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SAINT ANN PARISH
Father Ray's Sabbatical in Ireland |
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Notes from
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My first visit up near |
Mount Melleray Abbey ...
and my first tea with a biker! A visiting Garda - |
Typical back roads view... |
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The main church of Mount Melleray, facing towards the altar. Gorgeous window often lit by morning sun during prayer - hard to heat though. (I noted a few monks wearing skull caps and organist wore gloves!) I had no complaints! |
A foot path of quiet reflection....overlooking community of Mount Melleray Abbey |
First walk on the beach... Atlantic, near Holy Hill Lane leading shortly to Holy Hill - the ideal bicycle road - back roads.
Stay off the |
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It was a windy fifteen mile pedal out to Mount Melleray from combination train/ride, nearest drop off...but was closing in on a hot meal with this view |
Village of Cappoquin on the River Blackwater. EVERY town is building homes at a fever rate....and starting to have surplus! |
Lismore Castle in Lismore. |
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Lismore Castle in Lismore...from the 14th century...superb shape...still someone's home, but can be rented at a "reasonable rate!" |
Another visitor and a real character of a monk, Fr. Ignatius - going strong at 80...and very talkative (not sure how he made the cut?) |
Fr. Ignatius and me...
again... |
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My second visit to the
landscape of prayer: |
My bicycle automatically breaks for every cemetery! I stroll the pathways and take a curious look at the occasional Cotter headstone...a bit overdone with Kelly's, Murphy's, Donovans, etc...but here is one "prepared" special for Benzie County! |
Downtown Maynooth - |
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My apology...It's supposed to be most scenic view of mountain ranges in Waterford County - clouds, fog, not unusual in Ireland;-) |
Ahhh....the Irish hang onto the sentimental! The railroad is long gone, but they retained JUST the bridge...slows folks down to wave! |
Very pleasant hermitage at Holy Hill (better than Spartan "suite" at Maynooth); wood heat here; used my first peat moss for fuel; fix your own food - obviously used SIMPLE recipes so as not to take away from prayer time! |
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| April 24, 2007 |
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Again, County Donegal
looking toward the Atlantic |
County Donegal …. Parishioner Ed Fries home turf - "Must have been hard for Dad to leave!" |
Openness |
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Cliffs of Mohr... |
Bunratty Castle.... |
Bunratty Castle Feast... |
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| April 25, 2007 |
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Kilmainham cell...Religious artwork left behind by prisoner. Wretched conditions in history stab at your heart as we can leisurely walk through as "tourists". Likely you have seen prison in several films made in recent years. |
Eamon De Valera's cell in
Kilmainham |
Kilmainham Gaol (jail)
exercise yard and cross indicates where the heroes in Easter uprising in
1916 were shot! |
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Have discovered some great Irish hosts in the Dublin area...Met Ciaran at a monastery.. Johnie Fox Pub is ideal recommendation for food, spirits, and music! It’s the highest pub in Ireland in hills on the outskirts of Dublin. You would need a local to find it! (Bill Clinton did somehow.) |
Ron and I beginning the hour tour of Kilmainham Gaol (jail) in Dublin – A
must see for history of Irish struggles: |
My view of the front yard from my window view at St. Patrick's. "Who is that driving on my sidewalk? A wedding party and an old car. They’re looking for atmosphere! They found it." |
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Wow...One would think one
is at St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Ave! Nope! This is THE St. Patrick's
Cathedral of Armaugh, Northern Ireland...St. Pat's home turf and now the
Primate's See of all Ireland. |
Look for the small print
on the door “HILTON HOTEL OF BELFAST” |
County Donegal...again, courtesy of "Fries’ Tours" |
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Aidan, Ed, Syria Fries...and Fr. Ray..outside their generational home in downtown Kilamacrenin in County Donegal |
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May 5, 2007 |
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Not holy pilgrims like me, but TRUE tourists - "who are they?" Why....of course, Dan and Cathy Kunitzer of Frankfort and Battle Creek. Delightful two days in their company. |
And being in Dublin, they insisted I come along to Guinness for a tour and taste! |
Further proof that all did well on the tour? - i.e. was Cathy only one who could hold the camera, while Dan and Fr. Ray leaned on one another?? |
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On campus of St. Patrick's Maynooth: Cathy, Dan, and Fr. Ray outside of John Paul II library - statue and background stone work includes many names of Irish American Catholics who donated generously. |
And yes, a true character I met on bike trip to Glenstal Abbey, County Limerick. We both pulled into pub parking on our bicycles at same time. He with more practice - 77 years old. Thomas Berkery has never owned a car! |
Tom's classic Rawliegh bike caught my eye for its own locking mechanism. A hooking arm, attached to the frame, swings down and deploys itself between spokes of rear tire. All of this engaged by a key that resembles a skeleton key! |
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We agree to meet again - and we did! The picture is in downtown Annacotty, just down the road from Mount Shannon where Tom has lived all his life. Rather simple cottage. |
