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May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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A Farewell to Fr. Michael
Curate St. Judes Parish Templeogue 2005 - 2009
Fr Michael has left St Jude's & will shortly enter his novitiate year in Glenstal Abbey. We thank him for his help and support here during the last four years and we wish him well for the future.
Farewell Mass 26th June 2009 - Homily
In early June 2005 I received a phone call from Archbishop Martin informing me that he was appointing me Curate in St Jude's Parish Willington. He told me it was a great and dynamic parish with a very kind parish priest and that he was sure I would be very happy there. Tonight that same Curate concurs very readily with the thoughts of the Archbishop!
This evening is not really about me, it is primarily about all of you, and this occasion is my chance to thank you all most sincerely for your friendship, support, and prayers over the last four years. I remember vividly the welcome you afforded to me even though you had just said goodbye to Fr Damian. I recall again and again the words, 'welcome to our parish', a great phrase which told me a lot about how you the people see this parish as your own. Here among you I have welcomed your children and grandchildren into the family of God through the waters of Baptism, I have celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with you, and I have helped guide the children in Bishop Shanahan School towards the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion. I have presided over couples weddings; I have visited the sick, I have comforted the dying, and buried the dead. I have worked closely with the children's Mass Group as we try ever more to reach out to the children. It has been a pleasure and a privilege for me to celebrate the Sacraments with you, to be invited to share your Christian Journey, and for you to join me in mine. During my time here I have also tried to improve communication within the parish by the setting up of our parish web site, and I am very thankful to all who helped me on this project.
To mention or single out people or groups of people would be wrong, and I would not want to hurt anyone. I want to above all thank you all for everything, for all the kindnesses shown, all the encouraging words, all the small things that meant so much. If I have hurt anyone through word or deed I ask forgiveness. Tonight I pay tribute to my colleagues Fr Ryan, Fr Tom, and Fr James. I want to especially thank Fr. Ryan and Fr. Tom for their friendship, encouragement, and support during my time here and especially for giving me the space I needed to work through this monastic project. We worked very well and happily as a team, we are as you can see very different, and yet together we gelled very well. One small thing though that has troubled me. Since I told them I was leaving they have been humming a very familiar tune that only recently I began to identify. The tune has been the Halleluiah Chorus from the Messiah!! Another matter of concern is the banners at the back of the Altar with those very joyful words Rejoice and Alleluia!! They should be long taken away after Easter but this year have been left there rather suspiciously.
 As you know I am off to the Novitiate in Glenstal Abbey in August. Many of you have asked why, and that is a question I would love an answer to myself. I fully thought that once I reached Ordination that my discipleship was more or less over. However over the last number of years I have been drawn more and more to the life of a monk. The community of monks in Glenstal are Sons of St Benedict, a man who lived a long time ago. He wrote a Rule of Life that continues to be followed today, with the emphasis being on prayer and work. The Monastic Life offers balance and quietness, things not easily accessible in Diocesan Priesthood. I have discerned very carefully over the last two years or so and finally decided that I need to give this a try, to see whether or not this is what God wants of me. I can't say whether this will be a destination, or another stop along my journey. All I know for sure is that not trying it would leave me unhappy and somehow incomplete.
This has not been an easy decision whatsoever, it demands sacrifice and separation, and it means that I must leave here, a place where I would have gladly stayed forever. It is so true that with every goodbye that we die a little. This Mass this evening sings the praises of Mary, the woman who all her life said yes to God. In my first few months here this beautiful statue was put in place depicting the Mary of Nazareth that jumps out on us from the pages of the gospel. This smiling young woman said yes to God, a yes that encourages all of us who answer God's call in whatever vocation we all called to. In my life I draw great strength from Mary's yes, a yes that was the constant refrain of her life. In Mary's life her love was tested and was never found wanting, even as she suffered everything she did. After the great Easter Event we find her at the centre of the emerging Church encouraging them to be faithful to her Son. That is what I ask of you tonight, yes pray for me that I may remain faithful to the will of God, but also pray for the whole Church in Ireland during these very difficult days of scandal, and there are sadly more to come. Pray above all that wounds may be healed, that the truth may be allowed to emerge, and that the message of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed anew, a message of hope, of life, and above all of love. As I say goodbye to you it is with a heavy and yet a very thankful heart and I promise you all a special place forever in my heart. I conclude with the Priestly Blessing which I extend to you and to your loved ones.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. Amen.
May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Amen.
May he look upon you with kindness and give you his peace. Amen.
Thank you message from Fr Michael
Words cannot express the depth of gratitude I felt at the warmth of the farewell I experienced as my time in St Judes came to an end. I thank all those who attended my 'Farewell Mass' last weekend, all those who gave me cards and gifts, all those who took the time to wish me well. As I said before to leave St Judes was a very difficult decision to make, because I would have gladly stayed there forever. I am very grateful to all those who helped to make last Friday night so memorable for me and my family. It is a night that will live long in our memories. I once again thank the priests of the parish for their help, guidance, and support. If you are ever near Glenstal do come in and say hello. Finally, I ask for a continued remembrance in your prayers and I assure you of a constant remembrance in mine. May St Benedict watch over and guide you in the years ahead.
Fr Michael
Click here to see the gallery of the full evening.
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