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INTERCOM
A Catholic Pastoral and Liturgical Resource • July/August 2020
Parish and Pandemic: Preparing to Resume Worship
Preparing Priests
Feast of the
Spiritual Outbreak Today for
Assumption
During Lockdown Tommorow’s
A Prayer of Irish Church
Brendan o’Regan
Pope Francis
Fr Tomás Surlis
CONTENTS Volume 50
Number 6
Intercom magazine is a Catholic pastoral and liturgical resource of the
Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference © Veritas Publications, 2020
Cover photograph: Preparations for resumption of worship in St Alphonsus Church, Barntown, Wexford. Photo: Editor.
ARTICLES
Preparing Priests Today 8-9 Prayer to Look Forward to 16-17
for Tomorrow’s Irish Church John Byrne OSA
Fr Tomás Surlis Let the Children Come to Me: 18-19
Being Together, Listening Together: 10 Faith Learned – Faith Taught
Parish and Pandemic Ruth and Maria Forrest
Fr Dermot Ryan Harry Clarke RHA 24-25
Rachel’s Vineyard: A Path to 11 Ken Ryan
Healing and Reconciliation Appreciation of an Inspiring Priest 31
Bishop Kevin Doran Deacon Noel McHugh
The Little Sisters of the 12-13 Spiritual Outbreak during 32
Assumption, and the Irish Nun Pandemic Lockdown
who Nursed Pope Francis Brendan O’Regan
Matt Moran
Thoughts on Pain and Suffering 34
The Pearl of Great Price: the 14-15 Fr Iomar Daniels
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Fr Neil Xavier O’Donohoe
REGULARS
Apologetics: Breda O’Brien 30 Liturgy Preparation (including newsletter resources) 36-55
Book Review: Clare O’Toole 28-29 Milestones 26-27
Crossword 21
NAPDA 20
Editorial 5
New Resources: Fr Chris Hayden 62
Gazette and Mart 60-61
Parish Resources: Fr Chris Hayden 23
Get Connected 7
Leathanach don Cheiliuraí 56-59 Prayers and Reflections for July/August 6
Lectio Divina: Fr Chris Hayden 33 The Liturgy Page 35
Intercom • July/August 2020 3
Editoria l Fr Chris Hayden
Ministering to Anxiety Editor
in a Time of Pandemic
Intercom is a Catholic pastoral and
I
t was a beautiful, warm, sunny morning. One of the many days on which we’ve been
liturgical resource magazine published able to say: ‘Thank God we’ve at least been having good weather.’ There were many
by Veritas, an agency established by the people out and about. It all felt almost normal.
Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. One person caught my attention. A little elderly lady carrying a large shopping bag.
Some of the content of Intercom, along with
She was wrestling with a face-mask. It was down over her chin; she pulled it up to cover
occasional resources not published in the
her nose and mouth; it slipped again. What struck me was not so much the face-mask as
printed edition, can be accessed for free, on
www.intercommagazine.ie. the look in her eyes. She was frightened. Her struggle with the mask didn’t seem to slow
A full digital subscription is also available. her walk, which was, while certainly not youthful, notably brisk for a person of her age.
(Ten issues per year, including double issues My impression was that she was anxious to get back, with her shopping, to the safety of
for July-August and December-January.) her home. Was she afraid of contracting Covid-19? Afraid because she was breaching her
Correspondence for the editorial board cocoon? Afraid because an equally elderly husband was anxious for her return?
should be sent to the Chairperson, That fleeting encounter seemed to validate some questions that have been nagging
c/o Columba Centre, Maynooth, Co Kildare. me of late. Has anyone helped that vulnerable lady, and countless people like her, not
The views expressed in the features, letters to be frightened? Has the state shown sufficient care for aspects of her welfare other
and book reviews are not necessarily those than the physical? Are we, as Church, ministering to her as well as we ought? Have we
of the editor, nor do they necessarily express
become so focused on material compliance that we risk overlooking other matters?
the official views of the Irish Catholic
Has our pastoral vision narrowed?
Bishops’ Conference.
Not one of us, whether priest or politician, cabinet-member or bishop, has been
Editor given a roadmap for these times. It’s easy to hurl from the ditch, but on the other hand,
Fr Chris Hayden it’s precisely because we don’t have a roadmap that we must be open to scrutiny and
Email intercom@catholicbishops.ie review. We have absolutely no reason to believe that we are currently doing the best
Assistant to the Editor possible job; there is nothing disloyal or unpatriotic about asking questions. What’s
Oisín Walsh more, in a profoundly ‘awkward’ situation, questions can be awkward.
Email owalsh@catholicbishops.ie I know I’m not alone in feeling both gratitude and concern at how government is
Catholic Communications Office, dealing with the crisis. One can’t but be grateful for the enormous and sustained effort
Columba Centre, Maynooth, to minimise the public health consequences of the pandemic. On the other hand, it
Co Kildare, Ireland seems at times that anxiety, rather than being assuaged, is being managed in an
Tel +353 (0) 1 505 3055 almost strategic way. This may be quite indeliberate, but a cursory review of
Fax +353 (0) 1 601 6401 statements from recent weeks points to it. Progress in containment, even as it is being
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Printing: Walsh Colour Print, Kerry To be clear: anxiety can be a perfectly appropriate response in the face of threats.
But is widespread fear really conducive to public health? Are we the better for having
Circulation our elderly population living in a state of anxiety? And if we are so feckless as to need
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Intercom • July/August 2020 5
Feast of the Transfiguration and 75th anniversary of dropping
Prayers and Reflections of atomic bomb on Hiroshima, 6 August
Photo: istockphoto.com
for July/August Atomic Bomb Dome – peace memorial, Hiroshima
Pope’s Intention for July
We pray that today’s families may be accompanied with love,
respect and guidance.
Pope’s Intention for August
We pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among
them sailors, fishermen and their families.
A Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola, 31 July
O Christ Jesus, Fundamentally, we are saying that the decisions about nuclear
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
when all is darkness weapons are among the most pressing moral questions of our age.
and we feel our weakness While these decisions have obvious military and political aspects,
and helplessness, they involve fundamental moral choices. In simple terms, we are
give us the sense of Your saying that good ends (defending one’s country, protecting
presence, freedom, etc.) cannot justify immoral means (the use of weapons
Your love, and Your strength. which kill indiscriminately and threaten whole societies). We fear
Help us to have perfect trust that our world and nation are headed in the wrong direction. More
in Your protecting love weapons with greater destructive potential are produced every
and strengthening power, day. More and more nations are seeking to become nuclear
so that nothing may frighten powers. In our quest for more and more security we fear we are
or worry us, actually becoming less and less secure.
for, living close to You, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response.
we shall see Your hand, A Pastoral Letter on War and Peace.
Your purpose, Your will US Catholic Bishops Conference. May 1983
through all things.
333
333
On the Assumption of Mary into Heaven
A Prayer of St John Vianney, 4 August The feast of the Assumption of Mary is a call to each of us,
I love You, O my God, especially those who are
Photo: Editor
and my only desire is to love You afflicted by doubt and
until the last breath of my life. sadness, and live with
I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, their gaze turned down,
and I would rather die loving You, unable to raise their
than live without loving You. glance. Let us look up.
I love You, Lord Heaven is open. It does
and the only grace I ask not inculcate fear. It is no
is to love You eternally. longer distant because on
My God, the threshold of Heaven, a
if my tongue cannot say mother, our mother, is
in every moment awaiting us. She loves us,
that I love You, she smiles at us and she
I want my heart to repeat it to You thoughtfully assists us.
as oen as I draw breath. Like every mother she
wants the best for her
333 children and she says to
On Being Without the Mass us: ‘You are precious in
‘… to my great sorrow, for five days I was not able to offer the God’s eyes; you were not
holy sacrifice, the biggest privation of the whole campaign. One made for the small satisfactions of the world, but rather for
good result at least came from this trial: it showed me in a way I the great joy of heaven’. Yes, because God is joy, not
never realised before, what a help daily Mass is in one’s life.’ boredom. God is joy. Let us allow Our Lady to take us by the
Fr Willie Doyle SJ hand. Each time that we hold the Rosary in our hands and
From the front line of the Battle of the Somme, September 1916 pray to her, we are taking a step forward, towards the great
destination of life.
333 Pope Francis, Feast of the Assumption, 2019
6 Intercom • July/August 2020
Get Connected
Ms Brenda Drumm
Communications Officer
Catholic Communications Office
Columba Centre
Maynooth
Facebook, Fake News, Fakebook Co Kildare
Email bdrumm@catholicbishops.ie
A
t least once a week, I find myself
taking to Facebook to ask those in
my timeline to ‘please stop
sharing fake news.’ Fake news can range
from people sharing a Happy Birthday
message to Pope Francis in July (his
birthday is in December) to those sharing
a story about how clicking and liking a
photo will see Facebook donating a
dollar or a euro to support a family with a
sick child (they won’t).
From the silly to the serious, I see fake
news in my timeline every single day. I try
to do my bit to gently correct, or in some
cases to clearly call out, the person
posting the fake news. I also find myself
having to block chain messages that
come into my inbox on Facebook
Messenger. People share these messages
and forward them without questioning
where they have come from or
considering how the content might
affect the person receiving them.
Facebook in particular seems to be
perpetually in the grip of an epidemic of links they had posted with lists of known hashtag is like a search engine built into
fake news and foul chain messages. fake news publishers. your tweet or Instagram post. Examples
Facebook feels more like Fakebook every This finding is backed up by the of hashtags used recently by the Catholic
day. demographic data, with over-65s, who Church include #PopeFrancis
This type of fake news sharing came to the internet later in life, sharing When you click on the Pope Francis
happens all the time within personal more than twice as many fake news hashtag, ‘#popefrancis,’ you will find
Facebook pages, but increasingly I am articles as those in the second-oldest tweets and Instagram posts in which
seeing fake news being shared without age group. those posting information, news and
question on official pages belonging to The research authors wrote: As the comments have used the hashtag to link
parishes and other organisations. This is largest generation in America enters their own content in with a global search
an unacceptable trend that we need to retirement at a time of sweeping topic on a social media platform.
be mindful of if we are looking aer demographic and technological change, Hashtags are a great way of connecting
social media pages for a parish, diocese it is possible that an entire cohort of people on a common theme, but please
or other church organisation. Americans, now in their 60s and beyond, use them sparingly.
But who are the biggest culprits when lacks the level of digital media literacy
it comes to spreading the fake news? Is it necessary to reliably determine the
automated online bots or humans who trustworthiness of news encountered NOTE: Hashtags and many other social
spreading fake news? A piece of research online.’ media questions are addressed on
published in January 2019, in the journal, So please, think before you tweet and ‘The Digital Parish’, a Facebook page
Science, said that older people are almost fact-check before you Facebook! I offering tips and guidance for those
four times more likely to have shared recommend HoaxSlayer.com reaching out online at this time. The
fake news on Facebook than the younger as a really good page also features some case studies
generation. source for checking for fake news stories on how people are coping with
and scams on social media. lockdown and social distancing in the
On average, Facebook users over the
context of faith. Drop by and get in
age of 65 shared nearly seven times as
DIGITAL FAQ ANSWERED touch if you would like to share your
many articles from fake news domains as
story.
those aged between 18 and 29, What is a hashtag?
