Fr Barry Matthews on his new love in County Louth
A RECENTLY ORDAINED DUNDALK PRIEST IS JUST A MONTH IN HIS NEW DROGHEDA PARISH BUT SAYS HE HAS A ‘GRÁ’ FOR THE PLACE ALREADY. HUBERT MURPHY CHATS WITH FR BARRY MATTHEWS
I’M STILL ON THE CREST OF A WAVE AND HOPE I CAN OFFER SOMETHING FOR PEOPLE
THE journey from the Point Road to the banks of the Boyne has proved an enlightening one for newly ordained priest, Fr Barry Matthews. A true blue Sean O’Mahony’s man, he has swapped colours - of sorts - settling into a new life in St Peter’s Parish in Drogheda over the last month.
It’s his first parish but despite being here such a short time, he admits he feels a gra for the place akready, having spent some time in the parish in the past.
And the GAA theme never seems to be far away as he revealed his first mass in Drogheda was on behalf of the O’Raghallaigh’s!
Based at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, he says he’s looking forward to getting out and about and meeting the people.
‘I was ordained three months ago so I come with ideas and a fresh outlook, with hopes and expectations. I’m still on the crest of a wave and I hope I can offer something for people,’ he says.
The area he will serve is big but remarks that ‘Monsignor Carroll is a great leader and he’s a great support. You do your best and try to reach out to people and hope they respond.’
Last week, he was in Monasterboice to help where he could following the tragic and sudden death of Naomh Mairtin and former Louth star Brendan Reilly.
He admits he saw what community is at first hand and it stirred his soul.
‘ The death of Brendan Reilly was terrible but again the community pulled together and that sense of community is so important. It is something I hope to develop in this parish.’
He knows the challenges that households have these days and the need for something in sometimes stressed minds, souls and lives.
‘ The Church needs to shine its brighness when people can’t see the light of day. I edited a book on the cross of addiction recently and there are so many social issues out there. People might not know where to turn and it helps if they know there’s an open door here.
‘When people are in difficulty, they know they’ll find a welcome and support but we have to reach out the other way too. We have come through a lot in the last 10 years and society has changed and it has brought people together,’ he feels.
And when a death occurs, people still turn firstly to faith.
‘It is a great privilege that when people are in their darkest hours, they welcome you to their house to journey with them. It is a humbling experience and you just try and do your best.
‘One of the toughest things is sometimes you don’t know what to sa, yet people don’t want all the answers. You give them time, compassion and warmth and let them know you are there for them.’
He says it was the inspiration of meeting great priests in his home parish that saw him take the path into priesthood, having qualified as an accountant.
‘I had a sense of vocation from an early age and got my inspiration from older priests in my area. No matter the job you are in, you can find a person to look up to and be inspired by.’
‘As a Louthman, I grew up with a great devotion to St Oliver and the Lourdes Church is a really special place with the mural at the altar. I have a great gra for the place already.’
As he sets out on his daily journey, he greets people with a smile and hopes he can make a real difference.
‘You know, when the chips are down, prayer lifts you and that’s still important...’