Hello from Paris

With the Presidential elction in France now over, I am writing a note from Paris where I still am, after a long break on the blog. There are a few thoughts I would like to share as soon as I get some order in my thoughts. I will be back soon.                                                  AT

Silence Broken - May 2021

 Once again, I begin with an apology for my long absence. It is totally my own fault. One might imagine that with lockdown here in France, I would have been very active with visiting and updating my blog. At leaset now I am back and will endeavour to become much more active blogging in the coming weeks. AT

Toussaint in France 2020

 Nobody can accsue me of using this blog of mine too often. Last date was in May and I was noting the easing of restrictions due to the pandemic. Now at Halloween, I am back with new restrictions of movement introduced on Friday. Back to filling out the form before going out if a person is to avoid being fined. The form and the mask are two essentials of life now. In my childhood, a mask was such fun to wear once a year. It is not as much fun to wear it every day over a period of time. But if it protects lives and health, it is worth any inconvenience. 

I am heartbroken for the families of the three people murdered at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice this week. May they rest in peace. All churches are on high security alert this weekend. Police have made contact about this. Please God there will be no further loss of life for anybody through acts of terrorism. 

All Masses at St Joseph's will be online until at least 1st December. The church website www.stjoeparis.org will lead you to the YouTube transmission and also the previous recordings of Mass.

I say this every time - I will try to be more regular in keeping the blog active - this time I will really try.  Happy Halloweeen.

Easing of Restrictions

These are different times in so many ways. Some I have come to apprecite and some will never sit easy with me. The absence of frantic activity has left me time to explore my heart a bit more. There is much I could say but suffice it to say I believe that I am now in a better place personally than when we went into 'lockdown'. There is much that I miss and always will - human contact, meals with people and strangely enough, a trip home to Ireland! Most of my life I have lived away from home in Ireland and would never have thought there was much to it. Ah yes, but up to now I could from time to time reconnect with family, friends and the familiar that has shaped me. Now I am not sure when that will be possible. 

One lesson from this, is a deeper and greater appreciation of people who for various reasons, have left home and for the foreseeable future cannot return. I know some refugees but only now even begin to feel what some of them are missing of home. Enough of this for the moment.

At St Joseph's we are trying to work out how we might safely plan a phased reopening  of the church for Mass with people in the seats and no longer 'behind closed doors'. That will be such a joy. Yet, the dangers from the virus are still there and one illness - God forbid one death - would be irresponsible should the doors be unlocked before it is safe.

Finally, the YouTube transmissions of daily and Sunday Mass from St Joseph's - www.stjoeparis.org - have brought messages from people all over the world now part of Saint Joseph's Virtual Parish!                                                                                                                                                                      AT

Paris

Like most places, Paris has been in 'lockdown' and it is so very quiet. This church of St Joseph is not recognisable these days with no people about. Every weekend with five Masses, it is wonderful to welcome over 2,000 people who come to worship. Along with these are 220 children who come to prepare each Sunday for their First Communion and Confirmation. Fortunately, some years ago YouTube was installed in the church and Mass has been transmitted each weekday and all day Sunday. Now this is of great value as morning Mass at 8.30 is transmitted live and also Sunday Mass at 9.30 a.m. goes out live., but all will no people present. It is a different experience preaching to an empty church. There are no faces to 'read' telling that it is time to stop! These recordings remain on the website (www.stjoeparis.org) afterwards and so parishioners and others living in different time zones around the world can see them at a time that suits. I hope that a lot of lessons will be learned from this amazing turn of events for our whole world. Keep strong, keep well and keep in contact with others,                                                                                                                                         AT

A New Year

Again I start by saying sorry for my long neglect of this blog. The intentions for it are good, but........ The Christmas and New Year celebrations at St Joseph's were a joy to be part of and to see the determination of big numbers of people to get to church in difficult circumstances due to the transport strike that began on 5th December 2019. One couple walked for three hours to get to Mass at Christmas. The Carol Service had a memorable Pageant presented by CCD students that took the story of the Birth of Christ from the perspective of Saint Joseph. Last year we marked 150 years on this site beside the Arc de Triomphe. The church was sinking and had to be demolished in 1985 and rebuilt, reopening in 1987. Since then St Joseph's has served all who come to us from near or far. We are delighted to welcome a great number of visitors in Paris. This year, we move on to another year of remembrance when the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Passionists by Saint Paul of the Cross will be launched. From very small beginnings in Italy, the female and male Passionists have carried his charism and vision to the ends of the earth. 

