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  PassionistsGlasgow

father frank's log...

30/4/2020

1 Comment

 
FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 26th APRIL – 3rd MAY 2020
​
Last night I was the priest on call for the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. This was the third time I had been on call since lockdown began, and conditions for attending patients became severely restricted. I never sleep well when I’m on call, there is a part of me that is always expecting the pager to go off and I don’t want to miss it, even though it sounds very loudly and not hearing it would be highly unlikely. Last night there were no calls, nor the time before, but on the first night of lockdown I was called out in the wee hours of the morning and, as it turned out, it was to attend the sister of a long-time friend of mine. I anointed her and she died a few hours later. When the funeral eventually took place my friend and his wife were in isolation and he could only watch as the hearse drove past the window of his house for him to pay last respects to his dear sister. Strange times, and sad times too, in such cases.
 
I have added to my routine in the past ten days or so. Until now I have been mostly at home in Bishopbriggs, alternating with Father Antony to celebrate the lunchtime Mass streamed on YouTube. I go into the church most days to put some heating on for a while, check the post, do essential administration, and celebrate Mass, on the days when I am not saying the house Mass. I then head out to Drumchapel to attend to my vulnerable brother, and then back to Bishopbriggs for a quiet evening. I have now added a daily walk to my routine. Mostly I do this along the Forth and Clyde Canal, varying the direction in which I walk. One day, however, I took my walk in the Glasgow Necropolis next to St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Whenever I walk in the Necropolis I think of an old lady, some years ago, who told one of our Passionist priests who was visiting her in the Royal that, each night, she would look out of her window at the statue of the Sacred Heart in the cemetery, and pray her rosary. The statue of the Sacred Heart she was referring to was in fact John Knox. There is a lovely irony to that. On this occasion I took a lower path I hadn’t followed before and came upon the Jewish Enclosure with graves from 1832-55. The plot contains a number of adults, but also many children and stillborn infants. The inscription on the stone was the text that we listen to on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, when St. Matthew cites the prophet Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah; sobbing and loudly lamenting; it was Rachel weeping for her children; refusing to be comforted, because they were no more. I found this deeply moving.
 
Father Justinian recently had a variation to his isolation when he received a call from Stobhill to attend for his Warfarin check. He had assumed that, because of his 89 years, this would be cancelled but, in the absence of any communication requiring him to shield, he was told to come. I think he enjoyed getting out for a bit, but now it’s back to walking in the garden. I suggested he do a Captain Tom and raise a few million, but he declined. Father Antony decided one day to go out for a long run. Next day he was soaking his aching muscles in a bath – he’s not as young and fit as he used to be. He did, however, reveal a talent for cutting hair. For some unknown reason, his mum had given him a gift of hair clippers some years ago, and so, Father Justinian and myself were happy to place our trust in him, and let him give us a trim. He made a very good job of it. So, thanks to him and thanks to his mum, whom he still speaks to from the garden on his nightly walks. Father Gareth and his mum are still doing okay down in the Valleys. I had an email from someone in the Czech Republic who wanted to send them a statue of the Infant of Prague. It turns out Father Gareth knew this person from his volunteer days, and so he was happy that I give her his mum’s address. So, the Infant of Prague is on his way, perhaps from Prague, to Merthyr Tydfil. The original statue was a Royal Wedding gift, and it can still make an appearance at Irish Catholic weddings where it is considered a good luck omen if the head falls off; it can also be put out in the open to solicit good weather. I remember this happening at our Retreat House in Crossgar before the annual garden fete - it didn’t always work though.
As always, protect yourselves; protect loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your life.


1 Comment

father frank's log...

23/4/2020

1 Comment

 
FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 19th – 26th APRIL 2020
​

On Monday of this week I watched a recording of the BBC Scotland documentary, Priest School, which I had been unable to watch when it was shown the previous evening. For this documentary the BBC were given rare access, by the Scottish Conference of Bishops, to the inner workings, personnel, seminarians, and history of the Scots College in Rome which, as it so happens, is the oldest Scottish institution abroad, dating back to its foundation in 1600. The programme followed part of the formation and faith journey of the class of 2018/2019, with a special focus on five of the seminarians at differing stages in their studies, one who was only in his first year, and one in his seventh year, nearing the end. The culmination of the documentary was when the most senior of the students, who had featured prominently throughout, the one in seventh year, came home to be ordained at St. Thomas’ in Wishaw.
 
