FR. JOHN’S CORNER

Là le Bride
‘Anois teacht an earring……
Well due to a little laziness and a lot of pressure I missed out on having this ready before an important date on our Irish calendar

February 1st marked the feast of Saint Brigid (Là Bride) and the coming of Spring. Brigid was born in Faughart, County Louth around 453 in an Ireland where the spread of Christianity was very much in its infancy. Her father, Dubhtach, was a chieftain in Leinster and called his daughter after a pagan goddess. As she shared both a name and a feast day with an older God, the legends of both became intertwined and the veneration of Brigid incorporated elements of an older tradition, including the celebration of the lengthening of the days and the coming of Spring.
Brigid was renowned for her kindness towards the needy and entered a convent at a young age, in 470 she founded Kildare Abbey which was one of the most prestigious in Ireland and was famed throughout Europe. By the time she died around 524 she was already regarded as a saint.
Today her legacy is to be seen when Brigid’s Crosses are made and displayed in houses all over I at this time of year. Legend says that Brigid made a cross from reeds that were lying on the ground next to a dying man so that she could convert him to the new faith.

25 Years On
On March 25th we will remember the 25th Anniversary of the death of one of Manchester’s great Irishmen Fr. Emmet Fullen. I still remember the shock of that Monday morning. Resorting to my second favourite language there is a saying ‘no hay mal que por bien no venga’ ‘there is nothing so bad that good can’t come from it’.
I apply it to Fr.Emmet’s death because it was at his funeral in St. Lawrence’s that the idea of Irish Community Care was born. Orla O’Halloran, as she was then, the first secretary at the Irish Embassy and representing his Excellency at the Mass informed me that there was a new committee set up by the Department of Foreign Affairs called DION (the Irish for roof) and it would oversee grants to different Irish emigrant projects in Britain. She told me a grant would be available to St. Brendan’s Irish Centre in recognition of Fr. Emmet’s work.
I declined the acceptance until I met first with Michael Forde and later Tom McKenna.
My intention then was to set up a project independent of the existing centres, but dependant on and working for all. Fr. Bobbie Molloy, chief chaplain to the Irish in London, suggested the name ‘Irish Community Care’. Fr Bobby’s help and experience were invaluable assets in those early days. Sr Rosealeen chose the St. Brigid Cross as the emblem of the organization. We started in the front room of St. Lawrence’s Presbytery, Old Trafford.
The drive and genius of Tom McKenna, Sean Reynolds and Michael Forde capitalized on Manchester City Council’s generosity in converting the house the offered on Cheetham Hill Road into the first home of Irish Community Care. It would be impossible to name all the wonderful people who have made Irish Community Care such a successful organization. It is a fitting tribute to the memory of a great man; it continues his selfless work of reaching out to those who find life’s ‘slings and arrows’ have been unkind to them. Emmet, a Chara, leaba agat i measc na naomh- may you have a bed among the saints, agus to Irish Community Care ‘go mbeannai Dia Uilechumhtach do shaothar’ God bless your great work

Re - Launch of the Launch

I was excited to hear that the long awaited development of the new Irish Centre in Cheetham Hill is moving closer. The presence of the Irish Ambassador in Manchester for the Irish Association Chorlton, Dinner Dance was availed of to outline the plans in his presence to members of different Associations in Manchester’s Irish Community.
The same ambitious vision first outlined in the early 1990’s is still there. Now it seems as if the first concrete steps in the realization of the dream are about to be taken. The stop start nature of proceedings puts me in mind of the Spanish dictum ‘entre el dicho y el hecho hay mucho trecho’ (between the word and the deed there are many pitfalls.) Our prayers and best wishes go to all who are involved in this exciting venture. One disappointing feature of the ‘Re-Launch’ was the fact that there was no prayer, or no word of Irish to accompany this auspicious event. As we delve into our past it would be good to contemplate the message taken by some of the first emigrants from our fair isle to the Europe of the Goths and Visigoths. Brendan, Colmcille, Colmba, Fiachra and Killian spread the ‘Word’ as their footprints pointed the way to the millions who followed. Faith and language have always been part of our heritage and culture. We should never forget this. What was surely an oversight should not be repeated, the shamrock stands for the Triune God believed in and proclaimed by Patrick. Tìr gan teanga tìr gan anam – a country (a people) without a language is a country (a people) without a soul, is a proverb worth retaining.

