Parish Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Rita Mullins, (late Shop St), Anniv.
12.00: Parishioners who are ill (see list below).
6.30: Pascal Seary, (Anniv).

AS I WAS SAYING.....

In just about a week's time, we will hear the seasonal salutation, "Happy Christmas" trip off the lips of even the most miserable! The Christmas season means different things to different people. For children of course, it is a season of great expectation and great joy. But there are other perspectives. Parents feel hassled by the prospect of Christmas. Since the feast has the family as its focal point, the home becomes an area of frenetic activity: decorations to be dusted down, fairy lights to be tested, (and discarded!); Christmas trees to be secured, visitors to be provided for, cakes to be baked, turkeys to be executed, (!) prepared, presents to be purchased, cards to be written, and a-thousand-and-one other seasonal chores to be done. It is a truly daunting time, particularly for the principal homekeeper (in less politically correct days, I would have said 'women'!).

For others still, the feast is an horrifically sad time. This is particularly so for those who live alone. The general euphoria exposes by contrast their individual loneliness and social isolation. For these people, happiness is an elusive commodity. And its absence is most keenly felt at Christmas.

Professor Ed Diener, a psychologist from the University of Illinois (who else?) has been harvesting such data since 1981. His team has come up with some interesting findings. For example, while an increase in wealth makes a big difference to the happiness level of poorer nations, it has little impact on the wealthy nations. So money does not necessarily buy more happiness. Apparently, Americans and Moldovians are the unhappiest of all. Economically poles apart, they stand shoulderto- shoulder in their equality of misery!

People everywhere believe that happiness is an important goal. However, people want not just to be happy; they want to be happy for the right reasons - for things they value. Happiness is thus a moral imperative, not simply a hedonistic one. Happiness is a byproduct of values pursued. And happy people function better than unhappy people, which should not surprise anyone.

People are remarkably adaptable to both good and bad circumstances. Lottery winners are happier than average, but only for a year after their big win. The same goes for marriage! On the reverse side, misfortune does not necessarily spell an end to happiness. Even people with disabling injuries regain their sense of well-being with time.

So, what is important then? I will leave the final word to Professor Diener himself, "Such values as community, belonging, and self-expression are central ingredients of happiness today. Lifestyle and values must be in harmony." (Where did we hear that before?) I have examined photographs of this Diener fellow closely. I found no signs of bulging eye-balls, or tell-tale twitches! He may be on to something important. Remember, you heard it here first: Have a very Happy Christmas!

-Dick Lyng

Incidentally....

Banish the Church, Please!

Madam,
Your Irish Times Editorial of November 12th quotes with apparent approval Liz O'Donnell's statement that the Church "has failed the public"! Well it did not "fail" in providing an education to my severely autistic son, now aged 21, when the State failed miserably. Between 1987 and 1996 he had been wholly misplaced in a nonreligious, State-run special school for emotionally disturbed children in west Dublin. After it was burnt down in 1996 the children were sent home with nowhere to go. Who came to the rescue? The church, of course, through the generosity of the Daughters of the Cross, Stillorgan, who additionally opened their doors to the novel concept of the first autism-specific school in Ireland where he did very well.

Fast-forward to 2003, post the High Court Sinnott judgment which established 18 as the "cut-off" point for the State's obligation to provide education to autistic children. Accordingly, as the State had directed that funding cease for my son's continuing placement in Stillorgan he was given a "free transfer" home with no day-care placement offered by the State. Who stepped into the breach? Yes, the church in the shape of the St John of God Brothers, Celbridge, where he continues to be most happy.

At present there are two other autistic children, aged 14, whose cases are before the High Court seeking second-level schooling having finished their "special classes" in primary school. The State had not made provision for their post-primary educational requirements. Who has answered the call? No, not the State-run secondary schools, but the church again. This time it's the Salesians in Celbridge.

Who is going to educate these special needs children "down the road" when there are no more religious left in the schools? Liz O'Donnell may not have offended Bertie but she did offend the many religious educating children with special needs and their families.

- Yours, etc,
-JOHN HANLON, Ryevale, Leixlip, Co Kildare.

(That is the last time Ms. O'Donnell will be mentioned in this publication, unless she is made Archbishop of Dublin. D.L.)

"Excellent sermon."

Dear Father,
I visited Galway last Sunday and attended Evening Service at St Nicholas. I found it an uplifting experience, especially your prayer to God to regard our faith rather than our sins. I was also impressed by the numbers attending, but especially men. I was however surprised when I realised I was at Mass. As a non Catholic I find Catholicism very impressive. 30 years ago my (Catholic) marriage broke down. We had no children. Twenty one years ago I happily remarried. I have two children and bring them up as Christians in the Church of Scotland. I am not however at ease with our minister who robustly preaches evangelical Presbyterianism with an enduring emphasis on our squalid sins. Your reference to recognition of Faith rather than sin had therefore a certain resonance with me. Thank you for your service. I found it uplifting and certainly strengthened my Faith.

(Name with editor. D.L.)