Aidan Troy

Sad to see that cheating in sport, such as was seen at Stade de France on Wed night, does pay - not great example to anyone. Still, maybe it is not over yet!

“Obituary for a dream - but hope won’t die” appeared on this blog on 29 June 2009. It concerned the decision being taken by the Passionists not to pursue creating a cross-community family centre on the interface between Ardoyne and Woodvale. Another step, in what I believe to be a retrograde  decision,  may occur when a vote will be taken by the passionist trust to sell more land at Holy Cross, Belfast. If this vote is carried, it will be difficult to create the envisaged shared space in this area. For reasons of duties here at St Joseph’s I cannot attend this meeting in Dublin. I await the outcome with interest but not much hope.   AT

Well what about Handball becoming part of soccer? GAA can now look at a competition here in France. Now it is admitted that soccer can be played with hands (and not just by the goalkeeper) we have a laughable situation - if  it were not so unfair. Last night at Stade de France, apart from the madness of the refereeing, was a night to remember. What a great moment when the Irish team came to the Irish fans and gave over ‘keepers gloves and shirts as a ‘thank you’. Paris was a bit scary in the early hours as the supporters of Algeria celebrated their country’s victory over Egypt.                                                             AT

Baptised Karina Meabh Troy, my first grand-niece (have three grand-nephews) in Ballinteer, Dublin on Saturday, 14 November. It was lovely meeting so many relatives and friends at the ceremony. Nice meal afterwards at Taylors Grange Hotel. Then to the big match in Croke Park. What a wonderful atmosphere! Pity about the result but there is always Wednesday night at the Stade de France! Got back to St Joseph’s on Sunday morning to greet people coming out of 11 Mass and celebrated 12.30 p.m. Mass. Really sad to learn of the death of a great Passionist - Fr Herman Nolan, in Mount Argus, Dublin. For a few years, Herman suffered ill-health but his spirit was as strong as ever. I will miss him on visits to Mount  Argus as he was a great friend to have there. His work with the Legion of Mary should be more widely known than it is. His love of the Irish Language and all things Gaelic was admirable. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.                                     AT

Great news - got a ticket for France vs Ireland World Cup play-off game on 18 November at Stade de France in Paris! The person who arranged this for me would not want a name given. But, thanks!

Parish Council day of retreat today, 7 November. Good to get away with this most helpful group of parishioners.

Delighted to get a copy of the book “What Being Catholic Means to Me” (Columba Press). It is being launched on Wednesday, 11 November, in the Priory Institute, Tallaght. Sorry I can’t be there. I contributed a chapter to this book and wish Editors John and Eamon every success with it.

On Tuesday, 1st December 2009, I will be at the book launch of “Out of the Shadow:Responding to Suicide” (Veritas, Dublin). Over the past year I wrote this book and received great help and support from a wide range of people who will be named in the acknowledgements. The launch will be in Belfast at 6 p.m. in DRC/Veritas Bookshop, 193-195 Donegall Street, Belfast 1.

Delighted to be asked to give a lecture at University of Paris, Sorbonne, on 21 November 2009. I say delighted, but am also nervous. It is like being asked to play in the Premership!

This talk of books, lecture, etc. does not mean I have given up ‘the day job’! Still doing my best to minister at St Joseph’s to wonderful people from a wide range of cultures and countries. Also, this week it was good to have visitors drop in to say hello - inlcuding some from Armagh and others from Dublin.            AT

• Was at Queens University, Belfast, on Friday night to hear a lecture by Noam Chomsky, philospher and political activist. What a treat to hear someone with so much knowledge and insight. It was packed out and I am glad to have been there.
• After the weekend, I attended a meeting in Belfast called by the leadership of the Passionist Congregation of which I am a member. It was to brief us on the situation with regard to the sexual abuse of children over the past forty years. I left the meeting coming back to Paris feeling so low when I thought of the cruel and devesatating treatment of those children and young people who should have been safe. While I am a sinner, the abuse of the innocent leaves me lost for words. It is so awful.
• While in Belfast I had a meeting with Philip McTaggart - the founder of PIPS which is a suicide prevention group. The people of St Joseph’s Parish, Paris, raised €16,000 (Euro) last Lent to support their training programmes in suicide prevention. The money raised is making a huge difference because training courses can be offered to more groups. As a sign of gratitude, PIPS personnel will present a training day in suicide awareness and response at St Joseph’s Church, 50 Avnue Hoche, 75008 Paris, on Saturday, 27 February 2010 (date to be considered by Parish Council on Saturday)
• Parish Council has a retreat day this Saturday.                                 AT             

