A dispatch from Ecuador

My father always says: ‘There is nothing as constant as change’. Here I am today in Ecuador writing these lines, well emailing for The Clare Champion. I never imagined doing anything like this. I now depend on reading The Champion on-line. What a service! Great technology.

Fr Colm Hogan with whom I lived and worked with for the last two months has departed for the homeland of Tipperary and our Diocese of Killaloe. He will take up his new appointment next month. I now have responsibility for this new three-year-old parish called Monte Sinai.
‘Changes’ in the last couple of weeks include Fr Kieran O’Reilly SMA named as our new bishop-elect for our diocese. Fr Kieran succeeds Bishop Willie who now retires, or should I say sails further to continue ministry because knowing him he certainly won’t stop working. I wish both well.
I thank Bishop Willie for his gentle and kind leadership of our diocese over the past 16 years and for releasing me to come live and work here. For Fr Kieran I wish strength and hope as he takes on the huge challenge of leading us in Killaloe into the future. No easy task in these changing times but the Spirit knows best. Being a Cork man, no doubt he has wit and substance.
‘Change’ as much as I like it is not easy. My transition from the vibrant, alive and supportive parish of Ennis to Monte Sinai has been gradual and gentle. Colm helped me with the documentation and formalities that have to be done when one enters a new country. All that takes time and patience. Driving on the ‘right’ side of the road has had its moments already. Last week I was pulled in by the police for driving in a bus lane. I really didn’t know I was in a bus lane but it felt good. In my broken pigeon Spanish words I got away with it.
I am learning more patience is always needed because the pace of life is slower here. Maybe it’s the heat but there is no rushing or racing and now is the hour.
Colm informed the good people of this parish of his decision to return home to our diocese. As the days passed the outpouring of emotion was high. Many tears were shed. I find already the Latinos are a very expressive and emotional people. No aspect of life is spared in description especially on television. The ‘despedidas’s’ (send-offs, farewells) followed for Colm. But, in it all we found a generosity of heart from the people and a giving that was real. They were so sad Colm was leaving them but happy and supportive of my arrival and presence, thank God. I have a good feeling here that the people are the Church. (I hope to reflect and write more on this as time goes by). But, it is very visible ownership and responsibility is theirs and I am part of that now.
I believe, all of us in life are passing through and trying to make a difference. I am here, you are there. It’s all about leaving a trail of hope as I see it. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson whom I know nothing about but he said, ‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ Colm Hogan has left more than a trail here. I want to do my very best to continue the good work he has begun and complete it to a fine Clare standard.
Yes. Change is not easy but it is worth it. As we all try and make a difference in each other’s lives where we live and work, let always our faith give us hope. I am very taken already by the faith of the people here especially the young. Despite the poverty and terrible living standards the celebration of life and living and health is so important. The present is now. Tomorrow definitely never comes here because there may be no work, food or water.
I am excited living and working here. It has given me a new outlook and perspective already. I depend on your continued support and prayers.
As the ground, paths and roads harden and the dust increases and life changes, I think of Ennis and the beauty of town and county and landscape and remember change is good despite the trials. Enjoy these summer days out west or wherever and appreciate our environment and take care until I am in touch again. Amigo, John.