Dear Editor, When I first went to Jaffa, Israel, to work as a chef for an Anglican guest house a different choice of breakfast was offered each morning of the week. One of the choices was homemade pancakes, or crepes, which had to be tossed in a very hot frying pan.
Some of the volunteer workers from various countries assigned to this duty dreaded the ominous ‘pancake day’ as it often had its share of disasters, giving them the in-house nickname of ‘panic cakes’!
In the various hotel and catering establishments I have worked in over the years, even if they were secular, there was always the obligatory ‘Pancake Day’ or ‘Shrove Tuesday’, even though the tradition is linked to the fasting of Lent that begins the following day on Ash Wednesday observed by Protestant and Catholic denominations as a precursor to Easter.
Today many folk celebrate this holiday without even realising its ecclesiastical connections. It was a day to use up eggs, milk and other rich foods before the 40-day fasting period.
This gave rise to the name ‘carnival’ coming from the Latin carnem levare (to take away the flesh) and for others Mardi Gras meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’. Pope Gregory (d. 604) issued the following rule to Augustine in Canterbury: “We abstain from flesh, meat and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs.”
Ash is still daubed on the foreheads of participants on Ash Wednesday in some denominations from burnt palm fronds made into crosses from the previous year, almost reminiscent of some religious practices in India, but which was linked to the time of penitence and confession.
I have never panicked making pancakes, but I do question whether Jesus would actually require this practice from anyone who chooses to follow him?
Yours etc.,
Colin Nevin,
Bangor, Down.
Further investigation of MIC’s stance warranted
Dear Editor, I sincerely hope that The Irish Catholic will follow up on its report on the rejection by Mary I College (IC 27/02/2020), Limerick of a Christian ethics course, especially in view of the fact that this course was to be self-funded, which contradicts the statement by MIC that the rejection was caused by “such programmes necessitating a diversion of resources from MIC core programmes”.
It is vital that this issue be properly investigated so that it can be confirmed that no due pressure was involved in ensuring that this most important and necessary course was not allowed to proceed.
With much evidence available of an increasing secular society unwilling to allow freedom to promote and protect Catholic ethics, a thorough examination of what was at play in the refusal to allow this course to proceed is warranted.
Yours etc.,
Mary Stewart,
Ardeskin, Donegal.
Promote Passion Play to inspire Faithful
Dear Editor, The Passion Play in Oberammergau [Germany] will attract thousands of visitors in a few months time. In a short few weeks every parish will celebrate Holy Week and Easter.
While some of the liturgy and symbols resonate with the smaller numbers who now attend, much of the language and content is seen as archaic and out of touch with today. Many priests have omitted several of the readings from the Easter Vigil.
If every diocese in Ireland were to encourage a Passion Play and stage it in the main towns of its diocese I believe the faithful would come in droves to be spiritually nourished. We are now at the eleventh-hour and it’s time to act.
Your etc.,
Patrick Mulcahy,
Clonlara, Clare.
We can’t afford to have priests dancing
Dear Editor, With the continuous cry and fear of the Faithful being without priests and the Holy Eucharist, can we afford to have priests dancing with the stars? All the time that is spent practising and conversing with the celebrities, robs the Church of a priest and his priestly duties.
Perhaps the priest involved should take another look at what it really means to be a priest.
Yours etc.,
Luisa Hammon,
Courtown, Wexford.
Compassion for the poor in Manila
Dear Editor, A few times each day a helicopter passes overhead and lands on the helipad of a five star hotel near Manila bay [Philippines], a service to guests who would prefer to avoid our famous traffic. Its flight path goes over the national sports stadium in whose covered alcoves the homeless sleep and store their handful of belongings…so close, and yet so far.
The distance between rich and poor here is greater than anywhere I have seen in the world. Unbridled capitalism and endemic corruption work synergistically to ensure an ever growing underclass and untouchable and increasingly isolated elite.
Added to this, are the aspirations of the middle classes which can counter compassion and build walls against the poor. It all chips away at our humanity and increases separation and isolation.
A big event like the Papal visit for example, sees the homeless shunted away by the government, dehumanised as an embarrassing problem.
We must seek out a new way, of compassion and dignity. Everyone has a story but not all have a voice.
How easy it was to help; how much easier not to bother to engage though, like in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.
Compassion is the better choice; the better choice for rich and poor alike.
Yours etc.,
Steve Clarke,
Manila, Philippines.
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Likely candidates to become the next Archbishop of Dublin
I would add two: the proven safe hands of Archbishop Eamon Martin from Armagh to Dublin (as with Cardinal Paul Cullen); and the tried, tested and much-liked Dubliner Bishop Kevin Doran with his willingness to speak up on matters of doctrine. – Alan Whelan
I would like to see either Bishop Kevin Doran or Bishop Cullinane of Waterford, two very sound Bishops who are not afraid to speak the truth. – Mary King
I pray we get a holy and courageous bishop who will stand up and speak out for the true teaching of the Catholic Church and who will stand up for life. Amen. – Antoinette Dillon
Young people express their Faith at Divine Mercy Conference
If only these young people had some practical support from Church leaders, they would generate great inspiration and leadership for others to engage also. With the John Paul II Awards, Youth 2000 and other youth groups, there are green shoots appearing in Faith revival. – Matt Moran
