Two Jesuit encounters

Fr Martin Tierney wrote movingly of his battle with cancer in the Irish Catholic of 17 September: “50 years ago I won a medal in the Leinster swimming championships, only to have it thrown out a classroom window by an irate Jesuit who decided I wasn’t paying attention in class! His self-indulgent juvenile action hasn’t lessened my respect for the Jesuits… It was in hospital I appreciated the ministry of the wonderful Jesuit chaplain (this was Brendan Staunton) – was that God sending me an angel of light to compensate for his brother-Jesuit of fifty years ago? The gift of compassionate listening is sacramental.  You may not think you are doing much by just listening. In fact, it is one of the best ways to help.”