Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Paddy & Brega Kelly, (Anniv).
11.00: Bridget Lenihan, Bowling Green, (Anniv).
6.30: William & Elizabeth Kilgannon, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

In February, 2003 scientists announced that they had finished mapping the human genome to a great fanfare. The human genetic code had been deciphered! Were we on our way at last to obeying scientifically the old Delphic oracle: Man, know thyself! Some theologians, however (among them the man who is now Pope), confined themselves to a few warning notes. Two cheers, perhaps, but no more!

During the last week of our own General Election here, a closely related major medical breakthrough went unreported. Geneticists identified 15 new genes behind common disorders. These discoveries include genes linked to seven conditions, among them coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis. The Australian scientist who led the research described the breakthrough as 'a new dawn'.

The debate over the significance of these discoveries and how it will be used in therapeutic or reproductive medicine will occupy philosophers and theologians for generations to come. What does it mean that we now know the genetic building blocks of human life? Have we at last cracked the great mystery of life? Have we put wonder to rest? Have we compromised free will?

Through a careful analysis of the genetic building blocks of any one individual, for example, are we now in a position to predict what lies around the corner for that person? Or, more to the point, can we manipulate his genetic makeup in a manner that will enable him to avoid that awkward corner entirely? Can we not hope for a genetic cure of such dread diseases as cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's and Huntington's, for example? What human being could not applaud such a brilliant breakthrough? It would spell blessed liberation for so many suffering people!

However, there is another side to this coin too. If we can engineer such cures, why not seek other enhancements in our species, such as improved intelligence, longevity, special skills, more beautiful bodies? The technology for achieving these feats may not exist yet, but we are getting there rapidly. We could be on the edge of deciding to speed up our own species' evolution. If so, in what direction should we want to evolve?

For Catholics, this is an ethical minefield. A few simple questions may help illustrate its great ambiguity:

In this 'brave new world', Catholic principles are challenged as never before. Can we rise to this challenge?

-Dick Lyng

Items of Some Interest

Mid-Summer Festival

A mere two weeks now remain to us to make preparations for our Mid Summer Festival. It is being held on the weekend of 29-30 June. We have decided to abandon the Friday night 'music-poetry' session, and concentrate all our energies on the Saturday evening events. The poor response to the Friday 'gig' didn't really merit the effort involved. So our festival this year consists of: (1) Children's Art Competition; (2) Children's entertainment, featuring 'The Mad Scientist'; (3) Floral Display in Church; (4) Festival Liturgy; with an ecumenical dimension, followed by (5) a great barbecue in Priory car park.

While some of the preparations are well in hand, a few of us should get together (informally) after the 11.00 Mass this morning and go over our programme in order to tie down some outstanding issues. We might gather in the front parlour immediately after the Mass.

Our Mid-Summer Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday evening at the 6.30. We will be joined this year again by our friends from St. Nicholas'. Our liturgy needs a little bit of tweaking, but the basic outline is already firmly in place.

A barbecue will follow in the Priory Car Park afterwards. As is our custom again, chief Chef will be Peter O'Neill, and the barbecue will be the focal point of our social celebrations. (We are really slaves of custom and habit!)

Back now to the details of that all-important Children's Art Competition. We have two categories: (1) for children from 4-10 years; (2) and a category for those from 11-17 years. I have already passed on this information to Rev'd Patrick Towers and St. Nicholas' Church of Ireland National School will be competing for the very attractive prizes on offer. The Children's Art Competition will be judged by a panel of recognised art aficionados. They were selected for the integrity of their lifestyle rather than their artistic track-record. (in other words, bribery won't work this time!)

A fairly elaborate prize-giving ceremony will then take place immediately after the Mid Summer Liturgy. During the course of this ceremony, a series of profound speeches will be delivered (free).

The children will then withdraw to the front parlour where 'The Mad Scientist' will proceed to frighten the living daylights out of them!

Meanwhile the adults will strive stoically to entertain themselves (unaided, almost) in the Priory Car Park. You will note from the warning earlier that there are two types of tickets: a family ticket costing €15 and an individual ticket which will cost you €10. Tickets will be available throughout the week from the Priory Office. The Family Ticket will cover an average contemporary Catholic family (2.4 children). Parishioners of St. Nicholas please note and adjust your behaviour accordingly! The ticket entitles you to a full 3-course meal, 5 glasses of the wine of your choice, live music and about 10 pints of either Guinness or Heineken (but not both).

Tickets will be collected from you at the gate on the way in to the car park. You are asked to obey the stewards at all times!

Moving Statues

The statues of St. Augustine, St. Joseph and St. Nicholas have been returned to their respective perches. They have been beautifully restored and repainted by Emmet O'Toole at his surgery in Mervue.

When the above figures were returned, it was now the turn of the Pieta, St. Rita and the Sacred Heart to make their way to the clinic. They should be back within two weeks.

Thanks to all who helped with the very difficult task of moving same. Thanks in particular to Vincent de Paul for the transport.

Midsummer's Day

Midsummer's Day draws closer now
As birdsong greets the dawning day
And sunlight's gold through swaying bough
Delights with dancing shadow-play,
And here amid this garden place
A riot of colour, plants and flowers,
The butterflies at leisured pace
Flit through the hours.

I dwell in gentle shade and find
A peace that fills the heart with light,
A healing place that clears the mind
And frees imagination's flight
Where soars the spirit on its quest
Discovering untrodden ways,
From waking to the time of rest
Down all the days.

Midsummer's Day....and did I use
In thankfulness each gifted day
That I might from these treasures choose
And find, in trust, the wiser way,
Through Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring
To live each precious moment sweet?
God's golden promised offering,
Makes Life complete!

-John McLeod

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