Glenstal Abbey of Benedictine discipline quickly became my favorite spot for a week's visit due to its quality facility and gorgeous grounds.... alongside of great nearby villages to bicycle to as to one's interest. |
Built in 1800's, nine miles from Limerick, the Abbey of Glenstal Abbey was first a private estate. The protestant family lost interest after a killing of a family member during the troubles of early 1900's - sold the estate to the Diocese, who invited the Benedictines in 1920's. |
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And can you see the yellow line, marking outside of highway lane? My bike rests on it! And with hedge rows, "thick enough to stop bullets", (i.e. as in nearby France, WW II), WHERE do I PULL over with opposing traffic meeting??!!" STAND YOUR GROUND AND PRAY! |
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May 14, 2007 |
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I went to the church first - ruins of one across the lane. And I HAD TO stop here, as a grandmother was an O'Connell! Five generations have looked after this classic country pub...and truly made some lasting friends in there. More on that later. |
Leaving O'Connell's, right out side the door, ran into traffic jam! See me, trying to get to the front. -But then they all froze and posed for camera! They and the sheep usually are good about getting over. (Watch fenders and tires for fresh "clumps" after traveling thru!) |
Now things have calmed down...reclaim my road. |
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Main church at St. Patrick's, Maynooth...seeing the renovation underway, I nearly ran!! "Harlan - they could use YOU..not me!" |
And the observant bicyclist: I noted Frankfort Ave near my new upscale neighborhood in Dublin. And now, all of us know how to spell Frankfort in Irish, besides just Ed Fries. (All posted signs here, are bi-lingual.) |
Another shot of St. Patrick's on the campus at Maynooth. I will return here on May 27, in main church, for ordination of deacons I got to know...final farewell for me...back into Dublin for final days. |
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June 1, 2007 |
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Old Mount Mellifont Abbey - sacked in reformation times, now being restored. I stayed at the newer, newer Mellifont; reopened in past century. Mellifont represents oldest Cistercian, Trappist Monastery in Ireland reaching back to 11th century at invitation of St. Bernard to St. Malachy. |
On grounds of Mellifont - could it be “her”? No, she is alive and, aging though, in CA. Maureen O'Hara hails from this area of Dublin. She starred with John Wayne in Irish classic, the QUIET MAN. She greatly admired Wayne and loved the movie. A few years ago, she was at the ordination of his grandson to the priesthood. |
And now more visitors to Dublin that I “had to” show around. Mary Herst, retired secretary to a few of our Bishops, and her husband Ernie from Gaylord. Yes, see the Book of Kells - Latin version of the Bible, “printed” by Irish monks in early centuries. |
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A reverent visit to Mercy International Centre where Catherine McAuley, founded the Sister's of Mercy. The Hersts and tour guide, Sr. Collete Baldwin, at burial plot of Sr. Catherine. A home for poor young women, founded in early 1800's needing education, is still underway. |
Special tribute to Steve and Lou Laske from Dublin: often at daily mass at St. Ann's, followed by their favorite “gruel” breakfast afterwards. A restaurant named after that pursuit on busy Dame Street in city centre! I tried their soup and beer as no porridge was offered. |
And ask yourself? “How is it that this bicycling priest, in as busy a street in Dublin near Trinity College, caught out of the corner of his eye, this small establishment?” Life was at stake on the bike, yet he was still thinking of his parishioners and SAW that sign!!?? (I stole a menu , Steve) And Griners - a new market for your syrup? |
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| June 6, 2007 |
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Some of the scenery I had to put up with on Dingle Peninsula...This is the Inch Strand - Spent one night in Dingle, en route here to two nites in Killarney - This bike is the identical model to mine. But roads are different than Michigan!!! |
Quaint village of Cong: “Hmmm...John Wayne came here in 1951 to make the movie. He did not ride in on a horse, nor one of these. - Ahhh...it was a bicycle! – I left mine in Dublin!” This will have to do! - EAT YOUR HEART OUT J.W! - This PILGRIM beat your style! |
Apparition Chapel at Knock Shrine - where I started my “motorcycle leg” of my pilgrimage. A nearby fellow loaned me his BMW and allowed me 1100 miles to see places I never would have seen! (No commercial rentals of bikes available in Ireland. It took the spirited hospitality of the Irish to make it happen. (Five BMW folk offered me a bike!) |
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Again, Shrine of Our Lady at Knock. Pope John Paul II said Mass in this outdoor setting in his visit of 1979. The most prominent of all Irish Holy sites. A silent apparition dating back to 1879 |
Ordination of transitional Deacons at St. Patrick's Maynooth. My farewell to the guys, on Pentecost Sunday. One of my favorites and I sat at his family table - Billy O'Sullivan. He hails from Diocese of Cork/Ross, a widower and grandfather. He’ll make a superb priest! |
HE cannot stay out of the picture! Of course that is Ray Cotter on the left...and...Ray Cotter on the right!! THE OTHER RAY is from County Sligo and part time student at Maynooth in liturgy - works engineering in Dublin. (His father is from Cork - my ancestral turf.) |
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| June 13, 2007 |
