Aidan Troy

A number of adults - including one family from Pakistan - have been under instruction to be baptised this Easter Vigil at St Joseph’s and others already baptised to be confirmed that same Easter night. Those for baptism (Catechumens) assembled today to make their commitment in the presence of the Cardinal Archbishop of Paris at N.D. Cathedral. What struck me was the diversity of nations and languages represented by the approx. 300 adults from parishes over the Archdiocese of Paris who are preparing for reception into the Catholic Church this Easter. In my years at Holy Cross I was impressed by the steady number prepared each year for Baptism and I recall so well the great work of instruction by Sr Frances. For the past year the Catechumens here have been attending weekly class taken mostly by lay catechists from the parish of St Joseph. Interesting to see such unity in diversity.         AT

Three Masses packed out for Ash Wednesday in the heart of Paris with all ages and many nationalities present. It seems to be that ashes still have a place in the lives of many people.
Long haul of Lent now under way!                                                                                  AT

I’m not sure if anyone is with me on this blog! But at least it keeps a sort of diary for me about life since coming to St Joseph’s, Paris. Maybe like sermons these are too long to read - so here goes!

- had a lovely visit to Marymount School, Paris, for Penance Service a few weeks ago; lovely welcome

- got to Rome for a weekend. Yes, the Six Nations Rugby of Ireland v. Italy was on and it was great to be there for the game on the Sunday.

- went to Ss John and Paul’s on the Saturday and what a great welcome from Mirek, Superior, Ottaviano, Superior General of Passionists and the community. Lunch was good and I was able to have a meeting with Sec. for Missions, Jesus Maria, about Congo section of St Joseph’s Parish Lenten Project collection. More about this anon and also about PIPS which is the other part of this year’s campaign.

- celebrated Mass on Sunday morning at Irish College - great groups of seminarians and post-graduate students there.

-good to be back in Rome where I spent 7 very happy years (1994 - 2001)

Was back for a few days before travelling to European Parliament in Brussels. What a visit - met President of the Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering, in his office. Have the photos to prove I was there.

- Reception hosted by Seán Ó Neachtain, MEP and attended by other MEPs including Liam Alyward, Brian Crowley, Barbara de Brún among others. It was good to be there and I appreciated the presentation made to me and the opportunity to address a few words to those present. People in the offices there did so much hard work to bring this about and make my short stay so pleasant.

- attended Susan McKay’s lecture on her book ‘Bear in Mind These Dead’ at Irish College, Paris, on Thursday night. Last year in Belfast, Susan very kindly invited me to the launch of this book at the Ormeau Baths and there it was a privilege to meet many of the relatives whose stories are relayed by Susan in this most wonderfully moving book.

- just in case you thought it was all travel, I was delighted to celebrate 3 Masses yesterday, Sunday, and meet a lot of the people.                             Back soon again!                                      AT

Since arriving at St Joseph’s Church, Paris, I am surprised at the number of  requests I have had for a copy of the Holy Cross book I wrote that was published in 2005 by Currach Press, Dublin. I am grateful to those who show an interest in all that happened at Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School, Belfast, in 2001. The ongoing judical review appeal will move to the European Court on behalf of parent ‘E’ following the verdict against by the House of Lords last year. I was not able to bring with me copies of the book I had in Belfast. Anyone looking for a copy should try Amazon.com and order a copy there. It will be a great honour to address the American Catholic Women’s March meeting in Paris on the topic of the blockade of the school. One of their members was present as an International Observer. It will be good to have another witness to what took place.

Also, it will give me an opportunity to clarify some ‘myths’ that have arisen about those days and since. For instance, it is said that I was missing from Ardoyne Road on two occasions and so walked with the children and their parents on two days less than some others did! That is true simply because on one occasion I was invited to go to meet President McAleese and her husband, Dr Martin McAleese, for discussions. This was followed an hour later by a meeting with An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, T.D. who spent an hour discussing a possible way forward towards resolution. It was essential for the health and safety of the children, their school and families that as Chair of the Board of Governors I explore every possible avenue.

The other day I was missing was when engaged in a meeting with politicans and church repesentatives at what I was told was to be a totally secret meeting. To this day I have never disclosed the location or attendance at that meeting. Again, it did not resolve the blockade but had to be attended in my role as Chair of Governors. The above reasons may help to get nearer to the truth. The only other occasion when I left Ardoyne during that terrible time was for the funeral of my Father who died as the mid-term break was beginning at the end of October 2001. With all that said, I could never thank God enough for allowing me be part of standing with His people and those people for the warmth of their welcome and the amazing trust they placed in me.