I’m not going to give a running commentary on the programme as I’m sure many of you watched it, or are intending to watch it on playback. It was well promoted in the various diocese, and in the Catholic media, both at the time it was being made, and in the lead up to it being shown. The first thing I want to say is well done to the Bishop’s Conference for allowing it, and well done to the college staff and the seminarians for taking part, it was a really courageous thing to do in these difficult times for the church. A number of the seminarians are known to us here in St. Mungo’s as, when they come home for a break, and they are all home at this time because of the Coronavirus, they would sometimes appear in our church, perhaps to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or say a prayer, or attend Mass. Of course, they are not able to do any of those things at present either. But we have come to know them as good men of faith, and we would remember them often in our prayers.
I have to confess that I watched the programme with a certain trepidation as there is always a fear that the church might be caricatured in media presentation, and not really shown in a good light. However, I have to say well done to BBC Scotland also, as I felt it was presented very well, and very sympathetically, with Daniela Nardini narrating beautifully. I was struck by the audience the seminarians had with Pope Francis during the Scottish Bishop’s Ad Limina visit in 2018. The first-year student had only arrived a few days before and couldn’t believe his luck. Archbishop Tartaglia remarked on how much of his time Pope Francis had given them, in no hurry it seemed, even to go for his lunch, while the Archbishop himself was getting a bit ravenous. The seminarians spoke warmly of this encounter and I hope that is something they carry forward with them, together with an appreciation of where Pope Francis is trying to lead the church, in faithfulness to Christ and to the Gospel, despite opposition.
 
The scenes in the college itself, and in the Gregorian University, brought back memories of my own time in Rome,1982-83, when I was doing my diaconate year in preparation for my own ordination. I too studied at the Gregorian University and was warmly welcomed by the easily recognised, purple-clad Scots College students, and, while I myself was living in the Passionist monastery of Saints John and Paul, near to the Colosseum, I was frequently invited out to the Scots College for a bite to eat, to watch Celtic videos, and to take part in a few kick-abouts with the students. I was glad to see that football continues to play a part in seminary life. I enjoyed one of the lads who was still holding on to his season ticket for Celtic Park, even though he could only manage about three games a year, because the seat was too good to give up. I’m sure family and friends are benefitting from his ticket the rest of the time. I was also invited to some of the feast day celebrations mentioned in the programme and remember the staff and the students as being excellent hosts. Fond memories indeed.
 
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, no great change to life in Bishopbriggs. Our routine remains the same and we are all, thank God, keeping fine. Fr. Gareth and his mum remain well in the Valleys. So, remember, protect yourselves, protect others, and protect Christ in your lives.


1 Comment

father frank's log...

16/4/2020

1 Comment

 
FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 12th – 19th APRIL 2020
​
Easter Sunday is come and gone, but Easter is far from over. Often, people who have made a great effort to get daily Mass during Lent, this year mostly online, see Easter Sunday as the culmination of that journey, and yet the Octave of Easter, and indeed the whole Easter Season, gives us the chance to deepen our faith in the Lord’s Resurrection, and to be transformed from within by the Spirit of the Risen Christ who dwells within us. So, by all means, start consuming chocolate again, or whatever else you may have given up, but don’t give up on Mass too soon, especially as the continuing lockdown provides a rare opportunity.
While we were able to celebrate daily Masses, and provide other services on the internet during Holy Week, Father Antony and I celebrated the Sacred Triduum, just the two of us, in an empty St. Mungo’s church, where unfortunately we have no streaming facility, but holding the thought and the image of all you in the pews before us. You may have seen on the news that a church in the Philippines put photographs of their parishioners on the pews to keep them in mind and heart. We didn’t do that, but we felt your presence with us all the same.
 
Out at the house, in our oratory, we streamed a Service of Healing and Reconciliation on the Tuesday of Holy Week, incorporating the act of perfect contrition which is the instruction for receiving forgiveness of sins at this time, being unable to celebrate Sacramental Confession. In the afternoon of Holy Thursday, we streamed a Taize Prayer Service with a reflection for that day, something we repeated on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. That night we also streamed a Holy Hour, watching one hour with Jesus in the Garden. For the Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper, in the empty church, Father Antony was the main celebrant. There was no washing of the feet, but he reminded me that last Holy Thursday, after I had washed his feet, and proclaimed them the biggest feet I had ever seen in my life, I then told him that it would be his turn this year, as he would by then be ordained a priest. But he needn’t think his turn has come and gone. Please God, he will be washing feet next Holy Thursday.
 
