativity.

‘Running up that Hill (A Deal With God)’ is the opening track on her 1985 album Hounds of Love. The song deals with the issue of a lack of understanding between two people who are in love. As demonstrated in the

fragility of the human condition.

The human condition is such that we cannot have another person’s experience, but at the same time we want to be loved and understood by others. The relationship that Bush is singing about is clearly not working and she wishes that she could make a deal with God to fix it.

You don’t want to hurt me

But see how deep the bullet lies Unaware I’m tearing you asunder Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

There is a helplessness throughout the song which highlights the fragility of human relationships. And this is hauntingly depicted, before any

Kate Bush

The idea of asking God to directly intervene in the relationship is intriguing because it highlights the fragility of the human condition. The human condition is such that we cannot have another person’s experience, but at the same time we want to be loved and understood by others

lyrics are sung, in the opening atmospheric synthesised sounds which resemble an air raid siren followed by a pulsating drum beat that loops throughout the song.

DEALING WITH YOURSELF

Bush’s desire to bargain with God is depicted as constantly running up a hill but never getting there. She seems to be unable to grapple with her own problem. A counterpoint to this situation is found in the writings of Dutch Jewish author, Etty Hillesum. Writing in her diaries during the Second World War about her inevitable capture and death, she candidly outlines how she has to take responsibility for her own situation.

There is nothing else for it, I shall have to solve my own problems. I

always get the feeling that when I solve them for myself I shall have also solved them for a thousand other women. For that very reason, I must come to grips with myself.

Here we can see that Hillesum is trying to solve the problem she faces by looking at herself. Where Bush externalises her issue by wishing she could be placed in the shoes of her lover, Hillesum focuses on how she can respond internally to the horrific circumstances she is facing. Hillesum claims there is only one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves and to reflect it toward others. In her diaries, she says that “the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world.” In the last verse of Bush’s song there is no peace for the singer. Instead, there is a final plea to swap places in order to work things out with her other half.

C’mon, baby, c’mon darling

Let me steal this moment from you now

C’mon, angel, c’mon, c’mon, darling Let’s exchange the experience.

The song ends coming full circle, however, echoing the opening

lines which indicate that she is still stuck where she started, wanting to change:

If I only could, I’d be running up that hill

If I only could, I’d be running up that hill.

PATIENCE IN THE MYSTERY

In some sense, there is a naïveté in wanting to make a deal with God, for that would put us on the same level as God and short-circuit taking responsibilities for our tasks in life. Not every problem is to be solved. Very often it is more a matter of discovering the sense of mystery in our situations rather that coming up with quick-fix answers to problems we initially encounter.

Tomáš Halík, the Czech theologian and sociologist, in his fascinating book Patience with God: The Story of Zacchaeus Continuing in Us says that truth happens in the course of conversation. Remarking on the temptation to allow answers to bring an end to the process of searching, he maintains that when new questions arrive through genuine dialogue “the unexhausted depths of mystery show through once more.” For

Halík, “faith is not a question of problems but of mystery, so we must never abandon the path of seeking and asking.” This is a path of faith, hope, and love which he sums up as patience with God.

THE TIMELESSNESS OF MUSIC

There is something timeless about music. It has the ability to both catch and release us. Hearing a popular song from your teenage years can interrupt and evoke so much without any warning and, then, leave you as you were to get on with things. While music is always grounded in the concrete realities of time and space, there is more going on in music that just musical notes. From the first sounds of Kate Bush’s classic hit, there is no doubt that this is no ordinary pop song. The song hauntingly evokes the problems of being stuck in a difficult relationship and the cold reality that there are no quick fixes. Problems require inner reflection on the self which ultimately brings us to a contemplation of mystery. And this is no problem, it is a gift.

Michael Sherman teaches theology at Carlow College, St Patrick’s.

