Our first centenarian, An t-Athair Ó Fionnagáin

Wednesday 18 February sees a unique birthday. For the first time an Irish Jesuit has turned a hundred. In the face of Fr Proinsias Ó Fionnagáin you see a man prone to gratitude, with a wardrobe full of memories: of a Spartan early life in Monaghan during World War I; of noviciate in Tullabeg – Frank is the last survivor of that house. He was a teacher of classics in Crescent, Galway and Clongowes; and of philosophy in Ranchi, India. He is a writer, pianist, historian, archivist and librarian, and by his researches contributed heavily to the beatification of Dominic Collins. In 1975, as he qualified for the old age pension, he volunteered for the French mission, and dressed in beret and clergyman served two under-priested areas, Nantua and Belley, for seven years before returning to research and the Irish Mass in Gardiner Street. We thank God, as Frank himself does, for the blessings of his first hundred years.

Where is Richard O’Dwyer?

AMDG Express last located Richard O’Dwyer in Ethiopia. He moved from there to Nairobi in Kenya, where he spent a good Christmas with a Jesuit community. Since then he has seen the ravages of the Lord’s Resistance Army (pictured here), the guerilla militia which is in rebellion against the Ugandan government and seeks to install a theocratic state – somehow not seeing any conflict between this and the continuous use of murder, abduction, the sexual enslavement of women, the press-ganging of children into their army, and even cannibalism (see Richard’s account below). But Richard has also enjoyed a countryside that reminds him nostalgically of the Villa house in Blainroe, Wicklow. He takes up his story in early January. Read more »

Sleep-out reaches a million

Fr Peter McVerry SJ unveiled a plaque in Belvedere College to acknowledge that the “Sleep Out” run by the students of the College had raised over €1,000,000 for the upkeep of homeless people through the work of Fr Peter and Belvedere Social Services (BSS). The BSS was set up sixteen years ago, and since then it has done trojan work with Dublin’s homeless, largely through their house in Glasnevin which was fitted out with self-supporting flats. The staff there take a totally hands-on interest in the people who come to stay, aiming always to prepare them to return – better equipped – to the world outside. Ivan Hammond, chair of BSS, gives the background below. Read more »

Losing a linchpin

In any office there are usually one or two people who seem irreplaceable. In the Jesuit Communication Centre our web developer, John McDermott, fits that description, and alas, we have to replace him. He has accepted a job closer to his Midlands home, with Bord na Mona. They had tried for years to manage by outsourcing their online projects, but finding it messy and expensive they have opted to recruit their own developer. John has been managing up to twenty websites in JCC. In Bord na Mona he will be responsible for just one. JCC will miss John not just for his skills and commitment, but as a man of deep faith, and a most agreable companion.

Has the church come as far as Kandinsky?

‘The Second Vatican Council and Impressionism’ was the intriguing subject of a guest lecture in the Milltown Institute by Brendan Staunton SJ on Monday 16 February. Those who heard his lecture said that it was like a master-class in how to capture an audience – and the Milltown hall was full. Brendan spoke in a leisurely, pleasant way, with no need to refer to notes, at ease with his material, fielding questions confidently, and with a quality of voice that was easy to listen to. At one point he linked the resistance of classical painters to such innovators as Kandinsky with the resistance of the Roman Curia to Pope John’s proposed council. For a sense of Brendan’s style and message, read on. Read more »

In search of excellence

This month’s Ignatian Identity Group (IIG) meeting in Coláiste Iognáid tackled one of the Characteristics of Jesuit Education, In Pursuit of Excellence. Chaired by Conall Ó Cuinn SJ, it featured presentations on the topic by a parent, Catriona Clear, a teacher, Steve Parkinson, and by two students, Eveanne Allen and Darragh O’Brien. Much of the discussion attempted to capture the unique spirit of the school, and the balancing of academic standards with a rounded education.

At the frontiers – young people find God

Where do young people find God? In freedom and friendship, providence and prayer – not much mention of church, schooling or social justice. That was the message given convincingly to a gathering of some seventy people, including the Jesuit Provincials of Ireland, Britain, Netherlands and North Belgium. They were attending a forum in Milltown Park on the second of Fr Provincial’s priority ministries. Four young people spoke about finding God in their lives and their efforts to share that discovery with others. For Fr John Looby’s account of the evening, read below. Read more »

Volunteer teachers required

Jesuit Volunteers International (JVI) Ireland are looking for two volunteer teachers to work at a new Jesuit venture, St. Ignatius Primary school, in Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania. The positions are for a year, starting on July 1st, 2009. According to the head teacher, Sister Pastorina Kimolo,  a volunteer with Music would be a plus! For further details go to the JVI website.

Retreat for parents

Slí Eile’s Debbie Moore and Colleen Brown from Boston College ran a retreat for parents, on the theme ‘Appreciation Parenthood’. While Audrey Hogan and Connie Dunne looked after the children, parents reflected on the many roles they take on. Frank Brady SJ closed the day with Mass. Parents and children voted the day a success by seeking a weekend away with Slí Eile. Debbie and Colleen are pictured here with some of the children of the attendants.

Short Notices

• Connaught Hockey Final: Coláiste Iognáid convincingly won the Connaught Hockey final on 10 February in Dangean Park, Galway. They beat Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School, Athlone. With a final score of 5-0, the Jes were always on top of the game and dominated all areas, the game being largely played in the Bower half with them under continuous pressure.
• Change at JCFJ: The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has an acting director, Gerry O’Hanlon SJ, as Tony O’Riordan SJ has sought and been given leave of absence.
• Remembering Fr Joe Kelly: A moving tribute to Fr Joe has been posted on YouTube.
• Schools Senior Rugby Cup: Clongowes beat Newbridge 33-20; Terenure beat Clongowes 9-5; Belvedere beat Gonzaga 12-7; Pres. Cork beat Crescent 15-0.
• Schools Junior Rugby Cup: C.U.S. beat Gonzaga 10-3; Clongowes beat Wesley 75-0; Terenure beat Belvedere 17-13.
• Clongowes Union Dinner: Over 200 attended a very successful dinner, raising significant funds for Clongowes Youth Club and the Clongowes Union Benevolent Association.
• Fr John Sullivan: Annual Mass in thanksgiving for the life of Fr John Sullivan and in prayer for his canonisation: in Gardiner St Church, Saturday Feb 21 at 11 a.m. Homily – Fr Tom Morrissey SJ.

JESUITICA: Making men of them

“Give me a boy for the first seven years and I will give you the man.” Anyone who can document this as a principle of Jesuit education can claim a large reward. It is still unclaimed. Jesuits don’t do little people. They heeded the Ratio Studiorum of 1586: “Children under seven are an awful nuisance (molestissimi sunt), and need nurses rather than teachers.”