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OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT PATRICK, BISHOP, MARCH 17, 2022

Writer's picture: Maria KnoxMaria Knox



Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8b, 10


R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,

give to the LORD glory and praise;

give to the LORD the glory due his name!

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.

He has made the world firm, not to be moved;

he governs the peoples with equity.

R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.


REFLECTION

"We are travellers…not yet in our native land" 
~ St. Augustine

We often hear stories of St. Patrick in Ireland expelling the snakes. Maybe you've heard of other Irish saints: Brigid, Aidan, Kieran, Brendan... and so on and so forth.


We think of a land where it is always green and in the late eighteenth century sent a large number of immigrants into the United States.


Amongst those immigrants, many priests and nuns came to the Americas to take care of the flock. This happened well into the 20th century.


One of these priests that left their land behind was Monsignor Sean Murray. He came to San Diego California in the 1940's and was ordained a priest in 1952. He was a pastor of several parishes and then as emeritus pastor of St. Brigid's until 2007.


I met Msgr. during the mid to late 90's, where he was still the pastor of St. Brigid's. He was a very unique person. I don't recall him reminiscing or missing Ireland, however, he was one of the priests that would preside the mass in Gaelic - his mother tongue, along with other Irish priests. As young adults we would cheer when St. Patrick's day fell on a Friday (during Lent) and he would make sure the Bishop would make it a "Meat Friday". St. Brigid's is literally 3 blocks from the beach. So the flock was a mixture of old people that moved there in the 1960's, and young adults fresh out of college.


How did he deal with us, the younger crowd? How did he make sure those of us in our 20's wouldn't go astray and forget our [Catholic] roots?


For one, bells always rang.


Imagine my surprise when a Sunday morning in the mid 90's I hear church bells ringing. At this point I was living on my own and nobody was telling me what to do. However, upon hearing the bells, curiosity stroke, and I started walking around the beach until I found the church. That started my journey back.


He would preside over many masses and constantly hear confessions. He wasn't a great homilist, but he was always present for us. He would allow the help of his associate pastor, Father Matthew Spahr, who would organize events for the young adult community such as theology on tap, beach rollerblading, feeding the homeless, and many retreats. Being in a beach community in Southern California meant that many Sundays we would just walk from the beach, literally standing in the narthex in our wetsuits during mass. So, eventually the afternoon young adult band and mass started and little by little we would pour into this (better dressed), and with further participation.


Many of us remained in the Church and eventually married and raised our children Catholic as well. Many of our children are now young adults as well. God willing all will keep the faith.


So, now, Monsignor's earthly vessel rests thousands of miles from the land of his forefathers. I pray his soul is with Jesus, in the company of Patrick, Aidan, Kieran, Brendan, and Brigid.


Let us pray the PAPA Prayer for Priests, for the souls of all dearly departed priests.


God bless y'all!




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