Etty Hillesum

MIRACLES AT LOURDES

THE PILGRIMAGE SITE OF LOURDES HAS A SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE THAT IS REMARKED UPON BY ALL WHO VISIT. IT IS A PLACE OF PEACE, BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES

BY JOHN SCALLY

Ihaveseen miracles. I felt I was on holy ground: each stone, each blade of grass, each singing bird flying over the basilica, each voice, each smiling face, each concerned look – all were holy, radiant ornaments on the sacred altar of creation, jewels in God’s sanctuary. I took comfort in the thought that although all is passing, all is eternal. In the stillness of my soul, I sensed the eternal movement and I saw deeper into the abundant calm. It was my first visit to Lourdes. The story of Lourdes goes back

to the birth, in 1844, of Bernadette Soubirous, the first child of an extremely poor miller in the town of Lourdes in southern France. The family was living in the basement of a dilapidated building when on February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a cave above the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. Bernadette, 14 years old, was known as a virtuous girl who had not even made her first Holy Communion. In poor health, she had suffered from asthma from an early age.

There were 18 appearances in all, the final one occurring on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16. Although Bernadette’s initial reports provoked scepticism, her daily visions of “the Lady” brought great crowds of the curious. The Lady, Bernadette explained, had instructed her to have a chapel built on the spot of the visions. There, the people were to come to wash in and drink of the water of the spring that had welled up from the very spot where Bernadette had been instructed to dig.

Each day I spent there, I saw not just one but a number of miracles. They were not miracles in the conventional sense: the blind did not see, the deaf did not hear, the lame did not walk. For many pilgrims, suffering is a recurring nightmare. During severe illness, it is difficult not to succumb to a sense of desolation. The real miracle of Lourdes is that the black clouds are lifted – at least temporarily. The most frequent healing is on the inside. Lourdes is full of holy people – so-called ‘ordinary people’

whose generosity towards God is a tangible sign of divine love. Frailty and holiness go hand in hand in Lourdes. This does not mean that all problems melt away. But Lourdes points us to a new reality which gives us the strength to face up to the harsh aspects of life, to experience and transmit the touch of God’s gentle love.

Lourdes invites us to place our trust in God who never leaves us or abandons us. It opens us to learning from our experiences and understanding that God speaks to us through all the events of our lives, be they good or bad. In this way, we can face the future with confidence, knowing that God will give us what we need for each day.

BEAUTIFUL SILENCE

For many post-primary teachers and students, September is not just the month of returning to school; it is also the month for undertaking a pilgrimage to Lourdes. One person who has experienced the peace and blessings of Lourdes is teacher

Patricia Seery.

“I first went to Lourdes in September 2017, as part of the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage,” Patricia tells me. “I went in the role of a teacher accompanying students from my school who were volunteering as ‘Blue Shirts’ for the Dublin Pilgrimage.”

Patricia had always intended to visit Lourdes, as she was aware that it had been a special place for her late mother. “My Mam died when I was young and during the time that she was sick, she made a special visit to Lourdes. For my Mam, there was no miracle cure for her terminal illness – but there was a miracle in the way she approached the final months of her life and death. I was curious about the peace that she seemed to have received there.”

On her first visit, she was struck by the “beautiful silence” even while being surrounded by thousands of pilgrims. “Lourdes is a special place with a particular atmosphere that is difficult to describe. It has a rhythm of its own – candlelight processions, liturgies, the grotto, the baths, the events, moments of deep reflection and prayer.”

Having accompanied students on three trips to date, Patricia has been struck by the benefits her teenage charges have got from the Lourdes experience. “I believe it is an amazing opportunity for the students,” she says. “There is a whole process involved as to how they are chosen to represent their school on this pilgrimage. I am always so proud of the way they immerse themselves in their various duties. The days in Lourdes are long and busy for the young people. They are enthusiastic and hard-working and bring great joy to the pilgrims. The young people get a sense of the gift of health and well-being and perhaps an understanding of compassion towards those who suffer from an illness of life. I think they often realise how lucky they themselves are in terms of health and support for their lives. They also find great

confidence to use their gifts and talents for the service of others.

“I feel that sometimes our very wonderful, sophisticated, technological young people are humbled and challenged by the faith of others, a faith that has sustained and underpinned their lives even in difficult chapters of loss, grief or sickness. They give me a great hope for humanity.”

MOMENTS OF GRACE

“Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there.” These words of Mary to Bernadette during one of the apparitions inspired the development of the now famous baths near the grotto, in which pilgrims are immersed. Patricia was particularly taken by her visit to the baths. “I was curious to go to the baths, having heard so many stories about how you are soaking wet, then miraculously dry – without having to use a towel. Personally, I found the experience to be very moving and surreal. There is a certain vulnerability involved in the process, and afterwards a complete peace, a sense of beginning again.