Had a wonderful Ecumenical breakfast at American Church, Paris, last Saturday morning. There was a generous and positive response to the talk I gave on ‘Is Peace Possible?’
Cleaning job on church, hall, reception area nearing completion. I wonder why there is so much chewing gum stuck under church seats and on the carpet?
Have heard again, (have lost count of the times), about stories doing the rounds about my losing weight and what it may signify! I am exercising, jogging and walking, on a daily basis, have just completed a major medical examination that revealed nothing wrong. So, stories of cancer, AIDS, depression, heart trouble, etc do not match the truth, thank God.  But, it is good to hear that people care.
All going well here and good to have had visitors recently. AT

What a draw for the World Cup playoff! France in Dublin on Saturday, 14th November. Whisper… I hope to be there. Some months ago my beloved nephew and his wife very kindly asked me to baptise their newly born third child - Karina - on Saturday, 14 November in Ballinteer.  That means I will be in Dublin that day. God is good.

Now for the difficulty. The return game is at Stade de France on Wednesday, 18 November. I know this a very long shot - but if anyone could point me in the direction of a pair of match tickets for that game, I will be so grateful.

Delighted all the medical tests, ‘flu injection, etc all went well and are over.

BBC Radio 4 broadcast The Choice on Tuesday, 20 October. Michael Buerke interviewed me in London on 24 June. What a pleasant man and great to meet.

Am still trying to help out at Irish College, Paris, and will be there on Sunday morning. The rumour is that the Irish Bishops have appointed a Chaplain and it will be great to welcome him.

School holidays in France on the horizon again - Toussaint.

Finally, thanks to the people who comment to me about reading this little blog.

AT

Had a great birthday. Was at Marymount School for Faculty retreat Mass and lunch. Great kindness as always and a cake with a candle! The RTE Documentary on Radio One is now on their website and I listened to it. Spoke to Liam and Kaye who did all the work getting it together. American Catholic Women’ s Organisation (ACWO) had a Mass and brunch at St Joseph’s on Thursday. This is a very impressive group who offer a wide array of cultural, humanitarian and spiritual outreach as well as providing mutual support and welcome to newcomers to Paris.

Friday always a busy day at St Joseph’s as the Bulletin is put together for the weekend and posted on web - www.stjoeparis.org The major carpet cleaning of yesterday is still drying out but is already looking good. The church carpets, the parish hall and the reception area are all for their clean-up on Monday.  AT

Delighted to meet a group from NUI Galway in Paris this week for a UNESCO conference. They are from the Child and Family Research Centre  at Galway University. It was this group who kindly had me as a speaker at their conference in June this year. They do some amazing work there.

Attended my first Board of Directors Meeting at Marymount International School Paris on Tuesday night. It is different from previous Boards of Governors that I sat on in Belfast but it is good to be able to support the education and formation of the young.

Was delighted to celebrate Mass at Irish College, Paris, last Sunday. This community of very devoted people are eagerly awaiting the appointment by the Irish Bishops of their new priest. He can be assured of a warm Ceád Míle Fáilte from us all. With five weekend Masses at St Joseph’s it is not possible to help every weekend.

That’s all for the moment.                                                                              AT

Was one year at St Joseph’s, Paris, on Monday last.

Today was the opening and blessing of the spectacular new gymnasium and science centre at Marymount International School, Paris. This is a magnficent development and a great credit to the Sisters, parents, pupils, teachers and all who brought this about. The USA Ambassador to France spoke at the opening as did the Mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine. 

Was at dentist this week for the first time in ages - quite good was the verdict.

RTE Radio “Documentary on One” next Saturday evening, 10 October, is looking at life in St Joseph’s, Paris. The idea came from Liam O’Brien and the long and hard work of getting it all together was done by Kaye Mortely. Kaye will be talking to Pat Kenny on his raido programme on Friday, 9 October 

9th October is my birthday. But, in case this looks like a hint for greetings for the event, it is not. I don’t ‘do’ birthday parties any more. That day I will be in Marymount School, Paris, helping out with a staff retreat. I’m delighted to celebrate the old birthday this way!

But a little ‘confession’ to make - I am leaving Paris at 2 p.m. Saturday, 10 October and returning from Dublin Airport 7 a.m. Sunday, 11 October. Why? A great friend in Dublin, has got me a ticket to see Ireland vs Italy at Croke Park! What a birthday present! But not to worry I should be back for 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday - all going well!                                                                AT