Class of 1986. This summer is an inflection point on my personal journey through life – a 40th Anniversary of Ordination this month, a State Pension and a Travel Pass in August, as a 66th birthday looms, but no retirement in sight!
The Dublin Diocesan Class of 1986 saw 17 men ordained; three have gone before us to God, one has left ministry, and the remaining 13 continue their lives of ministry and service. Our ordinations took place in our local parishes, rather than as one big group in Clonliffe College. This class came together recently to mark the anniversary with a Mass of Gratitude, where we could remember our deceased brothers, and then share a dinner in a nearby hotel.
On the day, after a busy morning, a quick lunch and an hour in bed, I packed an alb and headed off. The benefit of the rest was to make the long, slow drive to Straffan, in pouring rain, on a clogged M50 bearable. Driving there also gave pause for a bit of reflection, both on the 40 years of ministry and on the friendships that have evolved over the past 47 years with the classmates. We don’t meet so often these days, so it was a great help that one among us persevered with the planning and all but one, who was in Rome, were present for the evening.
Gift
From the moment I parked behind Straffan church and stepped out of the car, the connection with the men was immediate, strong and cheerful. The rain had stopped, the group fell into the easy conviviality of classmates, and we moved in for the Mass. Jostling in the tiny sacristy, bags on the bench, albs and stoles quickly donned and jobs divvied out.
Our class senior, a role given to him on the first day in Clonliffe, Kieran, presided and Bishop Brendan Leahy preached the homily, never an easy task with a peer group, but not a bother to him at all. He mined the recent teaching of Pope Leo and found much that speaks to priests and people about ministry. He used three words, ‘Gift’, ‘Realism’ and ‘Conversion’, to structure his thoughts.
It was so nicely expressed as being dynamic, relational, constantly evolving and a blessing both to the man and to his people”
In school, if someone had a talent and let it be seen, he was at risk of being accused of thinking he was ‘God’s gift’ as a stern put-down. In this context, the call to priesthood was absolutely expressed as God’s gift, offered but never imposed, which when accepted and lived in priestly ministry makes each of us a gift to the people we serve.
It was so nicely expressed as being dynamic, relational, constantly evolving and a blessing both to the man and to his people. The realism he spoke of concerned the context of life and ministry, begun in a more innocent age, lived out through the best and worst of times, particularly under the cloud of abuse scandals and in the bits and pieces of every day.
Purpose
Yes, the world is more secular and technological, and practice clearly has waned, but there is much that is strong and purposeful in the daily life of ministry, bringing God’s grace into every aspect of human life. And finally, conversion, a turning towards the love of God, embracing his work and making it our own, so that others may have the gift of faith strengthened by knowing God’s redeeming love as revealed in Jesus Christ and entrusted to his missionary Church.
A couple of local women had slipped into the church and stayed for the Mass, one took my hand as we were finishing, “that was a wonderful experience to share in, Father. Thank you and all the priests for everything you do for us.” It seemed fitting that this word of affirmation, spoken here, was an echo of what each of us has been listening to during this month of celebrations.
I think the men here are all pretty humble and self-effacing, a bit embarrassed by praise and gratitude, and more comfortable doing things for others than being the centre of attention. Yet the 40 years of service are a fact; that’s where we are at, each of us promised obedience to our bishop and offered to serve wherever we were sent, to the best of our ability, in good times and when going was hard, and we are still here.
When it was time to leave, it was hard to go. There is still so much ahead for this group”
After Mass, we retired to a local hotel for dinner and an evening of sharing memories, enjoying the company and hearing about how life is now. Everyone was so positive about their parish, expressing much gratitude for the support, affection and witness of the people they are with on this journey. It was a surprisingly pleasant and uplifting evening, affirming of priesthood, ministry and faith. Each one of us remains hopeful about the future and willing to contribute to the Church in Dublin, whatever may come.
When it was time to leave, it was hard to go. There is still so much ahead for this group of men, and hopefully we will all see the 50th anniversary too.