Carmelite Contact Issue Winter, 2017.

Transcription

1 Carmelite Contact Issue 37 - Winter, 2017.

2 The Annual Joint Carmelite (O.Carm./O.D.C.) Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday July 22 nd 2017.

3 Knocktopher/Ballyhale The last two years have been a time of transition for the Carmelite Order in Ireland. Difficult and painful decisions have had to be made but there have also been signs of renewal and growth. The aging profile of our members, together with the shortage of vocations, has led to withdrawal from certain ministries but has also encouraged us to explore new approaches to ministry for the future. Where possible, we have sought greater collaboration with both laity and with members of the wider Order. An example of this is White Abbey, Kildare, which has been entrusted to the pastoral care of Carmelites from the Delegation of St Thérèse and St Albert since April 10 th This venture is working well and indeed the new members of the White Abbey Community have been well received by the people of Kildare and surrounding areas and the Province. Another example of collaboration has been the establishment of the Board of Management in Terenure College, Dublin. However, despite these developments, it became clear that we still could not provide an adequate pastoral service or maintain eight communities. It was with heavy hearts that a decision was made to withdraw from Knocktopher/Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny. This news was met with regret and sadness by the local people and by Carmelites who had ministered there. The Order worked with the Diocese and representatives of the local communities to ensure that, on our departure, the pastoral needs of the people would be met. This included the establishment of a Parish Pastoral Council in Ballyhale and the appointment by the Diocese of a new Parish Priest, Fr Seán O Connor. We are indebted to Mgr Michael Ryan, Administrator of the Diocese of Ossory, for his hard work and guidance which enabled a smooth transition. The Knocktopher Friary will not be left vacant. St. Patrick s Centre, an organisation which works with people with intellectual disabilities, will soon take up residence there. A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated in the Friary Church on Sunday November 26 th. It was a sad day but a parting of friends. We are grateful to have had the privilege of serving in Knocktopher/Ballyhale for many years, and we wish the new parish priest, the parish team, the new residents of the friary and all the people every blessing in the years ahead. The congregation at the Mass of Thanksgiving in the Friary Church, Knocktopher. Back row: Brian McKay, O.Carm., Frank O Gara, O.Carm., Philip Brennan, O.Carm., Michael Troy, O.Carm., Fr Seán O Connor, Des Kelly, O.Carm. Front row: Titus Varghese, O.Carm., Mgr Michael Ryan, Richard Byrne, O.Carm., Bene O Callaghan, O.Carm., Lar Lynch, O.Carm. Left to right: Tony Connors, Jim Laherty, Andrew Connolly, Peter Kehoe, O.Carm., and Tom Gorey. 1 Presentations were made to the Prior Provincial as an expression of thanks to the Carmelites for their service.

4 Visitors Left to right: Titus Varghese, O.Carm., Alfredo Pisana, O.Carm., Vagner Sanagiotto, O.Carm., and Sonny Wibisono, O.Carm. Jimmy Nyangadi, O.Carm., visits the Marian Shrine, Knock. This summer, we were delighted to welcome several members of the Order who came to study English in Ireland: Sonny Wibisono and Elwin Wilson Bei Lena Meo (Indonesia), Carlito Da Silva (East Timor), Alfredo Pisana (Italy), and Eduardo Ferreira and Adailson Santos (Brazil). We were also pleased to welcome two of our Zimbabwean brothers who were visiting Ireland for the first time: Lloyd Dimma and Jimmy Nyangadi. Others have come for a longer period of time: Vagner Sanagiotto (Brazil) who is studying English, Robi Setiawan (Indonesia) who has begun studies in Pastoral Theology at St Patrick s College, Maynooth, Philemon Kuyengwa (Zimbabwe) who is taking part in a one-year Religious Formation Ministry Programme at Loreto House, Blackrock, and Élie van Kelst (France) who will be spending the greater part of the year in Terenure College. Élie made his Solemn Profession at Angers on December 8 th Left to right: Simon Nolan, O.Carm. with Élie van Kelst, O.Carm., and Vagner Sanagiotto, O.Carm. Carlito Da Silva, O.Carm. Formation As the number of vocations in Ireland has declined, the number of young men joining the Order in Zimbabwe has been an encouragement for the Irish Province. This year has seen the ordination of one Irish Carmelite, James Eivers (Terenure College), one Zimbabwean, Webster Chibvongodze (Rusape), and the Solemn Profession of three Zimbabweans: Rangarirai Mutanga, Tafadzwa Muchabaiwa and Aldrine Muchenje. Formation continues to be a priority for the Commissariat of Zimbabwe. 2 Webster Chibvongodze, O.Carm., was ordained to priestly ministry on August 5 th 2017.

