PROFESSION DAY FOR SR JOHANNA OSsR PAGE 2
SEÁN MYERS CSsR HONOURED IN HIS NATIVE KERRY PAGE 4
VINCENT KAVANAGH CSsR NOVENA PRIEST NEWSLETTER OF THE IRISH REDEMPTORISTS
Volume 5 Number 2 • December 2015
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MAKE HER KNOWN!
Celebrating the Jubilee of our Mother of Perpetual Help
Fr Michael Cusack CSsR, rector of St Joseph’s Monastery, Dundalk, lights a candle on June 27 to signify the beginning of the Jubliee year to mark the 150th anniversary of the Mother of Perpetual Help icon with the Redemptorists. Full story on Page 3
CONGRATULATIONS
Warm congratulations to Sr Lucy Conway OSsR who has been elected as the new Prioress of the Redemptoristine Community in Dublin. We wish Sr Lucy every success and blessing as she begins her new role. For more information about the Redemptoristines go to: www.rednuns.com
BIG DAY FOR JOHANNA On Saturday, 15th August 2015, Sr Johanna made her First Profession. The Redemptoristine community, along with the Redemptorist community, friends and family, witnessed a most beautiful and prayerful ceremony. The principal celebrant was Fr Dan Bargary, CSsR, Provincial. Sr Elizabeth Cotter, IBVM, Vicar for Religious and Canon Lawyer, was
one of the witnesses to her vows. Fr Michael Kelleher CSsR was Master of Ceremonies. Bishop James Moriarty DD joined the community for the celebration. Sr Gabrielle, Prioress, received Sr Johanna’s vows. We wish Sr Johanna every good wish and God’s blessing as she continues her Redemptoristine formation.
The Redemptoristines welcome another new member
Sr Johanna with Fr Dan Baragry
Welcomed by her new family
Sr Johanna with family members
PARISH LIFE Jane Mellett shares her thoughts on life in a Ballyfermot parish The Redemptorists came to Assumption Parish in September 2011. The parish team is made up of Frs. Richard Delahunty PP, Con Kenneally C.Ss.R, Stan Mellett C.Ss.R and Parish Pastoral Worker, Jane Mellett. We have journeyed with the people of Ballyfermot since, and it has been a very interesting experience. It was a very vibrant parish, especially during the 80s and 90s, where many lively teams were involved with great vision and initiative. Unfortunately, the parish also has seen very turbulent times, especially during the clerical abuse crisis of the past few decades. Much of the vibrancy and participation of the people was lost during this time. Despite this, the present parish team have always felt welcome and well received in Ballyfermot. In 2012 we began the Redemptorist Youth Ministry Studies Programme in the parish and, along with Cherry Orchard Parish, there were 14 participants. This was a fruitful experience. Over two years, for eight weekends we journeyed together and were challenged to talk about and reflect on the needs of young people in our area. One of the most successful youth projects resulting from it is D10 Gospel Choir. Led by Aoife Gately and Ciara Murphy, it has gone from strength to strength,
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helping young people in the D10 area to use their gifts and talents for their parish communities. They provide music for Saturday evening liturgies in Ballyfermot and in Cherry Orchard. Last summer, they performed with Maynooth Gospel Choir in Assumption Church. Other members of the programme helped gather youth for diocesan events such as FaithFest (a Justice & Peace programme with Vincent de Paul). Eight young people from the Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard area will travel to World Youth Day in Krakow. Fr Stan Mellett C.Ss.R arrived in 2012. He planted and nurtured one of the parish’s most successful groups, GROW. Its mission is to nurture mental health, personal
growth, prevention and full recovery from all kinds of mental illness. It attracts many people to its weekly meetings and reaches out to those needing support in the mental health area. The Parish Pastoral Council has ten members, including the parish team. It is always a challenge to find new members for our groups, but it has grown in recent years and is an example of leadership in the parish. We are very aware that teams of ministers need constant support and nourishment. Our most successful events are the ones that come from the PPC, such as our annual Family Day every July. They recently organised an ‘Angel’s Mass’ for babies who died before, during or after birth. A very moving
Frances Gallagher, Fr. Richard Delahunty PP and Jane Mellett
celebration, it reached out to young couples especially, and to those who may not have had opportunities to grieve for their loved ones over the years. Assumption Parish has four primary and two secondary schools. Sacramental preparation is a major task. We liaise with schools on a regular basis, as well as providing opportunities for meeting families during this special time. It is challenging, with most families completely disconnected from the church. We began a Family Mass in October, hoping to encourage parents and families to play a greater role in their child’s preparation for the sacraments. There are many challenges today facing Irish parishes. Progress is slow, teams are fragile. There is a fear of what is coming down the road. There is also an excitement, a sense that anything is possible if we are willing to ‘get out of the sacristy’, listen to people and not be afraid of trying new things. The parish team in Our Lady of the Assumption Church have always felt very welcomed and well received by the people of Ballyfermot and it is a pleasure to be part of this community.
OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP JUBILEE YEAR World wide preparations are taking place to mark this special occasion. Events have already begun in ireland. By Claire Carmichael (Member of the 150th Jubilee Committee) The year 2016 marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX presenting the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual to the Redemptorists, with the mandate “make her known to the world”. The Redemptorists worldwide are celebrating this special event. An Energetic Start The Jubilee Year got off to an energetic start
in the Irish province, with special launches in each Redemptorist and Redemptoristine community. A Jubilee banner was commissioned for each community, along with prayer cards and a Jubilee candle, made by the Redemptoristine Sisters. Each community in the province had their own special Jubilee launch day. The Jubilee Year
at Mount St Alphonsus Limerick was launched by Bishop Emeritus Donal Murray. Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor launched the Jubilee Year in Clonard Monastery. Fr Provincial Dan Baragry CSsR launched the year with the Redemptoristine Sisters and in the Redemptorist Community in Marianella Dublin. There is a great
devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help throughout Ireland. The Irish Province has great celebrations planned for the Jubilee Year. It will include a six week pilgrimage to all twenty-six cathedrals with a special commissioned pilgrimage icon. Watch out for: www.followtheicon.ie Coming Soon!
A reimagining of Bl. Pope Piux IX presenting the icon
Bishop Donal Murray with Frs. Seamus Enright & Brian Nolan at Limerick
The Clonard community (Belfast) with Bishop Treanor
Fr Brendan O’Rourke, rector of Esker, Athenry, lights a candles with the help of some friends
The Scala community (Cork) light their candle
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AWARD FOR KERRY REDEMPTORIST
Fr Seán Myers CSsR receives Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian award. By Claire Carmichael On Saturday 31st October Fr Seán Myers’ family along with the provincial, Fr Dan Baragry CSsR, and invited guests including the US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley, and the Mayor of Kerry, Bobby O’Connell, gathered in the Killarney Plaza Hotel to honour Fr Seán, the recipient of this year’s “Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.” Fr Seán (85) was not present at the event. “I cannot go, for health reasons and I’m 85 years!” he said “Also I’m trying to make up for station masses that I missed in January and February due to illness.” That gives you the measure of Fr Seán.
Fr Seán Myers CSsR
Fr Seán celebrating a ‘station mass’ in Brazil
lives and to contribute in whatever ways he can to improving their quality. As he said himself in an interview some years ago “Living with the people, being one with them in so far as a priest can be, is the greatest thrill for me. Eating meals with them, sleeping in their homes and roughing it like them is what I love. This has always been part of my life.” It would be impossible to do justice to the life and ministry of Fr Seán Myers. Over the years, he has certainly preached the
Gospel and celebrated the sacraments with and for his people. He has done much more than that. He has built roads and bridges, gathered ploughs and tractors in Kerry to improve the agricultural life of the area, begun income generating projects, learned to pull teeth, fed the hungry, encouraged education and health care, defended human rights, denounced injustice and corruption, stood up to “land grabbers” and been a voice for the voiceless in so many ways. He has been in jail on more than one
Padre João A native of Fossa in Co Kerry, Fr Seán has spent the past 55 years ministering in some of the most remote and isolated areas in Brazil. By now, the stories about him have become the stuff of legends! He is a big man with a big heart and a larger than life reputation. Never one to seek the limelight or to promote himself, Seán’s whole life has been motivated by a desire to be close to his people, to share their Presented by the Mayor of Kerry, Fr Dan Baragry CSsR and
members of Fr Seán’s family, receive the award on his behalf
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occasion, and his life has been threatened numerous times. He has, thank God, remained safe due to the affection in which he is held by his people, who know him simply as “Padre João”. A True Missionary Fr Seán’s Redemptorist colleagues and his family are very proud of him. I believe that the people of Kerry and Ireland have also every right to be proud of him, because he represents a generation of Irish missionaries, now sadly greatly diminished, who gave their whole lives to spreading, not a narrow restrictive vision of a faith tradition, but who committed themselves to building and nurturing the human family and to sharing, in real and practical ways, the love of God for all his children but especially for the poor and most neglected. We wish Fr Seán God’s blessing and good health to continue his missionary work.
