Game Day Weekend Recap:
Friday we worked a 15 hour day. We had tours at the church. I read at daily mass and walked immediately out of the church so that Dominique, Becca, and I could get to the Dublin Castle for choir rehearsal. Rehearsal was interesting… The organ was missing (a bad accident on the M50), and it was lashing rain intermittently. Thankfully our harpist saved the day by accompanying us. After rehearsal we bolted back to the church to set up for Taizé. Taizé went smoothly and made me so grateful for all of the help we have at the church. So many regulars stepped up to help read, set up, light candles, etc. We chatted after Taizé with guests and quickly inhaled pizza before heading to Madigans for the gig we were hosting. Despite the exhaustion, I had so much fun listening to Irish trad music. Hearing both of our cantors sing that night was so special and a memory I will never forget. Saturday morning was rough with only six hours of sleep and a full day of work the day before, but singing at the Dublin Castle was worth it. The music was amazing, as was the mass. After the mass I got
to celebrate the engagement of my friends Maggie and Conal before we made our way to Aviva for the game. We had incredible seats just behind the endzone, perfect for watching endless Irish touchdowns. With the score being a washout (Go Irish), all of us tapped out after the third quarter because we couldn’t keep our eyes open. We went home, went to bed by about 11:30-midnight, and were at the church by 7:30 again the next day. Sunday I have never felt such pure exhaustion. We had four masses, with tea and biscuits to follow. The entire day felt like a fever dream. I genuinely don’t know how we physically made it through that day. Dominique fell asleep on the floor of her office, and I fell asleep lying down in St Stephens Green during our two-hour break. We pushed through for the final mass. After mass, I went to the Domers celebration at the Teelings Whiskey Distillery since it was my friend’s last night in Dublin. I had such a fun night with her and our friends. A celebratory whiskey was absolutely necessary after completing the weekend.
The Notre Dame Game Day weekend was probably one of the highlights of my entire life. I’m so grateful that I got to be a part of making this experience happen. I spoke with so many alumni and visitors about the work of House of Brigid. Encouragement and pride exuded from all that I spoke with. I was sad to not have my community here with me, if not merely for the extra hands, but I was very proud of how Fr Gary, Dominique, Katherine, Becca, and I made that weekend a success.
Singing “Notre Dame, Our Mother,” Notre Dame’s alma mater, alongside Vocare at the Dublin Castle was an incredibly special moment. I have so many memories of singing that alma mater, arm in arm with my parents and siblings. During rehearsal, Fr Gary explained the meaning behind the alma mater. Does “Our Mother” address the university or the Blessed Virgin Mary? The answer is both.
Over the month, I had many experiences that made me appreciate Mary’s motherly and calming nature. I visited Becca in Wexford and was lucky enough to go with the Clonard Parish to Our Lady’s Island the night before the feast of Mary’s birthday. The weather was stunning. We walked around the island doing a rosary with the most beautiful sunset in the background, a true blessing during the Season of Creation.
During daily mass when my brain feels too chaotic to focus, I’ll sometimes just stare up at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. She always centers and calms me enough to reenter mass to be mentally present. We were having a Domer Dip party with the staff at NDNC and O’Connell House on Tuesday where Katherine and I were chaotically cooking up several dips each in the kitchen before mass. We got to mass with a minute to spare, but the entire time I was thinking about all the things I needed to set up afterward. For the communion song, Dominique played “As I Kneel Before You.” I stared up at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom and was fully present for the several minutes of communion. Once again feeling Notre Dame, Our Mother’s calming presence.