At Christmas I was overwhelmed to receive greetings from so many parishioners who are now living in countries near and far away. It is such a joy to hear from people who were part of St Joseph's community but for family or employment reasons have moved on from Paris. It is lovely for me to think of these people carrying something of St Joseph's spirit to their new parishes. Sincere thanks for the privilege of having met you.

Well, at least I am now writing on the blog again and hope that I will not let it slip for as long as I often have done in the past.

                                 A Happy New Year to all who read these few words.                   Aidan

La Rentrée 2019

Oh my goodness - I am embarrassed to see that it is June since I visited this 'old' blog. It is good to be back! I know that the path to hell is paved with good intentions, but I do intend to be more attentive to the blog in the coming months.

A wonderful summer has passed. It was great to be back in Ireland for a few weeks visiting family and friends. Had a game of golf at Carton House, Co Kildare and a day in Belfast. I was delighted to visit Holy Cross monastery where I spent 7 very happy years. The 10.00 o'clock Mass was about to begin and I was delighted to concelebrate and after Mass to greet some parishioners. It is a place that will always have a special place in my heart and I am amazed at the number of people there who still keep in contact by phone, Facebook and occasionally ring the doorbell in Paris to say 'hello'. It is hard to me to believe that I left Holy Cross Belfast eleven years ago this month. My hope and prayer is that the present speculation over 'Brexit' will not have any bad consequences for people North or South. The Good Friday Agreement has served the Island of Ireland well and is above party politics. There is not a day goes bye that I do not pray for a good outcome to the present uncertainty.

So what else is happening in this neck of the woods? The parish activities are getting back into full swing after the summer break. This past weekend, the COD programme which prepared children and young people for Sacraments restarted. We have approximately 200 young people who come each Sunday to class and are instructed by volunteer teachers (over 30 in number). These students are at State schools which has a separation of Church and State. The advantage is that all the 200 students have enrolled for this catechism voluntarily and with their Parents' agreement.

It breaks my heart when I hear and read stories complaining about the 'imposition' of religious education on children and their families. When families here freely choose to have their child baptised, it is not with a view to school admission. When Sunday after Sunday families come to Mass and to class, there is no compulsion to do this. Interestingly, we have a waiting list of those who wish to join in this catechetical programme. We have severe restrictions on the space available, but it is such a joy for me when I see these children and parents arrive. Their Holy Communion and Confirmation will take place at Pentecost 2020. Without freedom of choice for parents and children to engage with the Church, there is something gone seriously wrong within the Body of Christ. 

Just in case anyone might think that all is perfect here with such a positive engagement, that is not the case. No, there is always more and better that can be done. As the sole priest here for over a year, I am painfully aware of my shortcomings. I have a long way to go on the road to holiness - even after all these years! All I can say is that the lack of a second or third Passionist as was the case until recently, has brought a greater than ever awareness that the priest is serving the community and not the one to do everything. In truth, this parish leaves me feeling humbled when I see the dedication of so many people ministering withing the community of St Joseph's.

To finish on a lighter note - the weekend 'five-in-a row' by Dubs men and 'three-in-a- row' by Dubs women was a great conclusion to a wonderful weekend.                                                     AT

Jean Vanier

Reflection by Aidan Troy

Good Shepherd Sunday Refelction
www.stjoeparis.org

If you go to the above link and go to the Good Shepherd Sunday reflection, I have put together a few lines about the late Jean Vanier. May he rest in peace.

