Spirit Level

Gerry O’Hanlon, S.J., of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, appeared on Joe Duffy’s Spirit Level on RTE last Sunday morning, May 24th. Gerry was on a panel with Breda Power (Sunday Times columnist and broadcaster) and the Rev Stephen Neill, Church of Ireland Rector of Cloughjordan in Tipperary. The discussion, recorded the previous Sunday, focused on the inter-face between the recession and religion: was it true that more people were returning to Church as a result of the recession, and, if so, was this a good thing? Joe Duffy himself, foot encased in plaster due to a recent accident, was an urbane facilitator of the discussion, which, in the usual manner of these programmes, ranged far and wide.

Making one’s voice heard

Although it has been running for less than three months, the Studies Blog of Fergus O’Donoghue SJ has garnered considerable attention in the wider world. In this last week, both the Guardian and Reuters have quoted substantially from Fergus’ posts concerning the Ryan Report from the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. There has been, consequently, a marked increase in traffic on the blog. In a series of recent posts Fergus has been trying to identify what made the religious working in institutions act the way they did and how the matter of redress ought to be approached now. The lively comments responding to these posts are further proof that participatory media provide a golden opportunity to make one’s voice heard in the public square. If other Jesuits would like to turn their hands to blogging, the Jesuit Communication Centre can help.

Students become teachers

A very successful project which had Transition Year students in Clongowes teaching English to asylum seekers concluded on 19 May with a Fun Day. The project was a joint-initiative of Clongowes and JRS Ireland, and entailed the students providing one-to-one tuition to the asylum seekers residing in the Eyre Powell Hostel in Newbridge. The Fun Day involved a barbecue, face-painting, tour of the Castle and presentation of certificates. Kathleen Byrne, Eyre Powell Hostel Manger, wrote on behalf of the residents to acknowledge the great dedication of Clongowes staff and students. Norah, an asylum seeker from Congo, summed up how she felt about the value of the language classes when she told Frank Clarke, Project Coordinator: “We cannot afford to buy you a gift to express our thanks so we thank you in our hearts.”

Bearing witness online

“We cannot but be attentive,” said Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, Vatican Press Office Director, this week, “to the direction in which communications are moving, nor can we allow ourselves to fall out of touch with the latest advancements in the world of communications.” He was addressing the Westminster diocesan seminary on the occasion of World Communications Day. He underlined Pope Benedict’s call to reach out to the digital generation: “The Pope knows that the Church will be an efficacious presence in the world that is taking shape only to the extent that she succeeds in keeping the truths of the faith in close touch with the emerging culture and the younger, growing generations”. To listen to the Pope’s own message for the occasion – “Bear witness to your faith through the digital world!” – see this YouTube video.

Belvedere students inspired

Students from Transition Year in Belvedere College, with the backing of tutor Nóirín McManus, have compiled a collection of the favourite inspirational writings of 60 different people – some well-known and some not. These include Bertie Ahern, Keith Duffy, Sister Stan, Ollie Campbell, Maxi, Fergus Finlay and Rosaleen Linehan, to name but a few. Any profits which may arise from the sales of Inspiration will go to the Belvedere Youth Club and Yo Bang Primary School in China, where Transition Year students (from Belvedere and its sister school Wah Yan in Hong Kong) go to teach English every year. Inspiration will be launched by artist Stephen Lawlor, whose etching Ecce Homo II appears on the front cover. It will be for sale through the college (e-mail book@belevederecollege.ie) for €10.

The Ignatian way

Joe Greenan of Partners in Mission and Eoin Carroll of the Jesuit Centre of Faith and Justice attended a course on ‘Living and Working in an Ignatian Way’, run by the British Province and held at Loyola Hall in Liverpool last week. Partners in Mission is one of the Inter Provincial Commissions set up to explore ways in which the British, North Belgian, Dutch and Irish Province can share formation initiatives and  resources in the future. The programme is designed to assist those working in Jesuit Works in deepening their appreciation of the Jesuit ‘way of proceeding’ and this is the third year that it has been made available.  The course in Liverpool explored the life and writings of St. Ignatius, aspects of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatian Relationships and engagement in the world.

Prego, Giovanni!