“I felt that my visit to the baths for the first time was incredibly special, perhaps a moment of grace. I also thought that I might not repeat the process in the following years because it might lessen the uniqueness of my first visit. However, I do think it is an important ritual of the pilgrimage, and so I have done it every year. I think we also lead by example, so for my students to have as full an experience as possible, I encourage them to go to the baths.”

Another part of the visit that is special for Patricia takes place

Patricia Seery

on the last night of each pilgrimage. “I have developed a little ritual of my own. On the very last night of the pilgrimage, the students take ‘our candle’ to the grotto, to pray for the intentions of our entire school community, and for all who made it possible for the girls to be in Lourdes because of their generosity when we were fundraising.

“The girls each light a candle for the previous girls, to bless their lives wherever they are. There is something sacred about this moment: it is late, quiet, dark; it is the end of the students’ experience of Lourdes, and the beginning of what they will take back into their lives, their families and their communities in the future. We finish with a prayer to Our Lady.”

Lourdes has become a great blessing in Patricia’s life, a place where she experiences love, guidance and inspiration. “It is an amazing place. Faith is real there. There is an outpouring of love and devotion to Mary. I think I have a fuller understanding of Mary, the God-giver: Mary gives life to God and brings us to God. There is a sense of love and guidance from Mary in our lives, and there are the brave and courageous efforts of the little 14-year-old shepherdess, St Bernadette. She is a great role model for young people – to not give up, to have resilience, to keep the faith.”

A native of Roscommon, John Scally lectures in Theology in Trinity College Dublin.

“I feel that sometimes our very wonderful, sophisticated, technological young people are humbled and challenged by the faith of others, a faith that has sustained and underpinned their lives even in difficult chapters of loss, grief or sickness”

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SOMALIA FACES WORST HUNGER CRISIS IN A DECADE

TRÓCAIRE’S MIRIAM DONOHOE RECENTLY VISITED SOMALIA WHERE HUNGER HAS TAKEN A GRIP ON THE COUNTRY. 7.7 MILLION PEOPLE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND THE UN SAYS 350,000 CHILDREN COULD DIE FROM STARVATION UNLESS URGENT ACTION IS TAKEN

BY MIRIAM DONOHOE

Three-year-old Habso sits quietly, crosslegged, on a bed in an overcrowded, clammy ward in the Trócaire hospital in Luug town, Gedo District, southern Somalia. The ward is designed for 20 patients, but today there are 32 children under the age of five being treated for severe malnourishment, all packed into this small space.

Stoic and sombre mothers, including Habso’s, sit quietly with their seriously ill children, many of whom have been admitted to this vital health facility on the brink of death.

There is the sound of small babies crying and an overall sense of gut-wrenching suffering. The children look curiously at the small group of visitors, who are a distraction. But most of the exhausted mothers stare ahead and don’t make eye contact.

Trócaire staff are busy, going from bed to bed to check on the patients. Among them is Dr Shukri Hussein Abdi, a Somalian and the first ever female doctor employed by the Irish humanitarian agency which runs all of the health services in Gedo, a region slightly bigger than the size of the island of Ireland. She is concerned about a new patient who has been admitted and she is consulting with the Trócaire programme manager, Dr Abdi Tari Ali. Hunger has taken a grip on Somalia, which is experiencing its fourth successive season of drought. With the rains failing, livestock have died and crops have withered. There is no food. Families are leaving their villages in their thousands and drifting towards towns and Internally Displaced Persons camps to seek support.

Habso’s family left their village in Wajid

Region, about 70 kilometres away, three months ago when the last of their goats died. Father Ibrahim Yarow (49) and mother Abshiro Adn Mohammad (35) walked for 20 days with their nine children, all already weak from a lack of food.

Tragically, in their first week on the road, their two-year-old daughter Feizal, died in their arms.

“We had no food or water setting out on our journey. When we came to a town we managed to get a little to eat and drink to allow us continue. But my daughter didn’t make it. She didn’t have enough food. The life left her. We had to bury her on the side of the road and continue the journey. We had to keep moving or we would have all died,” said Ibrahim.

