Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Mass for 'Bish' School.
11.00: Gerry Glynn & Fr. Pearse Mahoney, (Anniv).
6.30: Tim & Tom Lally, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

So al-Qaeda have have their sights set on Dublin airport, if a BBC investigation this week is to be believed. Omar Bakri Mohammed, a Muslim cleric excluded from the UK last August, sang the praises of those responsible for bombing London in July 2005. They are now in paradise, he stated: "How can you condemn those great men - it's not something so bad, something so good. Something so good to be involved in." This is grist to the mill of those secular humanists who regard all religion as the malignant pursuit of cavemen!

During questioning by a British intelligence agent (but obviously not a very intelligent one!) the Muslim cleric was asked if Dublin Airport should be a terrorist target since US troops transit there on the way to Iraq. The cleric replied: "Hit the target [Dublin] and hit it very hard, that issue should be understood. Your situation there is quite difficult therefore the answer lies in your question."

Understandably, western Europe is very nervous of Islamic fundamentalism. Britain, Spain, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium have all felt its fatal lash at one time or another. Invariably, the terrorists are young men, well educated and seething with anger at all things western. Many of them were, apparently, recruited during their university days. This poses a central question: how can intelligent young men be persuaded to die for a 'cause' that is relatively new to them?

But, even in the western world, fundamentalist religious groups do well on campus. The story often goes something like this: you are living at home, looked after by proud parents; you are at the top of your class, in command of your subjects, familiar with your surroundings; then, suddenly, you are pitched into a strange environment with new people. Familiar landmarks are washed away. And you are left floundering in a confusing cacophony of voices, of ideas and opinions. This may explain why fundamentalist religious groups do well on campus. Their message is simple. We have the truth. We will give your mind shelter from change and anxiety. We will give you the certainties of a new family.

But not all fundamentalism is religious. For example, Marxism was enthusiastically espoused by very blind (and very wealthy) academic professors for decades! Fundamentalism the world over flourishes in the soil of insecurity. Religion offers anchorage. Fundamentalism says a good deal about human beings, their needs and insecurities. It says nothing whatsoever about God. The answer to fundamentalism is to be found at the very heart of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures: all three agree that any expression of God sculpted by human need is to be called an idol. Fundamentalism proposes a God created from layers of human insecurity. No wonder it is such a dangerous and destructive ideology. Which is why we must go on reiterating the subversive message of the scriptures: such a God as this really isn't God at all, but rather, an idol to be avoided.

-Dick Lyng

Items of Some Interest

The Sick

Pray for the following parishioners who are all hospitalised at present: Brendan O'Donnell; The Docks, Paddy Melia, The Docks; Joan Murphy, Nicholas Ave.; Liam O'Connell, The Crescent; and Pascal Leahy, Wellpark.

Augustine's Prayer for the Sick

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,
or watch,
or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge
over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones,
O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And for all your love's sake. Amen.

The Feast of St. Nicholas

AN UPDATE: Work on the banners for the Feast is progressing under the direction of Margaret Cunnane. It is a very tedious task but the end product will be wonderful. This week should see the completion of both banners. These will be carried at the head of the procession from the harbour to St. Nicholas' Church on the night of December 6th.

PLANNING: The general organising committee, composed of people from both churches, gathered in the Augustinian Priory on Thursday night last to firm up our plans for the Feast. People reported back on their progress regarding the tasks allotted them at our last meeting. We have secured tables and chairs to accommodate the expected 300 bodies. We have had the tickets printed, and they will go on sale in both churches this weekend. The catering plans are at an advanced stage. A very small but able liturgical drama group are working like beavers off stage (or at least we are lead to believe that they are!) A few more loose ends need to be tied up, and all will be ready for the great night itself. We will hold our final 'Planning Meeting' on Thursday, November 30th at 7.00pm in the Priory. By then, all should be accomplished! The night will begin with St. Nicholas disembarking from his ship at the Docks.

Advent & Christmas: Helpers Needed!

Christmas is creeping up on us in an alarming fashion. Advent begins on Sunday December 3rd, a mere two weeks from today. And that of course heralds the start of the Christmas season. As usual, we have quite a lot of irons in the fire. The following activities figure prominently:

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