Launch of CGCE Website
St Mary’s University College, Belfast
21 September 2007

Address by Most Reverend Seán Brady

It is an excellent day on which to launch a website promoting Catholic Education. It is the Feast of St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist. There are churches called after him in this city.

An Apostle is someone sent. By Baptism we believe that we all share in the Mission given by the Father to his son, Jesus. Jesus, in turn, sent his Chosen Twelve when he said, “Go make disciples of all nations. Teaching them.”

Matthew is also an Evangelist, i.e., the bearer of good news, the author of the Gospel, which announces good news. Today, almost 2000 years later, the Good News according to Matthew continues to be read and heard and reflected upon around the world. In every Catholic Church, in which Mass is offered today, there will be a segment of St Matthew’s Gospel read. But before becoming a communicator, Matthew had a few matters to tidy up. He was a tax collector, not exactly the most popular position in the Israel of its day. Then he decided to take a career break and was seconded to the staff of the man from Nazareth. Of course he eventually opted for a total change of career and tradition has it that he preached the faith in the East. So I think the Feast of St Matthew is an excellent choice of day on which to launch a new website. That website promotes an education in which whole lives may be inspired by the Spirit of Christ. So what does this mean for school communities? It means that they need to inspire the lives of their pupils. They need to inspire them with Gospel values, especially the values of faith, hope and charity. For those are the kind of values which Matthew taught, and his teaching has been handed down, that is the value of truth and love, justice and forgiveness, peace and equality.

Jesus did not demand respect, but he got respect, because he taught with authority. The authority of someone who ensured, who insisted, that respect was shown to others, no matter what their race or their religion, their age or their gender or their state of health. Jesus got respect because he recognised the self-worth of everyone he met and he respected that self-worth.

This website will promote the Catholic School, which prides itself on trying to develop the self-esteem of every pupil. At the same time this website will serve to promote a type of school where discipline is highly prized. This is usually done by recognising and rewarding patterns of positive behaviour. It supports both student and staff. It monitors the individual self-discipline.

I attended a recent In-service day facilitates by someone from an Inner City School in London. The School insists strongly on respect, esteem and discipline and core values and in the process has turned around its own prospects considerably. A story was told to me, which has haunted me ever since, of a young man on death row who sent a last message to his parents. It contained, among other things, this question: “Why did nobody think it worth their while to tell me the difference between right and wrong?”

There are many wonderful developments in the technology of communication. The website is one example. But the supreme agent in education, I believe, remains the teacher. The extent to which the Christian Message is passed on in education depends on the teacher. For the integration of faith and culture in the pupil is made possible by other prior and all important integration, the integration of faith and life in the person of the teacher. The teacher must ‘walk the walk’ as well as ‘talk the talk’. If not, the pupils will be the first to notice.

I like this quote, which I saw recently, ‘Teaching has an extraordinary moral depth. It is one of humanities most excellent and creative activities.’ I am told the teacher rarely writes on the blackboard any more – but every teacher continues to write on the very spirit of human beings.

The curriculum can, and should, offer technical and professional training for future employment but we believe it cannot, and should not, be shaped solely by the needs of the consumer economy of the West. It should serve society by forming human individuals who, in turn, will change society for the better. To do so, the Catholic School must be itself a true community of persons. Of course it borrows good business models and practices for secular society but it is not itself just a business which delivers an educational product. Life every society it exists for its members. It is a place of formation, not just for the students, but for parents and even teachers.

This is a time of huge change in Northern Ireland – political, economic, social and educational. In that rapidly changing environment, the 547 Catholic schools here teach about 45% of all pupils and we take very seriously our role in both maintaining high standards, and contributing to a new society. I thank all those who dedicate so much of their energy and love to providing a high quality education for all young people, whatever their talents and needs.
Our schools have always been active in developing cross community and international links. They welcome people from all national backgrounds and people from various faith traditions or none. Catholic schools are not an obstacle on the road to reconciliation.
I hope that this website will help visitors to be aware of the exciting enterprise that is Catholic education in the 21st century.

Catholic Education and the Culture of Peace

As trustees of a sector that caters for 45% of the school-going population – we try to be aware of our responsibilities, especially of the responsibility to consolidate peace.

I believe that working for a culture of peace has to be part of the programme of all schools, in all parts of the world today. Education for peace is an expression of a vision which has to colour all education. The struggle for peace, and its partner, justice, are central signs of Christian life. We would hold that education, which does not have peace as a major focus is not Christian education at all. Because if we are to see Christ in our neighbours, love them as ourselves, and grow together towards the Kingdom of God, then we have to have Christian values by which to live our lives. Those values challenge the secular values of today. Violent solutions to conflict, a pride in possessions, consumerism, ruthless exploitation of the world’s resources are all signs of contemporary culture. Our vision of education warns us against creating ‘carbon copy people’ formed in the values of the contemporary world. We hope to have our pupils grow into a different culture, one of peace, justice, respect, forgiveness, reconciliation, service and non-violence. Of course it will be necessary to move from statements of vision and principles to strategies for action and implementation. The task for this century is to move the world from a culture of violence and war to a culture of peace. UNESCO has taken a lead in promoting a culture of peace which consists of promoting values, attitudes and behaviours, reflecting and inspiring social interaction and sharing, based on the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, human rights, tolerance and solidarity.

The Press Release emphasizes that the new website has been designed to cater for the inter-connectedness and diversity of the Catholic Education family. It reminds us of what Cardinal Newman once said: “I am a link in a change – a bond of connection between persons” Some chains serve only to shackle and to enslave but other, such as the links in the chain of a bicycle, serve to strengthen and empower.

May this new website strengthen the links between us and lead us to a greater understanding that we are indeed bonds of connection with each other and with our Creator.