Today the family have had nothing to eat yet. “We are hungry, but we hope some of our neighbours can help us later. We all try to help each other.”

They arrived at Boyle Internally Displaced Persons camp in Luug, desperate for support. They built a shelter and have been barely surviving since with the help of neighbours and the local District Committee.

SURVIVAL

Boyle is a sea of makeshift shelters built from sticks and covered with whatever scraps of material and plastics the displaced can get their hands on. The earth is scorched and there is no vegetation apart from dried up bushes.

Habso’s family walked for 20 days from Wajid Region to Luuq town in Gedo Region, southern Somalia (approx. 70 kms) when the last of their goats died and they had no food to sustain the family. Back l-r: Anab (7), Ibrahim Yarow (49), Habiba (8), Habso (3), mother Abshiro Adn Mohammad (35), baby Nasra (8 months), Hassan (9). Front: Abdi Nassir (5), Abdifatah (4) and Fartun (6).

Photo: Miriam Donohoe

New arrivals tell of villages deserted as hungry people leave in their droves in search of relief. They tell of carcasses of goats, donkeys and camels strewn along rural roads, a catastrophe for Somalis who earn their living by raising and selling animals

As you walk through the camp you see scores of weary women, men and children shuffling slowly in the searing heat. Young babies clutch to mothers dressed brightly in colourful traditional dress and scarves. Small children run around and groups of tall, lean men gather in clusters. For them each day is focused on survival, getting enough food to stave off starvation.

Trócaire runs an outreach clinic here where daily dozens of mothers bring their children to have them assessed for malnutrition. This is done using a colour-coded MUAC (MidUpper Arm Circumference) tape, which is used on children from six months to five years to measure malnourishment. The tape is wrapped around a child’s arm. Green means that there is no acute malnutrition, yellow indicates moderate acute malnutrition, and red severe acute malnutrition.

A Trócaire team learned of Habso’s families plight on a visit to the camp. One of the team immediately identified that Habso was malnourished, and she was taken to Luuq hospital to be assessed and admitted.

Just two days later, the change in Habso was remarkable. The little girl was coming back to life. Without the intervention, Habso may not have survived the week.

DROUGHT

Currently 7.7 million people in Somalia, or half the population, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance as climate change takes its deadly toll, triggering a devastating hunger crisis. The country is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years with four seasons of failed rains and temperatures unbearably high. Some 90 per cent of the country is now experiencing extreme drought.

Over 800,000 people have so far fled their homes, says the UN, flocking to already overcrowded Internally Displaced Persons camps similar to the one in Boyle. New camps

are sprouting up in the region to cope with the increasing numbers which are expected to rise to 1.4 million in the coming months.

The UN has warned that 350,000 Somali children could die this year if nothing is done to help them. Since January, at least 448 children have died from severe acute malnutrition, according to a database managed by UNICEF.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is exacerbating the crisis, cutting off most of the wheat imports that Somalia depends on, and sharply increasing the prices of fuel, food and fertiliser.

Trócaire’s country director for Somalia, Dubliner Paul Healy, says it is devastating to witness what is happening on the ground. Trócaire is reaching over 215,000 people with lifesaving services every year through its health facilities in Luug, Dollow, Garbaharey, Belet Hawa and Burdhubo. Some of the work is supported by the Irish Government through Irish Aid, and recently Trócaire has implemented a new EU-funded programme targeting vulnerable, hard-to-reach populations.

“Severe malnutrition has taken hold in Somalia and it will get much worse in the coming months unless urgent action is taken. Currently the world is focused on the dreadful

crisis in Ukraine, but we must not forget what is happening here in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Thousands of people are at risk of dying,” says Paul.

“Children are the most vulnerable. There is limited access to food, and prices are rising due to the war in Ukraine. Climate change is wreaking havoc. Severe water shortages have heightened the risk of disease outbreaks, with people and animals now competing for untreated water from hand-dug shallow wells and dwindling rivers.”

Paul Healy says the team in Luug has been feeling the impact of drought in recent months. “In January we admitted 66 patients to our stabilisation unit in Luug Hospital. In May this figure had jumped to over 200, a three-fold increase. The pressure on our services is increasing all the time.

