Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30 (Vigil) Paddy & Brega Kelly, (Anniv).
11.00: William & Elizabeth Kilgannon, (Anniv).
6.30: Della Corry, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

I have just returned from a most enjoyable 10-day 'pilgrimage' to some significant sites in South West Turkey, or Asia Minor as it was known. The party consisted of 40 people, among them 10 Irish Augustinians.

The primary purpose of the pilgrimage was to visit locations associated with the Sacred Scriptures, but especially those connected with the life and works of Paul the Apostle. The main focal point was the great city of Ephesus, where Paul had spent three years (53-56), and some months (at least) as a prisoner. Ephesus became the platform from which Paul and his companions launched their missionary drive in Asia. He revealed his travel plans to the people of nearby Colossae: "I shall stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a very promising door is standing wide open to me..." (1 Cor. 16:9)

But Ephesus was famous long before Paul arrived. The jewel in its crown was the splendid Temple of the fertility Godess Artemis (or Diana), built in 550 BC, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was a kind of 'pagan Lourdes' where people flocked in their thousands annually for cures or for consolation. Like all great religious centres, it attracted trade, with potters and silversmiths making shrines and images of Artermis.

Paul's preaching brought him onto conflict with one Demetrius, a leader of the Guild of Shrine-Makers. As Chapter 19 of Acts record, Demetrius provoked a riot against Paul. He accused Paul -probably rightly- of destroying the livelihood of the silversmiths. Wisely concluding that discretion was the better part of valour, Paul 'did a runner' and never set foot in Ephesus again.

Asia Minor (Turkey) was (and still is) notoriously prone to earthquakes. For example, neighbouring Laodecia was literally wiped from the map by an earthquake in 60 AD, during Paul's own lifetime. A terrible plague, brought there by Roman troops, decimated the city Ephesus itself in 190-193 AD. A no less devastating plague and political earthquake hit the city when the barbarian Goths descended on the place in 263 AD. Again in the 4th and 7th centuries, severe earthquakes depopulated the city and left 'not a stone upon a stone'.

The site is today an archaeologists' playground. These experts have reconstructed sufficient features to convey to visitors the magnificent splendour that Ephesus once was. The reconstructed Library of Celsus is a good example of their work.

So what benefits did I derive from the trip? First, it demonstrated the absolute sophistication of Greco-Roman civilisation. Second, it gave Paul's writings a very vivid context. It brings his Letters alive in a totally new way. Third, and most dramatic of all, the trip underlined the transience of all things. I came away with a new appreciation of the Pauline conviction, 'We have not here a lasting city.'

-Dick Lyng

St. Columbanus & Pope Benedict

In his weekly general audience last Wednesday, Benedict XVI paid a glowing tribute to our own St. Columbanus (b. 543), who, the pope said, "with good reason may be called a true 'European' saint". In fact the entire 'teaching' at that particular audience was devoted to the Irish monk.

Pope Benedict recalled how at the age of 50 Columbanus left Ireland "with 12 companions to begin missionary work on the European continent, where the migration of peoples from the north and the east had caused entire Christian regions to lapse back into paganism".

"Columbanus came into conflict with the royal house because he severely criticised King Theodoric for his adulterous relationships". As a result, in 610 he and all the Irish monks were expelled from Luxeuil and "condemned to definitive exile". This 'exile' brought them to Italy, to Bobbio, and to more trouble!

In Bobbio, Columbanus "founded a new monastery that would subsequently become a cultural centre comparable with the famous Montecassino." He died there on 23 November 615. His feast is still celebrated on that day.

"With his ascetic life and his uncompromising attitude to corruption, Columbanus still evokes the severe figure of John the Baptist" said Benedict. "A man of great culture and rich in gifts of grace, both as a tireless builder of monasteries and as an uncompromising penitential preacher", the Pope concluded, "Columbanus spent all his energies nourishing the Christian roots of the nascent Europe. With his spiritual strength, with his faith, with his love of God and neighbour, he became one of the Fathers of Europe, showing us today the way to those roots from which our continent may be reborn".

MID SUMMER FESTIVAL

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

The Galway Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Bishop Drennan, will take place this year from the 1st to the 6th July. Fare will be €695. (Special arrangements for the sick: €570). Pilgrim Director will be Fr. Martin Moran, PP Killannin, and the Chaplain to the Sick will be Fr. Des Forde, Ballyvaughan. All bookings, reservations and Enquiries through Fahy Travel, Bridge St. (594747).

Quotes for Father's Day...

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