Séamus Ahearne: THE SEA DOES BREATHE BETWEEN THE WAVES:

We have left the Algarve. It must be very lonely without us. Some who watched me on the beach each morning had christened me The Vicar! Why? I don’t know. However, it could be the odour of sanctity flowing from me, carried by the wind. All I ever did was to arrive at my usual spot and sit for half-an-hour. It may not have been (or it may have been) ‘Contemplata tradere aliis!’ (Or something like that). It was a privileged time. Those two hours each morning, one hour walking, 30 minutes sitting still to catch the breath of the sea between the waves. (You do know that the sea takes a breath?) And half-an-hour walking back to base. I was/we were, very blessed in having our time in the Algarve. We would never have reached Portugal except through the generosity of others. The lingering and persistent thought is my delight that somehow I managed to discover the story of Eddie Finnegan. I eventually found out what had happened and spoke with his brother Peter. I really miss him on the ACP website. He brought a vigour and robustness to our discussions. He wrote so well. I’m not sure if others missed him as much as I did. Eddie had the scalpel and used it. He could be fearsome. But he had the knowledge; had the words; had the sense of fun.

WE WERE LET DOWN BY AMERICA:

Graham Greene was always interesting – not only when he claimed that he became Religious on an airplane;  he would revert to saying a Hail Mary with a little fear. But also for his literary genius. His book, ‘The Quiet American’ (1955), comes to mind at the moment. It was adapted for film in 1958 and in 2002. The main characters were Pyle, Fowler and Phuong. The story anticipated the Vietnam War, and the failures and fall-out from it. It highlights too the sheer ‘know-all’ attitude and utter ignorance on another culture and another people by America. ‘America knows best’ had to be the slogan. Some of the ideas involved are applicable to American Now. How could a people formed from all nationalities end up so stupid, as to elect Trump? This ridiculous man is now the world’s chief bully. And yet many other leaders across the world kowtow to him. They humour him. A Quiet Man? No. Arrogant? Yes. Know all, and devoid of humanity, or intelligence? Yes. It does appear as if E Jean Carroll catches him in profile. ‘Not my type.’ Mary Trump dissects him rather well too. He was elected by America. How could any country  ever trust America again?

ASSISTED DYING AND THE ABORTION BILL:

Last week was strange in The Commons. The new way forward for the Abortion Bill was passed with a few hours debate. Abortion can happen almost up to full term. There hasn’t been a whimper around this. And then The Assisted Dying Bill got through and will now go to the Lords. Where is Pádraig McCarthy when we need him? He would have something to say on these two Bills. He always brought a very clear mind and an analytical brain to such issues. And yet to deviate somewhat – conventional wisdom is inclined to say that Donald Trump won over the committed people of religion in America by being anti-abortion. I find all of this very dubious. Trump’s philosophy will ally itself with the prevailing wind. His principles are very flexible. It does seem to me that Trump’s views on anything have almost nothing to do with what many of us see to be Christian values.

NANNY TALKS TO GOD; WILL GOD TALK TO NANNY?

A little fellow called Sam, wanted to ring his nanny to tell her that he had won the egg-and-spoon race today. Nanny wasn’t available on the phone. He thought about it. He then said to his Ma,  “Nanny talks to God, maybe God might talk to Nanny, and tell her that I won the egg-and-spoon race today.” His Ma felt that this was a very good idea. His first question then when he met his Nanny – “Did God tell you that I won the egg-and-spoon race?” Nanny reassured him that God had told her.

GRADUATION DAY:

At Graduation today, there was much Reflection and lots of Gratitude expressed by the Primary School Graduates. The Principal, Michelle, said that she had asked some of the children to tell her about special moments during their school life. One child said: “Our First Communion and Confirmation.” Michelle said that there wasn’t any First Communions in Malachy’s. She was told quickly that it hadn’t for them; it was one of those postponed Communions (the aftermath of Covid) which had happened in the Senior School. I was the surprised one to hear that any child nowadays would name First Communion and Confirmation as very special! 

REVIEW OF SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME:

1. We are in the midst of a Review of the Sacramental Programme in the Parish. Some are in a rush to name dates for next year. Of course the Principals do need times/dates for the School Calendar. However there is a deeper need to review the whole meaning of Sacrament and such celebrations. The obvious reality is that these occasions are events and not a commitment to the community of faith. In its simplistic form – almost no one appears at Mass after those celebrations.

• I know that there is a cultural divide between ‘our view’ and the ‘view’ of the greater public. We see it (the Sacrament) as having something to do with God. Something to do with the Community of faith. Something to do with an awareness of mystery and reverence. Something to do with faith at its deepest level.

• On First Communion: It is a wondrous moment in the life of a child. They are spontaneous. They are curious. They are buzzing with life and wonder and excitement. That moment in a child’s life has to be celebrated. That age is very special. I think the children can teach us. However, the families have lost the sense of holiness and reverence and occasion. The children are dressed up. They perform beautifully. Sometimes it is more an occasion for crowd control than anything else; that is concerning the adults not the children. The schools continue to do a great job but we have to look at the fundamental meaning.

• We have to concern ourselves with the ‘sacred’ and not be rushed into continuing a tradition. I also know from my two cultures clashing image – the understanding of the families and our understanding is totally different. By definition these parallel lines don’t mean. (Two different cultures/understandings). If we were to say – no First Communions unless there is commitment; there would be outrage and the church would be damned. We cannot however keep on ignoring the reality. The culture of faith has gone missing.

• Now there is less a problem with Confirmation. As it is now often called – the Exit Sacrament, we should cancel it completely. The schools do a great job. The occasion is good. But it is meaningless as a Sacrament. We should not and cannot continue doing what we have been doing. Our own sense of God, shouts at us to say STOP. It has to be postponed until there is some choice actually made and some real sense of God discovered. (Of course,  we can apply some of the above to our usual celebration of Liturgy. It is crowded. It is loaded with clumsy prayers. There isn’t room for mystery. Clunky language is used and ridiculous latinisms. We disrespect even the basis of a psychological celebration. This is for another day).

Seamus Ahearne osa  25^th June 2025.