Aidan Troy

Month of May almost with us. Busy month with two 1st Communion Saturdays and Confirmation at end of month. Parish Council also meeting. Delighted to get an invitation from Principal of Holy Cross Girls’ School, Belfast, to be present for 40th Anniversary Mass on 8th May in the school - the school is much older but moved to the present site in 1969! Congratulations to the School on being in such good shape considering all that happened over those forty years. Am still doing a fair bit of jogging - am wondering if I should consider the Paris marathon next year? Maybe if you have seen me lapping the Parc Monceau you might have an opinion! Lovely to have had so many visitors calling to say ‘hello’ and more due soon again. AT

Easter Week passed quietly with many parishioners away and schools closed. I was fortunate to have some  visitors in Paris last week. It gave me an opportunity to visit the ’sights’ which I always enjoy. On Sunday I had a visit from some young people from Ardoyne and two of their friends who found St Joseph’s Church on their way home from a visit to Disney. It was really good of them to go to this bother just to say hello. It was great seeing them. Fr Francis continues his recovery and greeted many of the parishioners at the Masses this weekend.

I was delighted to receive an invitation to celebrations to mark 40th Anniversary of Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in May. It was thougthful of the Principal to extend this invitation. I hope I may get to Belfast for this event. Holy Cross Girls’ School will always hold a special place in my heart.                                                                                                                                                AT

Good news - Father Francis is back at St Joseph’s after some days spent at the American Hospital. He is in good form and taking things easy for a while. He is delighted to be back.

Sad to read of guns on the streets of North Belfast. It is still my belief that someone needs to intervene with these people before there is further loss of life and more injuries. Please God Easter will be a time for renewed constructive efforts to end these atrocities and to pray for true and lasting peace.     AT

Father Francis, C.P. continues to recover in the American Hospital,  Paris. This morning I visited him and he is in good form. He is still in CCU but hopes to be moved to another room soon. He is looking forward to being released from hospital and is appreciative of all the messages of good will and prayers. At 8 p.m. tonight the Eucharist will be celebrated with the washing of the feet and followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Altar of Repose until 10.30 p.m. Big improvement in the weather today.                               AT

Tuesday afternoon Father Francis Finnigan, C.P. was admitted to American Hospital, Paris, for tests and observation following becoming unwell at St Joseph’s. The Ambulance service who examined him and took him to hospital was excellent and acted with great care. I have spoken to Francis this morning and he is doing well. This afternoon we will have more information about his condition. Last night’s Penance Service at St Joseph’s offered prayers for a speedy recovery and many people have been contacting St Joseph’s today expressing their concern and offering prayers for Francis.                AT                             

Palm Sunday (old name!) was great here at St Joseph’s, Paris. I was sorry to see a headline that same day “We’ve lost control of Ardoyne, IRA warns” from a Sunday newspaper. I have read the article and it makes for sad and worrying reading. It has been my privilege to know something of the enormous efforts made in recent years to reduce tensions around  Ardoyne. These included untiring efforts by community workers on each side of the community living there, police, politicians, schools, youth clubs, parents and families, community organisations, peace groups from near and far, the George Best Foundation and so many other individuals and groups. My prayer this Easter is that improved times achieved especially during recent summers and the ground gained will not be lost in 2009. There are too many good people there on all sides who deserve better. My plea as a former resident is don’t lose hope and heart. You can do it and with God’s help you will. AT