Column being axed

 "Gulf Pine Catholic," newspaper for the Diocese of Biloxi, will cease publishing my columns beginning in January. The columns, begun in 1976, will be published instead in this blog at regular intervals. I will inform my Facebook friends when each column will be published in the blog.

The Cycle of Life

 Miniature roses, surrounded by dying autumn leaves in my garden, remind me of the cycle of life and death and gives me hope for a new spring and a reminder that life springs eternal.

Reversal of Fortunes

Today, as I think about our Sunday gospel of the story of the rich man and Lazarus, I am reminded of how easy it is to take people, gifts, blessings, opportunities and things for granted. The rich man took poor Lazarus for granted. He passed him by every day at the gate to his house. Lazarus became part of the scenery and the rich man was too busy, too preoccupied to notice, to care.
It reminds me of an old saying that says, " Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day to find that you lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.”

It's hard to be humble!

Today's (Sunday readings) remind us of the need for humility. they remind me of some pithy sayings. A.A. says, "humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less."  We are good at comparing ourselves with others. we were trained well as children when we heard messages like, "Why aren't you like.... " Usually, we compare ourselves with people not as fortunate as ourselves; not as smart as ourselves, not as wise as ourselves, not as accomplished as ourselves, Obviously, we win such a comparison with ease. 
The greatest act of humility was Jesus becoming one of us; embracing, not only our humanity, but embracing those on the fringes of society. As someone once said, "Knowing God makes us humble. Knowing oujrselves keeps us humble."

Moving house!

This morning, I saw this slow, methodic, moving experience on my driveway in Ireland. I hoped that he finally made it safely across without being crushed by a car tire or a person's careless footstep.

Mountainside Mass at Grotto

I had the opportunity yesterday evening of celebrating Mass at the shrine in Glenmask mountains. Around 100 people showed up on a wonderful sunny evening to pray and celebrate.  May Tuffey, a native of the area, now 100 years old, came from Chicago to participate as well. Here are some pictures:

A view from the mountainside grotto.

 

A view of the grotto

 

 

Horse sense

Even horses know how to enjoy a nice, sunny morning in Ireland
 

A Last phone call

He was just 23 years old and had his whole life ahead of him. He made his last phone call to his mother - her only son. His message was clear cut. He was doing it. he said goodbye and he did it.

Hundreds came to his home all day Sunday to sympathize with his parents. Hundreds more gathered today in the church where he served Mass as a teenager to say their own silent "goodbyes." Words failed everyone. People's presence tried to fill the vacuum for the family. Songs were sung that tried to be uplifting but nothing could cure the pain etched on his parents faces and that of his sister. A life ended. A light snuffed out. A great chasm left in its place.

(more later in one  of my columns for "Gulf Pine Catholic" newspaper)

Mass among the dead

Today, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass in our local cemetery, among our deceased loved ones. A great crowd gathered to remember, to pause, to pray, to give thanks, to celebrate lives well-lived and rewarded. Even among the dead, the sounds of nature resounded, reminding us of the ongoing cycle of birth and death, or life constantly changed and renewed.

Watching loved ones stand by the graves of family and friends as we approached to bless their loved ones graves, I could not help but think of all the thoughts that went through their minds. Gone, but not forgotten, formed and shaped by those gone before as they shape those yet to come. The cycle continues. Words are inadequate; example is powerful; remembrance is necessary; gratefulness is expected. Life is a mystery to be continued.

Return trip

I received an email from Delta airlines this morning, informing me that I could check in on line for my return flight to Gulfport, Mississippi on May 31, 2013. Obviously, when I booked my retirement flight home for January18, 2013, I had to book a return ticket as a return ticket was over half the cost of a one-way ticket. I still cannot figure out the logic or how a return ticket is half the cost of a one way ticket? But then again, there are so many things that defy logic. Also wondered why airlines allowed passengers to board a flight from the front even though it creates congestion in the aisle for those boarding later. I am told that the reason for this practice is that if you allow people seated in the back to board first, they will put their carry on luggage in the first overhead bins resulting in no space being available for the front seated passengers.
Anyway, I will not be checking in for my return flight so someone who might be on standby can have my seat.

Another big mystery

Today, in the Catholic Church, we celebrate the Feast of the Trinity - a real mystery. We grasp at  human words to try and capture or explain the mystery of Three Persons in One God.

When a young couple came to me to get married, I began by asking them two questions: How did you first meet and, of all the people you have met and dated, why is the person sitting next to you the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?  The answer to the first question is easy as everyone knows the occasion on which they first met their soul mate. the answer to the second question is more difficult because, no matter how a couple tries to answer it, they will never find the right words to capture or explain their answer.

If, as human beings, we find it difficult to explain the mystery of a human relationship, how much more difficult is it to explain the mystery of the relationship in God? Yes, just because, like all human relationships, words may fail us, but it doesn't stop us from trying to explain Mystery.