5 Blessed Titus Brandsma To commemorate the 75 th Anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Titus Brandsma ( ), an afternoon of reflection on his life and work was held in Gort Muire on Saturday September 16 th The programme consisted of two talks given by Eoin Moore, O.Carm. (Kinsale) and Simon Nolan, O.Carm. (Gort Muire), and concluded with Solemn Evening Prayer in the Chapel. There was a large attendance and the recently refurbished conference room, dedicated to Blessed Titus was filled to capacity. The talks were repeated in Kinsale on Saturday November 25 th. Eoin Moore, O.Carm., speaking. The afternoon concluded with Solemn Evening Prayer. Simon Nolan, O.Carm., speaking. Lay Carmel members with Brian McKay, O.Carm., in Whitefriar Street Church. Lay Carmel The Annual Lay Carmel Retreat took place in Whitefriar Street on October 21st. The retreat was led by Brian McKay, O.Carm. On Saturday November 11 th 2017, John Magee made his Final Profession as a member of the Third Order at Gort Muire, Ballinteer, while Monica Sorahan and Kitty Perryman made their First Profession. The Professions were received by Joe Mothersill, O.Carm., the Provincial Delegate for Lay Carmel. If you are interested in Lay Carmel and would like to know more about us, please visit the website: 3

6 Terenure College Chapel During the summer, the Terenure College Community undertook a complete refurbishment of the College Chapel. The building required damp proofing of walls and brickwork, a complete electrical overhaul including rewiring, new lighting and alarm systems, repainting, renewal of doors and seating, renovation of the sacristy and the installation of a new organ. We are very grateful to Mr Frank Moran, the Province Clerk of Works, for his assistance in the assessment of the building and for his supervision of the renovation work. With the Prior, Michael Troy, O.Carm., at the helm, a fundraising committee was established and a new website set up to meet the challenge of raising 450, 000. Thanks to the efforts and generosity of individuals and families associated with the College, this goal was positively accomplished and the Chapel was formally reopened with a Songs of Praise Service on the evening of Saturday September 9 th The music was led by the Community Choir, Schola Cantorum and the Jubilate Choir. On the following morning an Opening Mass was celebrated, with Míceál O Neill, O.Carm. as the principal celebrant. Sixty years is a milestone in the life of any building but particularly so when we look back over the history of this Chapel and consider the many families who have worshipped here, the countless Schools liturgies that were celebrated here, and the various Carmelites who have ministered here. At the heart of the refurbishment was a deep desire by the Carmelite Community that the Chapel should be a place of renewed faith and worship. We look back with gratitude and we look forward with hope. - James Eivers, O.Carm. Photos courtesy of 4

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8 Athboy 700 On Tuesday October 17 th 2017, a celebration was held in Athboy, Co. Meath, to mark the 700 th anniversary of the foundation of the Carmelite friary. The initiative for the celebration came from the parish priest, Fr Pat O Connor, and Fr Tom Gilroy who is a native of Athboy, and members of the local historical society. Richard Byrne, Prior Provincial, was the main celebrant of the Mass and homilist. The Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, presided and expressed appreciation for the ministry of the Carmelites in the Diocese of Meath over the years. The music was led by the St James Choir, Athboy, and the Schola Cantorum from Terenure College. Simon Nolan, O.Carm., delivered an interesting lecture to a packed assembly room on The Flourishing of Carmel in Ireland: Commemorating the 700 th Anniversary of the Foundation of Athboy Carmelite Friary. The following article by Simon is based on his lecture. The Carmelite Friary at Athboy, Co. Meath was founded on October 17 th As the foundation document states, a plot of land between the Athboy river and the property of one Hencelinus Mulghan was given to the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel by the local lord, William of London, with the express permission of King Edward II. The fourteenth century is rightly portrayed by historians as a time of great turmoil in the history of Ireland and Europe. After all this was the century which would see the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, and the Avignon Papacy. There was dreadful famine in Ireland for three successive years from 1315 to There was profound political and social instability in the wake of the Bruce Invasion of Ireland which took place just two years before Athboy friary was founded. Troubling times notwithstanding, both Athboy and the Carmelites thrived in this period. For both the early fourteenth century was a time of independence and growth. Athboy was a fortified town, with its own corporation and court. Like many other trading centres in the Pale, it was a borough town which over the course of the fourteenth century gained the right to self-government. In the period when the Carmelite friary was founded Athboy was well on its way to becoming one of the richest towns in the area, with a thriving wool, hide and corn trade, via the port at Drogheda. Meanwhile the Irish Carmelites had achieved independence as a Province in 1305 and were continuing to grow. Over the course of the fourteenth century ten friaries were founded in Ireland which survived even the ravages of the Black Death. At its height the community at Athboy would have numbered about twelve friars. Initially they would have been of Norman and English extraction but quite quickly the Carmelites attracted members from among the Gaelic Irish. The fact that a Provincial Chapter of the Irish Province of Carmelites was held at Athboy in 1467 is testament to its eventual status and size. The friary at Athboy flourished in the service of its people for 222 years until it was forcibly shut down along with many other monasteries and religious houses in Ireland and Britain on the orders of King Henry VIII in At the time of its dissolution it comprised a church with a tower and belfry, a substantial friary complex built around a cloister, an orchard, six small gardens, and eight dwelling houses which would have been let to tenants. The friary was sold to a local merchant, Thomas Casey. There is a poignant reference to the bell of the friary church remaining in want of a buyer long after the community had been dispersed. We have an excellent source for the likely daily timetable of the friars from the Ordinal of Sibert de Beka which was promulgated throughout the Carmelite Order in 1312 (just five years before Athboy was founded). The earliest surviving copy is held in the Library at Trinity College, Dublin. The major offices were Matins, Lauds, Vespers and Night Prayer. The daily celebration of the Eucharist was of central importance. Chapter 14 of the Carmelite Rule states: An oratory should be built as conveniently as possible among the cells, where, if it can be done without difficulty, you are to gather each morning to hear Mass. In addition to the major and minor Offices, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin and the Office of the Dead were said on a daily basis. There was a chapter meeting daily at which benefactors were especially prayed for. The Salve regina was recited after Night Prayer. During Lent a special prayer was said for the recovery of the Holy Land where the Carmelites had begun (on Mount Carmel) and from which they had been exiled. Meals were taken in silence while one of the community read from the Bible or from other pious books. There was great compassion shown to brothers who were ill: they were to be shown the greatest care, according to Sibert s Ordinal. Provision was made for lay people to become lay associates of the Carmelites; a fifteenth-century breviary which survives from the Carmelite friary at Kilcormac, Co. Offaly contains a rite for the admission of lay associates and one can safely assume similar provisions were made at Athboy. Far from merely being about rules and regulations, the daily timetable enshrined key values among the Carmelites at Athboy: gathering to celebrate the Eucharist and other prayer together, praying for the 6