His writings first and then retreats he gave have a big influnece on my life.

May God bless l'Arche communities everywhere in their lives and great work.       AT

Sri Lanka suffers an Easter Massacre

After Christmas 2018, I went to Colombo in Sri Lanka to be with two parishioners who were being married and  to share in their great day. Their families were delighted to travel from Paris to a wedding at home. This was the first time I had visited this beautiful country with wonderful people.

Having been in Sri Lanka a few months ago, the killings at hotels and at Easter Mass have saddened me deeply. May the deceased rest in peace. May those who lost loved ones have support around them and try to find hope. At Sunday and at weekday Masses at St Joseph's Church, we joined in prayer for Sri Lanka as a way of expressing solidarity with them as the cross of suffering comes upon them.

Along with the murder of Lyra McKee in Derry, work and prayer for peace and reconciliation are more urgent than ever. Only a few weeks ago, I was in Long Tower Parish in Derry to conduct their parish retreat in preparation for Easter. The parishioners and clergy were wonderfully kind and responsive. Now Derry is in the headlines for a killing of a journalist at her work. There is so much more to praise and appreicate in Derry. May Lyra rest in peace.   AT

Parish Retreat at Long Tower, Derry

The last post told that I was looking forward to going to Derry for a retreat. Well, I'm back now after a wonderful visit to Long Tower Parish. The warmth of welcome extended by all was nothing short of wonderful. Bishop McKeown, the Cathedral clergy and staff, Long Tower clergy and staff were so good to me. Most of all the parishioners who came to their church day after day was a joy to see. The first Mass each day was 6.30 a.m. in the tradition of retreats in Derry. A great feature was the great response to the invitation to meet Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation - numbers coming to Confession must have been a great outpouring of God's grace. Even the night the retreat closed, afterwards I was only too pleased to spend more time welcoming many who came along for absolution and peace. 

St Paul of the Cross founded the Passionists 300 years ago to preach the Passion of Jesus not only as an historical event, but as a continuing Passion in the lives of people to this day. Truthfully, that is why I joined the Passionists and just wish I could engage more often in the preaching of missions and retreats. But, all my assignments are given by superiors and are accepted by me because of a vow of obedience that I took when becoming a Passionist religious.

Getting back from Derry, it was back to another retreat. The Lenten Retreat here at St Joseph's was held on Saturday past. It was a day of prayer, of reflection and of reconciliation with God. The turn out was good and the spirit among those taking part was excellent. 

Palm Sunday launched us into Holy Week. Great crowds joined in all 6 Masses - 5 in English language and one in Kiwshalili celebrated by priests from Kenya. We had so many participating in all these Masses that we ran out of palm. Still, we felt that the journey with Christ in Jerusalem for this  momentous week did not absolutely require that each of us have a piece if palm in our hands.

I'm looking forward to this Holy Week and wish you a very Happy Easter and one filled with joy and peace.                                AT

Looking forward to Derry

Starting this coming weekend, I have been invited to Long Tower Parish in Derry to lead a Parish Retreat. It is an honour and privilege to be invited for this and I look forward to being there among the people of that lovely city. 

Last Saturday morning at St Joseph's we held the First Reconciliation for children which had been deferred from December 2018 due to unrest in the area at that time. We had an almost full attendance despite some apprehension. The children and the parents were full of enthusiasm for this lovely occasion. These 37 children will receive their First Communion on the eve of Pentecost, 8  June. 

This year also we will have 5 adults receiving Baptism at the Easter Vigil. These will be joined by two others who are already baptised and I will have joy of Confirming these seven adults and giving them Holy Communion. With all that is so wrong and sinful in the recent history of the Church, moments like these give hope at a time when it is really needed. 

None of this, of course, is my doing. I can just marvel at the wonderful generosity of people, young and older, and thank God for letting me have some part in His work.                               AT

Back!

