Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Ann McGowan-Lennon, (Anniv).
11.00: Agnes Margetts & Betty Creasa, (Anniv).
6.30: Patrick & Agnes Heneghan, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

According to Benjamin Franklin, there are but two certainties in life: death and taxes. His successor, Barack Obama, would add a third: disillusionment. Sooner or later people become disillusioned with their leaders, be they presidents or popes. Sooner or later, their feet of clay will be exposed.

Yes, even a leader like Barack Obama who, one short year ago, looked like a long-awaited wonder-worker, but whose mantra is now turning from a "yes we can" to a "well, maybe we can't just yet". His approval ratings have dropped from 75% to 53 - the lowest of any president a year into office.

These statistics probably tell us more about people's expectations than the failure of leaders. Rarely has a man been burdened with such unreasonable expectations as President Obama. And to be fair, he was clever enough to address this from day one. In his first speech, he stated: "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily, or in a short span of time." There is no "quick-fix" here folks, he told them. While they screamed their euphoric support, these measured words hinted at the probability that he was going to let them down in some way.

Of course we should have high expectations of our leaders. But disillusionment with leaders is so universal today that it's probably wise to readjust our expectations accordingly. The tendency to look for a saviour is very tempting. People want a superhero. From religion, to sport, to politics, they are looking for the 'Special One' who is going to change everything in an instant. This is why it's helpful to be reminded that leaders are just people. From that point of view, it was great to see Obama fluff his lines at his inaugural address. It's only when a man stops being a superhero that people start thinking: "Hang on. You can't save the world on your own, nor should you try".

At the moment we are reading from the Book of Samuel in church during weekdays. I heard Welsh author Rhidian Brook cleverly apply the lessons of that book to President Barack Obama and his first year in office. When the people of Israel asked for a king, God wearily agreed but warned them that it would all end in tears. "A king,," God said, "will send your sons to fight wars, tax you heavily, and spend your hard-earned wealth on their own houses until you cry out for relief." Despite the warning, the people got their kings. Some were just; most were just awful. In the end, God was proved right, as She usually is!

Years later, when disappointment had crushed dreams of glory and empire, a different kind of leader appeared on the scene. He had peculiar politics but seemed to practise what he preached. For some he was a messiah; for others he was a dangerous nut. He too would walk the fickle tightrope of man's expectation and go from saviour to failure in a matter of days. But the scene of his defeat would - his followers believed - turn out to be the scene of his greatest triumph and leave future leaders with an interesting challenge: If you want people to follow you all the way, you have to go there first. This challenge should bring every leader down to earth!

-Dick Lyng

Items of Moderate Interest

At your own risk!

A parishioner received a parking ticket while parked on Augustine Street on the Sunday before Christmas. He (and we) was under the impression that the ticketing and clamping of cars in the immediate vicinity of churches on Sunday mornings had ceased for over a year. When the choir member brought is misfortune to my attention, I wrote a letter to Superintendent Tom Curley about the matter. I asked him in particular what was the position concerning the parking of cars in the vicinity of the Augustinan on Sunday mornings.

I received the following courteous and informative reply from the Superintendent during the week, and I thank him for it. While it clarifies our situation, it doesn't solve our problem. (So, be ye warned! They haven't gone away, you know!)

An Garda Síochána
Superintendent's Office

Dear Fr. Lyng,

I refer to the above mentioned matter.

I am in receipt of yours of the 11th January 2010. I have noted the contents of same. Please be advised that I am not in a position to give any guarantee regarding the non issue of parking fines in the vicinity of the Augustinian Priory, Galway, during mass times or at any other time in particular.

I am prepared in this instance to cancel the Notice issued to your parishioner as a one-off gesture of goodwill. He will receive a letter to this effect.

Yours sincerely,
T. Curley
SUPERINTENDENT

The late Harry Lydon

Harry Lydon (78) Dr. Mannix Road, died suddenly at his home on Monday last. A deeply religious man, Harry attended Mass every morning in the Westside Church, but said his private prayers at the Augustinian every afternoon. I saw him down there two days before his death. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Patrick's Church on Thursday last by his friend Fr Malachy Hallinan, PP, Westside.

Harry Lydon comes from an old Galway family. He was born and raised in Prospect Hill, where he lived over the family bakery. Lydon's Bakery was opened in 1885 by Harry's grandfather, Thomas Lydon. He grew up in baking and started off by sweeping the floor, running messages and doing odd jobs. He learned to bag and stack the turf which was needed to fuel the powerful ovens. Even on Sundays, the furnaces had to be stoked. In his father's time, lighted sods of turf were placed in the ovens and, when taken out, the ovens were then washed out, creating the steam needed for baking.

Baking was a complete way of life, a vocation. Bakers worked long unsocial hours, seven days per week. For many years, Lydon's catered for the crowds at the Galway Races.

In 1959, Harry's father bought the adjacent garage, owned by Messrs. Kavanagh & Cooke. Much later, Lydon's opened a restaurant on the premises, and a branch in William Street.

Harry retired from the business in the 1990s. He was a very keen bridge player, loved walking, and had a passion for greyhounds. He regularly attended the dogs at the stadium on College Road.

Harry is survived by his wife Vera, his three daughters, Mary, Jennifer and Anne and their families. They will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace.

Ryan Tubridy

Did you hear some of our choir members on The Ryan Tubridy Show on Friday morning last? Ryan was doing a 'light item' on choirs around the country.

The items covered ranged from the delicate question as to whether 'Head voice' and falsetto are one and the same thing, to romance among choir members! Michael O'Hare was consulted frequently on both topics! Well done, folks!

Matters of Some Interest

BIBLICAL STUDIES: On Monday night, February 1st, at 8.00, Bishop Martin Drennan will lead a reflection on the Gospel reading of the weekend of February 6 & 7 in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Newtownsmith. Martin's area of expertise is biblical studies. He was Professor of New Testament Studies in Maynooth before his appointment as bishop. This course is a new initiative and, depending on the level of interest, it may become a monthly event.

VINCENT DE PAUL: Colm Noonan asked me to convey the gratitude of the Vincent de Paul Society to you, the patrons of St. Augustine's Church, for the €3,350 which was collected here on Sunday, December 13th last to help flood victims in Co. Galway. €150,000 was contributed directly to the Society in Galway by parishioners, businesses, employees, clubs and the general public. To date, €40,000 of the above has been distributed to those who have applied for it. Thanks you all.

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