One face missing  from the Mungret Reunion, featured in last week’s AMDG Express, was Giovanni Lajolo, who attended the college from 1950-51. On one occasion his noisy misbehaviour in Latin class prompted his teacher, Dick Cremins SJ, to exclaim “Prego, Giovanni!” in his best Tuscan accent. The mild rebuke so astonished the boy that from then on his behaviour was exemplary, so much so that he went on to become a Cardinal (the second from Mungret, after Tadg Manning), and now Giovanni is the Cardinal  President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

JESUITICA: Jesuits taking cover

English diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706) noted in his diary on 22 June 1664: “A Catholic priest called Thompson, sent by the Jesuits of Japan and China to France, showed me some fans like those our ladies use, but much larger, and with long handles, strangely carved and filled with Chinese characters”. Was it the Jesuits, then, who brought parasols or umbrellas to Europe?

Short notices

• The first informal meeting of Jesuit hospital chaplains convened recently in a Ranelagh restauant. Around the table from left to right are: John Brady, Mary Rickard, Frank Doyle, John O’Keeffe, Fergus O’Keefe, Brendan Carmody, Brendan Staunton.
• Edmond Grace has an article on the Conversation on Democracy in the Spring 2009 issue of  ‘Le Cheile, The voice of Ireland’s Community and Voluntary Sector.’ This magazine is published by The Wheel, an umbrella group for the Community and Voluntary Sector. Click on ‘Le Cheile Spring 2009’.

Forthcoming events

• Monsignor Dermot Lane, D.D., author of several books including Keeping Hope Alive and The Reality of Jesus is this year’s guest speaker at Manresa’s summer seminar series for graduates.  Msgr. Lane is President of the Mater Dei Institute and currently Parish Priest of Balally in Dublin.  The theme of the one-day seminar is ‘The Experience of God and Spiritual Direction’.  Date: 13 June, 2009.  Venue: Manresa, Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Dublin. Cost:  €60.  Further details www.manresa.ie or by contacting (01) 833 1352. 
• People who would like to sign up for the Exercises in Daily Life are invited by Manresa to do so. This form of making the full Spiritual Exercises goes back to St. Ignatius himself, who recommends it for those who cannot withdraw into solitude for the thirty-day retreat because they are ‘engaged in public affairs or necessary business’.  Doing the EDL  demands a commitment to daily prayer and regular meetings with an experienced guide. For more information, contact: Fr. Finbarr Lynch, S.J., at Manresa (01) 833 1352.
• The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir will be performing in The Helix on Saturday 6 June at 8pm. Tickets cost €18 and can be purchased online on The Helix website.

JESUITICA: Jesuit bark better than bite

Jesuit bark (or Pulvis Patrum) was the historical name for quinine, the most celebrated remedy for malaria. Taken from the cinchona tree, its ability to bring down fever had been discovered by the Peruvian Indians, and it was Jesuits working in Peru who brought it to Europe. It was through their recommendation of its use that the wife of the Spanish viceroy in Lima, Peru, was cured of malaria in 1630, and this success greatly increased the renown of this remedy.

Bye bye Board

On 18 May the Provincial met the Board of Jesuit Communications to receive their final report. They expect to be disbanded this summer. There could be no surer sign of health in a board than that it meets, does a job, submits a report and hands in its chips. What effect did the board have? At a general level it brought new perspectives and experience to the management of our organs of communication, both on line and on paper. More concretely, it played a key role in evaluating the health of the Messenger Office, and in renewing its management. Read more »

Traditions meet

On Tuesday 12 May, at 7.30 p.m. in Gardiner Street Ignatian Room, Bertie Ahern TD launched Where two traditions meet: John Sullivan SJ, by Todd Morrissey SJ. Bertie came to Gardiner Street as an affectionate parishioner with memories of making visits to the shrine in the church. He was eloquent in his special way, warm, simple and in touch with his mixed audience. He linked the book’s title with the peace process in Northern Ireland, where he and many others had laboured to find common ground between two traditions. John Sullivan’s goodness had built bridges throughout his life, including the wonder of restoring health to the grievously sick. It was a happy and uplifting evening, a tribute to Todd Morrissey’s untiring biographical labours. To listen to the speeches and to view the photos, go here.