I am ashamed at my neglect of the Blog. Have no excuse. Lent going ahead well with usual Liturgies and prayers. I had a good St Patrick's weekend. Much to my amazement I was asked to be 'Grand Marshal' for Paris St Patrick's Day Parade on 17 March. 'Irish in France' committee contacted me with this request. When I realised that it was a serious request, I was pleased to accept. About 5,000 people joined in the parade - up from 500 last year. It was a musical, joyful event and drew people from many countries to share in celebrating the National Apostle of Ireland. After the Parade, Mass was celebrated at church of St Etienne du Mont, organised by Mgr. Hugh Connolly of the Irish College. Bishop Kevin Doran in Paris on a visit, was principal celebrant. Mgr. Hugh preached the homily in Irish, English and French. There were many wonderful events held at the Irish Cultural Centre over that weekend. Saturdays are still watched with care at St Joseph's but we have been able to continue a complete schedule of Masses and other services over recent months.
I really must pay more attention to this blog in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading this. A

A Little Snow

The first snow of the year arrived yesterday but did not linger. It is still cold but those of us with a roof over our heads cannot complain. There are so many who do not have this and the little I and others can do to help must be done with generosity. Regularly, the Youth Adult Ministry along with other parishioners, prepare at St Joseph's around 200 meals and bring them out onto the streets for those in great need.

Last Sunday I had the joy of offering Mass at the Irish College, Paris. It was great to meet that lovely congregation again. It won't be long until I am back there for the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. This year, our second, will be bigger and better than last year!

This Saturday there is a Confirmation Retreat for Candidates from St Joseph's and Marymount School Paris. This is a significant moment in their lives and next day is their Enrolment Mass at St Joseph's. There is something about signing a name to commit to the Sacrament that brings home the significance of the step they are about to take. In this day and age, I admire so much the young people and their families who come forward to continue the journey of faith.

Back again soon, I hope!                                                                                   AT

New Year 2019 - Greetings

No excuses for my long "silence" on the blog. Apologies to regular readers.

On New Year's Eve this year I am in Sri Lanka where I celebrated a Wedding on Saturday with two parishioners from Paris with their families and friends. It was a wonderful experience filled with joy and happiness. The local priest could not have been kinder or more welcoming to me. We concelebrated the Nuptial Mass with a beautiful mixture of languages - Sinhalese and English (me). The decorations of flowers and materials in the church were beautiful.

In the coming days I hope to have opportunity to see some of the beauty, and especially the wildlife of Sri Lanka.

Like all else, this too will end. I return to Paris and St Joseph's early next week.

Christmas Masses and celebrations at St Joseph's Church, Paris, were a joy with overflowing numbers at each of our four Masses.

'Home alone' in the Passionist community of St Joseph's this year, I had the privilege of speaking to all who joined in Christmas worship. The disadvantage for parishioners was that they could not avoid me irrespective of which Mass they came to! It was a delight to see the beauty of God in the eyes of the children.

A feature I noticed particularly this year was the great number of visitors to Paris who joined us at Christmas. Many phone calls came to St Joseph's from hotels asking for Mass times for their guests.

A blessed and peaceful New Year of Our Lord 2019 to one and all.               AT

'No Car' Day in Paris

Today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. no cars will be in Paris. The city will breath a little easier and I look forward to a walk in the middle of the Champs Elysées.

Today at St Joseph's Church, 200 children and young people will begin their course for First Communion and Confirmation that they will receive next year. This is totally voluntary as they and their parents have requested this religious formation. If nobody turned up, there is nothing the church can do about it. It is such a joy when you find such a great response. The only cloud is that there are more applicants for these classes than there is space to accommodate them.

Yesterday, over 30 volunteers turned up to prepare to take these classes in two sessions, 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. Each class must have two adults present at all times and in the corridors there must always be a 'monitor' to ensure that only those who should be there are present.      

At yesterday's meeting, three of the volunteers were from the class who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in St Joseph's Church at Pentecost 2018. They have now come back to share their faith with the Confirmation Class of 2019.                                                                                                     AT

Back to School

Paris schools opened last week and the traffic increase was noticeable! As a child, I never liked 'Back to School' adverts. It was nice, though, to welcome back friends from last year and to meet new people.