researchers from NYU and Princeton A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded
found in the study. The researchers by a hash sign (#). Hashtags are used on
analysed the Facebook history of about social media websites and applications
1,750 American adults, cross-referencing to identify content on a specific topic. A
Intercom • July/August 2020 7
Preparing Priests Today for
Photo: St Patrick’s College, Maynooth
Tomorrow’s Irish Church
O
n 8 December 2016, the necessary to drink deeply of restful ‘developed and practised the care or
Congregation for the Clergy waters and to get to know Jesus better. “therapy” of the man of faith called to
published an important and Pastores dabo vobis reminds us that the apostolic service, for they were
timely update to the guidelines for Lord has promised to be always with his convinced of the profound need for
priestly formation. This is known as the Church and that ‘by faith we know that maturation that remains in everyone.’4
Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis We know that ‘grace does not
the Lord’s promise cannot fail… It is … the
supplant nature, but perfects it,’
Sacerdotalis – The Gi of the Priestly foundation and impulse for a renewed act
therefore, a ‘correct and harmonious
Vocation (RFIS), and it incorporates the of faith and fervent hope in the face of spirituality demands a well-structured
insights of the Synod on the Formation of the grave shortage of priests which is humanity […] to cultivate humility,
Priests (1990), which were drawn being felt in … parts of the world.’3 courage, common sense,
together by Pope John Paul II In Pastores PDV and the RFIS present an magnanimity, right judgement and
dabo vobis – I will give you shepherds integrated vision for priestly formation, discretion, tolerance and transparency,
(1992). The promise made by God to give which builds on insights born of the love of truth and honesty.’5 These are
shepherds to his people (cf. Jer 23:4) is dialogue between faith and reason in the the human characteristics, aptitudes
ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ ‘the sciences (theology, anthropology, and virtues which priestly formation in
good shepherd’ (Jn 10:11), who is ‘the psychology, etc.). Formation is a multi- Maynooth seeks to grow and develop
great shepherd of the sheep’ (Heb. 13:20).1 faceted process or journey in four stages: in each seminarian. All this is done
In the Semitic world, the shepherd with the guidance of a Vocational
1. Propaedeutic; 2. Philosophy/
knows his sheep individually and they Growth Counsellor and a Director of
Discipleship; 3. Theology/Configuration; Formation. There are also regular
know his voice in such a way that they 4. Vocational/ Synthesis. Each stage of Human Formation Seminars (including
will follow no other. The shepherd does formation has four dimensions: human, a dedicated programme of formation
not drive his sheep; he calls and they spiritual, intellectual and pastoral: in Child and Vulnerable Adult
follow, trusting that he will lead them to Safeguarding), monthly meetings of
green pastures and restful waters to 1. Human formation is the foundational the Seminary Community Forum
restore and defend them.2 Time spent in dimension, upon which all other (comprised of seminarians and
initial formation is time spent in green dimensions are built and developed. It formators) and monthly Rector’s Talks.
pastures, with the time and space looks to the Fathers of the Church who Through engaging in human
8 Intercom • July/August 2020
formation, the seminarian learns how disciples are invited to follow Jesus and
to relate to himself and others in a take to the road, not knowing where it
mature and healthy way, and is open will take them. They will have to let go of
to learning from life and from others, their old identities and be sent to the
so that he can minister more ends of the earth where they will die.
effectively in the future. They are invited to share in the freedom
of Jesus and enter into the mystery of the
2. Spiritual Formation is ‘directed at infinite love which is God.12 To follow
nourishing and sustaining communion Jesus means first to plumb the inner
with God and with our brothers and depths, our personal ‘ends of the earth’
sisters, in the friendship of Jesus the and there to discover the love of God
Good Shepherd and with an attitude of which the priest is called to share with
docility to the Holy Spirit.’6 With the the people of God. It is to have ‘a love for
help of a Spiritual Director, the learning at Jesus’ school … [and involves]
availability of a rich liturgical and rethinking, repentance … This is
community prayer life in the seminary, thoroughgoing renewal, even today. It
as well as regular Retreats and Days of starts with me.13 It means that I have to
Recollection, Lectio Divina, Eucharistic learn, first of all, that I need to listen; I
Adoration, the Sacrament of need to learn; I need to be open to
Reconciliation, the Rosary, daily discovering the love of God in new ways
Meditation and periods of personal and in unexpected places. Then, perhaps,
prayer, the seminarian grows in spirit. I will be ready to take the Gospel
His soul becomes more finely attuned message to the road and to allow myself
to the divine frequency on which he to be led by Christ to the destination
can listen attentively to the voice of mapped out by love.
God in the Scriptures and respond to
his promptings. By paying careful NOTES
1
attention to his spiritual formation and Cf. Pope John Paul II, Pastores dabo vobis, 1.
2
by ‘setting out to follow the Master Cf. Psalm 23:1-4.
3
with faith and freedom of heart, Pope John Paul II, Pastores dabo vobis, 1,
seminarians learn, aer the example of citing: Discourse at the end of the Synod (27
Christ, to make a gi of their ‘own will October 1990), 5: L’Osservatore Romano, 28
by obedience to the service of God and October 1990.
4
their fellow men and women.’ [They RFIS 93; cf. Gregory Nazianzen, Oratio II: PG
develop] the maturity … to live the 35, 27.
5
reality of his own body and affectivity Summa Theologiae, I, q.2, a.2 ad 1 and I, q.1,
within the logic of gi [and attain] the a.8 ad 2.
6
spiritual self-mastery that is needed for RFIS 101; cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis, 12: AAS 58
(1966), 1009-1011.
a proper relationship with the world 7
RFIS 109, 110, 111. Cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis,
and worldly goods … so as to become
4. Pastoral Formation seeks to integrate 15; Pastores dabo vobis, 50 and 30.
sincere and credible promoters of true 8
RFIS 116.
social justice.’7 In this way, the the insights and learnings which 9
RFIS 119.
seminarian prepares to live the three happen in a gradual way in the other 10
Ibid. Cf. Pope John Paul II, Novo millennio
priestly promises of celibacy, obedience three dimensions, in a way that helps
ineunte, 43, where the Pope speaks of the
and simplicity of life. the seminarian to ‘acquire the inner Church of the Third Millennium as the ‘home
freedom to live the apostolate as and school of communion.’ The same must be
3. The Pontifical University, Maynooth service, able to see the work of God in said of the seminary.
enables the seminary to fulfil the the hearts and lives of people.’9 The 11
Cf. Timothy Radcliffe, Alive in God – A
requirement of the RFIS that pastoral experiences offered to the Christian Imagination (London: Bloomsbury
intellectual formation should aim to seminarian throughout his time in Continuum,2019), 52; Christoph Cardinal
achieve ‘a solid competence in initial formation range from working Schönborn, Jesus’ School of Life – Incentives to
philosophy and theology, along with a with homeless people to working in a Disciplship (San Francisco: Ignatius Press,
more general educational preparation, school setting; they are all geared 2016), 19.
