Séamus Aherne: Weekly musings on life … and life only!

THE WONDER OF WORDS AND IN PRAISE OF A WORDSMITH: 

Eddie Finnegan came to mind these days out here in the Algarve. Last year, I was determined to discover what had happened Eddie as he had disappeared. After much research, I reached Eddie’s family, and learned so much more. The folklore of his life was a delight. He had died. I dropped a note to the family this year, as I remembered our many discussions last year. I was recalling the eloquence of his words and his acerbic knowledge of theology and church matters. We miss him. At least I do. He was one of the best. If not the best contributor on the ACP site. I suppose he was irreplaceable. The Site demands now that others attempt to add their own colour to the commentary. A few hesitated in the past, as they somehow feared the analytical and serrated edge, of Eddie’s riposte! He was good. He graced us. 

SEXUAL ABUSE IN WATERFORD: 

Bill Kenneally’s case seems to have taken 28 years. (Abuse in Waterford).Those were different days. Even the Recent Report (Justice Barry Hickson and then Justice Michael White) made allowances for a different time and a different culture. The family (Kenneally) was politically powerful and well known in business circles. The Gardaí were damned in the Report. The family too were accused. The Church was also mentioned in dispatches – even though John Shine did take his nephew Bill to the Gardaí, where he admitted the offences, but nothing was done. I know that many in the past couldn’t believe that such things could happen (child abuse) and were also ‘conned’ by the deviousness of the offenders. Those were different days. But there were many victims. The ‘survivors’ suffered for too long. I am sure too that the Kenneally family have suffered and the Gardaí have suffered. These too are victims. However scarce the sympathy might be, and how much blame is hurled around, abuse poisons everyone. We are all learning. And delayed justice has continued the abuse. 

‘THE RAISING OF THE MIND AND HEART TO GOD.’ 

Prayer is ‘the raising of the mind and heart to God.’ That is the challenge of the everyday. Being away from the everyday demands. As Practitioners of God talk, I think we too need time away, from the leadership of prayer for others, to let ‘the raising of the mind and heart’ into ourselves. The sea in the mornings. When there is no one else around. When the waves are chatting. When the birds wander about. When the sun wakes up. When there is space for being idle. When ‘the mind and heart’ look at the vastness of the beach, and see the shells of yesterday, washed away, by the tide; with each shell and stone having a long story. Even the ants speak – going to work or returning from. The morning is a teacher, and a prophetic one at that. It is humbling. When God wakes us up in gratitude – thinking of those who are part of our lives; thinking of how little we know, or maybe of how little I know. (That too is prayer). Every day is a revelation. Reverence is the only possible response. When the story of faith whispers its message. When the awesomeness of life, stirs us into silent awe. When we are drawn into the bliss of solitude. All is humbling. 

ATTENDING MASS AS A PRIEST: 

We have been to Mass in Almancil for the past Sundays. The Mass is mainly in English. The music is good. It is carried by a cantor and everyone joins in. All of the Mass is carried on PowerPoint. Books are given out with the Readings. It is a most uplifting experience. Everything is done reverently. There are five Readers. Then a Homily is read by a member of the Congregation. It is just so special to be at Mass for a priest. To attend and participate away from the Sanctuary (I find it important for myself). We are forever leading prayer. To be led instead is so much better. ‘The raising of the mind and heart to God.’ Can happen. And so it did and so it was. 

CUAN MHUIRE AT 60: 

Cuan Mhuire celebrated 60 years. The work of Sr Consilio was spoken about. What a gift to the life of Ireland. How many lives were saved. How many families were given back their member. We could think too of Br Kevin and the Day Centre off Church Street in Dublin. Again what a marvellous gift that ‘holy place’ has been. We can look at Peter McVerry and his commitment to the young people and the broken. Again what a gift. Life truly is always Eucharist. Gratitude. At the miracle of Christ ever present, for the most needed. Those characters are our saints. (Concilio, Kevin, Peter plus all those part of the caring communities.)

STATEMENTS OF TRANSCENDENCE: 

Last week ‘La Familia Sagrada’ featured in the news. Pope Leo was there and spoke very clearly and strongly. Gaudi was known as God’s architect. The tallest church in the world spoke of ‘transcendence.’ As did Notre Dame from the 13^th century, with its beginning through Johan de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil. It is remarkable in these days, when God is not fashionable, that such Churches should become so important nationally, in France and in Spain. It is not only the height, or the history, or the architectural wonders that they are , but rather the hints of the ‘more’ (of the transcendent.) In so many ways, I don’t worry about the ‘young’ not coming to Church, or even the ‘old’ not missing God. I am concerned at the lack of reverence, and the dullness of those who haven’t a sense of mystery; of wonder; of poetry; of beauty. It is the ‘transcendent’ in life that is at the heart of being human. Once more I say – ‘It is the raising of the mind and heart to God.’ It is the humility to know what we don’t know. It is the missing out on the ‘rumours of angels.’ I believe that the ministry of priesthood now is challenging us to be revelations of reverence, for the ‘transcendent’ in every way possible. 

Seamus Ahearne osa

15th June 2026