Aidan Troy

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

Had a wedding in Tooreen, Co. Mayo, last week. Visited Knock Shrine with the local priest of the parish. What a prayerful place. Got back to Dublin in time to get to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Football Final. Good wins for Armagh (Minor) and Kerry. Next year watch out for Wicklow! Back to Paris next day to deliver a talk to American Catholic Women’s Organisation in Paris. This was my second time addressing this group.

Have signed up for a full medical examination, half of which takes place tomorrow. This is part of the Ministry of Health preventative policy. Hope all turns out ok.   AT

Got back Friday lunch- time from a retreat I was making at Trosly-Breuil, a l’Arche community. The retreat was organised for 35 Irish priests as part of the year of the priest (2009-2010). The retreat director was Jean Vanier, 81 years of age today, who founded l’Arche (Ark) over forty years ago. l’Arche has spread all over the world providing a community of love and care for the people with severe mental and physical needs. To say the retreat was amazing is a total understatement. In time, I would hope to be able to spell out something of what happened and what it meant to me. It is good to be back and ready for another weekend at St Joseph’s Church. Catching up on letters, emails, etc is keeping me busy all afternoon and into the evening. I think I will turn over to RTE on the computer and have a look at the Late Late for a while.                                                         AT

It was with sadness that I emptied the holy water fonts in St Joseph’s Church and sealed them with cardboard for the time being. This is part of our effort at preventing ’swine ‘flu’. The Ardiocese of Paris has issued some helpful suggestions without imposing anything. In this  week’s bulletin, I have suggested that the handshake at the sign of peace can be replaced  with a bow or a salute. Receiving Holy Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue is being encouraged, without, of course, prohibiting receiving on the tongue. At the morning Mass on weekdays, Communion is given under both species. Receiving by intinction (placing the Host into the chalice) rather than drinking from the chalice is being encouraged. Posters have been placed on toilet doors beside the church, highlighting the importance of washing hands and the use of handkerchiefs. It will be interesting to see what the reaction is this weekend. While we pray and hope there will not be an outbreak of this deadly illness, it is only responsible to take whatever steps we can as a community and as individuals to prevent the spread of this illness. With schools reopening this week, the French press has been full of comments and instructions about how to protect pupils from catching and spreading the illness.                               AT                                                

People coming back into the city after the summer break. Schools have reopened and a lot more traffic. Going on my annual retreat next week under the direction of Jean Vanier of l’Arche community outside Paris. Will be one year here on 28th September.                  AT

The past few weeks in Paris have been relatively quiet with so many of the local people away on holidays. One advantage is that it is much easier to find a parking space!  There has been a lot of visitors and I have enjoyed meeting some either at St Joseph’s Church or by chance in the streets. The weather has been a real treat - long sunny days. After next weekend it will be back to the more normal routine here. From what I hear from Ireland and have seen on the internet, the outcome of Suzanne Breen’s visit to Paris has featured prominently in today’s Sunday Tribune (23 August 2009). It was good meeting Suzanne again and being able to welcome her to my new home and to the beautiful city of Paris.  Interesting to see that Cork got the better of Tyrone in the GAA Championship. With a bit of luck and a thoughtful friend I hope to be in Croke Park on September 20th for the All-Ireland Final.        AT

What a quiet month in Paris. Last weekend the  city was particularly ‘deserted’ due to the Assumption holiday on Sat. There was hardly a shop open. A visitor to Paris phoned me to ask where to find a supermarket that was open. Still, it is lovely this time of the year with long sunny days and nice evenings. There are big numbers of visitors in the city. We have had a number of people at weekend Masses who are visiting Paris at present- always good to welcome them. Martin Coffey, C.P. paid  a short visit to St Joseph’s during the week. He is home from China at present and goes back this weekend to his work there. It was good seeing him again. The death toook place this week of Fr Fergus Loughrey, C.P. May he rest in peace. His funeral takes place on Wednesday in Belfast.

Got good news that the book on which I have been working dealing with the pastoral care of suicide will shortly be going for printing. I haven’t got a date yet on when it will be published, but imagine it will be in the next few months. My hope is that it will be of some help to people bereaved by the suicide of a loved one and of some support to those who support them. Also, it is my hope and prayer that more and more people will become engaged in working to prevent suicides. It is a tough subject but I have found that there are great people around working tirelessly to prevent suicides and to support bereaved people.