August
“Fairest of the months
Ripe summer’s queen
The hey-day of the year
With robes that gleam with sunny sheen.”
Yes, August is one of my favourite months. It is associated with holiday, fun and festival. It was originally known as ‘Sextilis’ being the sixth month in the original ten month Roman calendar. Julius Caesar renamed the month in honour of Augustus.
In our Celtic year the month is called Lùanasa (Lùghnasadh). It is named to honour Lùgh the god of the harvest. It marked the beginning of the harvest season; it was traditionally a time of community gatherings and market festivals; Puck Fair (Kerry), and the Lammas Fair (Antrim) are examples. But the first such fair was celebrated in Telltown County Meath to honour the goddess Tailtiu foster mother of Lùgh who died from exhaustion after clearing the plains of Meath for agriculture. ‘Aonach Tailteann’ was hold at a location between Navan and Kells. Bonfires, dancing and rich food were features of the gatherings. Eventually games and competitions made their way into the festivities, so it is no coincidence that the high point of our Gaelic games is reached at this time of year.
We all need a holiday, rest for body and refreshment for the soul. Unfortunately, holidays for many have come to mean all night drinking, all day sleeping. “I had a great holiday” “I am wrecked”, “I need a real holiday” are the mantras we hear from the sun baked returnees. Whatever, may all enjoy this month.
Lourdes Pilgrimage
We welcome back Salford Diocese pilgrims from Lourdes. Bishop Brain led a party of 650 pilgrims from all over the diocese. Among them were a group of young people from South Manchester parishes. I am sure that they will return full of vigour, determined to promote the beauty of youth and to stand up to the many things that aim at the exploitation and destruction of youth e.g. drugs, alcohol, promiscuity. There are wonderful young people in our midst so we must encourage what is positive and nurture what is good.
Full Irish Fun Day
A great family fun day is in store at Old Bedian’s, Didsbury on Sunday, 29th August. The Full Irish team leave no stone unturned to make sure that there is something for everybody. So don’t miss it, meet old friends, sing old songs, and dance new jigs. “Nil neart le chur le chèile.
Tragedy And Sensationalism
I like many others was totally shocked and saddened by the whole Raoul Moat saga. In it I saw many of the ills of our society coalesce into one sad episode. The main protagonist Raoul Moat was the product of a broken home; he probably craved love and acceptance all his life. Whether or not it played a part in his final plight, his body and mind had to be affected by the use of steroids. I am always wary of any person or group who promote these harmful sometimes mind altering substances as aids to body building. There have been many sad incidents around that should put us on our guard against their use. The whole culture of ‘bouncer – place of leisure’ does not rest easy with me.
The media were awful. Mr. Murdoch’s Sky News treated the whole thing as a soap circus. Where is he now? Who has seen him? What did he say? His mood and behaviour must have been affected. Watching the paparazzi, professional and otherwise crawl with cameras and microphones through bushes to get a picture or sound byte of what was going on was to say the least vulgar and the most highly dangerous for all especially for the impressionable. The pervasive camera, the unscrupulous exaggerating journalist who is not interested in truth and accuracy are features of all areas of life. This quote from a Sky News journalist sums it up “I was listening to negotiations till armed police found us, they crept up silently, the first thing I knew was when I felt his breath on my cheek”. Seeing the people in Rothbury on the streets swigging beer and cider was more in keeping with a festival or carnival than with a real life and death drama. Little sensitivity was shown to the feelings of those closely affected by the sad events that enfolded. I would not be surprised had someone shouted ‘To Arthur’ as the ghoulish crowd gathered. The sad ‘celebrity’ ex footballer broken by alcohol had to make a ‘guest’ appearance, to lend authenticity to the proceedings. A bizarre carnival attitude was allowed to develop. The disturbing pictures of police marksmen with guns trained on their unfortunate quarry had no place in any civilized society.
One final quote from a member of Moats family sums it up. “The media aren’t helping. You’ve got this constant round the clock rolling news, it’s like you know they are working up to what could be a public execution.”
It was sad, it was voyeuristic, it was indicative of a society fed on sensationalism and bad news. To all those affected by it our prayers and sympathy are due, but to the media and promoters of violence nothing but revulsion and caution.