“Thanks to the support of the people of Ireland and Irish Aid and our other donors, we are reaching hundreds of thousands. But the need is huge.”

To find out more about Trócaire’s work visit www.trocaire.org

FIND OUT MORE

Trócaire’s first every female doctor, Dr Shukri Hussein Abdi, tending to patients in Luug hospital.

Photo: Miriam Donohoe

CHECK PETER McVERRY SJ

REALITY

WE NEED TO BE ANGRY

Weare often told that it is bad to be angry, as anger can often explode destructively. But righteous anger is actually a very positive emotion, provided we know how to channel it. Anger and love go together –you cannot love someone who is suffering unnecessarily, without being angry at what is causing that suffering.

Among the many things in Irish society that I am angry about:

Children with mental health issues: 2,600 children were on the waiting list for mental health services, with over 280 waiting over a year, according to the HSE Performance Report for JanuaryMarch 2021. The mental health of those who do not receive early intervention may deteriorate and require more expert – and expensive – treatment later on. The pandemic has led to an increase in children with acute mental health problems, including eating disorders and self-harm. Some are forced to present to hospital emergency departments to access urgent mental health care. Long waiting times also affect the children’s social health and education, as they may not be able to play with their peers and may miss much of their schooling. The failure to restore the pay of newly appointed consultants, which was reduced during the recession, has led to a severe difficulty in recruiting new consultants and retaining existing ones.

Children with spina bifida and scoliosis: The 2017 Action Plan for Scoliosis set out to ensure that no one would be waiting more

than four months for surgery by the end of 2017. The mother of an 11-year-old girl, who has been waiting over 18 months for surgery, says her daughter is in agony as a result of her condition and is getting worse by the day. She is unable to tell her daughter when she might be operated on. Another 10-year-old boy has been waiting over four years for

Drug addiction: Tens of thousands of families are torn apart by drug addiction. Many of those who are addicted are using drugs to cope with traumas which have never been addressed. But the whole family suffers. If the drug user owes money to a drug dealer, they will come looking for it and threaten the parents or other family members to pay up or be

countries in the world. Why should children be waiting years for urgent treatment, why should people die from drugs for lack of services, why should homeless people be found dead in alleyways? What is the point of economic growth if it is not to ensure that the needs of all, particularly the most vulnerable, are met?

We, Christians, should be angry. This world is not the way God intended it to be, with people going to bed hungry every night, refugees having to flee wars or violence, people living on the street and children’s lives damaged by lack of services. Our anger should drive us to want to change the world to be more like God wants it to be.

surgery. After he featured on a RTÉ programme, surgery suddenly became available for him!

The Spina Bifida Paediatric Advocacy Group said that 56 children have been waiting between one and four years for vital orthopaedic surgery to correct the birth defect that can cause paralysis of the legs and is often accompanied by hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. Some of these children may become inoperable due to the passage of time and may be confined to a wheelchair for life. In 2017, the Ombudsman for Children recognised the lack of access to scoliosis care as a children’s rights issue.

beaten up or have their house smashed up. One parent had their car burnt out in their driveway and subsequently sold their home, as they were threatened that it would be burnt down during the night. The whole of Irish society is affected as thousands of crimes are committed each year to pay for drugs. Over 70 per cent of those in prison have an addiction. Drug services have never been a priority for governments. Long waiting lists for treatment are the norm; in many parts of the country, there are no treatment services at all. Whole communities – especially deprived communities – pay the price.

Ireland is one of the wealthiest

GOD’S WORD THIS MONTH

WITH EYES WIDE OPEN

We all know the importance of good planning. If you’re doing an exam and have to answer five questions in two hours, you need to calculate how much time to give to each question.

If you’re going somewhere by car, you need to ensure you have enough petrol, especially when travelling in the countryside at night.

It happened to me a few years ago. I headed west late one evening with the petrol tank less than half full. I told myself there was enough to reach my destination. But then, as the clock wound past midnight and forecourts closed for the night, the gauge on my dashboard kept creeping towards empty. I began to fret. I worried that the car would grind to a halt in the middle of nowhere, and I’d be stuck like an idiot in a crisis of my own making. All I had needed to do was top up the tank before I left, but I’d been too lazy. I

had taken a risk. I crawled to my destination with the amber light flashing insistently. Good planning is essential if we don’t want to miscalculate and mess up. Good planning is what Jesus is talking about in today’s Gospel. If you’re going to follow him, he says, you need to calculate precisely what that means. You need to be clear as to what it entails. You need to know what you’re committing yourself to because it won’t be easy.

