This Week's Newsletter
Publishedon Thursday 19th September 2024
A Few Words from Fr Joe……
My father never made it to America. My mum’s sister lived in Chicago and naturally there was an open invitation, when she went to visit he dropped her at the airport and went fishing on Lough Sheelin instead. America remained a mystery for him, and he had few regrets. Having been here now for exactly 2 weeks, after an absence of 5 years, I feel like I’m reawakening to this familiar but strangely different place. It’s so vast, the people so loud and the food portions huge. Points and vouchers are promoted everywhere in the hope of establishing ‘loyalty’ when in reality they’re just another marketing tool. It’s expensive too, and that’s before adding a 20% tip to every restaurant bill and parking charges are just mad, $42 dollars a day at one hotel and $69 at another. So what’s the appeal, what did my dad miss? Well it’s both the people and the place, warm and friendly Americans are the norm and the natural beauty is just spectacular. My visit was for a nephew’s wedding and against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains the occasion was awesome, as they say! I was struck by how often folks here say ‘I love you.’ I know a wedding is a suitable occasion for affection and affirmations but they really do say it often and mean it!
Naturally I spent a certain amount of time visiting churches, participating in daily and Sunday Mass and meeting parishioners and brother priests. In general they remain very positive about the church, love the liturgy, music, preaching and being Catholic. I’ve no doubt they are affected by all the same concerns we have here but their culture still supports a religious identity and they don’t dwell so much on past hurts.
Visiting my closest priest friend was telling, he is 78, has stepped down from the role of pastor, but as there was no one to replace him he remains in the same parish, had 3 weekend Masses and seems to do as much as when I last stayed. His parish is partnered with another, they are desperately short of priests and only slowly coming to terms with the changes this demands. So that was all very familiar.
I’m writing on the way to the airport, the long flight home, and then returning to work and getting over jet lag awaits me. But well rested, refreshed by the experiences and I’m more than ready to get stuck in.
Fr Joe Mullan, Moderator Clonskeagh, Kilmacud & Mount Merrion Parishes