War’s Horrors
I write this on the 6th August on the 65th Anniversary of the worst war crime of all time. On this day in 1945 the Allies (Britain and U.S.A.) dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima. Did it stop war? Ask the people of Afghanistan. A massive leak of secret files exposed the real truth of the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq by the same allies, hundreds of civilians killed by coalition troops. Young men being brought home in coffins, a ‘war’ that has outdone Vietnam in its duration, and for what?
Eventually the protagonists will have to sit around a table and use their God given intelligence to reach the agreement that will bring an end to the mayhem and carnage of war. It will be too late for those who have died. Weapons of Mass Destruction - we use them but don’t want any others to have them. As Benjamin Franklin said “never has there been a good war or a bad peace.”
Sport Scene
”What though the field be lost all is not lost.” Milton’s words in ‘Paradise Lost’ could well be the sentiments of the supporters of Kerry, Tyrone, Meath and Roscommon as they made the lonely trek of the vanquished from Croke Park last weekend. Shocks, banana skins, poor refereeing decisions could be offered as excuses but nothing takes from the value of the victories of Down, Dublin, Cork and Kildare. The big two are gone; Kerry and Tyrone have hogged the limelight since 2003 so it’s time for change. Down ran Kerry ragged to maintain their 100% record against the green and gold. My anguish at the defeat by the Mournemen stretches back over 50 years! This Down team is based on a very good minor team of 2005. I would not fancy them for this year’s ‘Sam’ but they will be around.
Dublin played with a raw freshness against Tyrone, they are beginning to believe in themselves and with the crowd and the media behind them they will fancy their chances of taking Cork in the semi final.
I fancy Cork to go the whole way, they have been knocking on the door of Kerry’s Castle for the past 3 years and now that their nemesis is removed they must feel it’s now or never. Kildare the most improved team of the championship will pose the biggest threat. I expect a Cork.v.Kildare, final and the Rebels to take Sam home to the banks of the Lee.
Tyrone has a powerful minor team, their display against Kerry was as complete as I have ever seen, they will be hard to beat.
The Cats are still my fancy for 5 in-a-rows. Tipperary may give them a run for it. The Tipperary Galway game was the best game of the year. The overpaid prima donnas of soccer could learn a lot about sport had they watched that game. It lacked nothing in skill, effort, speed and sportsmanship.
Lancashire triumph
Well done to Lancashire’s Gaelic football team on winning the All Britain Junior Championship. They now await Kerry who they play at Old Bedians’ ground in West Didsbury on Saturday, 7th August. It promises to be a great occasion.
Soccer
Manchester United filled the new Aviva stadium in Lansdowne Road, Dublin, on the occasion of the first soccer game to be played in this magnificent venue. To Ji-Sung-Park went the honour of the first goal scored. We have had the summer madness led by the Arabs of Dubai; if it walks they bought it to play for their new plaything aka. Manchester City. It will be interesting to see if the Man-sour, Man-cini combination can do anything for Man-City. £300 million spent, surely there has to be a return for this. China is reported to be interested in buying out Liverpool; Americans have strangled Manchester United so now we have a wonderful English Premier league! That is why I love Gaelic games. Mayo is Mayo, Cork is Cork, Down is Down, Kerry is Kerry, (Kerry are Down!) and money is not part of it.
The ‘Hurricane’ blows out
We were all saddened at the early death of Alex the Hurricane Higgins; a prodigious snooker talent but another victim of instant fame. Abuse of alcohol and other harmful substances shortened a life that brought huge enjoyment to many. May Alex Rest in Peace.
A Parting thought
You have heard of the Eight (the great) Beatitudes here are Five others (the small) Beatitudes to accompany them.
· Blessed are those who laugh at themselves; they will have no end of fun.
· Blessed are those who can tell a mountain from a molehill; they will save themselves no end of bother.
· Blessed are those who know how to relax without having to find excuses; they are on the way to becoming wise.
· Blessed are those who think before acting and pray before thinking; they will avoid many blunders.
· Above all blessed are you who recognise the Lord in all whom you meet; the light of truth shines in your life, for you have found true wisdom.
Go dtì an cèad uair eile
Go dtè tù slán
Fr. John Ahern
August 2010