Being his follower will involve making tough decisions and hard choices. It will mean taking up your cross every day. It may even include laying down your life.

Jesus uses an extreme example to make his point. Choosing him, he says, means putting him before your nearest and dearest, even your own family. It means putting him first in everything, whatever the consequences.

Like someone building a tower or a king going out to war, we must calculate what we are getting ourselves into. We must approach it with eyes wide open.

TODAY’S READINGS

Wis 9:13-18; Ps 89; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33

GOD’S WORD THIS MONTH

LOST AND FOUND

SEPTEMBER 11

24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells three parables about things lost and found – a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost child. The reason Jesus tells them is that the professional religious people were aghast that a man who claimed to be speaking in God’s name was welcoming all sorts of people without demanding that they first perform the religious rites needed to bring them back into good standing in the community. The parables are Jesus’ response to the exclusive

SEPTEMBER 18

25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

nature of the religion of the Pharisees. Each parable speaks of a God whose love and concern for his people goes way beyond what we would regard as rational or normal behaviour. Why would a shepherd risk losing 99 sheep to look for a stray that wanders off? Why would a woman spend the entire day turning her house upside down searching for the equivalent of a single penny and then invite her neighbours to celebrate with her over finding it? Her neighbours would think she was mad. Why would a parent throw a party for a renegade son who had treated him so badly and squandered his inheritance?

No wonder the elder son is indignant. And yet, Jesus says that this is what God is like – a God who loves us like mad, who forgives us unconditionally, who includes rather than excludes. And that’s the model for how we should behave, also.

TODAY’S READINGS

Ex 32:7-11.13-14; Ps 50; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32

THE QUALITY OF MERCY

In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses a parable about a steward’s sharp practice to make a point about our relationship with God.

The steward has been accused of wasting his master’s property. He knows he’s about to lose his job and end up with nothing. Back in Jesus’ time, losing one’s job meant becoming destitute unless you had friends or family to help you out.

Realising he’s not able for physical work and too proud to go begging, the steward does some quick thinking. He needs to act, and fast. So he hatches a plan that might provide him

with some friends and security in the future. He calls his master’s debtors one by one and cancels or reduces the amount of money they owe his master. He calculates they will be grateful and look out for him when he is jobless. It is an unethical and desperate plan, but it works.

When the master discovers what the steward has done, he is impressed. He praises the steward for being clever enough to know what to do in this desperate situation.

In telling this parable, Jesus isn’t condoning improper behaviour. Rather, he uses it to stress the importance of taking decisive action when decisive action is needed. The steward hadn’t been doing his job properly and so faced the sack. But when his future security was on the

line, he acted quickly. He didn’t hesitate. He saw that he needed to act – and he did. It must be the same with our spiritual life. Our relationship with God is paramount, but we can neglect it and drift along or get distracted by other things. If we neglect our relationship with God, we need to act as quickly and decisively as that astute steward. We need to be as clever in safeguarding our spiritual future – and the salvation of our souls – as the smart people of this world are when their financial future is in peril.

TODAY’S READINGS

Am 8:4-7; Ps 112; 1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 16:1-13

25

TO SEE LAZARUS AT THE GATE

In Tacloban city in the Philippines stands a mansion, cut off from the public, that once belonged to the family of Imelda Marcos, wife of dictator President Ferdinand Marcos.

After Marcos was overthrown in 1986, the new government opened the house up as a tourist attraction. I visited it soon afterwards. Surrounded by high walls, it was lavishly decorated, with fine furnishings, shimmering swimming pool, and every imaginable luxury.

Several things about it were unsettling. First, it was located on a city street surrounded by ordinary houses and people struggling to survive. The contrast was stark.

Second was the pristine hill that stood behind the house. It had once been full of ramshackle dwellings, but Imelda’s family had them bulldozed so they wouldn’t spoil the view from the mansion. They didn’t want to see the shacks of the poor. Out of sight, out of mind.