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Some of the scenery I had to put up with on Dingle Peninsula....this is the Inch Strand - spent one night in Dingle, en route here to two nites in Killarney - This bike is identical model to mine, but roads are different than Michigan!!! |
Quaint village of Cong: "Hmmm…John Wayne came here in 1951 to make the movie...did not ride in on a horse, nor one of these? - Ahhh..it was a bicycle! – I left mine in Dublin!" This will have to do! - EAT YOUR HEART OUT J.W! - This PILGRIM beat your style! |
Michelangelo's Madonna and Child – Brugge, Belgium – Our Lady's Church – while visiting Madonna House community nearby |
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I still have competition with the cattle on the road in Dingle Peninsula, Ireland. (Note farmer in reflective vest: Is he directing me on the bike,…or his herd?) |
Got off the bike for this journey as I ventured to the most unusual monastic setting – early centuries of the Skelligs, 8 miles offshore. Two islands – all rock!!!! Left from Portmagee on Ring of Kerry – Atlantic. |
Skelligs well preserved beehive hermitages. Despite rough seas, we were allowed two hours onto the island and to scale its peaks. |
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| June 14, 2007 |
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Looking down from peaks on Skelligs – Where did they grow food? Did they live off of fish and birds’ eggs? Lots of mystery here, but clearly an enormous faith and trust in our God. |
A quiet memorial that speaks volumes to our opportunities. Pearl name is known well in Battle Creek. Joseph's brother, Jack, served on the ground in the Battle of the Bulge, as Joe lost his life as a bombardier in a B-17. Many know Jack's operation of Peal's Sporting Goods - son, and nephew, Joe, works there...Jim was my best of friends in the seminary. |
So many stories that must never be forgotten. I stand as a small dot to the left at Joe Pearl's grave: Section D, 15-12. The close shot above is assisted when a staff worker spreads wetted sand, gathered at Omaha Beach, over the etching to make it stand out for the photo. Joe would have died at height of the two-month battle. |
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I, nor the monks, ever thought I would return to Mount Mellerary Abbey on a motorcycle. Jack O'Connell, one of the biking tour guides, needed to be told that "his relatives" were involved in the place: an O'Connell, a monk there now, and an uncle of that monk built the current church. |
Gougana Barra, south of Inchigeelagh (home front of Cotters), is a gorgeous lake area where St. Finbar had a monastic setting - looking at his chapel here. County Cork. |
An O'Sullivan shop in downtown Inchigeelagh where anything can be found...maybe where the old Sears Roebuck operation got their ideas? (Politician Gerry Adams had his picture taken here...so I said, why not!) |
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Yes...selfishly this is Cotter country in Inchigeelagh. This shot is taken off of main historical marker. I later spoke with a Fr. John Cotter, former pastor here, and in viewing baptismal records at National Library in Dublin verified my great-great grandfather's baptism here in July of 1817. |
No museum here, just several wall portraits that detail the European theater of operations in World War II. The graves represent the living museum of sacrifice as I visited the grave of a Michigan man. I knew of only one name lost in action in Europe and by chance, he was in this cemetery! (About a dozen cemeteries in Europe of American losses). |
Peace reigns down on Belgium. In the village of Marche Les Dames, Madonna House has one of their 21 international fieldhouses. Locations vary from Ghana to Washington D.C. to Siberia - bringing a message of hospitality and prayer in Christ's loving simplicity. The community is headquartered in Combermere Ontario since 1950. One home is in our Diocese at Alpena. |
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June 13 - hours from return flight: Local pub, Blue Light*, allows for relaxation and recall of memories. Here, Fr. Ray and Pete Dunning, sales manager of Harley Davison - Dublin, "make peace" for the BMW and HD troops. (He used to ride a BMW!) *Pub’s name comes from 1916 uprising when gun runners on coast, looked for light to land. |
June 13: - Pat Healy, owner of Blue Light Pub, passes on a complimentary T shirt and shows Fr. Ray how to use a peat moss brick for either fireplace warmth or as a cell phone?! |
June 13: The traditional Irish music played on as my emotions tugged at an Irish heart! They even on occasion play a tune linked to "the troubles" that takes off from the ballad and melody of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot. |
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While visiting Madonna House in Belgium I took in one U.S. WW II military cemetery - Adrennes, south of Liegh, Belgium. This chapel is setting for over 5,000 graves of men who sacrificed their lives for many. Graves here predominate from nearby Battle of the Bulge. Our parishioner and local boy, who did well, late Percy Smeltzer, fought that battle. I felt honored to visit and reflect. |
June 13: The day had started in Church, and now leaving the pub in the mountains of Dublin, the city bids us farewell for the evening. The morning sun will light a path of a flight off of the Emerald Isle, BUT NEVER TO SAY GOOD BYE! As one thinker of the evening mused: "It would be of ease to build a bridge with the minds of America fixed back to Galway Bay!" |
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Dear Friends, My sabbatical story on parish website winds down: Enough of my story...Please store the address below to let me keep in touch with you! just Fr. Ray Cotter St. Mary
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