Aidan Troy

It was such an honour and privilege to deliver a lecture and engage in discussion with those present yesterday afternoon. Thanks to Cliona and also to Lesley who gave such a generous and full introduction. Thanks to Meg also for joining us for lunch and for the talk. It was ‘beyond the call of duty’ for those who attended to come along on a Saturday afternoon at 2.30 p.m.!

A good parish social last night.

Really impressed by the number of French parishioners who offered their profound disgust at what had happened at Stade de France on Wednesday evening as they left Masses this morning. I offered prayers for the French team as they prepare to go to South Africa!!                                                               AT

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