The Presbytery, Abbeydorney.(066 7135146)
abbeydorney@dioceseof kerry.ie
th
12 Sunday in Ordinary Time, 23.6.2013
Dear Parishioner,
A week has passed since our Kilflynn group made their way to the RTE
studio in Dublin. Many people saw the televised Mass on Sunday, some
probably saw it on DVD/recording, while others, like myself, looked it
courtesy of WWW.RTE.ie Well done to all concerned. One of those
who travelled to Dublin, Michael Nicholson, has written a report on the
trip and one of the readers, Cara Quinlan, has penned a little piece as
well. How many church choirs have had the privilege of singing on a
radio Mass and a Mass on television within the space of six months!
When you see a headline, ‘We need to talk about priests’, you might
expect an article complaining about priests in one form or another. The
headline is in the most recent edition of the Irish Catholic and it is editor,
Michael Kelly, who has written the article. No, he is not complaining
about priests but drawing attention to the very changed situation in
Ireland in recent years, because of the fact that very few students are
studying for the priesthood and, as a result, there are no replacements for
those who retire or when a priest dies while still in active ministry.
In the first paragraph, Michael Kelly gives a background to it. ‘The
death by suicide of Belfast-based Fr. Matt Wallace stunned many people.
He is the third Irish priest to take his own life in the past 18 months.
People are understandably shocked by the particular circumstances of
each tragedy. But when the dust settles around the death of Fr. Wallace
and his brother priests and parishioners begin to pick up the pieces, it’s
vital that some good can be brought out of this tragedy. There is danger
that, when the shock dies down, we all get back to business as usual and
there is no discussion about the wider questions.’
The Irish Catholic article goes on to look at increased workloads for
priests and pressures of one kind or another that may affect them. When
I read articles like this one, I find myself thinking of the town parishes in
our diocese where there is only priest, when there were three not so very
long ago. I am thinking of Caherciveen, Listowel, & Millstreet for
example. The article is inviting people to care for their priests and it
might be good, at this time, to make that request of all members of the
community in relation to caring for one another. (Fr. Denis O’Mahony)
Televised Mass, 16.6.2013
On Sunday last, 16th June, St. Mary’s Choir and parishioners from
Kilflynn area celebrated Mass live on RTE’s Mass on Sunday. The
coach of about 50 people left Kilflynn on Saturday afternoon on the
journey to Dublin. We stayed in the Citywest Hotel on Saturday night.
We arrived at RTE at 8.30 on Sunday morning, where we were taken to
Studio 1. (This is the studio from which the Late Late Show is
broadcast.) There the choir and musicians did one last rehearsal and Fr.
William King and the congregation were also put through their paces.
At 11 a.m. the introduction videotape, narrated by John Flaherty, went
on air and we watched it on the monitor in the studio. When John
Shanahan finished his verse to St. Flainn, it was over live to the choir in
the studio. After months of preparation, the moment had arrived and
they started the Mass with a powerful rendition of Sing Alleluia.
Fr. William King celebrated the Mass with great calmness and
reverence, which wasn’t at all easy as he had received many instructions
from the programme producers. Patricia McElligott read the first
reading and Cara Quinlan the second, while the prayers of the faithful
were read Louise McAuliffe and Michael Brady. Mary Keane and
Esther Leen carried up the offertory gifts and our Eucharistic Minister
was Teresa Power. It was exceptionally pleasing to see our young
readers, Cara Quinlan and Louise McAuliffe and musicians, Aoife
Mahony and Sinead O’Sullivan, take to their tasks with such confidence
and diligence. If they were anyway nervous, it was not obvious.