enough to allow [the priest] to towards helping the man to develop 12
T. Radcliffe, Alive in God, 52.
13
proclaim the Gospel message to the himself as ‘a group leader and to be C. Schöborn, Jesus’ School of Life, 18-19.
people of our own day in a way that is present as a man of communion.10 The
credible and can be understood.’8 priest, as pastor, is called to go out of
Tomás Surlis
Maynooth College shares a campus himself, to bring Christ to what Pope
is a priest of the
with Maynooth University, which Francis so oen calls the peripheries, diocese of Achonry.
means that the seminary is at the having first found Christ in himself. Since ordination in 2003,
heart of a large, modern, dynamic he has worked as a school
educational institution where the All those who are involved in the great chaplain, as a parish
seminarians learn how to engage in work of priestly formation – seminarian curate, as Principal of
fruitful dialogue with contemporary and formator alike, are called to grapple St Nathy’s College,
Irish society, and how to engage in a with what Timothy Radcliffe OP calls ‘the Ballaghaderreen, and
mature and respectful manner with a courage of the timid,’ and what Cardinal since 2018 as Rector of the National
variety of bodies of opinion and trends Christoph Schönborn calls ‘the way of Seminary, St Patrick’s College Maynooth.
of thought. conversion.11 Radcliffe writes that ‘the
Intercom • July/August 2020 9
Being Together, Listening Together:
Parish and Pandemic
A
simple reciprocal Pope Francis, too, in
pronoun, ‘one another,’ addressing the Roman Curia last
lies at the heart of our Christmas, reminded them not
Photo: Fr John Carroll
understanding of how we are to fear change, as it is the nature
called to live our faith, of how of the missionary Church.
we are Church. We bear one Recalling the words of Giuseppe
another’s burdens (Gal 6:2); we Tomasi di Lampedusa, in his
comfort one another (1 Thess book Il Gattopardo, Pope Francis
5:11); we care for one another reminded them that ‘Everything
(1 Cor 12:25); we admonish one needs to change, so everything
another (Rm 15:14); we forgive can stay the same.’3
one another (Col 3:13); we are The Church, then, must
servants of one another (Gal continue this change, prompted
5:13); and we love one another not only by dramatic shis in
(1 Pet 1:22).1 And yet, in these the world around us, not only by
weeks, this core element of promptings of the prophets in
Church has been taken from us – our midst, but also from a
not completely – but certainly simple desire to bring, ironically,
visibly and tangibly, and that is the unchanging message of God
troubling. – that already-spoken word – in
Being together and coming new, engaging and novel ways
together is Church. We need one to one another, to a people now
another for salvation. We are to listening with different ears.
be for one another the spoken
word of salvation. In being NOTES
1
together, we mediate God to Cf Gerard Lohfink, Jesus and
one another. How, then, do we Community (Philadelphia: Fortress
speak? Not just in these pandemic times, times of celebration: sharing one Press, 1984), 98-99. Exploring the
another’s joy. These voices have been praxis of togetherness, Lohfink points to a far
since we must admit as we entered this
missed and their silence noted. from exhaustive list of how we are with one
crisis that many in our communities another: Rm 12:10; Rm 12:16; Rm 15:7; Rm
were, for some time now, not hearing But we need to reflect, change and
16:16; 1 Cor 11:33; 1 Thess 5:11; 1 Thess 5:13; 1
that word as a word spoken for them. Are adapt, in order to have the Word of God Thess 5:15; Eph 4:2; Eph 4:32; Eph 5:21; James
we troubled because we lost the ‘few’ in spoken audibly in our world. If being for 5:16; 1 Pet 4:9; 1 Pet 5:5; 1 John 1:7; Rm 1:12;
these pandemic weeks, or because we one another is such an integral aspect of 12:5; 10; 13:8 14:9; 15:5; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12;
were losing the many in ordinary weeks? Church, and if this recent pandemic has Eph 4:25, 32; Phil 2:3; Col 3:13; 1 Thess 3:12;
What have we done, as Church, to speak given us occasion to see how much 4:9, 18; 2 Thess 1:3; Heb 10:24; 5:14; 1 John 3:11,
anew this salvation to one another? As poorer we are without one another, then 23, 4:7, 11, 12; 2 John 5. The point is made!
2
it is also an occasion for us to ask how Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, Interview with
we emerge from this, questions must be
strengthened we would be if God’s word Georg Sporschill SJ and Federica Radice
asked. What is the life of our parishes? Fossati Confalonieri. Corriere della Sera, 1
What is the work of our communities of was heard by more. We must reimagine
September 2012.
faith? What did we have to stop in these the voice of our Church. We know its 3
Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia.
days… and was it missed? If it was, what beauty and its depth; how can we have it Address of his Holiness Pope Francis,
did we do? And if it wasn’t, what is that heard? Saturday, 21 December 2019.
saying? Calling for continued innovation, and
We speak so well of God in so many for always seeing with new eyes, Cardinal
ways to one another. Think of how we are Carlo Maria Martini wondered why has
Church at times of bereavement and loss: the Church oen remained 200 years
carrying one another when the journey behind the times: ‘Why has it not been Fr Dermot Ryan
seems unbearable; of how we are Church shaken up? Are we afraid? Fear instead of is President of
in times of illness: offering one another courage? Nevertheless, faith is the St Kieran’s College,
great solace and comfort; of how we are foundation of the Church. Faith, trust, Kilkenny
Church in times of despair: giing one courage.’ ‘Only love,’ he noted, ‘conquers
another hope; of how we are Church in tiredness.’2
10 Intercom • July/August 2020Rachel’s Vineyard:
A Path to Healing and Reconciliation
B
oth Pope John Paul II and Pope
Photo: istockphoto.com
Francis have stated clearly that God
does not withhold his forgiveness
from those who seek it with a sincere
heart. But even when we confess our sins
and receive absolution, the sense of
being forgiven can be blocked by fear or
self-recrimination. We are not always
ready to forgive ourselves. I believe many
women and men in Ireland are still living,
years later, with the emotional and
spiritual scars of abortion. How can we
help them to be reconciled with
themselves, with their lost child and with
the God who has never stopped loving
them?