Ireland with the Kerrs

John, Terry and Katie Kerr, Chicago, visited me in Ireland last week. Here are some of the sights and places we visited.

Atlantic Drive, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Aran Islands, Ireland

Entering Kilronan Pier, Aran Islands, Ireland

Ballintubber Abbey, built in 1216 and in continuous use since

Inside Ballintubber Abbey where 007 actor, Pierce Brosnan got married

Ceide Fields, Co. Mayo - unearthed homes over 5,000 years old

Atlantic Ocean at Ceide Fields, Co. Mayo

View from Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Exclusive Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo, built in 1228, now a luxury hotel

Grounds and Lough Corrib at Ashford Castle

Kylemore Abbey, Connemara - built in 1871; was High school until 2010

Gardens at Kylemore Abbey

 

Keem Bay, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland






 

 

Birthday Girl

She sat in  an easy chair while I celebrated Mass in her daughter's home. She was surrounded by over fifty family members as she celebrated here 85th birthday. Her children spoke about her life, dedication to family and her example. Her great grandchildren hugged and kissed her as she beamed with delight.
Following Mass, everyone feasted in food and friendship until late into Sunday morning. From little kindergarten girls to senior citizens, all shared in the celebration.
Our Sunday gospel reading reflected the frustrating "no catch" fishing trip of the apostles and the subsequent meal provided by the Risen Lord.
The Lord provided an opportunity to celebrate by word and sacrament the life of Bridie on her birthday. Family and friends shared in the same  meal, nurtured by love, with a beaming 85 year old.
Birthday, no matter how old a person is, should always be celebrated, not only because the Lord loves celebrations but also became it gives opportunities to family and friends an opportunity to affirm, support,  encourage and love those who love them.

Casual Celebrity

Today, I went to a garden center to purchase some seeds for my newly dug vegetable garden. As I was studying the various packs of vegetable seeds, I noticed a familiar and famous person just a few feet away from me. He looked at me and I looked at  him and we just continued on with our individual business. While there were several people in the store, I noticed that everyone just left he and his wife alone to do their own garden shopping. He was just treated just like any other person who came into the store. His wife paid for their purchases and he took the purchases to their car. Who was this famous well-known person? Well, I had the distinction of purchasing my garden seeds in  the same place, at the same time the Prime Minister of Ireland was purchasing his garden seeds.

Easter Sunday

Easter is the biggest surprise of the year. No one expected it the first time. People came to Jesus's tomb looking to anoint  a dead body. Instead, they found an empty tomb - the only empty tomb that ever existed.
Sometimes, children grasp the implications of Easter better than adults. this reminds me of the story of an elementary school teacher talking to her class about the death of Jesus. She asked the children: "What was the last words that Jesus spoke before he died?" One little insightful girl put up her hand and simply said, "I'll be back." What a profound message for Easter. Happy Easter.

Palm Sunday

Today, I celebrated Palm Sunday Mass at home for the first time in 40 years. it was a very low key affair compared to the States. with the reading of the Passion narrative, I  kept to my usual "no homily on Palm Sunday" routine.
In the afternoon, I took my family out to a buffet at a local hotel. we feasted on stuffed broiled chicken, glazed ham and beef stroganoff.
As we embrace Holy Week and Easter at home for the first time since ordination over 40 years ago, it should be interesting. It will also be nice to be part of my extended family for Easter for the first time as a priest.

Springtime has sprung



St. Patrick's Day
Seeing that I am spending my first St. Patrick's Day in Ireland in over 40 years, it seems appropriate to reflect on St. Patrick's Breastplate which captures his deep faith which he passed on to countless generations.  Shortened version)

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.


Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Home from the Funeral
My sister, Eileen, was buried in Bulkington, England on Saturday, following concelebrated Mass at 11 a.m. A large crowd attended because she was so well known in the community and totally involved in her parish. People attended form her home parish in Ireland as well as Belfast, Dublin, Galway, and Belfast and Maguires Bridge in Northern Ireland. Also, mourners attended from Germany.
The main celebrant was yours truly, her older brother. a reception followed the funeral in the local hotel. Most people returned home on Sunday afternoon.
Some had their flight diverted to Dublin because of a technical problem with the plane. the fault was fixed and the plane continued on to its final destination of Knock, Ireland.
The funeral was a tough experience for the family but the presence and support of so many people helped.

Eileen's gone home

My sister, Eileen, died in  England early this morning after battling cancer for the past nine months. She fought bravely and with faith through the whole ordeal. There was no bitterness, no "why me" but an acceptance of the "cross" that she carried courageously.  She inspired so many; always looked out for the "least" of his brethren; always welcomed into her heart and home the lost and forsaken.
Funeral will be later in England.

Feeding Time

I went for my usual early morning walk in the countryside this morning. on Saturday morning, most people were still in bed after a long work week. as I strolled along, I watched the sheep to  see if I could see any new spring lamb born during  the night. then I heard a new mother's voice calling in her distinctive chant. Immediately, I heard her new born twins respond in their special, recognizable cadence. Mother was calling out, "It is breakfast time." And her children responded. they rushed  to her side and began to suck her warm milk.