The choir sang a combination of seven songs and hymns and one
instrumental Lord Inchiquin. The final hymn was Take the Hand of the
Lord and, as they finished and were told they were off the air, the studio
broke into rapturous applause. As always seems to be the case, the choir
exceeded all expectations. Great credit is due to them for their
professionalism, their endurance, their unselfish giving of so much time
and their powerful performance on the day. A special mention must go
to Ann Mahony (choir leader and conductor). Without her endless
energy and talents, this occasion would not have been possible. A
mention also to Fergus O’Sullivan whose musical arrangements and
choices seemed to be always perfect. After Mass, we were taken for a
tour of the set of Fair City. This proved of great interest to the many
fans of the RTE Soap. The choir sang the Rose of Tralee outside
McCoys (the pub in the programme) and then it was back on the coach
and heading home to Kilflynn. This was a very proud and wonderful
day for St. Mary’s and Kilflynn and one that will live in the memory for
a long time. Beannacht De oraibh go leir. (Michael Nicholson)
The Deep End * ‘But you……’ (Triona Doherty)
‘However strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept
the view that he was and is God. God has landed on this on this enemyoccupied world in human form’ – CS Lewis. In his book Mere
Christianity, CS Lewis grappled with the big question of who Jesus was
and is, attempting to address the very question asked of the disciples in
today’s Gospel: ‘Who do you say I am?’ It is the question upon which
Christian writers and theologians continue to reflect. During his time as
Pope, Benedict XVI wrote a three-volume series, Jesus of Nazareth,
dedicated to the question of who Jesus is.
The disciples in today’s story hit the nail on the head. When Peter
recognises, ‘You are the Christ’, instead of praise there is a warning
from Jesus: he himself is going to suffer and die, and his followers must
be prepared for a similar fate; they must ‘take up their cross’ every day.
It is a disturbing vision of discipleship; it seems Jesus did not come to
put an end to all their troubles and in following him they might in fact
encounter added hardship. In the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,
‘What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity
and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple:
God…..He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can
call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to
take in this world’.
A wonderful experience: I was delighted to get the chance to
read the Second Reading at the Mass that was broadcast live
by RTE last Sunday. It was a privilege to be one of those
taking part. I think it gave me more confidence to speak in
public. The whole experience was very enjoyable, from when
we arrived in RTE, getting our make-up done, going to the
studio where the Mass was celebrated and, most importantly,
the whole Mass with the choir singing and listening to the
wonderful musicians. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity
and I thank all who made it possible. (Cara Quinlan)
Kerry Diocesan Pastoral Team: Helping people of the diocese in
their faith journey. Parishioners will be aware, from newsletter notices
about the course in Pastoral Ministry that went on in Killarney and
Tralee over the past year. A few parishioners have expressed their desire
to participate in that course for the coming year. The Pastoral Team is
offering other courses to people in the diocese that will not demand as
much time as the Ministry Course.
Come and See: An opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus
Christ (A six week reflection programme for parishes). The brochure for
this programme says, ‘The Come and See Adult Faith Reflection
programme is an opportunity for people to come together once a week
over six weeks to reflect on what Jesus says and does in the Gospels.
The programme gives participants the opportunity to reflect with others
on Jesus’ invitation to each one of us in the Gospels.’
Home is a Holy Place: Parish based programme for families. An
opportunity to develop greater awareness and understanding of the
graced, blessed and holy reality of family life. The aim of the
programme is to enable families to recognise the holiness of their
everyday lives at home and to offer practical support for growing in this
awareness. It is about recognising and responding to God’s presence at
home with our families, in the ordinary events of our daily lives, in the
deep joys and sorrows we experience together and in our relationships
with one another, whether we are children, siblings, parents spouses,
friends or neighbours.
Prayer Reflection : True Glory. Some people have an
excessive need of approval from others. The great luminaries
of stage and screen glow under the adulation of their fans.
But, when the curtain goes down and the lights fade, they
often feel empty and lonely, because they realise that they are
valued, not for themselves, but only for their talent.
Lord, grant that I might not get carried away, when people praise me, or
become downcast, when people ignore me. Grant that I may have a little
lamp of my own, a lamp which will enable me to see the dignity which
you have given me, and which no one can take from me. (Flor
McCarthy in New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies – Dominican
Publications)