It wasn’t quite like that with the rich man and Lazarus. After all, Imelda’s family physically removed the poor from their line of vision. But the rich man did nothing like that. He didn’t have Lazarus physically removed from his gate so he wouldn’t have to see him. He didn’t inflict the sores on Lazarus’ body. He didn’t harm Lazarus in any way. Yet the rich man is condemned.

Then the reason becomes clear. The rich man is condemned not for what he did but for what he didn’t do. He ignored the poor man at his gate. He didn’t think Lazarus was his responsibility. He saw his suffering and did nothing about it. He was guilty not of the sin of commission but omission.

Every time we pray the Confiteor at Mass, we ask forgiveness for “what I have done and what I have failed to do.” We ask forgiveness for our sins of omission as well as commission. We must always be aware of both.

TODAY’S READINGS

Am 6:1.4-7; Ps 145; 1 Tim 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31

THE REALITY

CROSSWORD

NUMBER 7 SEPTEMBER ����

SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD No. 5

Across: 1. Samson 5. Panama 10. Offered 11. Twister 12. Hubs 12. Peter 15. Thin 17. Den 19. Avenue 21. Yahweh 22. Dresden 23. Zigzag 25. Naiads 28. Job 30. Pine 31. Benin 32. Roam 35. Eponyms 36. Gabriel 37. Cathay 38. Reeked.

Down: 2. Affable 3. Sort 4. Nudged 5. Poteen 6. Nail 7. Matthew 8. Joshua 9. Branch 14. Tension 16. Sudan 18. Banal 20. Erg 21. Yen 23. Zipper 24. Gondola 26. Agonise 27. Sample 28. Jersey 29. Bigger 33. Myth 34. Oboe.

Winner of Crossword No. 5 Marie Mc Mahon, Claremorris, Co. Mayo

ACROSS

1. Cite me a substance that causes vomiting. (6)

5. He played Rick Blaine in ‘Casablanca.’ (6)

10. A high plain. (7)

11. Somebody of rank in the armed forces or business. (7)

12. The Eternal City. (4)

13. The only son of Abraham and Sarah. (5)

15. Heavy industrial area of Germany. (4)

17. The movement of the tide out to sea. (3)

19. This gray picture aged but he didn’t. (6)

21. Cut into two equal parts. (6)

22. Arthurian knight visited by Joseph of Arimathea. (7)

23. Take someone away illegally by force. (6)

25. Alloy of tin and copper. (6)

28. Night creature. (3)

30. Mark an item for attention or treatment. (4)

31. Imitate someone to entertain or ridicule. (5)

32. The stake put up by a player in poker. (4)

35. Does this make the heart grown fonder? (7)

36. Eve rose to supervise a person at work. (7)

37. Hard ring-shaped roll characteristic of Jewish baking. (6)

38. Economical with food or money. (6)

DOWN

2. The official name of Burma. (7)

3. A long arduous journey. (4)

4. Route followed by a river. (6)

5. The bottle, upside-down and monkey bread tree. (6)

6. Beware the Greek bearing this. (4)

7. A person who lives a solitary live. (7)

8. Refrained from harming or destroying. (6)

9. Is Noah’s Ark mounted here? (6)

14. The founding father of the Israelites. (7)

16. Rover bordering Antrim and Down. (5)

18. Keeps animal skins out of sight. (5)

20. A short sleep during the day. (3)

21. A small roll of soft bread. (3)

23. A woman’s long loose dress. (6)

24. Add ease to these salty scrolls. (4,3)

26. The smallest country in North Africa. (7)

27. Staggered from the Irish dance. (6)

28. Motorcyclists. (6)

29. Give inside information. (3-3)

33. Joint between the thigh and the lower leg. (4)

34. Restaurant list. (4)

Entry Form for Crossword No.7, September 2022

Name:

Address: Telephone:

All entries must reach us by Friday September 30, 2022 One €35 prize is offered for the first correct solutions opened. The Editor’s decision on all matters concerning this competition will be final. Do not include correspondence on any other subject with your entry which should be addressed to: Reality Crossword No.7, Redemptorist Communications, St Joseph's Monastery, Dundalk, County Louth A91 F3FC