Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Mary, Colman, & Martin (Brod) Flaherty; (RIP).
11.00: John & Margaret O'Mahony, (Anniv).
6.30: Walter & Sadie Joyce, (Anniv).

AS I WAS SAYING.....

Friday next. March 17th, is of course St. Patrick's Day. Patrick is a national icon. But that icon has constantly changed, reflecting the concerns and anxieties of successive generations. And in the 18th century, when this traditional image took 'final' shape, the issues were doctrinal. That 'final' form has St. Patrick wearing a green chasuble, a bishop's mitre and carrying a bishop's crosier. Often snakes curl around his feet, recalling the legend that he banned all snakes from Ireland. A shamrock is often on display also, a tribute to the saint's subtle catechetical skills.

A traditional statue such as this had stood on Tara hill for almost a century, proudly symbolizing the Christian conquest of Ireland. (Legend has it that St. Patrick arrived at Tara in the 5th century, converted the high king to Christianity, and overthrew the power of the pagan Druids.) One of the statue's fingers went missing, (allegedly shot off by a irate local Protestant landowner!)

So the statue was taken down for repairs in 1992. And when it was accidentally damaged further during renovations, the government announced that it was now beyond repair. A competition was then held to produce a new statue of the nation's National Patron. It should come as no surprise if the proposed new statue differed radically from its predecessor, since the concerns of this age are very different to those of the 18th century. And so it was!

The winning design by Annette Hennessy is anything but traditional: an eight-foot tall bronze representation of a bald man wearing a short dress, carrying a stick topped by antlers in place of a normal crosier. Hennessy said she had heard somewhere that St. Patrick wore a short tunic to distinguish himself and his followers from the Druids in their long robes. She had also read that St. Patrick once turned himself into a deer to escape pursuers - hence the antlers. Supporters of her design said that it paid tribute to the pagan background of Tara, as well as the more recent Christian heritage brought by St. Patrick.

But when Hennessy told a meeting of locals that St. Patrick was just a myth, that was too much. They flatly opposed the new statue, dubbed the unfortunate figure "The Homo on the Hill" and told the government they didn't want it. For now, the government has taken the position that if the Hennessy statue is not erected, no other statue will be put in its place.

The 'bald man in the short skirt' was quite prophetic, given current male fashions! However, the contention concerning the image of Patrick is no longer between Christian Churches, but rather between secularists and Christians. But it is stretching history somewhat to put Patrick forward as an advocate of secularism. The locals of Tara got it right (again!).

-Dick Lyng

Items of Interest

Public Phase of Fundraising

Many of you have asked in recent times, "Where is all the money for the restoration of the Augustinian coming from." Well, you are about to find out very soon!

Our Fundraising Team has been working quietly since August last, donating generously themselves, and approaching individuals for substantial sums. Their efforts have been extremely successful to date. Just over 70% of the target figure of €3.7 million already raised. So we are nearing the end of this discrete or 'silent' phase of our Fundraising. The Official launch for the Public Phase of our fundraising begins on Sunday, March 26th, two 2 weeks from today.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Official Launch of the Fundraising Programme. This is not a life time job but will require attending a meeting on Monday March 20th in the Augustinian Priory. There this stage of the campaign will be explained in all its gory detail! The meeting will last approximately one hour. Simon Williams and Niamh Donlon, DWP (the professional fund-raisers we engaged at the beginning of this campaign) will clearly explain what is required on the evening. The commitment is for two to three evenings over a two week period.

You will have no big job of 'selling' to do. All that will have been done beforehand. Volunteers are fundamental to the success of the final part of the fundraising required for The Augustinian Project. If you wish to help, please let me know as soon as possible or contact the project office at: 091 567942

Pieta

Pieta Painting: The artist Sarah Curran held an exhibition of her paintings in the County Library, St. Augustine St. about three weeks ago. She specialised mainly in Portraiture. Perhaps the most striking painting of the entire exhibition was her wonderful (and massive) 'Pieta' on canvas. From talking to the artist herself, it was very obvious that this particular painting was a 'labour of love'.

Two of our supporters and patrons, Anne Leydon and Liz Cazabon, fell in love with the painting, purchased it, and presented the painting to the Augustinian during the week. It was a wonderful gesture, and it is very much appreciated. The painting will be on display in the Sacred Heart chapel this weekend. The intention is that it will hang (almost) permanently in the alcove facing you as you enter the hall door of the Priory. It will be brought out to the Church for special days, such as Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Thanks once again ladies for your lovely gesture.

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