Rachel’s Vineyard is a retreat
programme for women and men whose
lives have been touched by abortion. A
few months ago, I contacted Bernadette,
who leads Rachel’s Vineyard in Ireland,
and asked her if we could host a retreat in
The Word of God is an integral part of made the difference. Where are they all
our Diocese. She readily agreed and
the retreat. At various points, the team now? Many of these women and men are
invited me to participate. Numbers would
invited us to reflect prayerfully on Gospel living in our parish communities and
be small, she said, but it’s not really about
passages, such as the story of the quite a few of them are at Mass on
numbers, it’s about people.
encounter between Jesus and the woman Sunday.
We gathered on a Friday evening, ten The participants in the retreat, in spite
at the well (Jn 4). The story of the ‘woman
of us in all. There were five team of their experience of brokenness, all
taken in adultery’ (Jn 8) was presented as
members, (including a priest), and five seemed open to being touched by
a Word of Mercy, both for women who
participants (including myself). The other healing power of God. Clearly one
four participants were three women and had had an abortion and for men who
had failed to take responsibility: ‘Has no doesn’t arrive in that space within a week
one man. I was a little nervous that my or two of having an abortion. It takes
presence might be an obstacle for them, one condemned you? No one Lord!
Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no time and grace. I am equally convinced
but Bernadette reassured me that it that we need to be there for people
would not be an issue as long as I was more.’ Gradually, as we prayed the
Scriptures, the mood changed and there whenever that happens. Rachel’s
willing to ‘go with the flow.’ The first vineyard, led by lay people who have a
evening was about laying the was a real sense of the presence of God’s
healing Spirit. wealth of personal experience, needs our
foundations. Everybody present had an support, so that it can continue to do this
opportunity to introduce himself or Symbolism and ritual are also an
important part of the Rachel’s Vineyard wonderful work. We will certainly
herself in ‘broad brush strokes’ and, sponsor another retreat in Elphin in 2020.
without going into too much detail, to retreat. Saturday evening included a
say a little about how they came to be ceremony of ‘naming’ for children who
You can find out more about Rachel’s
there. were lost through abortion. The evening
Vineyard and see what previous
On the Saturday, much of the time was concluded with an opportunity for the
participants have to say about, it on
spent listening to one another, as each Sacrament of Reconciliation with
www.rachelsvineyard.ie. If you want to talk
person spoke freely about his or her own individual confession and absolution, in
to one of the team directly, you can
experience of crisis pregnancy and which I was privileged to take part both
call: 087-8592877.
abortion. There were some tears, but as a penitent and as a celebrant. Sunday,
there was also great respect and as is only fitting, was a day of
sensitivity. For the most part, I listened Resurrection, in which the Eucharist had
and I was humbled by the honesty and pride of place.
humanity of what I heard. It surprised me Thousands of Irish women have had
to find myself sharing some of my own abortions in the UK. Many of them went Bishop Kevin Doran
personal and pastoral experiences around because they didn’t know what else to Bishop of Elphin
pregnancy and loss, which I discovered do. If their partners even knew, they
had touched me at a deeper level than I oen found themselves unable or
had thought possible. unwilling to do anything that would have
Intercom • July/August 2020 11The Little Sisters of the Assumption, and
the Irish Nun who nursed Pope Francis
T
he visit of Pope Francis to Ireland
Photo: courtest of the author
generated a lot of media coverage,
but one significant historical
connection he had with Ireland was
overlooked. That connection was with an
Irish missionary nun from Co Cavan – a
member of the Little Sisters of the
Assumption.
The Little Sisters of the Assumption
were founded in France in 1865 by Fr
Etienne Pernet and lay-woman
Antoinette Face, in an effort to ease the
misery of urban impoverishment among
poor and working class families.
The sisters arrived in Buenos Aires in
1910, and from there spread to other
countries in Latin America. In 1932, a
second community was established in
Flores, comprised of working families and
many immigrants. One of these families
was an Italian immigrant couple, Jose
Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori. When
their first child – Jorge Mario (now Pope
Francis) – was due (he was born on 17 Sr Oliva Maria with family members in Crosserlough, Co Cavan
December 1936), they sought the help of
the Little Sisters. That help was provided final seven years in Muniz, near Buenos the children to go to school, and so on. A
by Sr Olive Maria, who stayed with the Aires, where she died on 31 October 1975, poor woman who could not pay for this
family for a week, caring for the mother and she is buried there. A number of help. Servants, poor servants who used
and her baby boy. Little did she realise relatives still live in Co Cavan. Sr Oliva was to make a deep impression on me always
then that the baby boy would grow up to mentioned in Crosserlough through the … from time to time my father or my
be the Pope, leader of the Catholic Ages, a local history, published in 2013. mother, but more oen my father, used
Church which she, as a young girl, had When a girl was born to the Bergoglio to take us to visit them in the Calle Junta.
le Co Cavan to serve on the missions. couple in 1937, an Argentinan nun, Sr When it rained heavily, this street used to
Sr Olive Maria was born Susan Cusack, Antonia Ariceta, cared for the mother, the be flooded and we had to cross over by a
on 1 January 1889, to Philip and Ellen baby and the then one-year-old toddler. bridge. In the district, they were called
Cusack (née Donohue) in the parish of The parents and grandmother were “the Little Sisters of the bridge” because
Crosserlough, near Kilnaleck in south active members of The Fraternity and of of this bridge that had to be crossed.’
Cavan. She was one of four girls – her The Daughters of St Monica – support Pope Francis kept up close contact
sisters were Mary, Ellen and Kate – and groups of laity that were very dynamic in with the sisters; aer he was appointed
two boys, Thomas and Phil, in the family working with the sisters in the Flores Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he used to
who lived on a small farm. She was community. Men joined The Fraternity visit Sr Antonia and the Immaculada
baptised in Crosserlough’s St Mary’s and women joined The Daughters of St community regularly. When Sr Antonia
Church, which had opened in November Monica. In the context of today’s celebrated her diamond jubilee in January
1888, and attended St Mary’s National discussions about the involvement of 1999, he celebrated the Eucharist in the
School, opened in 1886. women and laity in general in Church community’s house.
