Masses Today

11.00: Philomena Naughton, (Anniv)
6.30: Tom McDonagh, (Anniv)





AS I WAS SAYING...

So we are voting on three matters on June 11th: Local, European and Constitutional. Every pillar and post in the country is decorated (or defaced) with pictures of our politicians. In fact, faces have replaced genuine issues. If you are looking for political debate, switch over to the Miss World Contest!

The item that really merits debate is the Constitutional Referendum. But, with a few obvious exceptions, the politicians appear to be avoiding the issue. Given the results of the most recent opinion poll to hand, it does appear that the 'Yes' vote will carry the day easily. It is a highly complex issue and I just wonder if people really understand what they are voting for?

It might help to bear in mind the fact that there are two distinct traditions in Europe for acquiring the right to citizenship.

In truth most European countries operate a fusion of both traditions.

So what are the contentious issues? The government argues that it is trying to prevent 'citizenship tourism', non-nationals obtaining European residency through the automatic citizenship of their new-born offspring. What 'social emergency' demands a change to the Constitution? (Because the received wisdom is that the Constitution should be altered only for grave reasons. Ordinary legislation should address the usual exigencies). So what is really at issue here? The following four points may help to clarify matters:

  1. Up to the Good Friday Agreement, every child born in Ireland was entitled by law to Irish citizenship. No one had any problems with this situation, apparently.
  2. When we voted on the Good Friday Agreement, we elected to elevate this legal entitlement to a constitutional right. In effect, this puts the matter beyond the reach of politicians. At present therefore, every child born on this island has a constitutional right to Irish citizenship.
  3. The proposal now is to remove that entitlement from the Constitution.
  4. The Government has already published the proposed regulating legislation. (But there is nothing to prevent the Government changing the terms of this Bill later on). This Bill provides for the acquisition of citizenship by the children of non-citizens if one parent has lived for three out of the previous four years in Ireland.
We should reflect on the following 5 points before voting:
(a) Millions of our own people were glad of emigration.
(b) Are we depriving others of the hospitality we received?
(c) Are non-nationals not essential to our economy?
(d) Is there a racist tone to this Referendum?
(e) As Christians, have we a duty towards the homeless?

-Dick Lyng.




EVENTS THIS WEEK






The late Jack Melvin

Jack Melvin, Merchant's Road, one of our collectors at the Sunday 11.00, died in hospital on Thursday morning last after a short illness. Born in Galway 80 years ago, Jack spent his working life in Dolan's Fruit and Vegetables Stores on the Docks. He was one of the 'old reliables' around the Augustinian. He was always ready lend a hand here, wherever the nature of the project afoot. For example, he came to our rescue four years ago with the offer of free parking at the Docks car park for the Sunday Mass goers here. This arrangement remained in place until we secured the present parking facilities at St. Patrick's School. Jack will be buried after the 11.00 Mass here this Sunday morning. He is survived by his wife Mary, his sons Pádraig and Edward (Galway), and his daughter Olive (Dublin). May he rest in peace.






A BIRD IN THE HAND....

On February 17th, 2002, we printed the following item in the Newsletter:

{Mary Taylor, while 'putting her house in order' recently, happened upon this charming letter from another time. The 'Fr Arnold' in question is the late Peadar Arnold, an uncle of Mary and a priest of the Raphoe diocese. The present whereabouts of the canary in question is not known. Thanks Mary.}

P.O'Kane & Co LTD
WHOLESALE WINE & SPIRIT BONDERS & MERCHANTS
Registered Office
32 UPPER MAIN STREET,
BUNCRANA
Co. Donegal.


F.X. Cannon, Esq.,
Spirit Merchant,
Ardara,
Co. Donegal.
21st June, 1961.

Dear Mr. Cannon,

Very pleased to learn from your letter that the Canary arrived safely for Father Arnold and I had a very nice letter from him thanking me for sending it.

The Canary sent Father Arnold is a brother of your bird; but possibly from a later nest, likely late last Summer and it turned out a very nice singer with a fair amount of rolling, but it picked up some harsh choppy notes from the other birds, but may now revert to original song and it should respond well to training by a good songster after its first moult (or should singing lessons be given during the moulting period?)

By the way, Father Arnold's bird is not used to a hot room, so should not be put in a very hot room, it would likely cause moulting.

From memory I think Father Arnold's bird is one that got dragged out of the nest when only a few days old, and I found it on the floor of the cage cold and apparently as good as dead. But on putting it back in the nest it revived with the heat and I consider it the prettiest of all the 13 young birds raised by the Orange Rollar Hen/Cinnamon Border Cock last season and I am very pleased it got such a good home.

Kindest regards,
Yours faithfully,
Louis O'Kane
(Managing Director)

[On Thursday last, after over two years, the following response to that letter arrived through email.]

Dear Sirs

While browsing through the Internet today I was surprised and delighted to see a letter (A BIRD IN THE HAND) written by my father Louis O' Kane back in 1961. Just to let you know that the same Louis O' Kane celebrated his 100th Birthday on December 29th Last. One of my many memories growing up was his love of birds especially canaries. Our house was full of them singing constantly. People would bring all sorts of birds that they found into our home for my father to 'fix' (which in most cases he did).

Yours faithfully
Miriam O' Kane -Kelly
Drogheda






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