Poem: WALKING HOME LATE FROM CHURCH FOLLOWING MASS OF EASTER VIGIL

Dear Friends,

So many of our young people have long since given up on Church, attending only on special occasions like christenings, weddings and funerals.

Pastoral opportunities? Maybe. Opportunities at least, to offer a heartfelt welcome, abundant liturgical hospitality.

Blessings,

Michael Maginn

WALKING HOME LATE FROM CHURCH

FOLLOWING MASS OF EASTER VIGIL

April 2021

Walking home late

from our Easter Vigil Mass,

I blundered into a bunch of youngsters

outside our local Carry-Out.

Sorry mate, one of them staggering back into me,

as I side-stepped past.

Rowdy and ravenous for kebabs,

I felt strangely unthreatened.

Realising then that the Easter Homily

I had just so smugly delivered,

Was as far removed from their life-experience

as it was possible to be.

I arrived home, less than filled with Easter joy,

somewhat sad.

Nothing more to say or add.

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Fr Michael Ryan  of St James Cathedral Seattle U.S.A. posted a statement on the cathedral website about the latest mass shooting in that fractured land.
“… the brutal attack on worshippers in Pittsburgh was an attack not only on our Jewish brothers and sisters who for far too long have been the victims of the most vicious forms of bigotry and hatred imaginable, it is also an attack on all people whose right to worship God according to their conscience and their tradition came under attack ….”

One Comment

  1. Mary Vallely says:

    Very poignant and shows a great deal of self awareness. It’s a starting point, Michael. I admire your honesty! We have all been there thinking we have delivered on what we set out to do. The struggle goes on but you have a better chance of reaching out to the youngsters now having realised that so much of what goes on in our cozy church services just doesn’t relate to the reality of people’s lives. Those few heartfelt, honest words of yours struck a note with this struggler too. I wish you well. Bail ó Dhia ar an obair. Never give up.👍

    Reply

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