ADDRESS TO THE MEDIA

By

Cardinal Seán Brady,
Archbishop of Armagh

On the occasion of his being
Created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI

Saturday 24th November 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today has been a very joyful day – a day of many graces and much happiness – one of the happiest days of my life. I am very honoured and humbled that Pope Benedict XVI has created me a Cardinal. I hope that people will see in it an expression of our Holy Father’s particular regard and affection for them, the people and the Church in Ireland.

I am delighted to be joined here in Rome, a City I love so much, by so many of my family and friends at this very special time.
I am also particularly grateful for all the prayers and good wishes which have accompanied me through these last few days. These good wishes come from literally thousands of people. People who are glad for the Church and for Ireland itself, at this joyful event. I wish to acknowledge in particular those many expressions of support and encouragement I have received from members of other Christian Churches and other faiths in Ireland, including some from people who are also members of the Loyal Orders. Their sentiments have been a real encouragement to me. They are one of the many reasons why I have great hope for our future. It is a hope, rooted in mutual respect and dignity. All of this leads me to believe that we are indeed in a new place – in a new era – an era of great promise right now.
I am also very grateful to the President, Mary McAleese, the Secretary of State, Mr Shaun Woodward, Mr Dermot Ahern, Minister Paul Goggins and all the other representatives of Government, North and South, who have joined us for this occasion. I am particularly pleased that we are able to have present members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, including Deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness and the leader of the SDLP, Mr Mark Durkan. Their presence too is another symbol of confidence for our future. I take this opportunity to ask people to pray that our peace process in Northern Ireland will continue to be a source of pride and joy and inspiration to peace-makers across the world.

A great number of priests have come to Rome this weekend from Armagh, Kilmore, USA and many other parts. I would also like to take the opportunity today to pay tribute to the priests and religious of Ireland, including those who work abroad on the missions. I would like to think that today is also about them and for them. I am thrilled that so many priests have come to Rome this weekend from the dioceses of Armagh and Kilmore and from the Maynooth and Roman classes of 1964 and many others besides.

These have been difficult, at times traumatic years for the Church in Ireland. Yet in the midst of these challenges, the overwhelming majority of priests and religious have continued to serve their people, in humble patience, with quiet devotion and outstanding generosity.

That is why I believe that today is, in some way, about them. It is about the quiet acts of kindness, the supportive, prayerful presence in times of tragedy and disaster, the efforts to build community and bring dignity, comfort and hope to those in need.
These are the things which have been the hallmark of generations of Irish priests and religious at home and across the world. It is a legacy of which, I believe, Ireland can be proud. Their generosity and commitment are recognised and celebrated in many parts of the world.

Being created a Cardinal is about strengthening the bonds of affection and unity between the See of Peter and the Irish Church. So I have no hesitation in saying to the lay faithful of Ireland today, ‘Take heart! Today is recognition of your goodness and of your fidelity. Today the Successor of Peter has not so much honoured me as honoured the people of Ireland for their dedication to faith, family and fair play. That is why it is such a delight to have so many lay friends from Armagh, Cavan and the USA here too.

The years ahead will bring a new emphasis on the role of the lay faithful. This is to be welcomed. It is also appropriate and necessary. Respect for our neighbour, defence of the inherent dignity of the human person, generosity in service of others, concern for those most in need, especially in the Third World, turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, these are the things which have made Ireland the great, generous and peace-making country that it is. These are the things that will keep Ireland great but these are things which flow from faith. My prayer is that these will continue to be the outstanding characteristics of the Irish. That will only happen if the foundation of faith remains intact.

Two weeks ago Father Peter McVerry addressed the priests of our diocese. He told us that the passion of God is compassion, especially for the poor and the vulnerable of our world. My hope is that through God’s grace, Ireland will continue to be known as a country which values and defends the irreplaceable gift of faith, a faith which is compassionate and has at its heart a concern for the vulnerable and the poor.

My hope is that we will continue to see our reputation as a country of strong faith as an asset. As something which motivates and inspires our compassion for the world. I pray for a deep renewal of that faith. I pray that many Irish people will rediscover the joy which has brought such fulfilment to my own life, the joy of following Jesus Christ.

Becoming a Cardinal is not just an honour, it is also a responsibility. It implies a willingness to help the Holy Father carry out the task entrusted to him of feeding the flock, strengthening them in their faith, leading back the stray and guiding them safely into the banquet of Eternal Life. Pope Benedict himself has described it as the work of rescuing people from the many forms of alienation that are in our world today. I believe that the Holy Father wants us all to help him proclaim the Good News that God is love.

I ask your prayers that I may be given the wisdom and courage to carry out that task and, as I do so, I make my own the Prayer of St. Patrick.

‘But what can I say or what can I promise to my Lord,
as I can do nothing that He has not given me?
May He search my hearts and my deepest feelings….
May God never permit it to happen to me
that I should lose His people which He purchased in the utmost parts of the world.
I pray to God to give me perseverance
and to deign that I be a faithful witness to Him
to the end of my life for my God.’

Finally, I want to express my appreciation of your presence here today. I realise it is not so easy to cover a long event like this, not least, when it is out of doors, in unpredictable weather. But I want to thank you for the coverage you have already provided and will continue to provide over the next few days. I know it will mean a lot to people in Ireland who have an interest in the events of today and those of the next few days.

I hope you will forgive me if I pay particular tribute to RTÉ. It was very generous of them to broadcast live both the Consistory this morning and the Mass of the Rings tomorrow. I would ask Joe to convey my sincere appreciation to those responsible for this decision in RTÉ and also for the decision to broadcast the Mass in Armagh next Thursday.

Thank you, I hope you will enjoy the rest of our time together.

ENDS

ADDRESS TO CAVAN COUNTY COUNCIL

BY

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER 2007

Members of Cavan County Council, elected representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am greatly honoured by your decision to hold this Reception here today. This Reception not only honours me, but also honours my family, my native parish. It honours the clergy of the diocese Kilmore, of which I was a member for thirty years. It also honours the See of Patrick and the diocese of Armagh. I find the whole event very moving. Thanks you for being her, for your congratulations and good wishes and prayers.

