This week’s column in The Kerryman newspaper.
Michael Commane
On Saturday, November 1, All Saints Day in the Christian tradition, I had an hour to spare in the Capel Street area of Dublin 1.
Strolling down the street, it was clear to see the world and its mother was on display. Every second person seemed to speak a different language; all types, sizes and styles, were on display, the young, not too many old, some decrepit, one or two people begging. Capel Street’s pedestrian way allows for all sorts of human extravagance.
I was tired and hungry so I popped into a betting shop. Today’s betting shops are great places to take a break as they are kitted out with comfortable armchairs.
The betting shop on Capel Street is large, much bigger than it looks from the outside; I must have counted 40 screens; there were at least 30 customers placing bets, all men, not a woman in sight. It looked as if I were the only freeloader present.
On exiting the shop after a 10-minute rest I saw a man studying the form sheet while at the same time eating chicken with his hands.
I headed to the Lidl store on Moore Street and was it busy. An assistant told me it is their second busiest shop in Ireland.
There was a long queue at the Return machine; I asked the young woman beside me where she was from, she told me Brazil. She had a black sack of empty cans and bottles to dispose. The bag was as tall as she.
On Henry Street people were handing out leaflets titled ‘Is there Hope for the Future’, obviously some religious organisation.
I began to think about where the Catholic Church is in Ireland today. When I was a little boy and then later as a youth growing into manhood in Ireland the Catholic Church ruled supreme. The churches were full on Sunday, but I can clearly remember my mother saying that when the church would fade, it would collapse over night. What wise words.
The Dominican Order, of which I am member, was founded by St Dominic over 800 years ago. His idea was to gather a group of men and women together, who would try to live and talk about the Gospel in a manner, which would be understood by the people; even the clothes he wore were to fit in with the dress of the time, leaning more towards how the poor dressed.
When I read most of the Catholic Church material on social media I feel it is directed to a small group of ‘dedicated’ people but it is saying nothing, nothing at all to the vast majority of the people I saw on Capel Street, Henry Street and in the betting shop on All Saints Day. Why? Because, in my opinion, many 'church people' are not listening.
Right through the New Testament Jesus enthuses the people, they want to listen to his wise and sensible words. His words resonated especially with the marginalised and forgotten. He placed great importance in listening to those with whom he lived and spoke.
My cent’s-worth after a 60-minute stroll in Dublin 1 on the feast of All Saints.
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