Susan joined the Little Sisters of the activities, it is noteworthy how this and He oen visited some sisters who
Assumption at Grenelle in Paris, on 30 many other congregations have had very worked in the hospital for infectious
October 1909, and was professed on 23 active involvement for centuries. Today in diseases. His pastoral or spontaneous
May 1912. She served in Reims and Saint Ireland, the LSA Sisters have a significant visits to the families were marked by
Etienne until 1923, when she was assigned number of lay volunteers supporting special attention to the sick, especially
to South America, ministering first in their missions in South America. the poorest and weakest. On 15 August
Buenos Aires. In 1933, she moved to ‘My father and my mother talked to us 2010, he presided at the celebration for
Flores, where she encountered the about the Little Sisters,’ Pope Francis the centenary of the arrival of the Little
Bergoglio family. In 1963, she moved to said. ‘They used to go zealously to houses Sisters in Argentina – an event which was
Rosario for one year, and then to where there was a woman who needed to attended by an Irish representative of the
Montevideo for four years. She spent her be helped with the housework, prepare congregation.
12 Intercom • July/August 2020Jorge Mario kept, as something very
Photo: courtest of the author
precious, the cross that used to be given
to the ‘Monicas,’ and which had
belonged to his grandmother. On one
occasion he mentioned that he kept it
beside his bed, saying: ‘it is the first thing
I see when I wake up.’
Sr Annette Allain, LSA Coordinator in
the USA, stated during the 2015 Papal visit
to their community in East Harlem, New
York: ‘Pope Francis has a first-hand
appreciation of our mission and
spirituality from an early age, due to
receiving home care services from the
Little Sisters of the Assumption and also
from the involvement of his parents and
grandparents in our support groups. It is
my belief that his sensitivity to the poor
and immigrant population grew from his
own personal familial experience. We
have been called to become family among
the very people Pope Francis loves – those
living on the margins of society. This is a
privileged encounter of mutuality,
believing that the power of growth is in
relationship. There is no greater gi than
Pope Francis’ visit to East Harlem as the
Little Sisters of the Assumption celebrate
our 150th anniversary.’
In his Foreword to the book, Il Vangelo
guancia a guancia (The Cheek to Cheek
Gospel, a biography of Fr Stefano Pernet),
published in March 2018 by journalist
Paola Bergamini, Pope Francis wrote: ‘I
have many memories tied to these
religious women who, as silent angels,
enter the homes of those in need, work
patiently, look aer, help, and then Above: Fr Jorge Mario Bergoglio with his parents, sisters and
silently return to their convent. They brothers
Right: Sr Oliva Maria (Susan Cusack)
follow their rule, pray, and then go out to
reach the homes of those in difficulty,
becoming nurses and governesses, they The sisters arrived in an Ireland where
accompany children to school and there was great poverty, little or no state
prepare meals for them.’ aid, poor housing and widespread bleak days of 1891. Their number in
The sisters say: ‘We like to share with disease. In 2016, to mark their 125th Ireland is now just under 70 sisters.
friends and supporters the bonds that anniversary, Carol Dorgan wrote a history
unite us to this priest who grew up in a of the Little Sisters in Ireland: To Tell Our Note
family that shared the charism and the Story is to Praise God.1 The book gives an 1
The book can be downloaded at
spirituality of our congregation and who account of the sisters’ arrival and the https://www.littlesistersoheassumption.org
now, by the will of God, is our Pope development of their work throughout /celebrating-125-years-in-ireland/,
Francis.’ Ireland and in the different places to
In 1880, the first community of the which Irish sisters went. It is a social
Little Sisters outside France was history of the Ireland to which the
established in London, at the request of Catholic Church and religious Matt Moran
Cardinal Manning. In early 1891, a communities, especially nuns in very is the author of
community was established in New York, large numbers, contributed so much to The Legacy of Irish
and was followed quickly by one in the education, health, and well-being of Missionaries Lives on.
Dublin, on 4 April 1891, at the invitation of many generations of families, at a time His forthcoming book is
Monsignor Kennedy, Chancellor of the when the state under British and later The Theology of Integral
Dublin Archdiocese. Eight years later, on national rule did not provide such social Human development. He
28 May 1899, the congregation services for citizens. The Little Sisters of was formerly manager of
the Mission Office of the
established a house at Grenville Place in the Assumption can be proud of their
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Cork.
Cork. They still have a presence in Cork. contribution to Irish society since those
Intercom • July/August 2020 13The Pearl of Great Price: the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
W
hile catechisms may
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
seem to be part and
parcel of our Christian
education, in fact the Church had
no proper catechisms until the
time of the upheavals of the
Protestant Reformation in the
sixteenth century. Although there
were various summaries of the
faith since the Church’s
beginnings, the first catechism as
we understand the term today
was in fact written by Martin
Luther in 1529. Obviously the
Catholic Church could not accept
Luther’s work, but she
appreciated the value of a
compendium of the faith to
instruct the faithful, and many
bishops saw that in the confusion
caused by the Reformation, a
clear explanation of the basics of
the faith was needed.
St Peter Canisius and St Robert
Bellarmine were among the first
Catholics to write catechisms. In
1563, the Fathers of the Council of
Trent recommended that the
Catholic Church prepare an
official catechism. The Roman
Catechism or Catechism of the
Council of Trent was written aer The Council of Trent, by Pasquale Cati
the Council and promulgated by
Pope St Pius V in 1566. This same in its contents, was to be the Church. The bishops saw the
catechism was organised in four sections: proclaimed to our era in a new way ... challenges of religious education, and
the Creed, the Sacraments, the Ten apply[ing] the “medicine of mercy”.’ made a proposal that the Holy Father
Commandments and Prayer. It was aimed
Ecumenical Councils are great moments commission a new catechism. In this way,
mainly at pastors, to help them in the
of grace in the life of the Church, but the Second Vatican Council, just like the
instruction of the faithful and the
oen there is a period of confusion in the Council of Trent, could have its own
preparation of their sermons. In turn,
years following a Council. Aer Vatican II, catechism. Pope John Paul II liked the idea
many more popular catechisms in a
question-and-answer format were this confusion was especially visible in and asked Cardinal Ratzinger, later Pope
prepared, such as the Baltimore Catechism the field of catechetics. Many Catholics Benedict XVI, to lead a group of bishops
and the Penny Catechism. Millions of born aer the Council are worrisomely who were to produce this new universal
Catholic children were formed in the faith ignorant of the content of the faith, and Catholic catechism.