FAREWELL TO MARIANELLA
February 29, 2016 will be a day of mixed emotions for Redemptorists. It will mark the end of a Redemptorist presence in the Dublin suburb of Rathgar, where Redemptorists have lived for over 105 years, since October 1910. By Br Anthony McCrave CSsR For many people reading this, their image of Marianella will be that of the large 1968 building, with its associations of religious community,
residence for our students and pastoral centre. But let us go back to the beginnings. After becoming an independent province in 1898 the Irish Redemptorists sought to obtain a foundation in Dublin, but to no avail. The foundation of the National University in 1908 focussed the minds of superiors, as they wished that a number of students at least should receive a university education. Since attendance at lectures was a sine qua non for admittance to examinations and degrees, the necessity of a residence in Dublin became apparent. In 1909, three students with their director settled temporarily in Harcourt Street. Eventually, a house at 30 Highfield Road, Rathgar was purchased in October 1910. It is now incorporated into a larger development. Some people ask, “why is
it called Marianella?” The original intention had been to call it St. Mary’s but, as many religious communities used this name and confusion could easily arise, Marianella was chosen. It retained the name of Mary and honoured the birth place of St. Alphonsus near Naples. Over the following years, it became clear a larger residence was necessary. Faunagh House, Orwell Road was purchased, and the community took possession on 8th May 1919. On the same day the name Marianella was blotted off the gate piers of the house on Highfield Road, and on May 15th it was printed in gold letters on the gate piers, from which the name of Faunagh had been erased. By 1929 Marianella was no longer a residence for our university students, but a community of parish missioners was based there. After thirty years of regular community life, the 1960s witnessed a number of major developments at Orwell Road. Firstly, in 1963, the office of The Redemptorist Record (today Reality) was moved there from Belfast. The same year, the idea of moving the provincial administration to Dublin
was mooted. Since 1898 the Provincial had been based in Limerick. This move became a reality in August, 1965, when Liguori House, adjacent to Marianella, was opened. In February 1965, it was announced that the student community in Galway was to be divided with the senior (theological) students moving to Dublin. The building of the “new” Marianella began in April 1966, and the community moved into the finished building in June, 1968. Demolition of the “old” Marianella (Faunagh House) took place that September. The building of the chapel had to be postponed, but it was opened in September 1974. A later development was the establishment of the Pastoral Centre in 1973. When the new Marianella opened, it had more rooms than it needed. Some of the “wiser heads,” conscious of the need for the updating of priests in the post Vatican II church, proposed setting up a pastoral centre. From the 1980s onwards, questions about the Redemptorist future in Rathgar were regularly raised. In the early years of the new millennium, with lack of vocations and a dwindling membership obvious, the question of disposing of
the property arose. Serious reflection and discussion followed leading, in 2007, to the decision to dispose of Marianella. In the spring of 2008, after 35 years of fruitful ministry, due to declining attendance, the pastoral centre was closed. Various factors led to the decision to close being abandoned, but debate and discussion continued. Of our 104 members today, 36 are over 80 and 36 over 70. In the past decade 59 have died, with only six ordinations. Retrenchment was inevitable and, at our chapter in January 2015, the new provincial administration was mandated to proceed with the sale. In May, the property
was put on the market and the sale was finalised in September. Sad and difficult as this decision is, the words of scripture remind us that, “we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.” 5
FR VINCENT KAVANAGH – THE NOVENA PRIEST
By Fr Brendan McConvery CSsR
Vincent Kavanagh CSsR
Fr Vincent Kavanagh who died last May, was a native of Arklow. He he entered the Redemptorists in 1947 and was ordained in Cluain Mhuire, Galway on 21 August, 1955. After ordination, he was sent to Esker, Co Galway, as assistant to the novice master. In 1964 he was transferred to St Clement’s Retreat House in Belfast. Periods in other retreat houses in Galway and Limerick followed. Fr Vincent came to Limerick 1971. The famous Holy Family Confraternity had celebrated its centenary a few years earlier. It was beginning to show signs of decline, and a team
of Redemptorists led by Vincent tried to breathe new life into it and other apostolates in Mount St Alphonsus. Vincent and his team improved the quality of the weekly perpetual novena, boosting the numbers attending several times each Saturday. More importantly, they radically overhauled the annual novena before the feast of the Mother of Perpetual Help each June so that it truly became a “Festival of Faith.” The church was filled to capacity ten times each day, spilling over into the monastery corridors or the large marquee in the garden. The emphasis was on joyful celebration, with music and song. Local bands contributed to the atmosphere by playing in the church yard before and after the event. The surroundings of the church were decorated with flags and bunting. Confessors provided the sacrament of reconciliation all day long,
