This Mass was celebrated today at 11.00am in Saint Finian’s Church, Waterville.
Homily
I welcome everyone here with a desire to connect with this space and place, to find a peace that can penetrate the emotions in the heart.
I am aware that in each of your hearts, be it here in the church, those gathered outside or watching from elsewhere, that it is in your heart that I want to acknowledge your pain… because I know that death affects us all, in various ways and degrees, most especially the death of one who became the very fabric of our lives as we grew up. I pray that the through the power of gathering, our Mass, that the gifts of peace and consolation be given to each one of you.
It was such a beautiful gathering yesterday evening at the removal, and after, when friends and family began to disperse, I found myself in those moments of locking up witnessing a person walking into the church up to Micko’s coffin, respectfully bowing his head, blessing himself, and in the silence offering his personal prayer. After, in our brief exchange, he told me that he never had the opportunity to meet Micko during his life, but had the desire to drive here to be with him. It was striking that for one who didn’t know him, this person felt very much part of Micko’s story.
So for those who did know Micko, who loved him, today we can cherish the deep and special moments that we shared, the experiences of life, those good memories that flow so easily into hearts and minds.
It would be remiss of me not to make some reference to Micko’s credentials, to his achievements, successes, and to try to attempt to break open his working mind, his philosophy of participation, his pedagogy of sport, of management and leadership. Perhaps this legacy is best captured in a phrase that I heard in recent days among the countless beautiful testimonies, and it was shared by RTÉ commentator Marty Morrissey, who said that Micko always had the desire to spread the ‘Gospel of the Game’, and he did so in spades.
It is often said that we may be the only Gospel that someone may read during their day. In other words, that our very lives may be the encouragement, the very example, needed for one to discover something of themselves, to instil in them a worth, a value, a dignity, a God-given talent. Yesterday we witnessed this when we saw the young girls and boys of Waterville and Dromod GAA standing proudly in a guard of honour by Micko’s statue here in the village, these young people having been inspired by Micko and they are, in fact, the fruit of Micko’s missionary work … Son and Holy Spirit.
Let us not forget that at the young age of 79, Micko brought Waterville/Dromod U14 to win Kerry County League Division 8 title, and a win is certainly a win to those young players, now young ambassadors of the game, giving our young players that inspiration … yes spreading the Gospel of the Game to countless generations to come.
How significant it is then that we mark on this day – 5 April 456 AD – another missionary who came amongst us, namely our national patron Saint Patrick. Tradition tells us that Patrick returned to our shores to spread the Gospel of the Life, the life of Faith, in Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Readings
In our first reading today , read by Micko’s son Karl, God speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, encouraging his people in vulnerability, of suffering … words that were spoken then, are spoken here and now … spoken to all of you … words that could have a made a half-time manager’s team talk make all the difference…
Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees, and say at all faint hearted: ‘Courage! Do not be afraid’
I say to you: have courage … do not be afraid … do not be afraid … have no fear over what Micko’s passing has brought, have no fear over death … why? Because we are gathered here ultimately because of one man. A man loved by many, scorned by others. A man known for great controversy, and for great compassion. That man, of course, is Jesus of Nazareth.
That Jesus – whom I had the privilege of witnessing Micko pray to
during our pastoral visits – is the Jesus that would have been here in
his moment of departure from this earth …
And as you, Cathal, read for us in the second reading, that our homeland
is in Heaven, and from Heaven comes the Saviour that we are waiting for
… the journey of Micko’s soul, a soul that has begun its journey to
eternal life, it is by our presence, our prayers, our sentiments that we
will accompany him: ón riocht go Ríocht na bhflaitheas (from this
Kingdom to the Kingdom of Heaven).
My dear brothers and sisters, today is a sad day for us here in the Parish of Waterville, and indeed for all who have come to Micko in life, our native son, who achieved so much, who has given so much.
I finish with a prayer, a prayer for Gaelic footballers, a prayer perhaps that for all of us who play the beautiful game of life and faith, a prayer that echoes the heart of the man that we remember and pray for today.
So, Micko, I pray:
Give me o Lord a footballer’s skill
With strength of arm and speed of limb
Unerring eye for the flying ball
And courage to match them whatever we befall
May my aim be steady – my kick be true
My actions brave – my misses few
And no matter what way the game may go
May I part in friendship with every foe
When the final whistle for me is blown
And I stand at last at God’s Judgement Throne
May the great Referee say when he calls my name:
‘You played like a man – You play the game’
Amen.