I was thrilled that the Chairman of the Council, Mr Francis McDermott, and the Assistant Manager, Mr Des Maguire were able to be in Rome for the Consistory. Their presence added a very special dimension to an already historic occasion and I am deeply grateful to them.

I am very thankful for this Reception and all that goes with it. The presence of the Guard of Honour and of so many distinguished guests further embellishes what will be, at least for me, a very memorable occasion. Thirteen years ago the Council was most gracious in hosting a Reception when I became Archbishop. Once more you excel yourselves today. I thank you most sincerely for this further kindness.

For the first sixteen years of my life, Cavan County Council occupied a not insignificant place in the life of our family. My father was a member for the Bailieborough electoral division. My uncle, Terence J Smith, represented the Cavan electoral division, my mother’s first cousin, John P McKiernan, represented the Ballyjamesduff area. So to say that we were interested in what when on in this chamber would be a slight under-statement.
A large white envelope arrived every month containing Minutes and the Agenda, signed by either Dermot McCarthy, the County Manager or Michael J Smith, the Secretary. While we didn’t have the same means of instant communication that exists today, we were well aware of the composition of the Council and the political allegiance of each Councillor – perhaps the presence of three Lavey men and two Laragh men in their ranks, whetted out interest considerably.
I was reflecting a night or two ago and I think I could still name more of the members of the Council of the late 40s and early 50s than I can of the present County Council, with all due respect to you ladies and gentlemen. But I am gratified to note that among your ranks can be counted a number of my past students from St. Pat’s and even some former altar boys. I wish you all well in your discussions and wisdom in your decision making.

This Council chamber evokes some very powerful memories for me, not of Council meetings nor of Court cases, I am glad to say, but of GAA Conventions and County Board meetings. It recalls sharp debates and colourful characters like H. L. Smith, T P O’Reilly and Andy O’Brien. Unfortunately, many have gone to their eternal rest. It also takes me back to my teenage years and an election count here in 1955 and the memory of a photograph that used to hang in our house of a meeting here in the 30s probably. It all conjures up pictures of discussion and debate; dialogue and division. But isn’t this the stuff of democracy.
So, as I thank you for this act of exquisite kindness towards myself, I salute the noble enterprise in which you are engaged. It reminds me that Patrick Kavanagh said Homer wrote the Iliad of such stuff. In an age that gradually and apparently grows more private and individualistic, it is refreshing and pleasing and gratifying to find women and men who are willing to stand for public office, to set forth their convictions and to spend their time and their energy promoting the common good – the public good – the good of the citizens of this county.

I wish God’s blessing on you and your families for a peaceful Christmas and for prosperity and harmony and happiness in the New Year.

ADDRESS OF

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

AT RECEPTION IN

IRISH COLLEGE, ROME

25 NOVEMBER 2007

I am grateful for the presence of government delegations from Ireland – north and south – led by the
· President of Ireland, Mrs Mary McAleese
· The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Shaun Woodward
· Minister Dermot Ahern and
· Minister Paul Goggins.
I am grateful for the presence of so many brother bishops, many of them my fellow students in Maynooth or in the Irish College, Rome.

I am deeply grateful to my many families:
v The Brady family,
v The family of my native parish, here in great numbers.
v The family of St. Patrick’s College, Cavan,
v St Patrick’s Maynooth,
v Irish College, Rome,
v The Armagh parish family,
v The Castletara parish family,
v The Ara Coeli, Armagh parish family,
v The Archdiocese of Armagh family,
v Representatives from the Irish Bishops Conference staff
v The wider Irish family in Rome and
v Friends in the USA.
Like so many other things, it is very hard to imagine this course of events years ago when Archbishop Clifford and I first arrived here as seminarians to continue our studies for the priesthood in 1960.

I have spent some twenty years of my life in this College and have wonderful memories of my time here. I owe so much to the ministry of men and women.
I was baptised by a Cootehill man;
Confirmed by an Armagh man;
Ordained priest by an Italian Cardinal;
Ordained bishop by an Antrim man;
Appointed bishop by a Polish Pope;
Nominated Cardinal by a German Pope;
Taught to pray by a Cavan woman;
Catechised by a Donegal woman;
Nursed and fed by several Italian women;
Aided in so many ways by so many efficient and generous secretaries.

I am very conscious today of St. Malachy, native of Armagh City, the City in which I live now, who came to this City of Rome twice, I think to ask for the Pallilum for Irish Archbishops as a sign of communion with the Bishop of Rome and a guarantee of Church unity.

Although I have spent twenty years of my life in this College, I also spent four years in the National Seminary in Ireland – St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and owe it, and its staff, a great debt.

I am thankful to God for all I have received and what have I that I have not received? This morning I got a beretta and a parish Church from the Holy Father. It is the last in a long line of God-given gifts

v Life from my parents,
v Upbringing from my native parish,
v Education from so many teachers,
v Baptism and so many sacraments from my mother, the Church and all the gracious communion which went with that.

I am thankful for the presence of so many brother bishops from Ireland. I think it is clear testimony to the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between us and that have been forged in the face of challenging adversity over the last twelve years.

It is almost forty-seven (47) years to the day since I first flew into Champino Airport one Friday night, courtesy of Aer Lingus, via Lourdes, to be greeted by a deep Breffini accent, with the words: “Would your name happen to be Brady?”

I am thankful for the presence of Cardinal Cormac-Murphy O’Connor and Cardinal Keith O’Brien. The O’Briens of Thomond and the O’Connors of Connacht were Princes in the Irish scene. I am pleased, but humbled, to be the third member of the Sacred College from Ireland in addition to Cardinal Cahal Daly and Cardinal Desmond Connell. It now numbers Cardinals Foley, O’Malley, Egan, McCarrick, Stafford and Cassidy as well as some other American Cardinals who have Irish blood in their veins – Rigali, Levada, Keeler, Law as well as Cardinal Pell of Australia.
It is fifty (50) years since I, and some other 94 others, went to St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth to being studies for the priesthood. I am glad to say that some twenty-five of that class are present here in Rome for these celebrations.

