Notebook It was All-Ireland Sunday 2001 – Meath vs Galway. There are two men I am remembering today, one was in the thrust of the action, the other watching from his hospital bed. One of them died within days of the final, the other in recent weeks. Tim Fitzmaurice, a Roscommon Man was in hospital,…
As I write these few lines, I am preparing to go to Ballaghaderreen for the wedding rehearsal of my nephew, Aaron and, his bride-to-be, Emma. It is something of a coincidence, since this same evening 37 years ago, I was at another rehearsal for an upcoming liturgical celebration. I was in Gurteen Church with some…
Notebook This is the season for First Holy Communion ceremonies. Important, and sadly often misunderstood occasions, they have the potential for so much good. I enjoy them. Through the years I have had some very memorable moments. I remember my own First Holy Communion Day but, oddly enough, not as much about the Mass or…
Notebook Like Ben Bulben, Fr John Carroll is a cherished landmark around Sligo! Like Ben Bulben, the shadow of his presence crosses county boundaries. For many years he was the chaplain in the town’s hospitals and continues to have a very active and pastoral presence to this day. It is impossible to put a number…
He was in the other room when I walked in. I knew the door would be unlocked so just gave a quick tap, said hello and walked in. “Who’s there?” he asked and when I said it was me, he said that he’d be with me in minute. He walked in, carrying a mop and…
Notebook A few weeks ago, priests were the subject of a highly-publicised TV programme, entitled: The Last Priests in Ireland. It wasn’t exactly the way I thought we might see ourselves presented or our ministry described. Last is a dangerous place to be! It puts on additional pressure and is tinged with sadness and despair.…
I had known that the parish church in Tubbercurry turned 90 in 2023. I wasn’t sure of the date but had mentioned it at a pastoral council meeting and thought we should mark the event as the year was coming to a close. I called Bishop Paul and asked if he might be free to…
I heard someone at a wedding Mass introduce the Scripture passage to be read as: “A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Theologians” – I smiled! In fairness, the reading was perfectly delivered, and the message was a solid and apt addition to the celebration. I wondered afterwards what might St Paul…
Recently we had a gathering of the priests of our diocese. On the final morning, we had a presentation, given by Prof. John Feehan, who may well have retired from UCD more than ten years ago but certainly is living life in its fullest understanding to this day. It was a wonderful and powerful presentation…
Who is Richard Lawrence? Now, that’s a question that I hadn’t imagined ever needing to ask myself! In August, I travelled to the United States on what turned out to be a holiday. For 25 years, I have had the great joy of going there every summer to spend a few weeks in a parish…