Pádraigín Clancy sent ECI this update:
The Parish has had an interesting Spring. In mid-February, our PP, Fr Louis McDermott OMI, had a phone call from Lauren Tuite of the local Inchicore Environmental Group telling us that Dublin City Council along with the New Children’s Hospital had granted them funding for the planting of fruit trees in the Dublin 8 area. Lauren explained that the group had already revitalised Turvey park and other public and private spaces in the area by planting, apple, pear and plum trees and she figured that the Parish Residence and Office with its ‘perfectly manicured green grass needed an orchard!’
So, on a very cold Saturday at the end of February some fruit trees were planted in our front garden at St Michael’s. As the Pastoral Worker I met and helped Lauren and her intergenerational team that day. I suggested we invite her to say a few words some Sunday, after our Gospel, about the local project. On the 7th of March, the third Sunday of Lent, Lauren spoke to our Faith Community. Many, who joined us by webcam, described her words as inspirational. The following is a short extract (please find the full recording on our parish website stmichaels.ie or at church servicestv.ie/ St Michael’s Church bulfin rd/ recordings).
Why are we planting fruit trees?
In my mind, a fruit tree does a lot of work when we are talking about the environment. Already we are seeing the miracle of the first buds appearing on the trees we planted. In a matter of weeks these young trees will be covered with blossoms to feed hungry bees coming out of hibernation. Once the bees and other pollinators have done their work, the fertilised blooms will grow into apples, pears, and plums, and I will show my daughter the small fruits growing and ripening. At the end of the summer the fruits of our community wide orchard will be ready to pick and enjoy….
By planting these trees, our children will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of picking and tasting fruit straight from the branch. They will observe how the trees grow, how the leaves turn in the autumn and scatter to the ground below to nourish the roots. They will witness the rebirth of spring and the dazzling green of summer. And they will learn how we are dependent on the smallest creatures, pollinators like birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, and beetles, for our very survival….
And this is why we are seeking the help of the wider community. Ireland’s pollinators are in crisis due to the way we live, farm and use pesticides. There are currently 98 species of bees in Ireland and about a third of them are threatened with extinction. The numbers and variety of birds filling our community with colour and song has been decimated. It is most likely my daughter will never hear a corncrake or a cuckoo, sounds that my parents and grandparents recall with affection.
For that particular Mass with Lauren we concentrated our penitential prayer on humanity’s sins against creation. We also drew one of our readings from Laudato Si. We recognised in a new way, as a Faith Community, how important it is to honour creation by keeping the thread alive throughout the year and not confining it to any one period liturgically such as ‘Season Of Creation’.
LENTEN REFLECTION
Our Lenten reflection group used the Partners In Faith material
‘Catching Slivers of Light’ which highlighted Irish Native Trees. Our group appreciated the emphasis on Trees. See partnersinfaith.ie
EMMET ROAD URBAN QUARTER
Meanwhile two webinars with over 300 in attendance were held in March about the new housing development proposed at what was St Michael’s estate now known as Emmet Rd Urban Quarter. The vacant site is adjacent to St Michael’s Parish church and 500 cost rental housing units are proposed for it.
The public were specifically being consulted on matters of concern. The four areas highlighted for feedback included 1. The proposed Community Hub (shared community facilities). 2. Outdoor public spaces- greening/ recreational use. 3. Transport and mobility issues (public/private) 4. Safety in Design – Neighbourhood Safety.
Successful consultation was also held with young people in the area through Instagram@ Core Youth services. The results are being compiled and an open air exhibition is planned at the site in late Spring 2021. See www.emmetroad.ie
EASTER GARDEN AT ST MICHAEL’S
Each year we customarily have a magnificent Easter garden in the church and we have decided to go ahead with it once more this Easter. Erected by Derek Bunyan its colour will lift the hearts of those who visit the church for private prayer and for those who join us for our webcam liturgies. People are invited to contribute to the garden by dropping potted plants into the church or parish office at 52A Bulfin rd.
LOOKING AHEAD.
Our reflection group has asked for a short course on Celtic Spirituality with myself, Pádraigín Clancy after Easter. ‘Returning to the Well of Celtic Wisdom’ – will take place one morning a week for an hour by zoom. It will look at the central themes of Celtic Spirituality including;
Who do we think we are?(importance of the ancestors), Concepts of time and Space (Celtic calendar and the living landscape/cult of the sacred centre), Early Celtic nature poetry and prayer, Early Irish monasticism (building the City of God), the Art of Pilgrimage, Laudato Si in dialogue with the Celtic tradition. There will be room for reflection. Céad Fáilte – All are Welcome. There is no fee but registration is necessary – contact Pádraigín at [email protected]