It is forty-seven (47) years since I came to the Irish College, Rome and I welcome here Mgr John Fitzpatrick from Dublin, Father Fintan Lyons from Glenstal; the Rt Hon Noel A Kinsella, President of the Senate of Canada from that class.

I also remember those who have died, that they may rest in peace. I think of Mgr Kevin Mullin and Mgr Cyril Mulligan, who both served in the Diplomatic Service to the Holy See. May they rest in peace.

I am very pleased with the Church assigned to me today by the Holy Father, St. Cyricus and Julitta, who were martyrs. The story is that Julitta, a widow of Iconium, took her three year old son, Cyricus, to Tarsus, the native city of St. Paul, to escape persecution. Here, however, she was recognised and accused, suffered with her child a series of tortures, which, however, rebounded in some way against the persecutors whom Cyricus attacked. Eventually, Julitta and her son were executed and their relics were saved by other Christians. Cyricus was supposed to have come from Antioch, a child martyr of immense popularity.

The connection with France was strong, partly because of some relics brought back from Antioch. Charlemagne, in a dream was saved from death by wild boar on a hunt, by the appearance of a child who promised to save him from death if he would give him clothes to cover him. The Bishop of Nevers interpreted this to mean that he wanted the Emperor to repair the roof of the Cathedral, dedicated to San Cyr. Hence Cyricus is represented in icon as the child riding on a wild boar. He was the patron saint of children and his feast day is 16 June.

I am happy that the Church is at the heart of classical Rome – within sight of the Forum and the Arch of Titus and the Mamertine Prison – reminding me of carefree days and times as a teacher of Latin and Roman Art and architecture. The most gratifying feature of this Church is that it contains the tombs of students of the Irish College – possibly contemporaries of my grand-uncle.

I am very happy to be an Irish man today but I am also thankful to be an Ulsterman, to be alive in this present time and to be an Ulsterman who has moved to the north at this most interesting of eras when, hopefully, after centuries of conflict, the inhabitants of that beautiful area are living together peacefully, prosperately and amicably. I have received messages of goodwill from all the main Churches, from the Loyal Orders and, in particular, from the Archbishop of Canterbury. This leads me to believe that there is now a wonderful opportunity for rapprochement – reconciliation – and end to alienation.

Today I give thanks to God for my family and for all the communities and families which have given me home in the various stages of my life. I spent twenty years of my life here in this College – the Irish College, Rome. Like a generous mother, it welcomed me in 1960 along with Archbishop Clifford, Mgr John Fitzpatrick, Noel Kinsella, Father Fintan Lyons, here present. It has given me board and lodgings and much more, down through the years. I am grateful for all of that.

Two weeks ago, Father Peter McVerry addressed the priests of our diocese. He told us that the passion of God is compassion, especially compassion for the poor and homeless children of the world. He challenged all of us to do something to ease their plight. I came to Rome with those words ringing in my ears and my eyes fell upon these words of Pope Benedict XVI:

“We follow Christ in the mission to be fishers of men. We must bring people out of the sea that is salted with so many forms of alienation, and onto the land of life, into the light of God”.

“Lord, remember your promise. Grant that we may be one flock and one shepherd! Do not allow your net to be b=torn, help us to be servants of unity!”

Pope Benedict spoke those words at the beginning of his ministry as Supreme Pastor on 24th April 2005. He invites all of us to bring people out of the sea that is salted with so many forms of alienation.

Today many people feel alienated either from their families, from their faith, their fatherland. They feel disconnected and impoverished and unhappy. I think we should all try to play our part in bringing them out of that sea of alienation and onto the land of life and the light of God.

I have found the motto which I took when I became a bishop namely: To know Jesus Christ, to be challenging and inspiring. To know Jesus is to imitate Jesus. To imitate the Jesus who broke down barriers but also brought the healing love of Christ. Co-operation not competition and connectedness are the way forward. Connecting people to their families and to their communities and to their faith, to their homeland. It has to be a powerful way of healing and overcoming alienation. It will require forgiveness. It is the only healing way of dealing with the past that frees us up to live serenely in the present and to face the future confidently.

Thank you

AMEN

TEMPERANCE SUNDAY 2008

HOMILY GIVEN BY

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, DUNGANNON

SUNDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2008

I have just returned from the Holy Land – the land where Jesus lived and died and rose from the dead for love of us. It was my great privilege to celebrate Mass for all of you at the Holy Sepulchre – the tomb where Jesus lay dead before rising in gloriously on the third day.

It was on a mountain in the Holy Land that Jesus spoke those words which we have just heard in the Gospel. They are called the Beatitudes. Beatitudes means ‘Blessedness’ ‘happiness’. It is generally accepted that Jesus is speaking about himself in that Gospel. How would it sound if was read like this: ‘Jesus is happy and poor in sprit and in fact’. The kingdom of Heaven certainly belongs to him. Jesus is gentle and those who are gentle like him will inherit the earth’.

· Jesus mourns with those who are in sorrow because of tragedy or loss or grief. Jesus hungered and thirsted for what is right.
· He always did and said what was right. Jesus is merciful to all who turn to him with confidence.
· Jesus is pure of heart and his vision of God the Father has never been dimmed or grown dull or been muddied by the filth of this world.
· Jesus is a peacemaker and he wants to restore peace between us and God.
· Jesus was persecuted for saying and doing what was right but he remained happy through it all. He knew that he was doing what his Father wanted him to do.

Today, on this day of prayer for Temperance we take time to consider what temperance is all about. There is a right way and a wrong way of handling the good things of this world. To live well in this life you need to be wise and fair. You need to be brave and balanced. That balance we call ‘temperance’.