Now I just hope that the cold weather will soon be over!                                                    AT

Have just watched BBC Panorama programme on destruction of Gaza. Some very sad and tragic events shown in the report. Like so many conflicts in our world there is no easy or quick fix. Within the last year along with Reverend Harold Good, one of the two clerics who witnessed decommissioning of weapons, I met with Israeli and Palestinian delegations who had approached NIO (Northern Ireland Office) to meet clerics from both sides of the religious divide in North. The discussions took place in Holy Cross Monastery, Belfast. This was part of a series of meetings with delegations from different troubled places in the world who wished to study the beginnings of reconciliation post-Good Friday Agreement. My engagement in this aspect of world peace seeking had to end when I was moved from Belfast. This search seemed important to me, but others did not see it that way.

Next week I am invited to visit the European Parliament in Brussels where I will be received by some MEP’s, Church representatives and others who names and positions I do yet know. This will give me an opportunity to raise this issue of the tragic conflict in the Middle East. If I can resume a constructive role in the search for peace there, I will be happy to make myself available. It is essential that no effort, no matter how small, should be spared in ensuring that innocent lives will not be lost in the future. Prayer also for this intention is essential.

Last weekend was busy with a lovely array of visitors coming to Paris to visit and make time to spend time with me. More about this anon.

If anyone wishes to make a comment on anything written in this blog, please do so. Agree, disagree, qualify, whatever you wish is welcome. This is meant to be nothing more than a few thoughts of mine that may or may not interest you. If you wish to read my weekly reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings please go to www.stjoeparis.org and click on Bulletins. I started writing these around the beginning of October 2008 with a few rambling thoughts on the readings each week. Much to my surprise these thougths have been translated into at least one other language (and no, it is not ENGLISH!).

Love to hear from you,                                                                                                          AT

This morning I had the great privilege of preaching the homily during the 11.30 a.m. Mass in the Irish College Chapel of St Patrick. This is situated in Centre Culturel Irlandais, 5, rue des Irlandais, 75005 Paris. This magnificently restored building is well worth a visit. The resident priest, David Bracken, had invited religious women and men as well as his usual parishioners to come along to celebrate the Year of Vocations which continues until 3rd. May 2009. The place was packed out and there was a St Brigid’s Cross for every religious woman and man in the congregation. After the Mass there was a lovely reception in which it was possible to eat, drink and chat. There were people from  practically every county in Ireland, as well as French, American, Lebanese, English and so many other places. Great credit to Fr David for putting on such a wonderful gathering. At this gathering I was struck by the enormous kindness of people who asked after my well-being and offered most kind invitations to their homes, communities, embassy or wherever for a visit in the near future. It made me feel so good to be among such good and lovely people.

On Saturday, 31st January I conducted a day retreat for the 45 candidates for Confimation from St Joseph’s Church. They and their Sunday CCD teachers have done a great work preparing these young  people for the Sacrament. Some of the group are from Marmount School where they receive great academic and religious formation. In most French schools there is no preparation for Sacraments alloted in the time-table and so it is the obligation of the parents to see to this. The parish does the best it can to facilitate this Christian formation.

It was great being back giving a retreat to young people. It reminded me of old times! Since coming here my life has changed so much. With only occasional visits to Marymount School, there are no parish schools to visit. My previous assignment in Belfast gave me opportunity to visit a number of schools every day. I did this because I know how important the relationship between family, school and parish can be. The same with visiting hospitals. It was a real privilege to visit the four Belfast hospitals that I went to regularly, the hospice, the nursing homes as well as the housebound and sick at home. Since coming to this wonderful, but different parish, I have not baptised one baby, celebrated one marriage, conducted one funeral or anointed one person. For me this is a huge change and one that leaves me feeling a huge lack in my life as a passionist and a priest. However, I know only too well that God and His people are and will do fine without my minstering in this sacramental way at this phase of my life.

The acceptance of this situation is fundamental to my well-being and the great happiness and contentment that are mine at St Joseph’s. There is one item that crosses my mind, none of my business I suppose, but when I was asked to leave my  previous assigment after less than two four years terms, I did so as directed. To the best of my knowledge another member of that same passionist community in Belfast was also transferred to another passionist community. If this is true,and I cannot prove it, this same priest has a residence in Belfast still and visits the community to which he was changed for a few days at a time. It makes me wonder if I should have listened to the people who asked that I reconsider going instead of doing my best to silence any form of protest at my transfer out of Belfast. In a time when there is a call for transperancy from all forms of authorities I wonder would it be overreacting to wonder if a search under the freedom of information act would cast any light on what really went on. It is just a thought and may have no merit in it. It is no harm to wonder as long as it doesn’t rob me of my peace of mind. It won’t.

I’m getting ahead with writing and hope to have something to announce about a publication this year. It is just a bit early to even guess at a date and there is always the danger of ‘a slip between the cup and the lip’. The jogging is still going well and I am a regular now on the track at the Parc Monceau. So if you are in  that Paris park and see a Dublin or Kickhams tracksuit going past, it is a fair chance that it ‘mise le meas’!

This week I have the honour of offering a prayer and a short talk at Sri Lankan National Day at their Embassy in Paris. Also, this week I have been invited to meet the Mayor of our area of Paris. So, it will be interesting to see these very different aspects of life in Paris.                                             AT