|
 |
|
Profiles in Catholicism
|
|
An Interview with
Father Bryan Shortall, OFM Cap |
|
|
by
Gordon Nary |
 Return to Main Page
|
| Gordon: |
|
When you received your vocation, why did you decide to
be a Capuchin
Franciscan
Friar? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan:
|
|
I was impressed by the Capuchin habit having
met a friar who visited our school. When I went to Church
Street friary for a vocations workshop in the mid 1980’s, I
was impressed by the friar’s enthusiasm, brotherhood, and
the ice cream for dessert after dinner! |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
Where did you attend seminary and what was
the most interesting course that you took? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
After Novitiate, I studied
philosophy in Milltown Park from 1990-1992 and I studied
Theology at All Hallows College from 1993-1997.I made
Perpetual Profession of Vows in 1994 and I was Ordained to
the Priesthood in 1997. I loved theology and scripture,
especially the gospels. |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
Why did you continue your studies to earn
a Master’s Degree in
School
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
My first appointment after ordination was as
a school chaplain and I found that it would be beneficial to
further train in teaching and pastoral care. I did the
Graduate Diploma in 2001 and the MA in 2004. |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
Where rewe you initially assigned/ |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
My first appointment was in Schools from 1997
to 2007; 1997-2001 in Dublin at Coolmine Community School in
the Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown, and 2001-2007 in Cork.
I was Guardian of our Friary in Rochestown, Cork alongside
my work in our boy’s secondary school; St. Francis College,
Rochestown, Cork. |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
When were you assigned to
St. Michan's
Parish and approximately how many parishioners do you have? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
After I finished in Cork, I was appointed as
Chaplain to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin in 2007 for three
years, and in 2010 I was appointed Guardian of our Friary in
Church Street, Dublin and Parish Priest (Pastor) of St.
Michan’s Parish, Dublin. It is the oldest Parish on the
north side of Dublin city and we have approx. 6,500
parishioners. I was reappointed Parish Priest last year at
our Capuchin Provincial Chaper (which we have every three
years) |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
For our readers who may not know who
St.
Michan was could you provide an overview of his life
and why he was named as a saint? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
In the 10th or 11th
century, when St. Michan, a bishop ministered, his cult
progressed thanks to his flock in a sense. After he died, he
was proclaimed a saint by the will of the people. This would
have been similar to the other ancient Irish saints like
Patrick, Brigid, Colmcille, etc…
A hostel, dedicated to St. Michan was setup
at the Ath-Cliath (or ford across the river Liffey) – This
location is close to where the Phoenix Park is today It was
a place for the wayfarers to go between Tara and South
Leinster, and so St. Michan became the Apostle of the Ath
Cliath, instructing and giving hospitality to the men of the
south and the north. St. Michan is mentioned in A Calendar
of Irish Saints as “Michen of Cill-Michen in Atha Cliath,”
and his feast is the 25th August. Dublin city is known in
Gaelic as ‘Dubh-linn’ or the ‘black pool’ and also ‘Baile
Átha Cliath’ or the ‘town of the ford of the hurdles.’
|
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
What are some of
current
challenges surrounding Catholic primary education in
Ireland? |
| |
|
|
Fr. Bryan:
|
|
Traditionally because most primary schools in
Ireland are part of the Catholic parish, the sacraments of
the Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation are
prepared for and celebrated in school. In other words,
children receive their First Holy Communion in second class
primary (at 8 years old) and receive the Sacrament of
confirmation in sixth class primary (at 12 years old) They
would then graduate to secondary school. There is an
over-emphasis on the ceremony and on the ‘big day’ in each
case and the emphasis on the sacrament is played down. While
not necessarily deliberate, there is huge financial pressure
today in Ireland on parents to dress the children and an
industry has grown up around Holy Communions and
Confirmations (clothes, food, parties, events) These are not
necessarily bad things in themselves, but we need to
recapture the mystery of the sacrament for the whole life of
the child and as she or he grows up.
We need to explore a more parish and family
centered approach to the celebration of the Sacraments of
Initiation rather than it being more or less exclusively
prepared for in school. While the teachers do an excellent
job with the religious education programme at primary school
level, more and more engagement is needed at parish and home
level. It’s a work in progress. |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
What social media resources do you use? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and
Facebook |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
Based on your experience, can social
media be a helpful evangelization resource? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
Yes. “Go out and teach all nations…” |
| |
|
|
| Gordon: |
|
How many followers do you have on you Twitter
account? |
| |
|
|
|
Fr. Bryan: |
|
2,864 at the moment… |
|