Since I was here last I got a new title, that of Cardinal. The word ‘Cardinal’ comes from the Latin word for a hinge. A hinge is a joint or mechanism for hanging doors onto doorposts or onto a wall. So Cardinals are people apparently who join various doors to the main building which is the Church.

There are also such things as Cardinal virtues as well. They are good qualities and there are four of them which are considered so important that they are compared to hinges. They help to keep our lives hanging together. In this life we all need to be wise, we need to be fair to each other, we need to be brave at times. We need to be balanced and moderate. So these special hinges help us to hang in and hang on and hang together.

We need balance in life. We need moderation – not just in our eating and drinking but also in our language. The Ulster Council is giving out armbands today with the letters N F L – National Football League but also they stand for ‘No Foul Language’.

I was recently told that in Accident and Emergency Departments of some hospitals there is a notice saying that ‘no abusive language towards the hospital staff will be tolerated’.
Apparently people arrive into these departments looking for care and attention and proceed to abuse the nurses and doctors. No civilised society worth its salt would stand for that. We need to get a few things clear in our minds. Our life and our health are goods that have been entrusted to us by God and so there is an obligation, first and foremost, on each one of us to look after and take care of our health.

Each one of us should look after our own health and safety first of all. How? -By providing for ourselves food, clothing, housing and recreation and medicines when required. We are not talking about bodily health only. Health of mind and soul are even more important.

One of the great threats of both bodily and mental health is Intemperance – the misuse of drugs, especially of the most powerful drug of all – alcohol.

There are many kinds of stimulants – intoxicating drinks, tobacco, coffee, tea and cola are all stimulants. As we all know, when used in moderation, they can add great flavour and enjoyment to life. But let me quote the words of a moral theologian on this: “Temperance in stimulants in a strong obligation than temperance in eating”. The reason is that stimulants damage health more easily and they can lead to addiction. This holds especially for tobacco and still more for intoxicating drinks. Then he goes on to say: “Abuse of alcoholic drinks has too often destroyed the happiness (and the health) of individuals and of families”.

Today we give thanks to God for the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association who set good example, who encourage others to be temperate and moderate and who warn us against the dangers. Of course they also make reparation for all the harm that misuse of drink and drugs does.

We, here in Ireland, have an unfortunate history of misuse of alcohol. The experts warn us that there is a time bomb coming down the line in the form of health hazards to our young people if their drinking habits don’t change but nobody seems to be listening or to care. We say we love our children and our grandchildren. We are as honest as our actions. If we are honest, we will act now. Some say young people misuse alcohol to overcome shyness. Shyness can come from shame – shame that exists because people are being blamed all the time. We need to praise young people for their good qualities and not to be constantly criticizing them. People sometimes drink too much because they have a poor image of themselves or lack confidence. We need to help them build up their confidence and see that they are not junk that they have plenty of good qualities.

What a great gift it would be for children if we would be the generation, brave enough, to promote and work for an attitude of culture of moderation rather then excess in our use of alcohol. That is the key. We need to change attitudes. Attitudes will only change if we value balance and moderation. If we see that absence of moderation and intemperance are really monster that threaten our lives and our security.

I have come to the conclusion that grannies have great influence. I was in my old school – St Pat’s, Cavan – last Friday evening. Several of those big, brawny Breffini boys came up to me to have me sign prayer cards for their grannies.

ST. PETER’S CATHEDRAL BELFAST

HOMILY GIVEN BY
CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY
SUNDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2008

Your Eminence, my brother bishops, my brother priests, Reverend Sisters and Brothers, dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ

I thank you for your kind invitation to be here this evening and for your welcome. It is a great privilege to celebrate Mass in this beautifully reordered Cathedral of St. Peter’s, Belfast. I know that establishing this Cathedral as a vibrant centre of worship for the Diocese and for the city has always been a particular priority for you Bishop Walsh. It was, in keeping with your Episcopal motto, a real ‘work of the heart’. I congratulate you on the outstanding outcome. From its masterly choir, to its majestic spires and its far-reaching contribution to the life of Belfast and especially the lower Falls, we can say of St Peter’s with the psalmist: ‘This is a work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. Indeed we are glad’. We can also say with St. Peter in today’s Gospel, ‘Lord it is wonderful for us to be here. Let us build three tents.’ In other words, let us enjoy the gift of God’s presence – in people, word and sacrament, a presence so evident in the beauty and peace of this Cathedral, a presence which is life-giving, energising and transforming.

This presence is very evident, of course, in the practice of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a practice commended to us by Pope Benedict. There are so many graces which flow to individuals and to whole communities from adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I commend Fr Kennedy and the other priests of the Cathedral for encouraging this particular devotion and I thank those many parishioners who ensure that, in the words of St. Paul, there is prayer ‘without ceasing’ in the company of the Risen Lord here in the centre of Belfast, here at the centre of Down & Connor.

I would also like to pay tribute to Fr Kennedy for his inspired decision to invite priests across the Diocese to come together in the Cathedral to pray on a monthly basis, to pray with each other and for each other. In my opinion, nothing could be more helpful or important at this time. As priests we need the prayerful support of each other and of those around us as we face the uncertainties and challenges of our priestly ministry. If we are to be gentle and faithful shepherds after the Lord’s own heart, then we need the prayerful support and solidarity with each other and with all God’s people. Most of all we need time with the Lord in prayer because without him we can do nothing. Without his intimacy, his love, his power working in us we can so easily become an empty vessel, or as St. Paul would say, a ‘gong booming, or a symbol clashing’. We can only address the spiritual hunger that is so evident in our society at this time if we ourselves have built a tent for God’s abiding presence in our own hearts and minds. We can only lead others to believe that it is ‘good to be here’ at Mass, that it is ‘good to be here’ with others as the Body of Christ. If we ourselves have taken to heart the words of the Lord: ‘Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments my Father will love you and we shall come to you and make our home with you.
When Jesus is at home within in us, we are also at home with ourselves. This is what Jesus meant when he said came to give us a peace which the world cannot give. That peace is what so many people in our world are looking for. When we have it, when it is within us, it can draw others to Christ because He is its source.

