CISTERCIAN WOODS - December 12, 2002

December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Clear a pathway, Lord, in our hearts

To make ready for your only Son

(Concluding Prayer in the Office)

Spent most of the day, in between singing the Office with the monks, preparing the retreat for the Medical Missionaries.

At lunch Julian went into a long monologue about how the clergy are never there to answer people’s questions and doubts, how we do nothing about the false beliefs that are common among young people, beliefs such as re-incarnation. He wanted Sr. Cait and I - he referred to us as the experts - to tell him what the Church’s teaching is on re-incarnation or where one could find it. I suggested he look up the Catechism of the Church. The old catechism or the one that came out in the 70’s? , he asked. The one that came out in the last ten years, I said, it’s the only catechism there is now.

That was as much as anyone could get in. He already knows the answer and is only interested in discussion but the undertone was negative and aggressive towards clergy and he wasn‘t really interested in anyone‘s opinion. And his monologue went on and on. To be fair to him, he suffers from depression and is very intelligent but I didn’t come here for this. I could feel myself getting angry (where’s that coming from?) so I excused myself.

***

Went down for a cup of tea at 4.00 p.m. and met Michael Farrell, a brother of Liam “Corky” Farrell. Liam has been calling to our door in Thurles for the best part of 25 years and is someone we are very fond of. He’s been on the road all his adult life and struggles with the drink but is always very nice to us. They were both fostered out but their foster parents died and there was nothing to hold them.

Michael worked here in the monastery for a couple of years and has great praise for his time here - for the monks and for being close to nature. He went to London while still in his teens and lived rough for 30 years. When drink was beginning to threaten his life he got himself dried out two years ago and he‘s now with AA.

He’s accompanied by a BBC crew who are doing a documentary on him, part of which involves him coming home to meet Liam who he hasn’t seen for 17 years. They met today in Roscrea. Liam is now living and working with the Mercy sisters in New Inn.

***

May the God who gives us peace

Make you completely His,

And keep your whole being,

Spirit, soul and body,

Free from all fault,

At the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Thessalonians 5,23)