Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Gerry, Jack & Bridget Ward, Anniv.
12.00: Tim & Bella Murray, Anniv.
6.30: Jackie & Annie Lee, (Anniv).

AS I WAS SAYING.....

This is our last 'full' Sunday here in St. Nicholas'. While the following may read like an 'End of Term' report, the real intention is to savour again the pilgrimage we have shared. Of course we look forward to returning to our newly renovated Augustinian on Sunday next.

However, we will be sad to leave this great Church here in the heart of the city. When we first explored the possibilities of worshipping here, we never realised the blessings that lay in store. The building itself, for all its antiquity and magnificence, was but a side issue. The real blessing had its source in both communities coming together with a common purpose. It was a wonderful experience. Who will ever forget the uplifting liturgies we shared? Three celebrations in particular stand out: (1) The first day we moved, Sunday April 3rd. (2) The Harvest Supper on Wednesday, October 5th, and (3) the shared Commemoration of the Faithful Departed on the Feast of All Souls, November 2nd. All three celebrations were memorable for different reasons, obviously.

The procession from the Augustinian on that first day, led by the torch-bearer Patrick Towers, and the Mass that followed, will never be forgotten by us. The day was significant too for another reason: John Paul II had passed away the previous evening. Patrick did full justice to the occasion with his eloquent address of welcome. It was great that so many of you were there to witness it: to judge by the collection (the nearest only infallible index to hand in St. Nick's!) our congregation multiplied by factor of three that morning.

The Harvest Supper was perhaps our most successful, spectacular celebration. The Rev'd Towers expressed very succinctly the intent behind the whole Harvest Supper event: "As things stand between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, there is no permission to share the Eucharist sacramentally. Nonetheless, we can do the things to which the the sacrament points." With this understanding, the Liturgy itself was devised by Patrick. Over 280 people sat down to a full meal and washed it down with copious draughts of fine wine!

Admittedly, it did cost €10 per skull, but then as the old saying has it, there is no such thing as a 'Free.....' (Presbyterian?!)

The third watershed was the shared Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Again, both Churches 'raided their respective treasuries' and came up with a moving, faith-building Liturgy. To paraphrase the disciples on the mountain, 'it was wonderful to be there'.

Two challenges remain: to make Sunday next equally memorable. It will be a major occasion for both our Churches. There is no way of guessing what the crowd will be like. The only thing we can be sure of is that it will be very big indeed. So be prepared for minor hitches. No matter how thorough our preparations will be (and they will!), the unpredictable is bound to intrude. Nevertheless, be sure of this: it will be wonderful occasion. But the real challenge facing both Churches will be to build upon the sure foundation that we have now laid. If we do that, the restoration of the Augustinian will be worth every penny spent!

-Dick Lyng

Incidentally....

A Harmless Bit of History

This time a hundred years ago (in May, 1839) the Galway fathers were completing their first year of residence in the new convent in Back Street, now better known as St. Augustine's Street. Preparations for the building were begun in 1833. The architect was a Mr. William Brady, who designed it on the lines of a country house-Blake's of Cregg- a kind family with whom the fathers found refuge in their homeless days. The masons were Bolger and Nugent: the stone-cutter was Leonard: the sawyer were Molloy and Rochford. And so on : we have the names of all the tradesmen. The fathers paid them weekly. In 1836 more than £1,300 had been expended, the full amount having been realised by a sale of old landed property of the fathers.

In 1837 a double flight of steps in limestone-the work of Leonard-was erected at the hall-door. Then came a railing from the foundry of John Stephens and externally the new convent was complete.

On May 15th, 1839, workmen were engaged removing furniture, etc., from the old house in Middle Street to the new house in Back Street.

At a Chapter of the Irish Province held in July, 1839, the Galway community were congratulated on having a worthy new convent-the first provided for the fathers since the destruction of Forthill monastery in 1645 A.D.

Following the Chapter of 1839, the Galway community consisted of: Dr. Austin Killeen, O.S.A., Prior; Fr. Austen McDermott, O.S.A (late Prior); Father John Lean, O.S.A. Procurator.

As a book-keeper of the convent, Father Lean recorded the following for 1839: "In Sept.-The old house in Middle St. was repaired for leasing to a tenant."
Nov. 3rd.- The collection of this Sunday was given to the Funds for clothing the children of the Catechetical society.
Dec. 8th-Obsequies for Sister Mary Kelly, O.S.A. (one of the Augustinian nuns of Market St.)

-Taken from Good Counsel Magazine, July, 1939.

Hughie Keleghan, R.I.P.

Hughie Keleghan (76), Bohermore, died suddenly in UCG Hospital after surgery on Thursday last. Hughie was a very well-known figure in the city, easily identifiable as he scurried around the town on his old battered Lambretta scooter. (Only after lengthy discussions with Hughie did I acquire my most recent bi-wheeled mode of transport!)

A civil servant by profession, he retired from the Department of Social Welfare Office, Hynes Building, 11 years ago. He was very faithful to the Augustinian Church where he attended the 11.00 Mass every weekday. (Admittedly, he 'defected' to St. Patrick's Church every Sunday where he sang at the 12.00 Mass.)

He was known widely for his wonderful tenor voice, a gift which he retained right up to his death. Senior members of our congregation recall his heyday with Des Fretwell and his orchestra! Hughie was a clever, fun-loving man who love his cigarette, his pint and his corny jokes (more or less in that order). His wife Nancy, whom he nursed lovingly through the many months of her final illness, passed away just nine weeks ago. Only then did Hughie feel free to have his own ailments attended to. Sadly, it was probably too late by then.

He was very proud of his three sons, his daughter and his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. (He was fond of pointing to a picture of his great-granddaughter which adorned his hospital bed.) He will be buried in the New Cemetery after his 12.00 funeral Mass in St. Patrick's Church today, Sunday.

He will be greatly missed around here. May he rest in peace.

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