FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 19th – 26th MAY 2024
Brother Conor had a visitor last weekend. He had come over from Ireland, primarily to see Conor, and to meet the rest of us in the community, but also, if at all possible, to take in the Celtic v Rangers match at Parkhead. When this was first mooted, we felt it might be impossible to get tickets for such a crunch game, but thanks to the kindness and resourcefulness of people in the parish, we managed to secure two good tickets for them.
Such is our situation in Bishopbriggs, that we weren’t able to offer the poor man a room, and instead had to concoct a makeshift bed on the floor of our sitting room. However, being a very fit, outdoor kind of guy, this was no problem to him whatsoever. It reminded me of a few years ago, at the time St Mungo’s church was being refurbished, and the new floor put in, and we had an unexpected visit from an Australian Passionist whom I had studied with in Rome. Having a full house at that time, he also ended up on the sitting room floor. However, this was a guy who ran marathons and climbed mountains for fun, so he simply took it in his stride as if, as the song goes, he was camped by a billabong under the shade of a Coolabah tree. The last time I slept on a floor myself, was when I was stranded during the big snows a few years back and couldn’t get the car out of the church yard. I had to spend a few nights on the floor of the office in St Mungo’s. I still remember the few stalwarts who trudged through the very deep snow to be there for the Mass each day. Very mad, but also very commendable. The floor was okay but, at my age, I still prefer to be in my own room, and in my own bed.
Brother Conor and his visitor were blessed with unbelievably good weather, and on the Friday before the match they headed for some of the beauty spots around Loch Lomond, taking in the sights, and listening to a piper playing on the banks of the loch at the Cameron House Hotel. They returned that night, very tired, but having enjoyed a beautiful day. The next morning all the focus was on the match, which had an early kick-off time. I didn’t really see them before they left, as I had First Holy Communions in St Roch’s that morning. The Mass was scheduled to start at 11 o’clock, and I lost count of the number of people who asked me beforehand how long the Mass was going to last. No need to worry, we finished in plenty of time, after which I headed to Drumchapel to do my caring duties, and to try and keep my mind off the match, as I get far too tense about it, even in my old age. My biggest concern was that my older brother, the doyen of Scottish Sports Journalists, had, on Radio Clyde’s Super Scoreboard, predicted a 2-1 victory for Celtic. Surely there couldn’t be a worse omen than that? As it was, while we were having our dinner, I watched a crime drama with my younger brother, who wasn’t even aware there was a match on. Then, just as I was about to anxiously check the score at the end of the match, I had a text from Father Gareth saying well done and I knew that the victory was ours, and, amazingly, by 2-1. I headed back to St Roch’s to celebrate the Vigil Mass, where there was a celebratory atmosphere in the church, even though some regulars were missing, who were no doubt still celebrating elsewhere.
Returning to Bishopbriggs after Mass I was able to greet Brother Conor and his visitor, who was delighted with the whole experience, and with the win, something he will always remember. His intention was to leave early next morning as he was going to the Ulster Gaelic Football Final between Donegal and Armagh, obviously hoping that Armagh would win. He had even worn his Armagh jersey to the Celtic v Rangers match. As the Armagh jersey is orange it got him a few strange, and perhaps antagonistic looks at first, until the surrounding supporters realised what he was wearing. He was then subjected to some slagging from a crowd who had come over from Donegal for the match as well. The only blemish on his weekend was that, on the Sunday, Donegal beat Armagh on penalties. Nothing is perfect!
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
Brother Conor had a visitor last weekend. He had come over from Ireland, primarily to see Conor, and to meet the rest of us in the community, but also, if at all possible, to take in the Celtic v Rangers match at Parkhead. When this was first mooted, we felt it might be impossible to get tickets for such a crunch game, but thanks to the kindness and resourcefulness of people in the parish, we managed to secure two good tickets for them.
Such is our situation in Bishopbriggs, that we weren’t able to offer the poor man a room, and instead had to concoct a makeshift bed on the floor of our sitting room. However, being a very fit, outdoor kind of guy, this was no problem to him whatsoever. It reminded me of a few years ago, at the time St Mungo’s church was being refurbished, and the new floor put in, and we had an unexpected visit from an Australian Passionist whom I had studied with in Rome. Having a full house at that time, he also ended up on the sitting room floor. However, this was a guy who ran marathons and climbed mountains for fun, so he simply took it in his stride as if, as the song goes, he was camped by a billabong under the shade of a Coolabah tree. The last time I slept on a floor myself, was when I was stranded during the big snows a few years back and couldn’t get the car out of the church yard. I had to spend a few nights on the floor of the office in St Mungo’s. I still remember the few stalwarts who trudged through the very deep snow to be there for the Mass each day. Very mad, but also very commendable. The floor was okay but, at my age, I still prefer to be in my own room, and in my own bed.
Brother Conor and his visitor were blessed with unbelievably good weather, and on the Friday before the match they headed for some of the beauty spots around Loch Lomond, taking in the sights, and listening to a piper playing on the banks of the loch at the Cameron House Hotel. They returned that night, very tired, but having enjoyed a beautiful day. The next morning all the focus was on the match, which had an early kick-off time. I didn’t really see them before they left, as I had First Holy Communions in St Roch’s that morning. The Mass was scheduled to start at 11 o’clock, and I lost count of the number of people who asked me beforehand how long the Mass was going to last. No need to worry, we finished in plenty of time, after which I headed to Drumchapel to do my caring duties, and to try and keep my mind off the match, as I get far too tense about it, even in my old age. My biggest concern was that my older brother, the doyen of Scottish Sports Journalists, had, on Radio Clyde’s Super Scoreboard, predicted a 2-1 victory for Celtic. Surely there couldn’t be a worse omen than that? As it was, while we were having our dinner, I watched a crime drama with my younger brother, who wasn’t even aware there was a match on. Then, just as I was about to anxiously check the score at the end of the match, I had a text from Father Gareth saying well done and I knew that the victory was ours, and, amazingly, by 2-1. I headed back to St Roch’s to celebrate the Vigil Mass, where there was a celebratory atmosphere in the church, even though some regulars were missing, who were no doubt still celebrating elsewhere.
Returning to Bishopbriggs after Mass I was able to greet Brother Conor and his visitor, who was delighted with the whole experience, and with the win, something he will always remember. His intention was to leave early next morning as he was going to the Ulster Gaelic Football Final between Donegal and Armagh, obviously hoping that Armagh would win. He had even worn his Armagh jersey to the Celtic v Rangers match. As the Armagh jersey is orange it got him a few strange, and perhaps antagonistic looks at first, until the surrounding supporters realised what he was wearing. He was then subjected to some slagging from a crowd who had come over from Donegal for the match as well. The only blemish on his weekend was that, on the Sunday, Donegal beat Armagh on penalties. Nothing is perfect!
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
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