I was really pleased to receive the invitation to come here this afternoon. It gives us an opportunity to honour and celebrate and thank God for the many strong bonds that unite the diocese of Down and Connor and Armagh. One of these is, of course, our shared association with our National Apostle, St Patrick. Tradition has it that he worked as a slave in Slemish, came back as a missionary to Saul and that he is buried in Downpatrick. I love that part of his Confession where he speaks of praying as many as a hundred times a night and just as often in the day.

A sixteen year old boy in the quiet of the North Antrim hills, he had his own experience of God’s indwelling presence, a presence which like St Peter at the Transfiguration, he wanted to keep with him. He wanted to hold on to it like the pearl of great price. In the end, life was to take him far from the silence of Slemish – even the beauty of Ballymena!. When he met the Kings of Armagh, for example, things were not just as serene! But it is clear from the tradition of his famous breastplate that in all the many challenges which followed the deep sense of God’s abiding presence within and around him never ever left him –

Christ above me,
Christ below me,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.
In fact it is clear that it was this knowledge of Christ within that was the source of his missionary zeal. It came from his habit of creating space to, in the words of our Gospel, to ‘listen to him’! To listen to the Beloved, in whom the Father is well pleased.

In the course of his preaching, Patrick ordained bishops to minister to the needs of the people. Among these was St MacNissi – whom Patrick had baptised and who founded the Church of Connor.

Malachy, a native of Armagh had to struggle against his own family to preserve the religious freedom of the Monastery of Armagh. He moved to Bangor where he set about restoring the ruined Abbey before being made Abbot. Next he became Bishop of Down and in 1129 he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh. Unable to take possession of his diocese for a number of years, he resided in Armagh for only three years as Archbishop before returning to the diocese of Down which obviously made him ore welcome than his own people in Armagh.

Patrick MacNissi Malachy

Their memory lives on. They are venerated as the heroes of our faith. They have a special place in our hearts. Their example inspires us. None of them had an easy life. Each one had his cross to carry. Like Abram, Patrick had to leave his country, his family and his father’s house for the land which the Lord would show him – this far of land of Ireland. In return, the Lord made him a great nation and blessed him and made his name famous.

Like Paul, Malachy had to bear hardships for the sake of the Good News – the hardship of conflict with his own kith and kin, the hardship of leaving home. But he too relied – not on his own achievements but on the power of God, who saved him and called his to be holy.

I am sure that the secret of their greatness was the same – their love which revealed itself in the service of both God and of their people and which was the result of a most intimate union with God.

Over the past 200 years the designs of providence have made Armagh even more indebted to Down and Connor. Archbishop Crolly came in 1835 and died in 1849 – a victim of cholera contracted in the wake of the Famine – and in the course of his heroic pastoral duties. He lies buried in front of the High Altar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral of which he was the founder and close to St. Patrick’s Grammar School, which he also founded.
Cardinal William Conway was appointed in 1958 and he died in 1977. He was the Archbishop of the Council and of all the reforms that ensued and of the canonisation of St. Oliver Plunkett. Armagh owes much to Cardinal Conway.

What a delight to see Cardinal Cahal Daly here today – my esteemed predecessor and who has proved such a wise guide and counsellor to me all these years. We rejoice to recall the valiant testimony of his 40 years as a Bishop, in three dioceses, in so many difficult situations. He has given to so many people – in the words of today’s Gospel – the courage to stand up and not to be afraid. Long may you continue to do so and as they say in Donegal – go mairfidh tu an céad! – may you live to be a hundred.
I am very grateful to all of you for being here today. When Bishop Walsh invited me to this Mass in honour of my being created a Cardinal I was a little anxious. I was conscious of that verse from the Thomas Carnduff’s, Songs of the Shipyards – called The Men of Belfast. It goes:

We are the men of Belfast,
Her sinew, marrow, and bone,
By the graft of our brain and muscle
We fashioned for her a throne;
And people, or lord, or parson,
Class, or creed, or clan,
It’s little we care for yer titles,
Unless you’re a Belfast man!

Of course, Cardinal William Conway would have passed this test coming as he did from these historic streets of west Belfast. Cardinal Daly, would have also held his head high, having worked as he did in Down and Connor, for so many years and who is now living in Belfast. But for a poor Archbishop of Armagh, who comes from Laragh in Co. Cavan originally, there was little hope. This is compounded by the fact that since becoming Archbishop of Armagh, an Irish Theologian of some renowned has written that there are too many dioceses in the Irish Church and that really Down & Connor should be the Archdiocese of the Northern Province and not Armagh.

FEAST OF ST. BRIGID

HOMILY GIVEN BY

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

ST BRIGID’S CHURCH, LARAGH, Co CAVAN

FRIDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2008

I welcome the opportunity to celebrate this Mass with you on the Feast of St. Brigid, here in the parish church of St. Brigid, patroness of this parish. A couple of week ago I was in the Holy Land and I had the great privilege of celebrating Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest place in the world. I offered that Mass for all of you, for all my families – my Laragh family; my Kilmore family; my Armagh family.

I know that each one of you felt very proud when I was made a Cardinal. But we must be careful. We must beware. Our neighbours call us “proud Laragh”.. Pride is a very dangerous vice, the root of all evil. But the treasure of which we must all be proud is not that we have a Cardinal in our midst, a Cardinal from our parish, a Cardinal from our family but that we have our faith.

Jesus tells us that we are to rejoice that our names are written in the Kingdom of Heaven. That is the source of our joy. By our Baptism we are called to share in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are to share in His victory over death and over sin and so enter into the glory of Heaven. The Lord has made us for himself. He has made us for friendship with Him. We are to be His friends.

