SÉAMUS AHEARNE: ‘SOMETIMES, I NEED ONLY TO STAND WHEREVER I AM, TO BE BLESSED.’ (M Oliver)
SHIRLEY VALENTINE AND THE BUCKET LIST:
We were chatting at Mass as usual last weekend. The participation was normal or rather lively. Not too many were exercised by the Dedication of John Lateran’s but were impressed by the notion of being ‘Temples of God.’ However, when I lobbed into the conversation the name Pauline Collins, (she died recently) many faces lit up and the voices got louder. Shirley Valentine definitely stirred something in most people. Being dissatisfied with life and the sameness of everything, appeared to be the common theme. (As many understood the film). My own take on it was – ‘being taken for granted.’ Shirley was. The husband expected steak on a Thursday, etc. I suppose we are reluctant and unwilling to accept that each person as a ‘Temple of God’ and the revelation of God.
We need to be like Shirley and decide to do something to wake up the spirit within. To see. To be awed. And then (don’t we) take the usual folk for granted and find it hard to rise to the sacredness of God in each other. Another rather easy lob was ‘The Bucket List’ with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. I think it is brilliant film and also rather amusing. It does ask the simple question: What matters and who matters, if we are rushing toward death? So whatever about John Lateran or in fact any/every Church, something of the Sacred within and around the local body of living Christians is both ambitious and challenging.
THE PRESIDENCY:
Catherine Connolly was inaugurated on Tuesday. The election process was very defective. Why so many party political issues became the battle ground did seem ridiculous. The mess around Jim Gavin was farcical. Somehow the very nature of what the Presidency was, got lost. (As for the spoiled votes; I think that was shocking and wrong.) We have had the two Marys and Michael D who brought dignity and definition to the role, and it has been good. Anyway, Catherine was elected. And immediately in Dublin Castle, people came together from all parties, and everyone spoke with respect and great dignity, which is what it should be.
THE INAUGURATION
The Inauguration was solemn too and appropriately celebrated. A fine Liturgy indeed. I winced when I saw a few people looking or texting on their phones. I saw very little of celebration. I wonder about myself. As soon as the Religious dimension began, I disappeared. I had to go, but I wanted to go anyway. Why does some of that put me off? I’m not sure. I recall 21 years ago, one lady here, who had written a book on Rituals for Key Moments in Parish Life, had finished her book. Mary McAleese’s inauguration was beginning. This woman is a perfectionist. Every word in that book had been assessed. However, at that moment, all she wanted to do, was to see the style on screen; what they were wearing. I was told to tidy up the script and send it off to the publisher. Will I ever understand women?
HAS THE SYNODAL METHOD SOMETHING TO SAY TO EVERYONE?
During our recent PPC meeting and also at the Deanery meeting, the view was emerging that the Synodal method was precious and should become the norm. It was even thought that it could be the guiding example for all kinds of discussion in our outer world. There is much truth in that. Our world is in smithereens. A state of chassis applies. It is chaos. Everyone is shouting and not listening. The Trumpian philosophy is crude and vicious. It pollutes all of society. Truth is irrelevant. The other side is always wrong. It gives birth to the Far Right. It is a ghetto solution to everything. Everyone is wrong except my myopic view of the world. The Synodal idea respects differences. It listens. It accommodates differing views. It believes in others. I might have little regard for Raymond Burke (Cardinal) or for the Latin Mass brigade. But if we are Catholic, we share the space and it is God who only matters. My little understanding is very limited. There is room for other glimpses. It is the humble mind that can accept others.
THE NAYSAYERS.
If in politics, why does everyone have to batter each other and see only the failures of the other side? If Mr Trump feels aggrieved at being misquoted, give him £1 in damages! In the early days of the ACP, we were sometimes classified as a Clerical Trade Union and always ANTI. But really we can’t be ANTI, we can’t go on full of negativity but rather point out what needs fixing and then highlight a positive vision of life and Church and priesthood. The daily news is enough to depress any listener. But when will some reporting begin to highlight the successes of life now? (An example is the BBC. It does a magnificent job in so many ways – but a few mistakes leads to abhorrent commentary). In life here in Ireland: There is full employment. The economic achievements of the moment are mighty. There is much more to be done and it should be and can be.
GOOD NEWS PEOPLE?
But as Godly people – we have to accentuate the positive. Sr Stan has died. What work she has done. Br Kevin has died. Let’s remember those 350,000 meals given out in 2024. We have to act responsibly. The curse of entitlement in society is simply wrong. The need for encouragement is obvious. Church people have to have that positive and bright light of faith. We should call a halt on the focus on problems and celebrate the beauty of God and life and the wonder of every day. I think that is where people of faith need to be – as counter cultural with a sense of humour. Instead there is a danger of becoming lost in weariness and a sense of failure.
A DOG; A SWIMMER; SOME POETRY!
One of our parishioners was upset. Her dog was dying. She took the dog out to the Phoenix Park to see the sun rise for the last time. Is that madness? It sounds like that to me but it is beautiful. A friend of mine rapidly produces tumours. And has done so for years. All the treatments are never winning. He has lost his taste. However, every day he goes to the sea in Whiting Bay and swims with his wife. He then sits at the beach and reads poetry for an hour. Somehow there is my world. There is my living God. There is hope. There is wonder. There is beauty. That is the holy place.
Seamus Ahearne osa 12th November 2025.