On Good Friday we had a reading of St. John’s Passion after our Good Friday Taize Prayer, and then we came in to the empty church for the Good Friday Service. Again, we read St. John’s Passion, followed by the Good Friday intercessions, including a special intercession in light of the Coronavirus. We then carried the cross through the church to the altar and venerated the cross. Again, while still just the two of us, it seemed very moving and poignant. That night, back at the house, we streamed the Seven Last Words from the Cross, Fr Antony and I alternating with reflections on each word in turn, a great Passionist tradition. On Holy Saturday night Father Antony and I celebrated the Easter Vigil in the church, blessing and lighting the paschal candle; recounting salvation history through the readings; singing the Easter Alleluia and proclaiming the Easter Gospel; renewing our Baptism promises and celebrating the Holy Eucharist, again holding each of you before us as we did so. On Easter Sunday we streamed the Easter Mass of the Day from the oratory at 12 noon. It may have been the strangest Holy Week ever, but there was still something very prayerful and poignant about it, and we felt a deep connection with all who celebrated with us on the internet, and were quite astounded at the numbers of people who logged in to join us.
 
Throughout Easter, for as long as lockdown lasts, we will continue to stream Mass each day from the oratory at 12.15pm (7pm on a Sunday); but Mass will also be celebrated quietly in the church on most days. The lockdown routine remains the same for Fr Justinian, Fr Antony and myself. We have seen more of our neighbours than usual and they have been kind in their condolences regarding Fr Lawrence, and in their offer of help of any kind should we need it, an offer we have also gratefully received from parishioners. Fr Gareth has recovered from his sore throat and blocked nose and is discovering new routes to walk in Merthyr Tydfil. So, as always, protect yourselves, protect others, and protect Christ in your life, through prayer.


1 Comment

father frank's log...

9/4/2020

1 Comment

 
FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 5th – 12th APRIL 2020
​

The early part of April this year has commemorated a couple of landmark anniversaries for me and my family. On 1st April 2000 I conducted the wedding of my niece, so this year marked their 20th anniversary. I’m ashamed to say I forgot about it, initially, and then belatedly contacted her to offer the two of them my congratulations. It was a memorable day and it was the last family gathering that my mother attended before she passed away the following year. The father of the bride, my famous, or infamous brother, the doyen of Scottish sport’s journalists as I like to call him, is still in lockdown with his beloved wife, but using social media he was able to get a lovely Italian meal, complimented by good wine, sent to his daughter and son-in-law, from Massimo’s Restaurant in Bearsden, so that they could celebrate. I am also writing this log on Holy Wednesday, and this marks the 60th anniversary of my father’s death. On the morning of Friday 8th April 1960, the Friday before the beginning of Holy Week that year, two policemen came to our door at 5 Thurso Street in Partick, to inform my mother that her husband, who was working away in Consett at the time, in the steel works, having been made redundant from the shipyards, had collapsed and died on his way to work earlier that very day. It’s hard to believe that 60 years have passed since then. My brothers and I were 6, 8 and 10 years of age at the time. Our mother was 40.
 
In the meantime, we, the Passionists, have settled into a different pattern of life, and this now includes streaming some Masses and Services from the oratory of our Passionist community house in Bishopbriggs. Unfortunately, we are not able to do it from the church as we don’t have proper streaming facilities, but people who have been able to log in seem to enjoy the intimacy of the smaller space, while still of course longing for our return to St. Mungo’s. We are also being joined by people from Ireland and also from other countries, Italy, Spain and Singapore included. There has been the odd technical glitch but, for the most part, it has gone quite smoothly. The actual oratory in our house is very small and wouldn’t have been at all suitable, and so, for the time being, we have converted Father Lawrence’s room into a sacred space and that is where we stream from. Father Lawrence continues to make his presence felt. While we were streaming our Service of Healing and Reconciliation on Holy Tuesday night, just as Father Antony prepared to proclaim the first reading, a telephone sounded. We cast accusatory glances at each other, wondering who was daft enough to leave their phone on, and then we realised that, from behind a curtain concealing a book case, it was actually Father Lawrence’s phone that was sounding. Father Antony quickly turned it off and we resumed the service. Afterwards I tried to redial the number but it appeared to be withheld.
 