This past weekend after Mass people at St Joseph's had a variety of activites: voters from USA were signing up for postal votes in the November mid-terms elections. [Pity the Irish 'Diaspora' gets no vote in any Irish or European elections!] The bookstall offers Bibles and Religious goods while coffee, tea and orange juice are served as people chat and children play.

Arrangements were being made for next week's beginning of CCD (preparation for Sacraments for children and youth). This year once again, there are more applications from families for places than we have space for classes. No a bad complaint! There will be 200 students each Sunday over two sessions, 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. with 40 volunteers and assistants taking a one-hour class. Most volunteers are not trained teachers but follow a clear and definite programme of Religious instruction and formation. These parishioners have a desire to share and hand on their faith. The high-point will be on 8th June 2019, with First Communions will be celebrated and the next day, Pentecost Sunday, Confirmations. That weekend is always special with relatives coming from all over the world.

This is not me 'blowing my own trumphet'. With me the one priest now here and for the foreseeable future, all that happens is laity-driven, as it should be. But, I am not alone! Each weekend 2,000 people cross the threshold into St Joseph's Church to take part in five weekend Masses. These come from over 40 different countries to worship in English. Being in the heart of a tourist area of Paris, beside the Arc de Triomphe, St Joseph's Church welcomes many tourists who join us for Mass.

That is my 'bit of religion' for the moment! Maybe next time I will tell about a great French/Irish wedding I was at last Saturday!                                                                                                AT

Last Day of August - Feast of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne

It must be my age! Time passes so quickly. The summer seems to be just begun and then it is over. For most of the month of August, the city of Paris seemed to be 'empty' except for the many tourists. They add so much to the city during the time that many of the locals are away. There were few cars parked in the street in front of the church where it is normally hard to find a space. All that has now changed during the past week, as people returned and shops and businesses opened again. With schools reopening on Monday it will be back to business as usual. Still, there is a great buzz around the city. This afternoon I was in Notre Dame Cathedral for a while and it was thronged with people. It is estimated that 14 million people visit the Cathedral each year. It is a magnificent place of historical interest and a busy and functioning church with regular Masses, Confessions, Evening Prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Over the years I have been privileged to preach there a few times. Security of bag searches when entering continues following sad events of recent years in Paris.

Last weekend the Papal Visit and all that went with that occasion. This weekend, Tyrone taking on the Dubs. I would like to have been in Dublin last weekend and also this weekend! What a delight it is to be in Croke Park on All Ireland Day - both Hurling and Football. At risk of tempting fate - the Dubs will keep Sam for at least another winter. Though I am a native of Co Wicklow, my support for the Dubs goes back to my childhood. If Wicklow were ever to get to an All Ireland Final against the Dubs, I don't know what I would do. Somehow, I don't see that arising any time soon.

I'm still 'home alone' as the only Passionist assigned to St Joseph's. Prayers are being offered by parishioners, and by me, that soon another priest will be assigned. It is tough on the people coming to Mass and having me each time, except for the rare occasions when a visiting priest offers one of the five weekend Masses. It is with a sense of real gratitude that I have the strength to continue fulfilling some service to the approximately 2,000 people who enter the church on a weekend. 

With these few words, I'll leave you in peace. But be warned - I'll be back soon again!    AT

Papal Visit to Ireland

Pope Francis' visit to Ireland has come and gone. I would love to have been at Croke Park and at the Mass in the Phoenix Park. But it was not to be. The positive side was that I had a great weekend among great people here at St Joseph's in Paris. A wonderful visiting priest from USA kindly took one of the Sunday Masses, which had two positive effects:

1. people who come to Mass regularly here got a break from me! and 

2. I was able to watch Pope Francis' visit to Knock Shrine. 

Well done to RTE for such sensitive and extensive coverage of the Papal visit. Life is strange - the weather in Ireland was sunny and warm this Summer. Come the weekend of the Pope's visit and yes, you have guessed it, we had enough rain to begin filling up Irish reservoirs again! 

