Aidan Troy

It was good being invited this morning to celebrate Mass for Marymount School, Paris. It was at Eglise St Jacque, Neuilly. Not having schools attached to St Joseph’s Parish such opportunities are few and far between. I have such happy memories of the schools in Holy Cross over the past seven years. The closure of St Gabriel’s College was one that besides being short-sighted has left behind a lot of hurt. It is up to the community to work now for the restoration of secondary education in Ardoyne. Other schools in North Belfast apart from those on Antrim Road could well come under threat.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving (USA) and there will be various celebrations in the American community throughout Paris. My colleague here, Fr Francis, C.P., is from Pittsburg, USA. A Happy Thanksgiving to Francis and all Americans.                                                                                               AT

Hope that soon I will be able to circulate information to parishioners of St Joseph’s, Paris, and to others who may wish to keep in contact.
American community here preparing for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday. On Wednesday I celebrate Mass for the pupils and staff of Marymount School, Paris, in preparation for Thanksgiving. It will be good to have contact again with a school. I have such happy memories of the Schools of Holy Cross and surrounding parishes and the many schools in which I was asked to speak over the past seven years. This is one of the aspects of life that I miss most.
In this connection, I was so sad to hear the outcome of the House of Lords verdict on the blockade of Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in 2001. It was always going to be difficult to have the injustice done to the children recognised. However, I am hopeful that when Parent ‘E’ takes the case to the ECHR there will be a just and true outcome. It will not help the children who suffered seven years ago but if it helps one child, irrespective of coloour or religion, to have their rights recognised then it will have been worthwhile. This court action is NOT being taken as revenge or retalitation. What is past is past and I was so glad to see the first stages of healing and reconciliation taking place when in summer 2008 pupils from Wheatfield and Holy Cross went to Boston together for a basketball tournament. This is the way forward. Please God the court action being taken in Europe will guarentee that the events of 2001 will never be visited on children anywhere.
My regret is that I was not present in June 2001 when the blockade began - I was still in Rome and did not become part of the Board of Governors until August 6, 2001.

Please join on a comment to this blog about the above or anthing at all. I look forward to hearing from you.                                                                                                                                          AT

It may take some time for people to know of this blog. However, I look forward to hearing from people both here in Paris or wherever.
On Saturdy night last there was a successful Parish Social held in the neighbouring parish of St Ferdinand, Avenue de Ternes. Over 300 parishioners attended and enjoyed a dinner and entertainment afterwards. This was the second year of this event and was prepared for by a hard-working committee. The outcome will reinforce parish and community spirit and cohesion.
Visitors from Belfast called today and it was good to welcome them to St Joseph’s.
This week many of our American parishioners are preparing for Thanksgiving which is celebrated on Thursday this week. Marymount School, Paris, have invited me to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday. It will be good to be enter into a school environment again. There are no schools attached to St Joseph’s Parish, no hospitals to visit, no nursing homes, etc. So, it is very different from a conventional parish. That is why gatherings such as the Parish Social are so important to give a sense of belonging.
The weather is cold!                                                                              AT

This blog has been started on Sunday, 23 November 2008 to keep in contact with people in the Parish of St Joseph, Paris, where I live and serve and with people anywhere in the world whom I have met. In particular, there may be people in Belfast or other parts of Ireland who may wish to keep in contact.

I have just returned to Paris yesterday following a 36 hour visit to Belfast. It was a great honour to be invited to attend the Aisling Awards on Thursday by the Belfast Media Group. Then on Friday night PIPS Christy Moore concert at the Opera House was a truly memorable event. The concert itself was great and meeting so many friends there addd to it for me.

I hope that others may wish to make contact through this blog.
It will be always good to hear from you.
Take care and God Bless.