Category: News

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my weekly report.

Welcome to the year of 2021. In the past couple of weeks we have come through some very unusual and strange events we had to do without many of the age-old customs and rituals which have been part of our Christmases since the Birth of Christ. To say it was challenging would be an understatement but at the end of the day we can pat ourselves in the back and say I did it, I did it my way and came out stronger as a result. Full of new determination to take 2021 by the scruff of the neck, take it on with all our might and the help of God.

One of the main highlights of our Christmas was the return of our beloved parish priest Canon John FitzGerald to our alter following some heartfelt weeks without him and while we are deeply grateful to the other clerics who looked after us so well in his absence, there was something special about having ‘the Boss’ the Father figure home.  We wish Canon John all the best for the future. The streaming service in our Church made a huge difference to us over the Festive Season. There was a great attendance of those who were fortunate enough to be among the limited few who were allowed into the church on Christmas night, but for those of us who tuned in from home it was so special to be able to see the alter in all it’s splendour all lit up and the celebrant in full view, his words coming through as clear as crystal. Speaking for myself and I’m sure many more of my vintage I found it great to sit in the comfort of my own home for Mass and still feel a part of it all, joined by our people from all over the globe in one big celebration of the birth of Christ. The Christmas Crib all newly painted and surrounded by lush branches of green ivy was placed as usual at the bottom of the church where it is still intact and where people can pay homage any time as the church is open every day.   Hand sanitisers available the whole time.  There is a collection box at the Crib and the money raised there goes to good causes every year.  In ways I suppose we are seeing our Alter for the first time in many ways. Never before has it been held in our full gaze for so long and it looks so beautiful. The mosaic walls, the marble pulpit, altar and steps, the brass candle sticks and flower vases filled with a profusion of fresh flowers and the overhead lighting casting lustre on it all, the huge picture window at the back. Whenever you hear something praised to the hilt, there is nearly always a BUT. I suppose it’s an age thing with me and with all health and safety regulations being  drummed into us every day, I can’t but notice the absence of handrails on the steps of the altar to see the Padres negotiating them in their flowing robes makes me nervous. Every place we know that has steps even a couple has handrails. Our beloved clergy is going through very difficult times at the moment. It can’t be easy for them to come on the altar and minister to an empty house. We’ve heard of a flock without a shepherd, but a shepherd without a flock, can’t be easy .

[read more …] “Eily’s Report 5th January”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my last report for 2020.

How we have longed for this Christmas to come in order  that we could put all our ability into making it a good one, so as to make up for all that we have endured during the year. They say be careful of what you wish for. Little did we know that our plans would be skewed at the eleventh hour. But like everything else in life, we’ll have to grin and bear it. As we’ve said so many times, we’re all in it together, when we have digested the situation and find that there is no way out of it.  We will move up another gear and make the best we can of it. The scary accounts they are giving us about how rapidly it can spread will drive us into a state of determination and self-survival that will give us new strengths that we never knew we had.  We will make sacrifices because we know we must. Being flippant or blaze about it will not do. So our last few days in the run up to Christmas Day on Friday, will be different in every sense of the word. How I can recall those heady days when my own children were small. It was not the same world then. Winter time on the farm was very demanding  cattle being housed during the long winter months had to be tended every day. Tended only by man power and indeed helped by woman power. There was no press button solution to anything  then. But the trip to Cork on Christmas Eve or maybe the day before it was a must, an annual day out .That morning the cows were left out to water earlier than usual and were given their daily supply of hay .Pigs ,Hens , and any other livestock all got an early breakfast while the children ,fussed around indoors ,getting their own things done ,by way of dressing and invading their piggy banks and their lists of   ‘Must Haves’ , from the big city. The last thing anybody wanted to hear was that there was a cow due to calve, or a sow due to farrow.  Devastation ,   utter devastation, panic, tears , tantrums. Disappointment if there was. In such case there was the inevitable delay, the waiting for the new life to make its way into the world, prayers, curses anything to hurry the process up. But eventually we’d all pack into the little Anglia and head off. Parking didn’t seem to be a problem in the 60s. And in a little over an hour our off springs were released to the wild which was Cork City on Christmas Eve. I find it hard to believe how primitive it all was ,compared to today. It was the early days of toys having movements, How we marvelled at them ourselves ,and gloried at the joy that the little children got out of staring at them. It was easy to impress ,children then, and indeed parents also. Sore feet were ignored as we traipsed from shop to shop, street to street, looking at all the wonders of the big city ,as the world prepared for the birth of Christ. We’d go into any chapel along the way, where the massive crib would be all at the ready . The children all amazed ,and asking countless questions about this and that. Finally after having some food on the hoof ,and seen all the lovely things, it was time to make our purchases, it was often hard to make a secret purchase , to have as a surprise ,or Santa Gift  for the stockings by the fire on Christmas morning. And then the spending of ‘their own’ money. The little something that made it for them . We never missed the trip down the Coal Quay, with its numerous bright stands ,and sales women shouting out the lists of their wares. How we loved their funny use of words, two-and –sixpence all the dolls. The last few boxes of train sets, give this free with it, holding up a rag doll or an orange–. The place would be packed ,and people in festive mood , saluting one another , shouting out bits of news and Christmas cheer. As night fell, a heavenly atmosphere fell down and gave  the Coal Quay an out of this world    feeling ,the darkness ,brightening every lamp and bulb ,reflecting   off  the shiny wrappings and toys  and boxes strewn around the place. As we all chewed on the wonderful goodies that were to be had in abundance in the stalls and the children drank their lemonade from the bottle which they held firmly by the neck , it was time to bid our annual Christmas Eve Day in Cork to a close. Children tired and maybe cranky with fatigue ,we once again piled into the reliable Anglia and headed out the Carrigrohane Straight. We all sang together, our Christmas songs with all ours hearts, Dan driving R.I.P.  me holding the youngest, John D, on my lap and the Girls Geraldine & Nora in the back.  No seatbelts .  In no time our tired little charges  were fast asleep, still clutching the favourite purchases.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 22nd December”