Fr Willie Purcell PP and parishioners Margaret Nolan Doheny, Billy Carrigan, Patrick Phelan, Helena Phelan, Caoimhe Carrigan, Mary Twomey, Isabel Brennan, Sinead Twomey, Noreen Brennan and Brigid Nolan at the RTÉ Television Centre in Dublin 4. Our churches holds memories, not resting in stone but in prayer writes Fr Willie Purcell
There is so much to thank God for: the ancient paths where our ancestors trod on their way to Mass, the wonder of the seasons that gave them hope often in times of struggle and despair. The companionship of family and neighbours as they made their way to a place of safety wrapped in the wonder of grace and blessing. We are not the people of the next generation, we are the congregation of the now, and we are the ones who carry the story of the men and women of faith who for 150 years trusted completely in God. We are the young and the older ones who realise that who we are today is because of the faith and prayers of the ones who have gone before us, we are the answer to their prayers, we are the ones to carry on their faith, and we are the ones called to give witness to all they believed.
We like them bless ourselves with the water of new life.
We like them enter the house of God with eyes cast down knowing that we are entering with humility into the presence of the source of all love.
We like them say we are sorry and know that forgiveness is poured into our hearts like healing ointment on an open wound.
Like them we listen with open hearts to hear the Word of life which gives hope even when our lives are hopeless.
We like them offer the bread and wine knowing that we too can be transformed into the likeness of God.
We like them proclaim the great ‘Amen’ yes we believe just like parishioners of the past who proclaimed their faith in words and heart.
We like them join the great procession towards everlasting life to receive into our very selves the source of all life in union with God and communion with one another.
We sing words that give hope and consolation to help us see that with one voice and heart we are the family of God. We like them bow our heads to be blessed by the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
Our church holds memories, not resting in stone but in prayer, memories that bring joy, memories that celebrate new life, memories that rise like incense into the heart of God, memories of loved ones carried in love to rest at the foot of the altar of love. Memories of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, neighbours, friends, parishioners, memories of those whom we have never known and whose stories are known only to God, but our Church for 150 years has held these memories safe and will continue to hold the memories of who we are when others gather to pray and remember us.
Fr Willie Purcell is parish priest of Clara parish in the Diocese of Ossory. This was a reflection delivered during a televised Mass on RTÉ