St. Joseph’s Church, 120^th Anniversary Mass

It is good to celebrate on this Feast Day of St. Joseph the 120^th anniversary of this church dedicated in his honour. It is an opportunity to call to mind those generations who have gone before us who built this church and embellished it over the decades. It is only right we give thanks. It is also an opportunity to recall what the church building means for us still today and into the future.

In 1904 preaching at the official opening, commenting on those who established and built this church, Bishop O’Dwyer pointed out that “The Catholic community of Limerick was not, on the whole, wealthy, yet by far the largest portion of the cost of the Church came from the poorest, from the worker and the farmer…. They all (clergy and laity) down to the poorest and humblest took an interest in the church, regarded it as their own, were proud of it, and with some instinctive, untutored feeling they recognised what was true and lovely in its architecture and decoration.” Yes, this very fine church with so many beautiful architectural and decorative features – not least the stained glassed windows allowing the light to envelope the congregation – is a real treasure of our city for which we are grateful to present and past generations for supporting so generously. The beauty of this building lifts up our soul.

Since we are gathered here on this May 1^st, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the guardian saint offers us a few points that focus our thoughts tonight. I want to propose three.

A first focus. Saint Joseph is a saint whose silence and contemplation remind us of how we need to cultivate spaces for silence in our world. There is so much change, busy-ness, hassle that impact on us. This solid church building offers us a wonderful space for silence, both external and internal. It is here people enter and in the silence Jesus, the Word, Jesus the Eucharist, speaks to their hearts. Many of you will have experienced coming in here away from the passing din of traffic and immediately sensing a hush and stillness. This is a place where people get in touch with the recognition that there is “more” to life than the immediate day-to-day humdrum and frenetic routines. This church provides a contemplative space for the people of this parish and the wider Limerick community. It is a reminder to cultivate our interior silence. This evening, we recognise the 60 Priests who have served as either Administrators or as curates since 1904.

A second focus. Saint Joseph is invoked as protector of the unfortunate, the needy, exiles, the afflicted, the poor and the dying. We know that Jesus and Mary were entrusted to his care. In a sense, together they formed a Church community that would spread worldwide. This church is a place of welcome for all. It expresses St. Joseph’s care and guardianship. It is a point of community belonging. “I was baptised in St. Joseph’s” people often say to me – including Bishop John Fleming. Yes, a church provides a place of belonging that we can easily take for granted but it’s part of who we understand ourselves. Community is so important for us. None of us are isolated atoms. We need each other. Communities of faith provide bonds that are deep. Here baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, Funerals and so many other events have taken place that have bonded families, neighbours and friends. We think too of the many, many educational institutions in this parish that have marked important occasions here.

A third focus. It is said that Joseph represents all those who in one way or another go unnoticed, but who have a daily, discreet and hidden presence, supporting people and guiding them in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us, Pope Francis says, that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. This church building has been a place of formation, forming people in faith as people of hope, listening to the Gospel, receiving the sacraments, going out to love. We will never know the extent to which people have been supported and guided by liturgies and events in this church. Just think of the Netflix animated short film, “Angela’s Christmas” that features this church building so prominently, viewed all over the world.

Someone I know shared with me once how they were struck by a writing they found on the door of a church: “You enter here in order to love God (to give him an offering that is pleasing to him), you leave here – the church building – in order to love your neighbour”. This church has been a place where, for 120 years, people have been formed by the Holy Spirit to put on the mind of Christ, loving God and neighbour. As well as homilies and novenas, weekly newsletters, concerts and sacramental rituals, all of which help us grow in our Christian faith and understanding, so too the décor of this church – its harmony, its statues, its beautiful windows, its crib, its Easter garden, and the music and singing that have filled this church, all contribute to helping us grow in understanding more deeply who we are as children of God, sisters and brothers in Christ.  In this way, this church both stands as a reminder to many, even those simply passing by, to lift their eyes to heaven, to God, while stretching out their arms to the needs of others. So many families have been sustained in their mission from this church. We think this evening too of the many wonderful men and women religious orders that enliven this parish with their charisms. And we are also grateful for the great number of military, social, charitable and voluntary bodies in this parish.

So in celebrating this 120^th anniversary, we congratulate all concerned, but we also take away with us the many words this church building speaks to us, especially the three I’ve highlighted this evening:

Let’s make sure we create sacred contemplative space in our lives. Life is more than the busyness of our life’s tasks.

Let’s value community. We are not an isolated atoms. We need to keep in contact with our faith community that accompanies our journey.

Let’s remember we all need formation for mission. We need to come together to hear the wisdom of the Gospel and let the sacraments, the church rituals and the sacred décor of  the Church shape our minds and hearts so that we can love God and neighbour.

Let’s pray that current and future generations will take on the wonderful heritage entrusted to them.