Mar 2, Fernga d. 637

Jack and Thommy,
Good Morning, I love you
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Sunday to Sunday writing? Well, blog writing anyway. No excuse though. There once was a goal to be a month ahead, anticipating the saints ahead of paper columns. I need to get back on the paper writing and recatchup with the saints. I’m officially way behind on both.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a week since I dropped Catherine Drexel into the mix and resolved to add all Catherine saints to the regular entries. Most of the week has been writing, though. Some of it pretty good stuff. Some of it back and forth with Uncle Ken about Kelly’s graduation. I’m glad to hear you’re both planning to attend. [too bad you haven’t had similar events for her to attend. I could, you know, make a difference in those outcomes.]

First Friday, March 2011. The Mass attendance goes up noticeably. I wonder how many children today have the First Friday piety drilled into them by our Catholic Schools? Certainly it’s not done by our CCD programs. Laying the foundation makes a difference. Not only does making those devotions become an important habit but there is truly a visceral negativity when it is missed.

Same for First Saturdays and our devotion to our Blessed Mother. [Knowing her will help you know what/who a mother should be; help you, if this is your vocation, identify who should be the mother with you of God’s gift f children.]

St Paul’s pastor has a way with his sermons – his cadence is hard to get into but beyond that the substance of his homily hooks you. And plays itself back to you for ongoing reflection.

And then there’s Msgr S. I’m guessing he’s grandpa’s age. I admire the tenacity of his faith – he is, I am sure, a rock for many of us to stand on. However, the man is past his prime as a preacher – if he ever had a prime. He started his sermon yesterday, first Saturday, with a story about a child once saying outloud at the beginning of one of his sermons, ‘you talk too much.’ That was the understatement of the day!

Yesterday’s sermon was longer than the rest of the Mass. And, of course there’s no shutting him up – he’s priest, he’s a msgr, he earned his stripes as pastor at several parishes along the way, he’s 80+ years old, we’re grateful to have a priest to fill in. If only he’d tell one of his wonderful stories and stick to one of his ‘let’s get back to pre-vatican II’ rants it might be tolerable. Oh well….

Fr Scherer continues to say Mass at St Paul’s. He is visibly deteriorating Mass to Mass. Please pray for him. It’d be better for each of you to give him a visit.


March 2

Fergna d. 637


Fergna was a relative of St Columba. No doubt it’d be something to be related to someone like Columba! The closest I’ve gotten so far is Aunt Monica, aka Sr. Anita Rosaire. I’m sorry you did not get a chance to know her. She could help you understand me. She could help you be faithful Catholics.

Fergna succeeded Columba as abbot of Iona. That’d be like being elected president after Washington. Some shoes are impossible to fill. Still, the job has to go to someone. Being a relative to the great saint of Iona would not have been sufficient to be elected his successor. We all, now, follow someone into the job we take. Let Fergna be one of those people you consult when it is your turn to follow in another person’s foot steps. [I could teach you a few things not to do!]

Undertheoak

Fergna was born, probably after or about the middle of the sixth century, having been a member of the community in Columba's time.

Fergna is called Virgnous, by Adamnan, who describes him as being a youth of ardent piety.
< Are you a youth of ardent piety? Such piety would not only bring you closer to God and your faith and your vocation, it’d fill some of your blank hours. >

Oengus the Culdee and the Calendar of Cashel designate him, by an epithet meaning "white" or "fair."
< I think it’s cool how our Celtic heritage comes up with nicknames. >

I love you,
Dad
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