One of the important ways of nourishing the friendship is by praying. In this chapel of St. Brigid, here in Laragh, I remember so many great people of prayer. I called here one afternoon, after Christmas. I met a lady coming in to visit the Blessed Sacrament. I remember her mother in turn who, years and years ago, came so often to this Church and I rejoice that the spirit of prayer is being passed on.

When I became a bishop I chose a motto. My motto is: To know Jesus Christ. This evening I want to thank you for all you have done to show me how to get to know Jesus Christ. I thank you for what you have done to help me to get to know the love of Jesus Christ. This parish nourished me, supported me in many ways. You rejoiced when I was ordained a priest. You were delighted when I was made a bishop and now, once again, you are almost delirious at the news about my being made a Cardinal.

We are to know Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ foretold by the prophet Isaiah in the First Reading. The prophet spoke of a servant. Jesus said he came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. God the Father delights in his son, Jesus Christ. He delights in each one of us in so far as we become like Jesus Christ. Jesus came into the world to bring true justice – to put things right. But true justice has not yet been established.

St Augustine once said: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop”. A bishop is a successor of the apostles. There was a wonderful procession and carrying in of the symbols of the bishop’s office at the beginning of this liturgy. An excellent explanation was given by Father Enda.

Jesus said to his apostles: “Go, make disciples of all nations. Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. A disciple is one who learns from the Master. The first of the Masters is Jesus Christ. His apostles died of course, but before they died, they chose others who would continue their work. That work is continued by our preaching of the Word of God and in our teaching the things of God in the school and in the home. I still use the prayers which I learned at my mother’s knee in Drumcalpin and in Caulfiield school, from Annie Donohoe, nee Gallagher. But every baptised person shares in this work of teaching and preaching. Some of it may be done by words, but perhaps not so much by words as by example. St Francis said: “Preach the Gospel by every means, sometimes use words if necessary”.

“Baptise in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Jesus said. In other words, celebrate the sacraments with them, pray for them and with them. I pray for you, all of you and I ask you to please pray for me. A commemoration card is being distributed and I ask you, I beg you, to take it and to pray for me. If there are people whom you know to be good people of prayer, please take one for them also.

You saw the crozier being carried in by Donal Donohoe. It is the staff or symbol of the office of the shepherd. The shepherd uses his staff, his stick, to direct the sheep and to keep them from turning the wrong way. It is used to prevent them from turning into dangerous territory where they might slip over a ledge or down a ravine and be lost. There are many pitfalls and ravines which confront all of us on the journey of life. The bishop, the clergy, the parents, the grannies, we are all called to follow the good shepherd and to try and persuade others to listen to His voice and so to enter into eternal life.

I make my own for you tonight the wonderful prayer of St. Paul to the Ephesians which we heard in the Second Reading. I offer it for you and for those who are dear to you:
Out of God’s infinite glory, may He give you the power through his Holy Spirit for your inner self to grow strong. May you also grow strong in character.
One way of growing in bodily strength is to lift weights. You can grow strong in character by helping to lift the weights of the shoulders of your neighbours, especially of those more heavily burdened than yourself. They could be burdened with death and grief and sorrow. May Christ live in the heart of each one of you through faith. May you get to know the breadth and the length, the height and the depth of love which Christ has for each one of us.
This parish has played a big role in my life. I count on your prayers. I ask your prayers. I am the successor of Patrick. Near the end of his life, Patrick gave thanks to God for, through him, bringing the Good News about Jesus Christ to the Irish people. Patrick was very grateful to God for that marvellous privilege but then he wrote: ‘God forbid that I should lose any of the people given to me”. I rely on your prayers that I, myself, may not lose my way and that I may not lose my head and get puffed up with pride but that I may continue to serve my Lord and Master and so make sure that the people entrusted to my care are not lost.

AMEN

ST FRANCIS DE SALE MASS

ST EUGENE’S CATHEDRAL, DERRY

HOMILY GIVEN BY

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

THURSDAY 24 JANUARY 2008

St Francis de la Sale was born frail and in delicate health because of his premature birth. However, with care he gradually grew in strength and became active and energetic. His father wanted him to get himself a job and sent him to University to gain the right education but Francis had other ideas. He wanted to give his life to God. Francis was afraid that he would lose his vocation at the University and so he begged to be sent to a College which was well known for its religious ethos.

At College, Francis studies philosophy, Arts, Theology and the Law of the Church. In order to satisfy his father, he also took lessons in horse-riding, martial arts and dancing but Francis did not really care for any of these because he still yearned to give his life to God. Francis had not talked to his father about his desire to become a priest but his mother and a few close friends knew.

Eventually he was ordained a priest the religious condition of the people was deplorable and so the Bishop sent him to one of the toughest parishes in his diocese. Francis’ father was less than pleased. Along with his cousin, Francis set out to preach as often as he could to try and win back the people to the practice of their faith.

One evening he was attacked by wolves and he escaped by spending the night in a tree. Several times he was waylaid by assassins who had sworn to kill him and almost miraculously he always managed to escape.

Time went by and his work apparently was meeting with very little success. His father was no help to him as all he did was to write letters either begging him or commanding him to give it all up, have a bit of sense and return home. Francis, however, had no intention of quitting. He was always on the look out for new ways of reaching the hearts and minds of his people.

He began writing leaflets explaining the teaching of the Church. Every spare moment he had was spent writing these little papers which were then copied and distributed.

In the summer of 1595, he was attacked by a very hostile crowd who insulted and beat him. But soon after this bigger crowds began to come to listen to his sermons. His patient perseverance, despite every type of persecution, began to pay off. Conversions became more frequent and soon there was a steady stream of lapsed Catholics tip-toeing their way back to the Church. The Bishop was made welcome and was able to administer Confirmation and even presided at the 40 hour devotion – something which previously was unthinkable.

His untiring work of bringing back the lapsed Catholics to the fold was rewarded when he was made Bishop of Germany. As bishop he organised the teaching of the Catechism all over the diocese. He taught the lessons himself and children loved him and followed him.