Vincent (behind the bishop) with his ordination year group
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often hearing confession in caravan in the car park. Vincent knew that people ‘own’ something they are involved in. Myriads of lay helpers came as car-park and church stewards, first-aiders, caterers, petition sorters and cleaners. Soon other places wereapplying for novenas: and it spread to Carlow cathedral, Holy Cross, Galway Cathedral and many other parishes throughout the country. The business consultant hired to advise on new approaches to ministry recommended ‘saturation advertising’ for the novena. Vincent was only too willing to oblige. Bold black lettering on a florescent yellow or orange background glowed in the headlights of a car on a dark night and announced the novena. Advertising appeared within a twenty mile radius of the church hosting a novena. Carstickers and handbills in homes and shops proclaimed the news. Children clamoured for badges asking “Are you one of the twenty thousand?” Or thirty thousand, or forty thousand: the number increased yearly and Vincent never underestimated the
attendance! He could not afford radio advertising, but local, and even national, radio carried news about traffic congestion near the novena church, giving the impression that something serious was afoot! In 1977, with the support
Vincent in action
of several Irish bishops, Fr Vincent wrote to the Holy See asking for a personal message and blessing from the pope for all who made the novena. It came as a letter from the Vatican. Two years later, he sent a married couple to thank the new pope, St John Paul II. A private audience was arranged for them and Holy Father was photographed, novena book in hand, blessing a copy of the picture. Vincent Kavanagh was no “sacristy priest.” He began what was known as ‘The Poor Campaign’ to help
The young Fr Kavanagh
poor families faced with financial crises like return to school, first communion and confirmation. It continues to thrive today. He also began an employment agency, a marriage introduction bureau and social clubs
for young adults and married couples. His preaching style was vivid and direct. Sermons were short but carefully crafted. A good phrase from one was likely to be recycled in another. His preaching emphasised an optimistic view of the church and its faith but he could be hardhitting, especially when it came to justice. Preachers or confessors who did not measure up to his high standards were not asked back! Fr Kavanagh was a man of deep but unassuming prayer. He was faithful to community prayer and to personal prayer –
GREETINGS FROM MOZAMBIQUE
meditation on the Gospel early in the morning, visits to the Blessed Sacrament and rosary in the course of the day and in the evening. He certainly lived the charge given to the Redemptorists by Blessed Pope Pius IX when he gave them the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help – “Make her known to
the world!” Vincent made her known to millions. His personal devotion to Mary was unshakeable but manly. Fr Vincent Kavanagh returned to the Father’s house on May 15, 2015. He is as buried in the community cemetery of Esker.
Frs Gerry Daly, Vincent Kavanagh and Rick McMahon
REDEMPTORIST NOVITIATE 2015/2016
By Fr Derek Ryan CSsR At the moment, malaria is highly prevalent in the region. The United Nations continue to supply the drug ‘Coartane’ to the African continent to help fight it. We’re lucky that a steady supply of the drug is available in the local hospital here and it’s free. Without it, many lives would be lost. The country is poised for a period of drought that is already having an impact on the growing of vegetables. The people hope that the rainy season comes sooner rather than later. The tobacco plantations are ready for seeding, and rain is essential for successful crops next year. The roof of the Church is complete, allowing us to prepare for the production of timber seating for 1,100 people. Attendances at mass on a Sunday resemble the packed church at one of our big Novenas in Ireland, with a great atmosphere and plenty of singing and dancing. The resident clergy have been known to join in on occasion, much to the delight of the laughing children! We have formed a good relationship with the Irish Ambassador in Maputo, who has been very helpful and supportive of our work here. He plans a visit next year, provided the roads are good enough to travel on. An improving electricity supply and ‘3G’ connection allows us to keep in touch with what’s happening in the world. Needless to say, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the Irish rugby team in recent times and Fr. John is delighted with Liverpool’s new appointment! We appreciate all the prayers, good wishes and support we received from all over the world, in particular from Ireland. Poverty is all around us here. There is no escaping it. But the people are the friendliest I have ever seen, always a smile on their face despite the daily hardships they encounter. We recognise how privileged we are to be living here amongst them.
