Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

11.00: Rita & Michael Moten, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

Across the world Christian people are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Most estimates put Irish Christmas Mass attendance at almost 100 percent. (According to a 2005 European Social Survey, 64.5 percent of Irish people attend Mass weekly on average). Of all the stories that are told about Jesus - the hillside sermons, the miraculous healings, the final supper, the betrayal with a kiss, the crucifixion and the rising again - why is it this one - the Christmas story - that seems to have such power to move us?

I think it is because it calls us back to some of those core values around which we build our lives as individuals and as a society.

Most of the time we don't have to be particularly reflective about life. We just live it. We get on with work, family, relationships. But sometimes we need to think about what matters to us and why; and commit ourselves again to key values. The story of Christmas provokes us into doing that. Seeds are sown here, ideas suggested, values enshrined that first transformed those of the ancient world and continue to nourish down the years.

What we notice in the Christmas story is this: first, that it is peopled not with the high and mighty, but with the modest and lowly. These are not wealthy or powerful people, but working people, ordinary people - shepherds, a carpenter and his wife. God comes into our world through people like this and makes his home with people like this. From the start, Christianity affirms the value and the worth of the ordinary and the lowly. They are not despised. This then makes Christian people uncomfortable with any attempt to judge others according to wealth or status. It nudges us in egalitarian directions. The wealth that matters is the content of our characters. The status that counts is that we are his brothers and sisters.

We forget how revolutionary that was when the story was first told in a society where people were rigidly separated by social class; where there was slavery; where many were despised simply through the accident of birth.

Starting at the manger, Christianity turned that world upside down.

And we might also notice the particular role played by a woman, by Mary. Again, we should not overlook the significance of that in a patriarchal society that dismissed women's contribution.

But here, in the Christmas story, that contribution is essential; for this is a virgin birth. That tradition subverts patriarchy and misogyny.

But why do we need to go on telling it? The sad truth is that, as we know only too well, lessons can be unlearnt, insights forgotten, values eroded. Which is why this Christmas, after this year of scandalous, shocking events, great numbers found their way into churches to hear again about a signal to a maid and a human birth.

-Dick Lyng

Items of Great Interest

"Angels, we have heard on High..."

Our choir launched their second CD, "Christmas in the Augi" at the Galway Museum two weeks ago. The Augustinian Choir is as central to your enjoyment of Christmas as is the turkey!

Today's choir has one man to thank for his persistence and commitment in fulfilling his ambition to have the best choir in the city for the centenary of the Augustinian church in 1955. Previously a disorganised loose collection of singers, the unreliable group with no real commitment was knocked into shape by the Prior Father Thomas White, appointing Father Anthony Mansfield as choirmaster.

His recruitment drive resulted in this dedicated choral collective. Some of the members who benefitted from Father White's ambition still sing in the choir today, including Jimmy Dooley who joined in 1939, and conductor Sonny Molloy who joined a year later. Other long standing members include Patricia Lillis, organist for more than 28 years.

While their contribution is acknowledged in a general way, very few people could name four regular members of our choir.

They would identify Sonny and Pat for sure; but after that the eyes would glaze over! This is due to the fact that they are concealed from the gaze of the vulgar mob by the gallery facade. So this Christmas we will give you a chance to match names to faces.

A NEW YEAR'S PLEA

Lord, let me stand in the thick of the fight,
Let me bear what I must without whining;
Grant me the wisdom to do what is right,
Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Let me be true as the steel of a blade,
Make me bigger than skillful or clever;
Teach me to cling to my best, unafraid,
And harken to false gospels, never.

Let me be brave when the burden is great,
Faithful when wounded by sorrow;
Teach me, when troubled, with patience to wait
The better and brighter to-morrow.

Spare me from hatred and envy and shame,
Open my eyes to life's beauty;
Let not the glitter of fortune or fame
Blind me to what is my duty.

Let me be true to myself to the end,
Let me stand to my task without whining;
Let me be right as a man, as a friend,
Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

-By Edgar Guest (1881-1959)

Remainder of Christmas Programme

During the Christmas Holidays, (Dec. 26-Jan. 3), there will be one weekday Mass only - at 11.00am each day.

The Priory Office will open from 11.00-2.00 on December 29, 30 & 31.

Normal life will resume on Saturday, January 2nd with Masses at 8.30, 10.00, 11.00 and the Vigil Mass for the following day at 6.30pm.

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