Tonight, Holy Wednesday, our Passionist Young Team are going to pray the Stations of the Cross online. With Father Gareth away, I took the unlikely step of joining Facebook so as to support Father Antony in contact with the young people in any way that I could. As an avowed technophobe, however, I had no idea what this actually entailed, and I got a bit panicky when my mailbox filled up with all these friend requests, hundreds of them, some from very good people I knew, but mostly from people I’ve never heard of in my life. I have decided, therefore, that after the Stations of the Cross this night I am going to un-subscribe, or whatever it is you do, as I don’t really see myself becoming a social media buff - a night in with a good book seems much more appealing. Otherwise, Father Gareth is still in Wales, with a bit of a sore throat at present, and a blocked nose, so it’s really his mum that’s looking after him now and not vice-versa. Father Antony maintains his evening walks, still stopping at his mum’s house; I continue to provide daily care for my brother who has now received his letter from the Prime Minister, although, vulnerable as he is, he might be in better shape than poor Boris at the moment; and lastly, Father Justinian, who today celebrates his 89th birthday, continues his house isolation, with an occasional walk in the garden. So, have a truly blessed Easter; as always, protecting yourselves and others, and protecting Christ in your lives

1 Comment

Father frank's log...

2/4/2020

4 Comments

 
FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 29th MARCH – 5th APRIL 2020
Over the past few years I have tended to view my Log as a light hearted journal of mostly mundane happenings, both past and present, designed to reveal, for me at least, but I believe also for everyone, how God is present, and there to be found, in the ordinariness of everyday life, in the routine things, people and events that make up the quotidian existence of most of us. I would actually be quite surprised at the number of people, and even the variety of people, who would tell me they regularly read it and enjoy it, and even more surprised that now and again someone takes the time to send me a comment. It is really quite humbling.
 
This past couple of weeks though, the Log has taken on another dimension, with readership increasing and the number of comments multiplying. It seems that, in some simple way, this is because of a felt need and longing, as family of faith, unable to gather with each other in the usual way, to really know how we are all getting on in these extraordinary and even frightening times. People seem to appreciate knowing how life is for us as a Passionist community in this time of lockdown, how we are functioning each day, and how does that compare with how life is for each of you at this time too. Somehow it brings us closer together in a shared experience and concern for each other while holding each other in prayer.
 
Since last week’s Log Father Lawrence has been laid to rest. It took place last Friday 28th March. Just eight family members plus myself and Father Antony were present. At our Passionist plot in St. Kentigern’s, Lawrence was placed in the same layer as Father Anthony Behan and Father Eustace Cassidy. In a letter I had received from a Cross and Passion Sister who had worked with Lawrence in Botswana, at the mission in Tsabong, way out in the Kalahari Desert, she had enclosed a packet containing some sand from that part of the desert. After the coffin was lowered and the initial prayers said, I poured this sand into the grave as we recalled that we are dust, and unto dust we must return. It seemed appropriate to do that.
 
Since last week also, we have managed to find a way of streaming Masses and other services, not from the church, but from the oratory at our house in Bishopbriggs. So far, so good. We stream Mass at 12.15pm Monday to Saturday, and at 7pm on a Sunday. Holy Week will be different so keep an eye on the website to know what’s happening, and when. We still celebrate in the church and keep an eye on things. Antony and I alternate the streamed Masses and, last Tuesday, when I was in at the church, I tuned in and heard Antony preach a lovely homily on the Mysterium Iniquitatis (the mystery of sin). He then finished Mass with a bit of Swahili. I was reminded of a quiz show I sometimes listen to in bed on BBC Radio 4 on a Saturday night. It’s called the 3rd Degree and in it, University Dons take on their students. One of the rounds is called Highbrow, Lowbrow as, on any given topic, the competitors can choose to try and answer a really intelligent question or a very simple question. As someone who just about manages in English, I was thinking that our daily Masses may be Highbrow, Lowbrow, one day Antony, the next day me, with no prizes for guessing which is which. Seriously, though, it was a really fine homily he preached, but don’t tell him I said that!
 
Father Justinian stays at home as advised; I make my daily trips to my brother to provide essential care; while Father Antony goes out for an evening walk as his daily exercise, often stopping at the back door of his mother’s house and speaking to her from the safety of the garden. Father Gareth remains in Wales. Commenting on last Sunday’s Gospel of the raising of Lazarus, he told me that his mother shared with him that she believed that Martha knew Jesus would find a way out of the tomb for her brother, just as he will find a way out of this crisis for us who trust in him at all times. Who needs theologians? Thank you, Gareth’s mum.
 
So; keep safe and well everybody, protect yourselves, protect others, and protect Christ in your lives through prayer, and why not do that together with us in our streaming service?

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    FATHER FRANK KEEVINS C.P.

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