Séamus Ahearne: THE YOUNG AND THE OLD: MEMORIES
Two young lads made an impression last week in the Premiership. Max Dowman for Arsenal (15 years old) and Rio Ngumoha for Liverpool (16 years old). By way of contrast – James Milner scored for Brighton on Saturday. He is almost 40! I had a funeral on Saturday for Tomo. He was a serious supporter of Man U. I suggested that he died because he couldn’t cope with those upstarts from Grimsby Town, insulting his team. Tomo opted out. That was the end. I had another problem with the young and the old last week. One of our men died. Mark Minihane. Mark has been very sick for some years. And now that the younger generation has moved into leadership, ‘who know not Joseph,’ Mark wouldn’t have been known to many now, especially as he had moved from England to Ireland after some 50 years away. His past could be forgotten. He would be seen only as sick. Mark was a wonderful pastoral man in the old-fashioned way. He knocked on doors in Arizona, Dundee, Edinburgh, Clare Priory, Harborne, Quinton, Hoxton and Hammersmith. And now Hoxton is thriving with the vibrancy of Africans, Asians and South Americans. Mark and Paul Graham (also dead) helped that scene flourish. As it happened (the funeral) his greater story wasn’t forgotten but I had been concerned lest it might. We should always remember the history and the story. We can’t be distracted by the immediate and the present or even the ‘young ones’ surprising us.
THE AUGUSTINIANS GATHER IN ROME:
The Augustinians have gathered in Rome for their General Chapter. They represent 43 countries with some 2341 members. They met yesterday (1st September) at Sant’ Agostino Church (burial place of St Monica) near Piazza Navona. Pope Leo (Bob) led the opening Mass. It was quite a formal celebration lightened by Bob’s smile and his easy presence. The Liturgy was lovely for many but ‘they’ wouldn’t have got away with such a celebration here! That Confiteor definitely wouldn’t be allowed as part introduction. (I will have a word with Bob!) However it was a serious moment (the Mass) and Bob spoke well, aided by Augustine. As it was a Mass of the Holy Spirit the Pope highlighted simple values. The Spirit still speaks. We have to listen. For today. We listen to each other. We learn from one another. The search goes on. There is no space for despondency. Here we had our own celebration for Augustine. It was chatty. It was argumentative. It was fun. Poor Monica was portrayed by some as an interfering old nag. However the mothers present were quite indignant! We threw around the Newspapers too, because Augustine dealt with daily life and news and responded. We did conclude with that wonderful piece from Augustine in the ‘City of God’: The ant, the elephant, the whale, the waves, the sky, the leaves, the trees, the birds, music, people. Reverence. Amazement. Wonderment. Beauty. Awesomeness. And Godliness. It spoke to us all and through each other. We celebrated rather well. Because it was a shared reflection. The music and song was wholehearted together. It was holy.
STORIES:
One of our very extraordinary women in the parish, went home one evening after a Meeting. She poured herself a big gin with a little tonic. She was so frustrated. Her husband appeared to make a cup of tea for her and was taken aback at the new drinker he found. She was lost for words to explain how annoyed she was. So please be careful at Parish Meetings; make sure everyone prepares properly and notes what is already decided previously! We can all meander carelessly at meetings. But that wasn’t all. I had a phone call (one of many). This one asked to be forgiven. It was ‘malice aforethought.’ He told me the story. He was going to a Birthday Party. He would be expected to drink. It apparently is ‘the done thing.’ However, he needed an excuse. His plan was to tell them that he had to take the ‘little priest’ (me) to the airport at four in the morning to bring another priest to a plane for Rome, where he was to be made a bishop. (All rather elaborate). I told him that it was okay to spin such a yarn, if it stopped him drinking, but not to over-explain. The same man goes off the drink for months but if he gets a drop; it is for a three week binge.
HISTORY IN THE COMMUNITY:
There was another funeral. This time it was for a man who had dementia for the past 12 years and had been in a Nursing Home. Again it was very special. The care and affection for the man was profound. I was thinking too. He had been a member of the Rivermount Boys Club from the early days. We still have some around who were there at the beginning. They celebrate their Golden Jubilee shortly (September). Their commitment to the youngsters of the area has been very special. We can never be grateful enough. I was a little concerned that many might not remember Tony and the Tonys of the past. He could be forgotten and Rivermount Boys could be seen as something of the distant past. (But it continues). The funeral was awash with memories and there were many tears. Now I have to tell you that Liverpool featured highly in the celebration. Any proper Liturgy has to take into account the real story of a person’s life. It was a Realistic Ritual. Too often we get caught up in formalities and forget the ‘The Word becoming Flesh.’
‘THE DRESS MAKETH THE MAN.’
Some women here often try to tidy me up. I recall a book brought out some years ago on Finglas in which I appeared. Apparently, my photo showed great character, but my eyebrows needing cutting. Or so some women said. Last week I was asked if I had got a hair-cut (which I hadn’t) but it was then decided that I was losing hair rapidly. Of course, it doesn’t matter to me. I can’t and couldn’t see the problem. Many want to coordinate what I wear but it appears trivial to me. And then I begin to respond. I mention IIona Maher. She is an American Rugby player. She is big on Social Media – such as TikTok and Instagram. I know nothing about her. But I got a glimpse of her during the Rugby World Cup. She is on the field with big fat red lips. What on earth is that about? I come back to the complaining women. And I say: Why do women plaster their lovely faces with loads of muck and redden their lips with such rubbish? All the fuss about paint, cosmetics and hair – seems to me to be utter nonsense and wasteful, where beautiful women distort their loveliness. But then, what do I know?
Seamus Ahearne osa
2nd September 2025.