Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Larry O'Donnell, (Anniv).
11.00: Eamon Lynskey, (Anniv).
6.30: Brendan O'Donnell, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

The attention of Catholicism, Judaism and Islam will focus on Jordan and Israel this week. The German-born pontiff left for the Middle East on Friday last. He will spend three days in Jordan before flying to Israel.

On Monday, he lands in Tel Aviv for four intense days in Israel that will include visits to the Western Wall, holy to Jews; and, sacred to Catholics, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the hall where Jesus is believed to have had the Last Supper. In Jerusalem he will visit the religious compound in the Old City known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The Israelis are flagging the pope's visit as 'A Bridge to Peace'. Others, however, describe it as a minefield where various factions may try to exploit the pope's presence for political gain. Both Jewish and Muslim ideologues are determined to stop the pope crossing that bridge either by smearing him as an anti- Semite or by making his visit to a Palestinian refugee camp look like a politically motivated reproach to Israel.

The trip is the first by a pope to Israel since the 2000 pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II. John Paul was an historic trailblazer. He gave Vatican-Jewish relations priority. It was on his watch that diplomatic relations were first established between the Vatican and the state of Israel, in 1994. In political terms, he was the first pope to recognize the state of Israel. Inevitably, Benedict's words and actions are sure to be compared - and contrasted - with John Paul's.

John Paul's visit was viewed universally as a groundbreaking, historic event. But Benedict's travels to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories will be much more about him personally. His four-year papacy has been marked by blunders that offended Jews and Muslims alike. In the course of his visit he will deliver no fewer than 32 speeches at some of the holiest sites in the world to Muslims, Jews and Christians. I fear that those who actively crave offence will find it readily enough!

One possible problem could be the pope's last day in the region, May 15, which coincides with the day Palestinians mark as the Nakba, the "catastrophe" of Israel's birth in May 1948. Each papal syllable and word will be scrutinized, particularly by listeners with little affection for him.

Different factions have different expectations from the visit. The understandably skeptical Palestinians expect 'little or nothing'. The Vatican's Jewish experts hope the trip will mend fences! Israeli officials hope it will boost Christian tourism to the region! Rabbi David Rosen hopes the trip will show that the relationship between Jews and Catholics "has continued to flourish since the visit of John Paul II."

The expectations of the man himself are interesting: "My primary intention is to visit the places made holy by the life of Jesus, and, to pray at them for the gift of peace and unity for your families, and all those for whom the Holy Land and the Middle East is home." Modest enough, I think?

-Dick Lyng

HAPPENINGS

Liturgy Meeting

Thirteen people attended our first meeting of the new Parish Liturgy Group in the Priory on Thursday evening last. It was encouraging to see such a good number present. At the outset, we attempted to establish the brief or remit of the group. We tried to do this by looking to the experiences of similar parish groups.

We looked at a document titled 'Guidelines for Liturgy Groups', adapted from those drawn up in another Parish. Four key questions were addressed: (a) 'What is Liturgy?' (b) 'What is a Liturgy Group?' (c) 'Who should be on the Liturgy Group?' and, finally, (d) 'What will the Liturgy Group do?'

We agreed that a liturgy group should be 'a policy-making and monitoring body', rather than a group that 'helps out the priests' with the Liturgy.

Ideally, all 'liturgically active' groups in the parish, such as Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir, Altar Servers, Children's Liturgy Group members, should be represented. We will try to be as representative as possible. We hold our next meeting on June 5th at 7.30. New members are very welcome.

Education for What?

We must strive to impart not just facts but encouragement and support for students to develop some philosophy of life; not just credentials but commitment to large and noble goals; not just skills but high ideals of personal and professional service. We must strive in each of our individual institutions, to give real and sustained attention to the intellectual and moral well-being of each individual student.

-Professor Frank Rhodes, President, Cornell University.

DAWN CHORUS

{Sunday next, May 17th, is Dawn Chorus Day. Enthusiasts in their droves will turn out at dawn to listen to the birdsong. RTE radio is covering the event from 2.30am, I think.}

The sound of birdsong is magical, but is is also central to the survival of bird species. It is the males that are singing; for they will not attract a mate without a territory they can call their own. They claim this territory by singing as loudly as they can. Loud song also tells the females that this is a strong, fit bird in a good territory. Singing at length indicates strength and virility.

Perhaps, like farmers across the world, the male with the best land has a head start. Girls want a secure home and food for the family they are hoping to raise, so they are naturally drawn to the male that looks like a good provider.

For all species, including mankind, attracting a mate is never an easy business. Young single males of all species try to look their best when 'out on the town'. A bright plumage and attractive clothes both serve the same purpose. Loud birdsong is only the avian equivalent of a souped up, noisy car with a serious sound system that can draw the girls. The parallels are striking, as males compete to show the females they are the biggest, strongest, wealthiest, smartest of all and who will make the best providers if given the chance.

The tricks that males use to attract the girls are endless. Some birds, such as chaffinches, use a wide repertoire of choruses to convince other males there are lots of birds in the area and the territory is spoken for. Because females prefer males with the most complicated songs, European wrens, for example, have songs that contain more than 700 different notes each minute - quite an achievement for a tiny bird.

During the dawn chorus, female birds listen to each song and visit each territory before deciding who to mate with. Just like their human counterparts, they take a long and hard look at who is available before making that big decision.

While the females play-hard to get, their prospective mates are busy providing us with one of the most stunning musical feasts you will ever hear. Don't miss it!

-Joe Barry (The Farmers' Journal).

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