Notebook In recent days, I attended a class reunion of my Maynooth ordination class (1987). We have managed to meet every year since we left Maynooth. Like everything else, Covid had its say, so we have not met since 2019. In earlier years, we moved around the country, with a different classmate arranging the reunion…
Notebook When I was about seven years old, my county, and indeed the whole country, was shocked by the murder of Bernadette Connolly, a young girl from Collooney. It was as if the world had stopped spinning and her name was on everyone’s lips. Later, I came to know her father and some of her…
Lent has almost run its course. Palm Sunday approaches and, on its heels, Holy Week. This is intended to be the highpoint of the Church’s liturgy; the recalling of those sacred events of more than two thousand years ago. We will journey with Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey’s back, see him betrayed, we will…
I know nothing about Ukraine. I don’t believe I know anybody from the country and I’d be hard pressed to name even a few of its cities or towns but I know I am heartbroken that the country finds itself at war. There are countless videos in circulation that seek to explain why Russia, or…
I am a pioneer! It is not that I am a trail blazer, entrepreneur or that I have discovered the previously undiscovered. No, I don’t drink alcohol and, since my teenaged years, I have been a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. It was an easy choice since both my parents were members as…
Notebook There was a time when: Being a close contact was a good thing. To walk into a bank wearing a mask spelt danger! To give someone the elbow was akin to ignoring. If you sneezed, a stranger would say “God bless you”. Delta was an airline! We worried about who was in hospital and…
Notebook Recently I went to the United States to visit some people and to spend a bit of time with my aunt who lives in Richmond, Virginia. She was turning 98, and I was happy to be able to see her in the lead up to that day. A mighty woman, but that’s another story!…
Notebook His father was dead, and we were gathered in the house. The mood changed from silence to chat, to laughter, then tears and then back to silence. A very typical and familiar scene. There were stories too. He talked about the first funeral he ever attended on his own. He was maybe 12 or…
Notebook I have never met him, nor have I ever spoken with him. I have read his words and been aware of his presence in my life for more than a year. Occasionally he sends emails and they are a joy to read. Filled with reflection and acknowledgement, he reminds me that the words we…
Notebook Synodal pathway… I am not sure whether that should be followed with an exclamation mark, a question mark or a full stop! Synodal pathway! (Exclamation mark) That could work. I am prone to overusing exclamation marks and am not quite sure why. I like them. They suggest life, a bit of fun and wonder…