Mission Mater's Magazine - Flipbook - Page 29
AND ANOTHER THING
Have yourself, a merry little Thinkmas…
When Editor9s John Deane-O’Keeffe’s now
(allegedly) adult children ask him, 8Dad, what
was the 19709s like9? He says to them,8 how
long have you got?9
T
he 19709s was a ridiculous decade summed
up in two words – my mother. Indeed, the
19709s and its cultural totems were made
for her. Carry On9 films, Mrs. Slocombe, flock
carpet style wallpaper, psychedelic lino,
housecoats, 8Sally O9Brien and the way she might
look at you,9 Fr. Sheehy in The Riordan9s and of
course, mother9s threats of unmerciful violence to
her disobedient son (me) who9s back she would
apparently, 8break.9 (Incidentally, I knew those
threats were really acts of love and I swear, my
current psychiatrist, wholeheartedly agrees with
me).
Of course I joke (ish) but regardless, mother did
also have a wonderful take on what life was all
about – something we should all hear this and
every Christmas. It revolved around money and
possessions. 8John9 she said (she was very fond of
me), 8the only people who say money doesn9t
matter, are those who have it - try and have enough
to keep your dignity in life if you can.9 That woman
never knew it, but she was Mayo9s answer to
Socrates.
Mind you, as could be often the case, she was right.
So here9s something to remember in and around
The Mater Hospital this merry season. If you have
food in your fridge, clothes on your body, a roof
over your head and a bed to sleep in, well guess
what? You are better off than 75% of the world.
That9s right Missus, 75% of the world. If you have a
little money (as mother advised you should) and
some freedom to move about? Well, then you are in
the top 18% of the world9s population.
If your body is healthy today then praise the Lord,
for there are more than 1.5m souls who will die
this week. If you can even just read and understand
this, you are more fortunate than one in seven of
the global population who are illiterate.
You see Christmas is the time of year that can be
equally as meaningless, as it can be meaningful.
Which one will we chose? Either one, or perhaps a
subtle combination? Do we really need a new 261
registered car (meaningless) or, could we leave that
to one side and instead give all that money to a
shelter for female victims of domestic abuse?
(meaningful). Or, perhaps settle for the ignominy
of a 191 registered plate and let that shelter have
the balance? Choices, choices, but which ones will
we make?
Here9s a thought. This Christmas, let us pause.
Breathe. Be thankful. Most of all, let us remind
ourselves that the bulk of us are so, so, lucky to
have more than enough. Remember it is we who
are already living someone else9s prayer. This
Christmas, it9s past time we answered those
prayers. If we do?
Well, one thing I can assuredly tell you. Mother,
would most certainly approve.
Publisher: Department of Mission
Effectiveness
Editor: John Deane-O'Keeffe
Assistant Editor: Lucia Maierean
Issue: Dec. 2025. Vol 1, Issue 4
Page 29