9 dead, praying for benefactors, taking special care of the sick, special devotion to Our Lady, listening to the Word of God in the Scriptures, meeting to discuss the common life, and the possibility of lay affiliation to the Order. The local people at Athboy would have been welcome to attend the friary church for Eucharist and various offices. An eighteenth-century sketch of the ruins of the Carmelite friary at Athboy (produced by an artist who signs himself enigmatically with the initials A.M.T. and published in The Gentleman s Magazine in 1785) clearly shows the remains of large tracery windows: scholars tell us that people often attended friary churches in Ireland in the afternoon and evening time and that windows were designed to make best use of available light. The friars dedicated themselves to the ministry of preaching and hearing confessions, particularly in Advent and Lent (in preparation for Christmas and Easter). In common with their confrères elsewhere, Carmelites from Athboy would have undertaken preaching missions (often travelling pairs) in the area and wider afield. While friars were for the most part an urban phenomenon (with Athboy friary being located close to the town) the quest was how most people outside of Athboy town would have encountered the Carmelites. The friars came to them. The object of the quest was to beg for alms and to gather non-perishable foodstuffs, particularly grain, and it was most frequently undertaken at harvest time. - Simon Nolan, O.Carm. Martin Kilmurray, O.Carm., Robi Setiawan, O.Carm. (Indonesia) and Vagner Sanagiotto, O.Carm. (Brazil) visit the Church of Ireland, Athboy, believed to be the site of the Carmelite foundation. Bishop Michael Smith, Richard Byrne (Prior Provincial), and concelebrants. The Terenure College Schola and the St James Choir, Athboy. 7 Simon Nolan, O.Carm.

10 Carmelite Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery The oldest of the three Carmelite plots in the cemetery was renovated recently. John Connor (O Connor), the first Carmelite buried here, died on March 3rd 1853, aged 40; the last to be buried here was John Cogan (ex-prior Provincial), th 1941, aged 68. died on=ñ=vm September ` f _f =^Ç=NOM Wi ~óç ì25 í =N==NNLM RLOM NT==MVWOO==m~ÖÉ=N programmes delivered via the internet. (Carmelite Studies) Diploma in Spirituality (Carmelite Studies) Bachelor of Theology (Carmelite Studies) Master in Theology (Carmelite Studies) Saint Patrick s College, Maynooth, Ireland. Gort Muire Carmelite Centre, Ballinteer, Dublin D16 E167, Ireland. Tel: (0) admin@cibi.ie 8

11 The Annual Carmelite Pilgrimage to Lourdes, September 27 th to October 2 nd 2017.

12 The Irish Province of Carmelites wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and every blessing in the New Year. May the Lord of Peace fill your heart with joy. Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh. Image: The Nativity by Adam Kossowski at The Friars, Aylesford, Kent.