We ask for your prayers and support for our novices. The novitiate year is taking place at the Redemptorist Novitiate house in Toronto. There are two men from the Irish province of Redemptorists in this group. Please hold them in your prayers and pray that more men will discern the call to the Redemptorist way of life. Back L-R : Thien Hoang (Denver Province), Mark McMullan (Dublin Province), Song You (Baltimore Province), Ryan Holovlasky (Dublin Province), Mike Taylor (London Province), Royston Price (London Province), Kevin McGraw (Baltimore Province) Brian Vaccaro (Baltimore Province). Front L-R : Br Raymond Pierce C.Ss.R, Fr Ray Douziech C.Ss.R (Novice Master), Fr Ronnie Bonneau C.Ss.R (Assistant Novice Master). 7
RETURNED TO THE FATHER Fr. Martin Ryan was born in Cooleen, Templederry, Co. Tipperary in 1951. He attended St. Clement’s College in Limerick before joining the Redemptorists and making first profession in 1970. Ordained in 1979, he spent almost 30 years ministering in the Philippines, particularly on the Island of Negros. Martin gave the best years of his life to service in the Philippines and his contribution to the life and growth of the Province there would be difficult to measure. He served on a number of Provincial Councils and was superior and leader of the mission team in Bacolod at a time of extreme injustice and violence on the Island. He was, in general, a very solid and stabilising influence in whatever community, ministry or administrative position he was involved in. Martin returned to Ireland in 2009 due to increasing health problems. Despite this he worked in Aughrim Street Parish in Dublin for a number of years, where he was much appreciated. As his health continued to deteriorate, he moved back to Marianella. Despite his illness, Martin retained to the end his sense of humour, his dry wit and passion for life, especially for Tipperary hurling. His sudden and unexpected death on the morning of 5th June shocked and saddened his family and his Redemptorist confreres. He was buried in his native place of Templederry. A friend from the Philippine paid a fitting tribute when he wrote, “Fr. Martin Ryan loved Negros and her people. He was a simple man and a dedicated priest. We will miss him.” May he rest in peace.
Sr Mary Ann Liguori OSsR was born Marian Nunan on 30th Aug 1931 at Ballyorgan, Kilfinnane, Co Limerick. Marian was one of 11 children but only 5 of her siblings survived into adulthood. Marian had a great love of style and fashion. She entered the Redemptoristine Monastery on 2nd January 1957, all dressed up and glamourous wearing a hat with two white feathers. She took the religious name of Sr Mary Ann Liguori. The beauty of nature reflected God to Sr Ann and she spent many hours in the garden all through her life, planting and weeding and offering all in a hymn of praise to God. Sr Ann’s family remained close to her heart and she cherished dearly her many nephews and nieces. She was a warm, gentle prayerful presence around the monastery. She offered great smiles and hospitality to everyone that she encountered. This sprang from Sr Ann’s great love of God and her relationship with God. When Sr Ann came into the Eucharistic presence of Jesus, she would open her arms in reverence to take all the needs of the world into her heart in prayer to God. One of the last things that Sr Ann said also summed up her life: “Jesus has given me everything and I have given him everything.” Her gentle, gracious and thankful spirit enriched the lives of all who met her. May her gentle soul rest eternally with God and we ask her to pray for us as she fixes her gaze eternally on him.
CLONARD LOURDES PILGRIMAGE By Brendan Dineen
The annual Clonard Monastery Lourdes Pilgrimage takes place each September. It is now in its 15th year. The pilgrimage has become an established part of the mission of Clonard. This year 130 pilgrims made the journey to this great shrine of apparition and Marian devotion, accompanied by a dedicated group of young adults from the Clonard Youth Ministry Team, as well as medical team and two Clonard Redemptorists; Father Fonsie Doran C.Ss.R, and Father
Noel Kehoe C.Ss.R the Rector of Clonard. The pilgrimage was very successful, with many pilgrims complimenting the Youth Team on their enthusiasm, energy and general assistance to all. For the young people, the Lourdes experience is a very humbling and personally rewarding one. The pilgrimage director, Mr Raymond Lennon commented by saying that the atmosphere created on the pilgrimage could be compared to a Redemptorist
parish mission, with the singing, preaching and the great sense of community. Many of the pilgrims return year after year, as they find it such an enriching experience. Over the course of the six days the pilgrims shared with each other their personal stories. There was a lot of
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laughter, encouragement and prayerful support. When he was lighting the group candle on the final day of the pilgrimage, Fr Noel encouraged all the pilgrims to bring home with them what had been created and to allow the light of Christ to burn in their daily lives. www.clonard.com