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Oscar Time
The film industry is in the process of short listing for the annual Oscar awards. Look no further than Tony Blair for best actor. His performance before the Chilcot Inquiry was masterful, as with half truths and smiles he justified his taking Britain into the Iraq war, side by side with Bush. Opposition to this sad episode has come from all sectors of the world community. Nothing has been solved; Saddam and other erstwhile friends have been executed for crimes we either colluded with or ignored. Weapons of Mass Destruction have neither been found nor invented. I could not help thinking that Bush and Blair are lucky that they will never have to answer for their war crimes as Saddam, Ali et al. have had to do for theirs.

Sport
Oil and soccer money, or debt and trophies? Take your choice. Manchester’s big two in the soccer world are thus divided. In the recent Carling Cup I watched Carlos Tevez as he gestured to the United bench indicating he had trouble with his hearing Carlitos-‘Cuatro-Tres’ (4-3) in case you did not hear it. I suppose his new anthem will be “I lost my love by the gas work walls”. Still I hope for all my friends who are City fans that he at least wins an FA cup medal to compensate his leaving ‘heaven’ to follow the lure of lucre. Lucifer left heaven!

GAA
The year kicks into action with the commencement of the football and hurling national leagues. Controversy surrounds the introduction of new rules, especially in football. I like the idea of the ‘mark’ as high fielding was always the number one skill in the game. It was rendered obsolete when the ‘swarm’ and the ‘blanket’ were introduced in the early years of the 2000’s. Good fielders were penalized as the sharks awaited their coming to ground to swarm around them and force them into holding on to the ball, resulting in a free. It is not nice to watch. I fancy Cork and Dublin to make an impact in the football league. Kerry will use the league to begin the process of rebuilding. In hurling can we look beyond Kilkenny? Brian Cody will be in no rush as September glory will be in his sights, 5 in a row or bust!. So watch for Galway or Tipperary in the early part of the year.
It is nice to get back to real sport again, away from the tribalism and thuggery of soccer. It is bad when you hear that the pub trade and police draw up battle plans for local derbies. Give me the good old fashioned rivalry of Galway v Mayo, Meath v Dublin, Kerry v Cork, Armagh v Tyrone generate.
I had the pleasant task of officiating at the wedding of Marc O Sė to his beautiful bride Sarah Brosnan in Daingean Ui Chúise (Dingle) recently. It was a beautiful occasion music food and banter of the highest order. I went to see the Kerry Dublin game in Killarney, an enjoyable game. I feel that the end of the road is in sight for this wonderful group of Kerry footballers. The sport needs a change from the Tyrone –Kerry monopoly since 2003. Time for Derry, Mayo, if John O Mahony gets over being reminded that yes they are the great underachievers, Galway or Cork to step up to the plate.

Sad Losses
The GAA world saw the passing of two stalwarts. Mick Higgins of Ballinaleck, Co.Cavan holder of 3 All Ireland medals died. Mick was the last survivor of the Cavan team of 1947 famous Polo Grounds win over Kerry Mick was a true gentleman and great sportsman; he said he would rather be remembered as the man who never hit an opponent or never was sent off than the man who won 3 All Ireland medals.
Maura Spillane, mother of Pat, Mick and Tom and sister of the famous Lyne brothers died in Kerry. She was steeped in Gaelic football history.
Here in Manchester we lost Greg O’Brien who gave so much to Oisin’s GAA. Greg was respected by all in the Irish Community. I sympathize with Rosemary and all members of his family.
Margaret O’Neill, mother of Eamonn of ‘Come into the Parlour’ fame also died. She was active in all aspects of Irish life until her health declined. I offer Eamonn and all the family my deepest sympathy. Go dtuga Dia solas sìorai dóibh uile.

Lent
The Holy Season of Lent begins on Wednesday 16th February. It is our annual call to the three pillars of spiritual progress.
Prayer – Fasting (self denial) and Almsgiving- A call to think about the meaning and purpose of our lives. Don’t pass up on it, our time is short.

May Patrick, Brigid and Columcille watch over you, and until the next time - Go dtė tù slàn.

 

 

Fr. John Ahern
February 2010