Séamus Ahearne: “Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.” Toni Sorenson
SPRINGTIME:
One of our schools (St Malachy’s) comes across for Mass on the First Fridays. It is both surprising and lovely to have them. (At their request). Today (1st March) the Sixth Class took the Theme of Spring for the Mass. So they shared on the signs of Spring. We heard of Snowdrops, Crocuses and Daffodils. The spoke of the birds singing; the days lengthening; the buds appearing. They even linked the notion of Spring with the word Lent. (We have officially distorted the historic meaning of the Lenten period, but they got some of the real message of Lent.) They saw their work in school as each of them being helped to flourish; to discover the best in themselves. To wake up to the possibilities within. They emerged with the single and final thought – gratitude. For nature. For the need to be kind to the grass; to the air; to the trees; to the bees; to all the little things of life around them. To be thankful for their families and the staff at school. And to God. They did well. I did tell them that their Principal Michelle, was very old, ancient and an antique. (Priceless). That she went to their school. That she gets very emotional about them, and is very proud of them. In her heart, it is always Springtime, as she sees the children. She coaxes those buds to blossom.
TOMMY TIERNAN:
Tommy Tiernan (Saturday evenings after the 9 o’clock news RTÉ) does a wonderful job. The surprise element is intriguing and seductive. The unknown. The ‘beautiful’ Fred Cooke (Tommy’s word) reveals the guests’ names. We get the first half; the second half and the third half! (Tommy’s words). The questions. The chat. All is very special. I have one quibble. Why does the puerile sneak into the chatting? The crude language. It appears as if it is a sign of great maturity to be able to use such language on TV? And then any sexual issue leads to such giddiness that it seems as if a crowd of teenagers have been unleashed. That is a pity. Otherwise – the whole idea of the Programme is excellent and Tommy is brilliant. I must be getting old and easily put off…… if such things annoy me.
IN CARE – WITH BAFTA 24:
Samantha Morton got a Bafta Fellowship Award (Bafta 24) and spoke. She said that stories matter. (The value of film, theatre). That how we tell those stories is important. She spoke emotionally. She dedicated her award to every child in care. She came from care herself. She spoke of Faith. Her faith in God. The faith others had in her. She was magnificent. (Stories matter to us too. How we tell them. In Liturgy. That is our Stage).
THE DEAD ARE KILLING US:
We had Ten funerals last week, and four on one day. The dead are killing us. It is a rollercoaster. Being invited into the story of a family’s history is privileged. We don’t always have the time to linger in a home as our minds are in a rush to get organised. But this needs time. On a snowy day – I can say that it is like an avalanche. (So many funerals) A dying church. We have to be very careful that pastoral ministry isn’t just crisis-management. There is another way. Yesteryear’s model is dying too and has to. Imaginative ministry is the way forward. Faith is always poetic. A struggle for words. A searching for the mystery. We are forever pioneers in vision. We don’t have to carry all the trappings of the past in our Rituals. In today’s world, where most people (yes) have little contact with Church, there is a great need for time, gentleness, patience and commitment, to be with the families in preparation. We have to move out of our comfortable Religious language (and song) to be hospitable and comforting to the family story. The Word has to become flesh. In this family. In this person. On this occasion. The same is true for our Masses (there are too many accretions from the past). A rather good example too is the Easter Vigil which is a wonderful celebration, but it needs pruning and tidying up, in applying it to the community present. God is found in the bits and pieces of everyday. (A version of Paddy Kavanagh’s words). In the life experience of the people present. This is always real Liturgy!
RTÉ AND COMMUNICATING:
RTÉ is in the business of communicating. I think they do a fine job and they have even done an impossible and excellent one, in speaking of the weaknesses of their own set up. Ryan Tubridy was sacrificed. He was dispensable. He wasn’t the problem. Management and Governance was. Dee Forbes and her team are the ones with the information and Dee is absent. But surely it is time to get on with solving the structure for the future. Snarling over the debris, is a further waste. We can’t have a communicating team, only talking about themselves.
Catherine Martin walked in a trap on Confidence. She should have known that a journalist loves the cheap and easy answer to a trick question. If Catherine was interested in football; she would have known too that such a question is a regular for managers in trouble in the Premier League. Verstappen (F1) also was faced with a similar question about Christian Horner. His evasive answer was fodder for the press. But these exciting questions are utterly nonsensical. Back to RTÉ: Siún Ní Raghallaigh resigns. It was a foolish result to the overall plan and important issues. A wasteful distraction. It could be called shooting themselves in the foot. And then there was the Dáil Committee. It is supposed to be about transparency and accountability. I’m unconvinced. They love blethering. The volume of their repeated questions and their demand for uncomplicated answers was laughable at times. They were so indignant, self-righteous and full of entitlement. It is time to move on. For management (at RTÉ) to manage, for the Board, to oversee, and for Government to keep a watchful eye. Let the communicators, communicate. (As an aside – we too are in the business of communicating. How do we do it?)
NOVALNY AND GAZA:
Alexie Novalny was buried today. Thousands braved the regime. After all, placing flowers had become a criminal offence. His story is an affront to the humanity of Russia. It is very sad when flowers are feared; when an alternative voice is exterminated; when paranoia takes over a leadership; when so many are sacrificed for a crazy idea of the motherland which apparently justifies destroying Ukraine and its people. It is a very sad statement on our world when criticism of the Israeli invasion and destruction of Gaza and the Gazans is crudely interpreted as Anti-Semitism.
SIGNS:
It was raining, as I went out this morning. The birds were silent. And then I began to notice that my jacket was turning white. The snow was taking over. The daffodils began to wilt. The Tolka was busy and shouting. (Friday). However, like Francie who complains of those in the Gospel who look for signs, I re-read the scene. He wakes up in the morning and can see. He puts his feet on the ground and can walk. He looks around and notices the air and the trees and the clouds and the sun. He can walk. He can see. He can hear. He can smile. He can cry. He can talk. Why do people look for signs? (He asks). God is everywhere if only our minds were alive. (Francie can’t read or write but he does understand.)
Seamus Ahearne osa
1st March 2024.