A little funny aside was when France 24 in Paris asked me if I would be available on Sunday last to help with commentary on the Papal Mass from the Phoenix Park. When I asked in which language it would be - French or English - the answer came back - French! My refusal was instant out of deference to the French language. Strangely when the teacher who gives me weekly French class heard this, he was not pleased! He thought I was capable of carrying this broadcast in the French language. Bless him for his confidence in me! 

Still, last night, 27 August, France 24 (English language) invited me to their studios to take part in the 'The Debate'. I did the best I could but reaction after the programme varied from criticism about some things I said to some very complementary messages. That is the best about communication - I try to learn from all shades of opinion and most of all, I admire people who go to bother to make contact.

There are so many wonderful aspects to our life of faith today alongside so many 'clouds' over the Church. As Pope Francis asked of us in his recent letter to all of us, prayer and penance are needed at this time. I hope to continue this reflection soon again. Thanks  for reading this.                           AT 

Back after a long silence!

It is impossible to come up with a good excuse for not attending to the blog since May this year! Mea culpa! I like writing the blog and some most kind people recently brought to my attention that I had gone silent and no words were to be found. Thanks to those for their interest and encouragement.

A lot has happened since May. At this moment I am thinking of the many people in Kerala, India, who have died in the worst rainfall for a century. May those who died, rest in peace. Many others have lost everything and must start all over again. At Masses this past weekend, prayers were offered for the people who have died and suffered. A man from India came along after Mass to express thanks for St Joseph's community remembering his people. The collapse of the bridge across the beautiful city of Genoa, was an appalling tragedy. Having lived in the '90's in Italy, I know Genoa well and love the beauty of Italy. May those who lost their lives in this tragedy rest in peace.

Our church is going through a time of learning more horrific details about what has happened to God's special ones - children - by sexual abuse by priests and consecrated people who not only broke the law of love but also broke the law by these crimes. It is my hope to come back to this tragedy soon again and perhaps by this blog we could examine together how we might be able to say and most of all, do something. At present, words are weak. Strong action is long overdue and more needed than ever.

This weekend, Pope Francis arrives in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in Dublin and to visit the Shrine of Our Lady in Knock. The pain of many people who have suffered at the hands of priests and religious in Ireland must be part of this visit. The Pope can't change the past. He must continue to give guarantees about the conduct of clergy and religious for the future. I hope that I can find something more to say on this in the near future.

It had been my hope to be in Dublin this weekend for the visit of Pope Francis.

However, since last week I am the only Passionist assigned to St Joseph's, Paris. It is my hope that the Passionist superiors will be able to send at least one other Passionist to join me here. There are priests, both in Ireland and here in Paris, who are always willing to help out when an urgent need arises. I have written my thoughts on this and if you wish to read my reflection, you may wish to follow the link www.stjoeparis.org 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

If you read this far - thank you for your perseverance! Hope to be back with you soon. AT

Whit Weekend

Just finishing a great weekend enjoyed by a lot of people. Glorious sunshine and all the emotion of First Communions for 35 girls and boys on Saturday. Grandparents and relatives came from far and wide. The cutting of the cake in the church garden afterwards brought a lovely morning to a close. Visits to some of the families in the afternoon, gave me the privilege of sharing the joy of families on a special day. A factor is that each family freely chooses to have their child prepared for Communion. There is no compulsion. The faith and love shown by families year after year, leaves me in admiration of these people.

Then, yesterday we had over 30 young adults receive Confirmation. Another occasion of joy and happiness. 

On Saturday night, I was at Notre Dame Cathedral for the Confirmation of 400 adults whose average age is 30 years. Again, freely chosen. My only slight negative comment, is that the Mass started at 9 p.m. and it was 11.30 p.m. before I was on the train back to St Joseph's Church. A tiny price to pay for being part of such an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit.              AT