His favourite subject was the devout life and his most famous book Introduction to the Devout Life arose from letters written to his cousin. He led a very austere life but the people were eager to see him. All the converts wanted him to come and preach. In 1622, even though he was exhausted, he kept on preaching and working. He died, while working, on the Feast of the Holy Innocent.

Real living – living devotion – presupposes the love of God. It is, in fact, that very love.
· When this love adorns the soul and make us pleasing to God, the love of God is called grace.
· When it gives us the power to do good, we call it charity.
· When it inspires us to do good often and readily and carefully it is called devotion.

Ostriches never fly. Hens fly sometimes with difficulty but eagles, swallows and doves fly swiftly and frequently. In the same way, sinners – like ostriches – never fly towards God. They roam about the earth seeking earthly things and never finding happiness. Those who are good but not devout fly sometimes on the wings of occasional good deeds but slowly and sluggishly. Those who are ready and willing to do good often, glide gracefully to God on high.

ASH WEDNESDAY 2008

DUNDALK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

HOMIILY GIVEN BY

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRAURY 2008

Last week I was in schools in Portadown. The juniors sang about each and everyone being special – special in the eyes of God. Each one of us has our own qualities – talents – which make us special. But the very special thing about each one of us is that we are loved by God. The children sang with such enthusiasm.

I sometimes wonder how it is that we lose that enthusiasm as we move in life for recognising that we are special and specially loved by God. We seem to lose the ability to respond to that. We become listless and indifferent and anaemic in our response to God. Well, Lent is the time when we try to do something about all of that. We are ambassadors for Christ. St Paul appeals to us. He says: “Be reconciled to God because for our sake God made Christ the sinless one into sin so that we might become the goodness of God”. St Paul begs us once again “not to neglect the grace of God that you have received”. Now is the favourable time – this is the day of salvation.

So, I beg you to use this time, this special time, well. By all means use the ways the three traditional ways of spending Lent:

1. Pray
2. Fast
3. Give to the poor

Don’t parade it. Don’t blow the trumpet. Don’t let it become an ego trip. Exercise a strong willpower. I wish you a gracefilled Lent.

Lent is not a time in which the Church asks us to put on a sort of organised gloom. We are not to take on suffering for the sake of suffering. The ashes are also a sign of penance and conversion. Once the conversion was achieved, the prophets called for putting off the sack-cloth; washing away the ashes and getting into festive dress.

We do not have unlimited time to change our lives. God and His Church do not want us to have a Lenten face but rather to have an about face today; an about turn – change of direction.

I wish you all a very happy Lent.

150th ANNIVERSARY OF APPARATIONS AT LOURDES

HOMILY GIVEN BY

CARDINAL SEÁN BRADY

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, DROGHEDA

SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2008

Lourdes is a town of about 18,000 inhabitants. Where does that leave it in comparison with Drogheda? Lourdes is about 1,200 feet above sea level at the foot of the Pyrenees. But wait for it! Lourdes has about 410 hotels – with sixteen and a half thousand bedrooms. That means that for many weeks of the years there are about 33,000 visitors to Lourdes, billions of visitors every year.

What takes them there?
· As tourists? – not really – although the scenery is breath-taking.
· To see the beautiful paintings and statues? I don’t think so – although there are many lovely churches.
· To see the candlelight processions or the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament? possibly – but not really.

In my opinion, people go there for another reason.

v They go there to keep an appointment with God – which Mary has made for them.
v They go to meet their brothers and sisters, especially those who are sick, and who share the same faith as Jesus Christ so that they can understand better what it means to be a sick Child of God.

v They go there to take care of the health of their spiritual life; to look into the spiritual mirror and spot the wrinkles and the grey hairs of the soul.
v They go to get a bit of rest and respite from the conflicts and trials and troubles of life.
v People go there to get some inner peace and quiet and to clear their head and to see what is life all about and to see where God fits in.

Why Lourdes?
Yes, it is a beautiful but backward enough sort of place. It all began in 1854 when Pope Pius IX declared that it was an article of our faith that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was conceived – untainted, untouched by sin, the sin of our first parents. He said that she was, in fact, the most highly favoured daughter of God – full of grace – unstained by sin. The short-hand for all of that is: she was conceived immaculately. Her feast, commemorating that event, is the 8 December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Then, four years later, on 11 February 1858 – 150 years ago on Monday next – Mary, the Mother of Jesus – appeared to Bernadette Soubirous at the Face of the Rock in Lourdes. She said: “I am the Immaculate Conception”.

Who is or who was Bernadette Soubirous?
Ø Bernadette was the daughter of a poverty-stricken miller.
Ø A simple peasant girl living with her foster mother because her parents were too poor to nourish and feed her.
Ø She became an unknown religious sister. Humble and obedient in a convent far away from Lourdes at Nevers.
Ø She was a woman who suffered a huge amount which she accepted with all humility and became a wonderful witness to the teaching of the immaculate conception.
Ø Her father was a miller but in 1856 he was bankrupt, ruined. Unable to feed his family and pay the rent of his mill they had to leave their house and go to live in a kind of dump.
Ø That winter, Bernadette contracted Cholera and later Asthma and Tuberculosis. That is what brought her to her grave at the age of 35 years.

Spiritually, she was little better off. She had not yet made her First Communion by the age of fourteen. She had a lot of difficulty learning the Catechism. The only prayer she knew was the Rosary. So, when the Blessed Virgin said: “I am the Immaculate Conception” Bernadette really didn’t have a clue what she was on about.

That is the girl to whom Our Lady appeared several time 150 years ago at various stages, with a very simple message of prayer for the salvation of the world and penance for the conversion of sinners and a special message for the clergy – to get up and build a church on the spot.

Eventually and gradually, the message got through. Not alone the churches but the hotels and the hospices were built to accommodate the millions of people who, over the last 150 years, have heeded the call of Mary to pray and to repent of our sins.

The song and message of Bernadette has certainly caught the imagination of Catholics, all over the world.