THE RECTOR'S REFLECTIONS
Home from Ireland
September, 2006

Carol and I met some very amazing people during our trip to Ireland this summer. For those of you who may not know it, we spent the month of July in County Down , Northern Ireland where I served in two churches, St. John the Evangelist, Magaherally and Christ Church , Annaclone. Both are parishes of the Church of Ireland (Anglican). They are both worlds apart from St. Bede's in terms of liturgical practice (Morning Prayer three Sundays and Eucharist one Sunday). Vestments are Cassock, Surplice, and Preaching Stole. There are no candles on the altar, flowers are not prominently displayed and no crucifix or cross on or near the “Communion Table”.

However, to my surprise, I became quickly comfortable with leading worship. I knew the Church of Ireland to be conservative and “Low”. Church bulletins and newsletter listed me as “Minister in Charge”. On previous visits to Ireland Carol and I have attended Eucharistic services in Dublin , been guests at the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin and I've attended Eucharist there as well. But Magaherally and Annaclone were my “baptism” into parish life and worship.

I was filling in for the month for the Rev. Elizabeth Hanna the rector of both churches. Liz and a group from throughout the Church of Ireland were in Kenya on a short term mission project building a church. Sound familiar? Some go to Juárez . Some go to Kenya . I couldn't help but think that Liz and co. were continuing a long tradition of Celtic church workers spreading the Gospel through mission. No different than short term missioners doing the same as they go from St. Bede's to Ciudad Juarez . We have more in common than we often realize.

So what made the experience in southern County Down work so easily? How did it become so comfortable so quickly? Granted, I was raised to always call Ireland “home”. When we visited my family in the Republic of Ireland in Mohill, County Lietrim my Aunt Jody, age 93, greeted me with, “Well, you're home now.” I had told Carol that when she would meet my Aunt Jody she would meet my mother. My mother died in 1969 five years before Carol and I were married. Well, Carol and Aunt Jody hit it off like long lost friends. The same happened with my Aunt Lillian in a nursing home not far from the family farm.

Being home is one reason it was easy to settle in but there were also deeper reasons. These came from listening to the people of Magaherally and Annaclone. There was welcoming spirit that reminded Carol and me of St. Bede's.

We met and became close to parishioners and friends of Liz from outside the parish. Almost daily we would have visitors at the rectory (an 18 th century farmhouse). Lots of tea was served at the rectory and at homes around the area. We drew close to folks pretty quickly.

I would like to briefly recount one couple, Andy and Hazel, who were not members of the church but friend's of Liz. Hazel and Liz had taught together before Liz went to seminary. Andy and Hazel are former police officers. Andy just retired and Hazel was shot by the IRA over 30 years ago and still has two bullets inside of her. She had to leave the police after being shot. On one level her life has not been easy. Her wounds were nearly fatal and caused permanent injury. She says, “I still have my good days and my bad days.” As Carol and I were preparing to end our time in Northern Ireland Hazel was preparing for another hospital visit and more tests. However, her spirit has never faltered. While in the hospital she was told that she would never bear children. Like she says, “I proved them wrong. I had two.”

When she was discharged from the hospital she got into reconciliation work in Northern Ireland for the next ten years. At the same time she got into working with disabled police officers and continues the work to this day.

Andy and Hazel have opened their home to people and groups engaged in both reconciliation and disability work. Their work has taken them to the US where they have worked with disabled police in New York City and Boston . “Father Mike”, the Franciscan priest, killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and Stephen MacDonald, wounded and paralyzed New York City police officer, have sat at their table and had long discussions on reconciliation and forgiveness. They have also shared the same great food and hospitality that Carol and I experienced.

Andy and Hazel were but two of many we met and developed strong friendships with. Jeremiah, our son, came over for a week. While we were waiting for him at Belfast International Airport , Carol got to speaking with a clerk at the tourist information booth. Everybody was talking about the unusual weather that was occurring. The sun was shining just about every day and temps were in the 80's. This is considered a heat wave in Northern Ireland . The clerk said to Carol, “You don't come to Ireland for the weather. You come for the people.”

Wherever we went it was indeed the people and their gracious hospitality. Welcoming the stranger is indeed a ministry. Ireland for us became one of those experiences where we felt we received more than we gave. That was the subject of my final sermon.

In one sense we were indeed strangers in a new and different land. We quickly became a part of the lives of so many who know well how to welcome. All that was asked of us was that we listen to stories and share stories of our l ives and our hearts. Telling stories and sharing stories was at the heart of Jesus' mission and ministry. Stories have the power to transform lives and communities. Stories and a good cup of tea go a long way to making the world a better place.

When we left Magaherally and Annaclone we realized that we were never very far from St. Bede's. We have a lot in common.

In Peace
Fr. Richard

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© 2006 St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, Santa Fe, New Mexico