Legacy of Canon Hayes stands the test of time
The legacy of Canon John Hayes has withstood the test of time said Archbishop Dermot Clifford when he addressed a large congregation at the 53rd Anniversary Mass for the founder of Muintir na Tíre in Bansha Church on Saturday January 30th.
Archbishop Clifford, in outlining the life and work of the founder of Muintir, said that Canon Hayes brought people together in a spirit of muintearas and community and that these principles were still the cornerstones of the organisation today. He said that it was important to remember what Canon Hayes had achieved during his lifetime and also the many initiatives that he pioneered while he was at the helm of Muintir na Tre and as Parish Priest of Bansha/Kilmoyler. The Archbishop said that we must never underestimate the major role that Canon Hayes played in the development of rural Ireland and of his tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all people in communities throughout the country. The Archbishop also spoke of Canon Hayes' pioneering work with the agricultural community and of his famous Parish Plan for Agriculture. He referred to the many challenges facing the farming community today and particularly that of climate change. Dr. Clifford said that Irish farmers will face risks and challenges when they set about reversing climate change. "They will have to make the same sacrifices as all of us in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from tractors and land rovers. The added challenge of reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions will be met, I have no doubt, using the best methods known to modern science" said Dr. Clifford.
Archbishop Clifford was joined in the celebration of Mass by Fr. Michel Hickey, P.P. of Bansha/Kilmoyler and following Mass a wreath was laid at the grave of Canon Hayes by his nephew, Tom Hayes.
In the McGrath GAA Centre afterwards the Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia and Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship spoke of her admiration for the late Canon Hayes. She said that she always had great admiration for Canon Hayes as he was a leader with great enthusiasm, passion, charisma for parish and most importantly he believed in the power of the ordinary person. "He was a pioneer of community development and epitomised active citizenship. He wanted to alter the outlook of people and make them realise their potential and power for good if they would take an interest" she said.
Mrs. Davis added that she also had great admiration for the National President of Muintir, Martin Quinn, whom she said had followed in the footsteps of Canon Hayes and had carried on his tradition of active citizenship, not alone in Muintir na Tre, but in many many other organisations.
She said that her admiration for Bansha people also extended to the Governor of Mountjoy, John Lonergan who hails from the parish. She said that John is full of enthusiasm, hope and totally optimistic about life. Angela Merkel's father taught her growing up 'Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are'. These words of wisdom remind me of Bansha man John Lonergan she added.
The Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship said that Active Citizenship is about encouraging people to get involved. "There is a great tradition in Ireland of participation, of helping and of caring and I see it every day in the work that I do around the country. Organisations like Muintir na Tre and the volunteers involved in them are all doers and what they have in common is that they give to others the most precious and scarcest commodity that they have and that is time. These people are the heart and soul of modern Ireland. There is a great will there and we need to harness this will in ways which will encourage greater participation of all sectors and we must make it easy for people to participate" said Mary Davis.
Mrs. Davis concluded her address with a quote from former President of the USA, Woodrow Wilson, a man whom she said she greatly admired; "You are not here merely to make a living, you are here to enable the world to live more amply, with great vision and with a great spirit of hope and achievement, you are here to enrich the world, you impoverish yourself if you forget this errand".
The National President of Muintir na Tre, Mr. Martin Quinn spoke about the ideals and aims of the organisation. He said that since its foundation in 1937, long before the concept of Community Development existed at an international level, Muintir’s philosophy and approach had instilled the ideas of self-help and self-reliance in many Irish communities, thereby enabling them to improve economic, social and cultural conditions in their area. He said that Canon Hayes believed in the potential for good that often lies dormant in people but which, when activated, can be a powerful force for action and development. This was particularly evident during the recent adverse weather conditions when the response from the public to assist those in need or trouble was tremendous said Mr. Quinn who referred to the success of the Muintir na Tre National Helpline and to the response of people from all over the country offering help and services.
The National President said that the cornerstone of rural life is the strength of the community and a community will be measured by how it looks after each other and those that need our help, especially the elderly and the vulnerable. He referred to the success of the Community Alert Programme which has over 1,300 units nationwide.
The Community Alert Programme is a partnership programme in association with An Garda Siochna and it is without doubt one of the most important initiatives that Muintir ever became involved in said Mr. Quinn who added that the challenge facing Community Alert in this its 25th Anniversary year is to re-energise and re-active groups that are either dormant or not very active.
Concluding his address the National President said that for Muintir na Tre there is to coin a popular phrase 'much done and more to do' as the organisation continues to promote the ideals of neighbourliness, self-help and self-reliance as espoused by Canon Hayes when Muintir was founded in 1937. That famous phrase used regularly by Canon Hayes "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" is still as true today as it was in his lifetime said Mr. Quinn.
Attendees at the Commemoration ceremonies included Cllr Liam Ahearne, Chairman of South Tipperary County Council, Cllr Jacqui Finnan, representing the Mayor of Tipperary, Cllr Michael Fitzgerald, President of the Association of County and City Councils, Mr. Mattie McGrath, T.D., Mr. Tom Hayes, T.D., Ms. Michelle Heffernan, Pride of Tipperary and Mr. Justin Nelson, Photographer and Author.
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Weather for Clonmel
Saturday 04 February 2012
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