27 March 2017

An interview for the new diocesan
website in Limerick and Killaloe

Patrick Comerford

In a (slightly) tongue-in-cheek interview for the new Limerick and Killaloe diocesan website, http://www.limerick.anglican.org/, I was asked some interesting, and some peculiar, questions.

This is how it was published on the website at the end of last week:


I was born in Rathfarnham in Dublin, between a synagogue and a laundry and opposite a cinema. But I moved around a lot in my childhood and early adult years, including west Waterford, school near Drogheda, important years in Lichfield, and then Wexford. I first trained as a surveyor, but spent over 30 years of my working life as a journalist, first with the Lichfield Mercury, then the Wexford People and The Irish Times. I was Foreign Desk Editor of The Irish Times for my last eight years there, and I have been a lecturer at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute for 15 years. I moved to the Rathkeale Group of Parishes in January 2017. Barbara and I married in 1974, and we have two adult sons. I have studied theology at Trinity College Dublin, the Irish School of Ecumenics, Maynooth, and in Cambridge.

What are you good at?

I often find I am good at the things I enjoy, without ever being competent let alone proficient. I love poetry without writing it, love music without being able to read or play it, and enjoy rugby, cricket and rowing despite my age and my lifelong lack sporting prowess.

What would you like to be better at?

I could say driving, but not being able to drive, I can hardly be better – or worse – at it. Perhaps I should answer instead by saying singing … or being more conversant in Greek, Italian and perhaps French.

Who should play you in a film of your life?

Me, of course. If they ever got around to making a film of my life, I’d like to still be alive then.

If you weren’t clergy, what job would you have? What job would you like to have had?

An architect. My careers teacher advised me strongly not to consider it … I’m almost innumerate. I’m still a frustrated architect, and enjoy architectural photography as a hobby.

Bentley or Harley-Davidson?

Walking. I love walks on a beach, by a river bank, or along a lake shore.

Grand Opera or Country & Western?

I enjoy opera … Verdi, Puccini, Mozart … in Wexford, Verona, Vienna and even in Bucharest. But instead, perhaps you could ask, Bach and Mozart? I have very wide tastes, particularly from Vaughan Williams and Mikis Theodorakis to Steeleye Span. I regret never learning to play a musical instrument, even though my school offered any musical education I wanted.

Favourite book (not including the Bible or Shakespeare)?

The poetry of TS Eliot when I am thoughtful, the poems of John Betjeman when I am being humorous; poetry first, then history.

Craziest thing you have ever done

As a journalist, leaving Israel and the West Bank on a flight for Dublin, not knowing the Intifada was about to break out that day, or leaving South Africa on a flight for Frankfurt just days before Nelson Mandela was freed from jail. Others got the stories and the bylines, I just got to edit the pages.

One thing that makes your blood boil?

Only one? Racism, prejudice, the way we treat refugees and asylum seekers, especially children, direct provision, sexism, nuclear weapons, war, indiscriminate violence and terrorism … but then all violence and terrorism is indiscriminate. Would you like me to go on, because I can go on and on.

Other than Jesus, which Biblical character would you like to have dinner with?

You mean I am not invited to the Supper! Saint John the Evangelist. I can read the Johannine literature at any time, and constantly find them inspiring and challenging. And if we’re having dinner, it would be in a good taverna in Patmos, where he wrote … or on any other Greek island.

Praying in Lent 2017 with USPG,
(30) Monday 27 March 2017

Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton … the venue for this evening’s Lady Day Service with the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2017)

Patrick Comerford

Each year on a day close to the Feast of the Annunciation [25 March], the Mothers’ Union marks Lady Day with a special service. Lady Day has long held significance for Mothers’ Union and its members, and traditionally this is the day new members are enrolled.

Because of the weekend, this year’s Lady Day Service in the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe is being held instead this evening, a day after Mothering Sunday and in the appropriately named Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton. I am presiding at the Eucharist and the special preacher is Canon Liz Beasley of Adare.

This year is also a special year for Mothers’ Union, celebrating 140 years of faithful service to families and communities. The theme for this year is A Celebration of Faith, and the Mothers’ Union says ‘the obedience and faith of Mary is a wonderful example to us. It is this that we gather to celebrate, give thanks for and be inspired by, as we seek to follow God in whichever way he calls.’

The Lent 2017 edition of the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) follows the theme of the USPG Lent study course, ‘Living an Authentic Life.’

I am using this Prayer Diary for my prayers and reflections each morning throughout Lent. Why not join me in these prayers and reflections, for just a few moments each morning?

In the articles and prayers in the prayer diary, USPG invites us to investigate what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The Lent study course, ‘Living an Authentic Life’ (available online or to order at www.uspg.org.uk/lent), explores the idea that discipleship and authenticity are connected.

This week, from yesterday (26 March) until Saturday (1 April), the USPG Lent Prayer Diary is following the topic ‘A World of Injustice.’ The theme was introduced yesterday in an article in the Prayer Diary by Professor Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Honorary Director of the Department of Ecological Concerns of the Church of South India Synod.

Monday 27 March 2017:

‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands’ (Psalm 19:1). As disciples, may we learn to see and honour God through the world around us.

Mothers’ Union Prayer:

Loving Lord
We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.
We pray for families around the world.
Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union
as we seek to share your love
through the encouragement, strengthening
and support of marriage and family life.
Empowered by your Spirit,
may we be united in prayer and worship,
and in love and service
reach out as your hands across the world.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Continued tomorrow.

Yesterday’s reflection.