Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: (Vigil) John & Pauline Ryan, Lr Abbeygate St, (Anniv).
11.00 Raymond Maloney, (Anniv).
6.30: Mario (Thomas) Ward, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

This letter was published in the Irish Times recently:

Madam, - Last year I returned to Ireland for the funeral of my late father. At that time we had hoped that several pieces of Dad's favourite music might form part of the celebration, as well as a short tribute from my eldest brother. We encountered a young(ish) priest who, while extremely polite, absolutely refused to permit any "secular" elements in the Mass, quoting liturgical correctness as the main reason. While deeply unhappy, we had no option but to acquiesce. I was enraged therefore to see that Ronnie Drew had a "send-off" like no other complete with a congregational rendering of Wila wila wallya, and all presided over by an auxiliary bishop of Dublin. Perhaps celebrity ensures an appropriately robed bishop as chorus master.

It is either permitted or not to have "secular elements" and one's status should have no bearing on the matter. This is another example of the hypocrisy which is turning many from holy mother church. - Yours, etc,

We Irish 'do' funerals well. We can thank our culture rather than our religion for this. 'Personalism' is deeply ingrained in Irish life. Those who have lived abroad will be aware of this. Our politicians know this. Hence the necessity of the weekly clinics. Here, the personal touch means everything. 'Who are you connected to' not 'What do you work at' is the important question. The personal is paramount.

This is nowhere more obvious than at our funerals. The community will insist on sympathising personally with the bereaved. And they will now insist on the personality of the deceased being acknowledged within the Church liturgy itself.

This can be achieved in a number of ways: the selection of music and readings publicly associated with the person of the deceased; the inclusion of personal effects in the offertory procession; a family member delivering what is loosely called a 'eulogy'. In one or all of these ways, this particular personality is acknowledged for the last time (and sometimes the first!) in the presence of the entire community. It should be noted however, that this is a relatively recent development. In the old pre-Vatican II liturgy, they believed firmly that 'one size fits all'. Strict adherence to rule and ritual left no room for a personal dimension.

In April 2004, Bishop Bill Murphy of Kerry, another decent and humane man, stated publicly: "The sacredness of the funeral Mass is compromised by things that would be more appropriate outside the funeral liturgy such as secular songs and music, eulogies and inappropriate items in the offertory procession."

I sympathise with the justifiable frustrations of the letter writer above. I also agree with the bishops that 'inappropriate' elements should be eliminated from our liturgy. But, in the case of an Irish funeral, where the community has gathered to console the living and to pray for the dead, it will be very difficult indeed to draw a clear line between what is sacred and what is secular. And, in my experience, were the 'eulogy' is delivered by a family member, nothing 'inappropriate' will be deliberately uttered. Strict uniformity is surely a retrograde step.

What's wrong with a bit of personal and local colour?

-Dick Lyng

Higher Diploma in Religious Education

This course, being offered by St. Angela's College, Sligo, is approved by the Department of Education and Science. It will allow qualified recognised teachers to teach up to 15 hours per week of Religious Education in post-primary schools at all levels. It also provides the knowledge and skills to deliver Religious Education programmes in primary schools and in a range of non-mainstream educational contexts, like parishes. Sessions will take place in Sligo from September to June on weekends and during school holidays (twoyear, part-time).

For further information and application forms contact St. Angela's College at: www.stacs.edu.ie or phone (071) 9195550. Closing date for applications 10 September, 2008.

Getting Dressed For School

I must have been too sleepy
getting dressed for school today.
I tried to tuck my shirt in,
but I couldn't make it stay.

I also couldn't tie my shoes.
I fumbled with the laces.
I snagged my scarf, and now some yarn
is dangling from my braces.

My socks are different colours,
and my pants are inside out.
My sweater from the hamper left me
smelling like a trout.

I thought I put a hat on
to control my crazy hair.
The hat turned out to be a pair
of purple underwear.

I spilled my breakfast on my clothes
and headed into school.
My friends, of course, were all impressed.
I'd never looked so cool.

-Kenn Nesbitt.

Samaritans Need Volunteers

As you are aware Samaritan volunteers are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair including those which may lead to suicide.

The Samaritans vision is for a society in which:
* fewer people die by suicide;
* people are able to explore their feelings;
* people will respect the feelings of others.

Everyone has it in them to be a Samaritans' volunteer. To touch another person's life when it really matters, either by discussing their feelings with them directly, (or in an administrative capacity, should you prefer). Say 'yes' to joining us, and we will be behind you all the way with the training and back up you need.

To do this we rely on volunteers. We will hold two Information Meetings: one on Monday night, 8th September at 8.00 p.m. in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, and a second on Monday, 15th September at 8.00 p.m. in the Quality Hotel, Oranmore. We would love to see you there!

"Back to school Quotes..."

Praying for the Dead

When we pray for the dead, we do not pray for their relief from punishments meted out by a just and vengeful God. We pray, rather, that they will be given the courage to move towards the fullness of friendship which God offered them when he created and redeemed them. But, for all our Christian rhetoric, genuinely to accept the friendship which God offers is something which we are rather reluctant to do. We are reluctant precisely because we know it will change us. Because all genuine love is transforming.

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