HUNDREDS of Gaels flocked to a special Mass celebrated by Fr Nicky Hennity at the home of An Ríocht GAA last Wednesday night. Currently back home in the Mournes, the missionary priest, who is based in Kenyan city Mombasa, offered the service for the souls of all deceased members of the GAA in the area, as well as for young people who have died tragically over the years. Concelebrants for the occasion were Fr Nicky’s close friends, Canon Frank Kearney and Rev Michael Murray.
After the Mass, the eagerly awaited book ‘Father Nicky: Mourne Man, Mission Man’ – which was compiled by friends and family, and which chronicles the story of the St Patrick’s Missionary Society priest’s unique life since he was ordained half a century ago – was launched. In his homily, Fr Nicky, a former Gaelic footballer, spoke passionately about the GAA, paying homage to all those who had contributed to the formation of the clubs throughout Ireland during very hard times when money and resources were scarce. He said that “these humble beginnings developed over the years to become the state-of-the-art clubs of the present day”, and emphasised “the voluntary contributions made by so many to establish clubs where family and community spirit could thrive”.
The Glenloughan priest urged all present to be proud of their Irish traditions, language, sport and culture, and appealed to the young people to become involved in these traditions and to avoid the temptations of alcohol and drugs. He also highlighted “the importance of education for all”, which tied in with the beginnings of his missionary work building schools in Africa in 1973 and which remains among his key priorities 50 years on, and thanked everyone back home for supporting him as he continues his missionary journey. Highlights of the Mass included the presentation of jerseys from each Mourne club, and gifts representing all aspects of Irish culture and sport being brought to the altar during the offertory. The valuable work of The Well, a local mental health support organisation, was also highlighted at this stage.
A unique feature of the service was the inclusion of a candle taken from Archbishop Eamonn Martin’s August rekindling of the fire lit on the Hill of Slane, symbolising the Christian Paschal candle first lit there by St Patrick in 433 AD. The five clubs’ chairpersons presented specially commissioned candles to be lit from this, which were to be taken to their respective clubs with the commitment to “light the Christian spirit of faith, hope and love for their families and Fr Nicky celebrates special Mass communities”. Music was provided by the combined choirs and musicians from Upper and Lower Mourne parishes, under the guidance of Linda Gawley, and Fr Nicky praised the variety of the repertoire. Following the Mass, the congregation gave a warm welcome to two distinguished guests – Irish News editor and Glasdrumman native Noel Doran and incoming GAA President Jarlath Burns. Mr Doran described Fr Nicky as “Mourne’s favourite son”, adding that the local priest is “revered and admired by all sections of society in his home area for his monumental achievements as a priest of the St Patrick’s Missionary Society in Africa.”
He also commended the Mourne clubs for the pride shown in displaying their club jerseys, indicating the strength of the GAA in the area, and paid tribute to recently deceased Glasdrumman Gael Dermot McGreevy for his contribution to the club and beyond. Mr Burns recognised and praised the contribution that Irish missionaries have made throughout the world, and stressed to the young people present the importance of “having a purpose in life and keeping the faith handed down to us for generations”. He concluded that the coming together of the five clubs, given their rivalry on the field, could only have happened “in this special service because of one very special person – Fr Nicky”.
The launch of ‘Father Nicky: Mourne Man, Mission Man’ brought the evening to a close. Speaking to the Mourne Observer, Fr Nicky said that the book – which he is currently making his way through – chronicles his 50 years as a missionary priest, beginning with his first appointment in the rural diocese of Kitui in northeast Kenya in late 1973 just months after his ordination, his 12-year spell in Rwanda between 1994 and 2006 as it recovered from the horrific genocide, and his 2007 return to Kenya, where he has been based in Mombasa ever since. His first Kenyan role involved building up churches and schools, something he described as “an uphill struggle at the time” but has come on “in leaps and bounds” over the decades. This was followed by the lengthy spell in Rwanda, which he understandably described as an often “frightening experience” that left him fearing that he would “never see the Mournes again”.
He returned to Kenya in 2007 after Bishop Boniface Lele, a friend from Kitui and then Archbishop of Mombasa, invited him back to the country, and he has been there ever since. “I am still in Mombasa, basically doing the same thing – education, which is key,” said the Mournes priest. “If people are educated, they have a better chance of getting a reasonably good job, and they have a better chance of coping with life. “If you are not educated, you are at a disadvantage. “We have a number of nursery schools and a primary school. “It is a slum area and you have all the problems that go with slums – poverty, lack of services, no running water and no sanitation.” Fr Nicky, who has spent three months at home and is returning to Kenya next Wednesday (20 September), said that he was amazed by the turnout of local people for events such as last week’s and one held earlier in the summer to mark his 50 years as a priest, and the publishing of the book, which also includes a host of photographs as well as the stories contributed by friends and family. “I certainly didn’t deserve anything like this, but I am very happy to accept it from the people,” he said. “It is very genuine, it is not just a show or anything like that. “It is coming from the heart. “They have been very supportive of me all over these years, especially the different clubs and the different parishes around. “For that, I am very, very thankful, and I use all opportunities to thank people.” ‘Father Nicky: Mourne Man, Mission Man’ is available at a number of local outlets and costs £10.