For the past three summers, I have accompanied my husband Charles to Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland, where he takes painting classes at the Ballinglen Arts Center. Adjacent to the school is a church. Inspired by the former Archbishop of Canterbury speaking about strengthening ties among the Anglican Communion, I emailed the parish’s priest, the Rev. Clive Moore, to ask if we might meet while I was in Ballycastle.
My casual inquiry turned into an opportunity to preach and co-celebrate at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Killala, and the nearby St. Michael’s Church of Ireland, Ballina. When we arrived, I was warmly welcomed by Rev. Moore, Canon Alex Morahan, and Reverends Carolyn Morrow and Karen Duignam. Together these clergy serve seven churches of the diocese..
Killala was founded circa 431 by St. Patrick as an Episcopal See. In the folklore of the region, thousands were baptized by St. Patrick at a nearby monastery that no longer exists. The present Cathedral is Gothic and one of Ireland’s oldest Cathedrals.
Entering this holy place was deeply moving. I could feel it had been home to a congregation that had survived things I could barely imagine: war, famine, attacks from outside forces, and losing fellow congregants to storms that swallow fishing boats.
My sermon described the joy and sadness Irish Americans often have when we return to Ireland. The sense of longing for the homes they left behind, and desire to reestablish family ties long broken.
In the gospel reading for that Sunday, Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. While a storm raged, he slept. Awakened by his panicked disciples he said to the sea, wind, and waves, “Peace! Be Still!” And then he asked his followers, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”
The gospel evoked the journeys our ancestral families made, and the ones our families still make to return to their homeland. I think of myself as strong, but I am not sure I could have crossed the Atlantic, and then landed on Ellis Island to face New York City, where signs in shop windows, declared, “Irish not wanted.” Mark’s retelling of the story shows us that whatever our journey, it is our faith in Christ that gives us calm and peace.
I thanked the parish and the priests of Killala and Ballina for being my new family, who, through our common faith, and our Book of Common Prayer, make me feel safe in the storm.
Canon Morahan and the Rev. Clive Moore surprised me with a copy of the Irish Book of Common Prayer. Inscribed were the names of the clergy that make up the Killala Group of Parishes, and a blessing in Gaelic, “Go maire tu i gcosaint De,” which means, “May you live in God’s Protection.”
by the Rev. Mary Donovan
835 SW Polk St.