FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 8th – 15th DECEMBER 2025
I had a very enjoyable meal last week with my older brother, the doyen of Scottish sport’s journalists. We had finally reached the end of all the legal processes following the death of our much-loved younger brother last March, and we decided to go out for a simple pasta and a glass of wine to toast his memory. Mind you, if we had done it properly, we would have had fish and chips and irn-bru instead, as that was our younger brother’s favourite fare. Still, I think we celebrated his memory well with love and gratitude, may his good soul rest in peace.
During our conversation, my older brother told me that he was due to have dinner with Sir Kier Starmer, no less. He had received a phone call from Anas Sarwar’s office asking if he would be the auctioneer at a Winter Gala Dinner for the Scottish Labour Party. While he explained that he was a sport’s journalist and not a political journalist, it appears that the person who phoned had been present when he was auctioneer at a fundraising event for the Saint Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank, and she just wanted him to do it in the same style. Surmising that the auction would raise funds for good causes, he readily agreed. He was thereby informed that he and his good lady wife would be at the top table with the Prime Minister, whom my brother later informed me was charming.
I’ve never had dinner with a UK Prime Minister or a Scottish First Minister. The only comparable experience in my own life was when I was rector and parish priest at Mount Argus in Dublin. While the Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland, and indeed the President of Ireland, (Uachtarán na hÉireann), would have often attended significant funerals in Mount Argus, requiring the following of strict protocols, the most memorable occasion was for the Canonisation of Saint Charles of Mount Argus. Both the President and the Taoiseach went to Rome for the canonisation, which took place in St Peter’s Square on a rain-drenched Trinity Sunday, June 7th 2007. Meanwhile, back in Mount Argus, we had 3 days of events on June 6th, 7th & 8th. attended by many dignitaries, including former taoiseachs and presidents. On the day of the canonisation itself, we hosted a dinner in the monastery which they attended and, while I was anxious about the occasion, it couldn’t have gone any better, and their company was relaxed and easy, each entering into the joy and the significance of the day.
Shortly after her return from Rome, the President, who had grown up in the Passionist parish of Holy Cross in Belfast, and who had named her son after a Passionist, very kindly invited a few of us Passionists from Mount Argus to a rather intimate lunch in her official residence in the Phoenix Park, which is called Áras an Uachtaráin. It was hosted by herself and her wonderful husband, both of whom were the warmest and easiest company imaginable. Having said that, the President still couldn’t get over sitting out, and getting drenched, in the pouring rain in St Peter’s Square, when there was a beautiful, massive, and empty St Peter’s Basilica just a few yards away.
Getting back to the meal with my older brother. His son-in-law had dropped him down to Bishopbriggs and I met him there at a local Italian restaurant. At the end of the night, he asked if a taxi could be called to bring him home again. Needless to say, the person organising the taxi immediately recognised him and, declaring himself a big fan, asked to have his photograph taken with him. The restaurant staff, of varying nationalities, were a bit bemused by it all, as they wouldn’t have known him from Adam. Meanwhile, I just sat there patiently while the camera was clicking, not disappointed in the least that I wasn’t included in the photo. There might not have been as much fuss if I was sitting with a prime minister or a president, but my brother takes it in his stride and with great patience and humility. Having thoroughly enjoyed the night and our tribute to our brother, we went our separate ways.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
I had a very enjoyable meal last week with my older brother, the doyen of Scottish sport’s journalists. We had finally reached the end of all the legal processes following the death of our much-loved younger brother last March, and we decided to go out for a simple pasta and a glass of wine to toast his memory. Mind you, if we had done it properly, we would have had fish and chips and irn-bru instead, as that was our younger brother’s favourite fare. Still, I think we celebrated his memory well with love and gratitude, may his good soul rest in peace.
During our conversation, my older brother told me that he was due to have dinner with Sir Kier Starmer, no less. He had received a phone call from Anas Sarwar’s office asking if he would be the auctioneer at a Winter Gala Dinner for the Scottish Labour Party. While he explained that he was a sport’s journalist and not a political journalist, it appears that the person who phoned had been present when he was auctioneer at a fundraising event for the Saint Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank, and she just wanted him to do it in the same style. Surmising that the auction would raise funds for good causes, he readily agreed. He was thereby informed that he and his good lady wife would be at the top table with the Prime Minister, whom my brother later informed me was charming.
I’ve never had dinner with a UK Prime Minister or a Scottish First Minister. The only comparable experience in my own life was when I was rector and parish priest at Mount Argus in Dublin. While the Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland, and indeed the President of Ireland, (Uachtarán na hÉireann), would have often attended significant funerals in Mount Argus, requiring the following of strict protocols, the most memorable occasion was for the Canonisation of Saint Charles of Mount Argus. Both the President and the Taoiseach went to Rome for the canonisation, which took place in St Peter’s Square on a rain-drenched Trinity Sunday, June 7th 2007. Meanwhile, back in Mount Argus, we had 3 days of events on June 6th, 7th & 8th. attended by many dignitaries, including former taoiseachs and presidents. On the day of the canonisation itself, we hosted a dinner in the monastery which they attended and, while I was anxious about the occasion, it couldn’t have gone any better, and their company was relaxed and easy, each entering into the joy and the significance of the day.
Shortly after her return from Rome, the President, who had grown up in the Passionist parish of Holy Cross in Belfast, and who had named her son after a Passionist, very kindly invited a few of us Passionists from Mount Argus to a rather intimate lunch in her official residence in the Phoenix Park, which is called Áras an Uachtaráin. It was hosted by herself and her wonderful husband, both of whom were the warmest and easiest company imaginable. Having said that, the President still couldn’t get over sitting out, and getting drenched, in the pouring rain in St Peter’s Square, when there was a beautiful, massive, and empty St Peter’s Basilica just a few yards away.
Getting back to the meal with my older brother. His son-in-law had dropped him down to Bishopbriggs and I met him there at a local Italian restaurant. At the end of the night, he asked if a taxi could be called to bring him home again. Needless to say, the person organising the taxi immediately recognised him and, declaring himself a big fan, asked to have his photograph taken with him. The restaurant staff, of varying nationalities, were a bit bemused by it all, as they wouldn’t have known him from Adam. Meanwhile, I just sat there patiently while the camera was clicking, not disappointed in the least that I wasn’t included in the photo. There might not have been as much fuss if I was sitting with a prime minister or a president, but my brother takes it in his stride and with great patience and humility. Having thoroughly enjoyed the night and our tribute to our brother, we went our separate ways.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
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