The experience, not only reminded me of the beauty and instinctive nature of the animal world, but, on a much deeper level, of the invitation from God to come and suck at the breasts  of his divine love.

Readers Comments:
Frequently, I receive emails from people who read my columns. Now, that I have decided to continue writing a column under the byline of "Across the Pond" for Gulf Pine Catholic," it is nice to knowo that some folks enjoy my musings.
Included is the following email: Thank you so much for what you do in editing the Gulf Pine Catholic. I'm sure you have received MANY comments, suggestions, etc. about Father Tracey's column, with his move back home to Ireland. Please indulge me to add my 2 cents worth.

A fellow parishioner/ co-worker and I both always said we read Fr. Mike's columns first. Any chance of his starting his column back up after he gets resettled as parish priest, etc. back in his home parish? It would be FASCINATING for him to simply share with us his impressions/daily experiences in returning home after 35 years in Mississippi. The faithful of our rural diocese could travel to rural Ireland through Fr. Tracey's experience and unique writing style, without ever leaving home. ("99%" of us will never travel to Ireland; "90%" will never make it to GB or mainland Europe.)

If this is not going to happen, please find someone in the diocese to replace Fr. Mike on page 5 with a down-to-earth, every-day-life column written from anywhere in the diocese. Whether priest, deacon, religious, layman, etc., just something in a similar vein. A good percentage of folks in SE Miss. can relate to and enjoy these types of musings. Everyday, ordinary life experiences penned by a talented communicator. That's all you need. Ha! Easier said than done, right?

Evening time at home

Shipment on the way
Today, I was informed that the shipment of my belongings from Gulfport, MS has arrived in Dublin and await Customs Clearance. The shipment left Gulfport on January 8, traveled by road to New York, was placed on the cargo ship, Atlantic Companion, which docked in Liverpool, England on February 8th. the shipment wss off loaded there and put on a smaller ship to be sent to Dublin.  Let's hope Irish Customs clears it soon and it will be on its way to my home in Mayo. It feels like part of one is missing when one doesn't have one's stuff.

Cultivating God's Garden

          As part of my retirement, I decided to start a garden. so, on Valentine's Day,with spade in hand, I began the digging process. thes soggy earth yielded the sod quite easily. Progress was slow an the blisters on my hand a distraction. as i continued to dig and turn over the sod, the plentiful worms cried out, hoping that i would not dissect them accidentally as they went about their God given task.
          The whole adventure reminded me of Lent and  turning over a new sod of growth. The ground needed to be cultivated lovingly before and growth might take place.
          It reminded me too of howI spent forty years trying to help people discern how the Lord was cultivating the garden of people's lives.
          Obviously, as I ready my garden for springtime planting, I reflect on how the Lord is planting a new crop of possibilities in my own life.

No memory:
I attended the funeral of a priest from my beighborhood on Monday. i  had even served Mass for him when I was a kid. Before he died, he spent ten years in a nursing home, suffering from Alzimers disease. He walked the corridors constantly and never recognized his family when they came to visit him. The archbishop preached the homily and noted that “we place great store on memory, on people we have met, on places we have visited, on games we have seen, books we have read or films we have enjoyed. We depend on memory so much for communication."
As hundreds  of people turned  out for his wake and funeral, we know that, while he may not have any memories of the last ten years of his life, counless others have and came to show and share it.

A new Journey Begins

Following a weekend spent in Dublin, after arriving to begin my official retirement, I set out for my home and to sleep in my own bed for the first time as an officially retired priest. I awoke the following morning to the silence of falling snowflakes. This was the first time I had witnessed snow in decades. It seemed like an apt beginning to a retirement The pure white snowflakes reminded me of a new beginning, a new experience, a reminder of possible difficult travel conditions as I venture out into the cold. It is not only a season of adjustments weather-wise but also personally and psychologically.

Parting Homily thoughts

As I give my final homily at the parish, I reflect on 12 years of a journey with countless people through joys and sorrows, achievements and disasters. I am drawn to something that Fr. Henri Nouwen wrote that captures the complexity of life and moments like this. He wrote: Life is a short in expectation, a time in which sadness and joy kiss each other at every moment. There is a quality of sadness that pervades all the moments of our life. It sees that there is no such thing as a clear-cut pure joy, but that even in the most happy moments of our existence, we sense a tinge of sadness. In every satisfaction, there is an awareness of limitations. In every success, there is a fear of jealousy. Behind every smile, there is a tear. In every embrace, there is a loneliness. In every friendship, distance. And in all forms of light, there is a knowledge of surrounding darkness.. but this intimate experience in which every bit of life is touched by a bit of death, can point us beyond the limits of our existence. It can do so by making us look forward in expectation to the day when our hearts will be filled with perfect joy, a joy that no one shall take away from us.”