The Holy Family
Author: PJ Furey
The Old Church in Knockananna
Author: Seamus Kavanagh
Seamus reflects on the centuries of piety that surrounds the old church where he lives
For two hundred years its stood,
Among the Wicklow hills,
The source of people's hopes,
The cure for many ills.
It was built by Fr Blanchfield,
With faith and a hundred pound,
And it is fitting that there he rests,
Inside the church he found.
The church bell was the clarion call,
Never silent through the years,
The harbinger of happiness
Sometimes the source of tears.
In silence now it stands,
But close your eyes and you will hear,
Carried on the wings of time,
Voices raised in prayer.
Along meandering Mass paths
People came to pray,
It was Faith that gave them strength
And helped them on their way.
It was there to offer solace
To the men of " Ninety Eight"
While prayers were said in Easter Week
For those who met their fate.
It survived man's inhumanity,
The grief of two world wars
And on a July evening,
Saw man walk among the stars.
But its doors they remain closed now,
Locking in the memories there,
Of those who knelt throughout the years,
And talked to the Lord in prayer.
Though they are long gone now,
They haven't gone too far,
For they've found rest and sleep in peace,
'Neath a headstone in the yard.
In Winter Dawn
Author: Dave Barron
Singer: Dave Barron
The words try to give a modern purpose to the beautiful old air of the Wexford (Enniscorthy) carol. We have turned a deeply spiritual and ancient experience of mid-winter rebirth and renewal into a commercial and selfish practice. We need to reflect and renew our spiritual focus, respect God and Creation, and respect our neighbours all over the world: that is Christ’s the WAY, LOGOS, and the WORD of the LORD.
In winter dawn in years long gone
Our forefathers adored the sun,
Druids offered gifts to golden Fionn
So crops might grow and male babes come.
Then Patrick came and changed our ways;
Replaced the gods of older days.
He fanned a fire up high on Slane
That showed, for evermore, the Way.
CHORUS
Come to us Lord, this holy night,
And help us all to see the Light,
To find a right and simple life
Free from stress, and strain, and strife.
And ever since on Christmas night
We celebrate that dawn of Light
When God, to guide to what is right,
Sent us His Son, the infant Christ.
CHORUS
But now once more we need God’s help
To save us from the gods of wealth.
We feast and spend to great excess,
Neglecting our poor spirit’s health.
CHORUS
So every year at Christmas time
Let’s celebrate with Bread and Wine
To keep God’s Word all white and bright,
And light the darkness of our night.
The Turning of the Year
Author: Dave Barron
Singer: Dave Barron
The Christian festival of Christmas was transposed on the ancient Celtic festival that marked the turning of the year at the time of the winter solstice. Both festivals were marked by religious ceremonies and by family celebrations and feasting. It was and is a time for hope and joy, for families and for building and storing memories for future reflection.
The traditional air was used for the carol Christmas Day is Come (Caitriona O’Leary; another title for the melody is The Little Brown Mallet.
Christmas time is here, the turning of the year;
We celebrate with feasting and with hope for the new year,
Chorus:
And all enjoy the season, the turning of the year;
Each home is full of happiness and all are of good cheer.
Chorus
The young folk journey home from places far and wide;
Parents cry with joy to see them coming for Yuletide.
Chorus
The old folks tell their stories of Christmas long ago
With simple gifts for simpler times: memories of pure gold.
Chorus
The children hush to bed and wait for morning light,
Rushing down to see what came in the magic of the night.
Chorus
All bond with the feasting; Good food and drink and more;
The old folk then doze, dreaming of Christmases of yore.
Chorus
And all distill their feelings to store in memory
Storing thoughts for years to come of how it used to be.
The happy thoughts will buffer the sadness yet to come,
Of family ties and family joys at the time of the rising sun.
Chorus
Chorus
His Presence
Author: Donal Morrissey
Donal reflects on the comfort brought by reflecting on the Presence of God.
Where Will I Find You God?
Author: Jack Comerford
Jack writes a spiritual reflection about mans' and his personal search for God.
Tongue of the Martyrs
Author: William A. Byrne
Theme: Religion
The poem links Faith and Fatherland
Purple Heather
Author: William A. Byrne
Theme: Religion, Nature, God's creation
William A. Byrne, from Rathangan in Kildare, was a professor in Knockbeg College. 'The Light on the Broom' was the collection from which this poem is taken.
Father Cullen P.P.
Author: William O'Neill (Slieve Margy)
Theme:
Religious person
Eulogy for Fr. Cullen, PP of Tinryland who died in 1913. The poem captures the thoughts and feelings of the priest's parishioners.
Sister of Mercy
Author:R.D. Williams
Theme: Religious person
The poem explores the motivation that inspired a nun's devotion. The Convent of Mercy on Dublin Road was the mother-house of the Sisters of Mercy.