with these catechisms, which, while at this can sometimes be true even of This was not an easy task, and Pope
times too complicated for children, did people who attended the full Benedict shared some of the challenges
provide a very good explanation of the complement of religious education and he faced in his 2010 introduction to the
faith and food for spiritual reflection later sacramental preparation in their local YouCat (a Youth Catechism based on the
in life. parish. Catechism of the Catholic Church,
One of the goals of Vatican II was to In 1985, on the occasion of the prepared for the World Youth Day in
free the Church from outdated modes of twentieth anniversary of the close of the Madrid): ‘I was alarmed by this task, and I
presenting the faith. As Cardinal second Vatican Council, Pope Saint John must confess that I doubted that such a
Ratzinger wrote in his 1998 book, Paul II called an international group of thing could succeed. How could it
Milestones, ‘the faith, while remaining the bishops to Rome to reflect on the state of happen that authors scattered all over
14 Intercom • July/August 2020the world could produce a readable anniversary of the Catechism of the
book? How could men living on different Catholic Church. In Porta Fidei (in which
continents, and not only from a he explained the Year of Faith) Pope
geographical point of view, but also Benedict recommended that all Catholics
intellectually and culturally, produce a read the Catechism: ‘In order to arrive at
text endowed with inner unity and a systematic knowledge of the content of
comprehensible on all the continents? I the faith, all can find in the Catechism of
must confess that even today, it seems the Catholic Church a precious and
like a miracle to me that this project indispensable tool.’ And he continued by
succeeded in the end.’ explaining that ‘it is one of the most
In 1992, on the thirtieth anniversary of important fruits of the Second Vatican
the opening of the Second Vatican Council.’
Council, Pope John Paul II promulgated Like the earlier Catechism of the
the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Council of Trent, the Catechism of the
Pope stated that the Catechism was a Catholic Church is divided into four
‘sure norm for teaching the faith.’ The sections: the Profession of Faith, the
success of the Catechism was impressive, Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life
and many people in the secular media in Christ and Christian Prayer. I would
were surprised to see it become a urge every Catholic to acquire their own
bestseller in different countries. People copy of the Catechism. The words of Pope Logo of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
had a hunger for this sure norm of the Benedict when he presented the YouCat
faith, and to date millions of copies have are also very fitting: ‘This Catechism was
This image also suggests certain
been sold. not written to please you. It will not make
characteristic aspects of this Catechism:
Countless people have been delighted life easy for you, because it demands of
Christ, the Good Shepherd who leads and
with this clear presentation of the you a new life. It places before you the
protects his faithful (the lamb) by his
Catholic Faith, and through the Catechism Gospel message as the “pearl of great
authority (the staff), draws them by the
have been able to approach the beauty of price” for which you must give
melodious symphony of the truth (the
Christ and his Church. One reason for the everything. So I beg you: Study this
panpipes), and makes them lie down in
Catechism’s success is that it contains a Catechism with passion and
the shade of the tree of life, his
treasure trove of quotations from perseverance.’
redeeming Cross which opens paradise.’
Scripture and from the saints. In the
Catechism, we meet theology not as some Logo of the Catechism of the Catholic This article is adapted from a piece originally
dry academic discipline, but as the living Church published in Messenger of Saint Anthony
‘The design of the logo on the cover of magazine, Padua, Italy. Courtesy of Messenger
faith of the Bible and of the saints. of St Anthony magazine, Padua, Italy.
The new Personal Ordinariates for the Catechism of the Catholic Church (see
Anglicans and Episcopalians entering above) is adapted from a Christian
into full communion with the Catholic tombstone in the catacombs of Domitilla
in Rome, which dates from the end of the
Church, while keeping some elements of Fr Neil Xavier O’Donohoe
third century. This pastoral image, of is a lecturer in
their Anglican heritage and liturgy, are an
pagan origin, was used by Christians to Systematic Theology in
example of a fruit of the Catechism. One
symbolise the rest and the happiness that St Patrick’s College,
of the reasons Pope Benedict XVI
the soul of the departed finds in eternal Maynooth, Co Kildare
embarked on this ecumenical adventure
life.
was that in 2007, a group of former
Anglican dioceses sent him a copy of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church that had
been signed by their bishops, with the
statement: ‘We accept that the most
complete and authentic expression and A message from the editor
application of the Catholic faith in this Three years ago, I was appointed as editor of
moment of time is found in the Intercom for a period of three years. As I write this short
Catechism of the Catholic Church and its message, I am marking 29 years of priesthood, and I
Compendium, which we have signed, can fairly say that editing this magazine has been one
together with this letter as attesting to of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of
the faith we aspire to teach and hold.’ In those years. I am deeply grateful to all my co-workers:
2009, when he released the provisions my assistant, Oisin Walsh; the communications team at
for the Ordinariates, the Pope stated that the Columba Centre in Maynooth; the designer, Colette
the Catechism is ‘the authoritative Dower in Veritas; the Editorial Advisory Board; the
many generous contributors and advisors. I would like
expression of the Catholic faith
also to thank my Bishop, Denis Brennan, for his
professed by members of the support, and Archbishop Eamon Martin, for entrusting the editorship to me for this
Ordinariate.’ period.
One of the reasons why Pope Benedict To you, the readers, the reason for Intercom, a sincere thank you! I wish Fr John
XVI proclaimed the Year of Faith (2012- Cullen, the incoming editor, every blessing in the new role.
2013) was to mark the twentieth
Intercom • July/August 2020 15Prayer to Look Forward to:
Planning Prayer for Groups
C
hurch meetings generally start
with some prayer. It’s an
acknowledgement that we believe
we are involved in God’s work. Yet is it
not strange that an exercise intended to
express a core belief is at times pro forma
and eminently forgettable?
Many years ago, Henri Nouwen
described a healthy spirituality as one
with three dimensions. It helps us to
reach into ourselves, reach out to others
(those with whom we work, and those for
whom we work), and to reach up to God.
A healthy group prayer is one that
reminds us of these different dimensions,
and preferably in a way that catches our
attention. It should not be possible for us
to sleep our way through something that
is supposed to animate us and bring us to
life. Isaiah said: ‘each day the Lord
awakens me to listen with the ear of a
disciple.’ I suggest that means being on
the alert for something that will
encourage or challenge us on the path of
discipleship.
It’s not that each prayer session must
be a ‘wow’ moment, but there are simple NET) can make people look again. If you that the sharing is appropriate to a group
things that can be done that will make a want to go a bit further, the colloquial situation. This need not extend the
difference. It is a pleasure when our time translation of E. Peterson (The Message) prayer unduly. A few minutes chatting
of prayer speaks to our hearts and creates can be useful and at times amusing. with one’s neighbour, or in a small group,
a bond between us. And it can. What Where the Psalms are concerned, there can suffice to encourage personal
follows is an outline of an approach that I are many alternative translations, or engagement with the material. Over
have found helpful. prayers based on the Psalms. time, this will create the lived experience
My starting point is the readings of One does not need to have an of being a faith community where people
the day or the nearest Sunday. I browse extensive personal library to discover do more than pray beside one another,
through the readings with an eye on the other readings, poetry and prayers on the but come to know each other as people
particular group for whom I am preparing chosen theme. You can use an internet of faith.
the prayer. I look for a theme relevant to search engine to source any number of When all of this is put together, I
the people in the group, something that quotations, reflections and prayers on usually end up with two sides of an A4
will encourage or challenge them your chosen theme. Pope Francis is also a sheet, giving a prayer period of fieen to
personally, or speak to their relationship good source of inspiring and challenging twenty minutes. It is time well spent, as it
with one another, or be relevant to the quotations. will remind participants of the purpose
ministry in which they are engaged. Music and quiet time are important to that brings us together in a church group.
Having settled on the theme, I look for cultivate an atmosphere of prayer. One There is something more important than
other material that will expand on the could have quiet time at the start of the just business. Donal Harrington and Julie
theme: readings, psalms, poetry, prayer to help people arrive and be Kavanagh have written simply and
reflections, prayers, hymns, music, and I present. Alternatively, you can have a powerfully on this in the introduction to
include at some point a question for period of quiet reflection with a focus- their book, Prayer for Parish Groups. They
personal reflection. question later in the prayer. describe prayer as the ‘heartbeat of every
With an eye on catching the attention Experience has taught me that there is parish group.’ Their introduction is worth
of participants, it can be useful not to use great value in allowing people to share reading again and again, and the book is
the lectionary translation of scripture with one another aer they have a valuable resource.
texts. The different wording in other reflected on the focus question, making What follows is a practical example, to
standard translations (such as NRSV or sure there are no general confessions and illustrate the approach I have described.
16 Intercom • July/August 2020You turned my griping into gratitude
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
my screams of despair into
proclamations of joy.
Now I can explode with praises,
and I will spend eternity in
thanksgiving to you.
Reflection Focus Questions
When have I felt particularly alive in
recent times?
What helped to give me that sense of
vitality?
What can I do to enhance this sense of
being alive?
Music
Easter Hymn (Treorchy Male Voice Choir)
Sharing and Intercessions
Litany of Hope
Rubens, Praying Hands
Leader: We believe in God:
All: the One who reveals new life
CHRIST IS ALIVE unchanged, it would not set us free. The when all seems dead.
one who fills us with his grace, the one We believe in the new, in the
Introduction who liberates us, transforms us, heals and incarnation which renews the
Lord, Jesus, explain the Scriptures to us. consoles us is someone fully alive. face of the earth.
Leader: We believe in Christ:
Make our hearts burn within us as you Alive, Christ can be present in your life
All: the pledge to us of God’s
talk to us. at every moment, to fill it with light and
promise of new life.
to take away all sorrow and solitude. Even We believe in the new, in the
From Psalm 30 if all others depart, he will remain, as he possibilities in our midst that
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued promised: ‘I am with you always, to the challenge us to see with new
me end of the age.’ He fills your life with his eyes.
and have not let my enemies rejoice over unseen presence; wherever you go, he Leader: We believe in the Spirit:
me will be waiting there for you. Because he All: whose power enables us to
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the did not only come in the past, but he make things new.
dead, comes to you today and every day, We believe in the new, the new
restored me to life from those who sink inviting you to set out towards ever new heaven and the new earth
into the grave. horizons. coming to birth before our
eyes.
Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love Reflection on Psalm 30 Together: God of our lives, you are
him, In a world where there are people always calling us to follow you
give thanks to his holy name. who assume you no longer exist, into the future, inviting us to
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all I feel compelled to proclaim your praises, new ventures, new challenges,
new ways to care, and new
through life. Lord.
ways to touch the hearts of all.
At night there are tears, but joy comes I cannot define or describe you
When we are fearful of the
with dawn. but I know from personal experience unknown, give us courage;
your power and presence in my life. remind us that we can bring
The Lord listened and had pity. There was a time when I screamed, change and hope into all
The Lord came to my help. ‘Good Lord, where are you?’ situations. Create new hearts
For me you have changed my mourning Then you touched my despairing soul within us.
into dancing: with healing Through your Son Jesus Christ,
O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever. and delivered me from my private little who is our Lord now and
hell. forever. Amen.
From Christus Vivit, the Apostolic Thus, I shout your praises, Lord,
Exhortation of Pope Francis and exhort all who know you to do the
Christ is alive! We need to keep same.
reminding ourselves of this, because we There are times when I feel your anger,
John Byrne OSA
can risk seeing Jesus Christ simply as a but even then I know Email
fine model from the distant past, as a your concern and love for me remain jpbyrneosa@gmail.com
memory of someone who saved us two eternal.
thousand years ago. But that would be of Then my nights of despair
no use to us: it would leave us resolve into the dawn of new joy.
Intercom • July/August 2020 17You can also read
