In life or death, we belong to the Lord
Rom 14:8
Opening School Year Mass for St. Colman's College, Fermoy
In memory of Shane O'Brien (17) R.I.P., Clondulane
3 September 2026
My friends,
“Let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day” is a line from the poem ‘On Raglan Road’ by Patrick Kavanagh, as a sigh of sadness as he surrendered the loss of his loved one. It captures poignantly the rhythm of loss and sadness in life as we experience the ebbing of life from all that we once knew as fresh, green and vibrant in life and colour loses its hue and texture to become a shrunken leaf, tossed and torn on the road of life.
My friends, on the one hand our lives are so rich, full and promising and it is exhilarating and wonderful. And yet we know that in the blink of an eye it can taken from us and from our families. The grief and pain of loss is immeasurable and is unique to the one who is grieving the loss of a loved one. This is the difficult journey that Shane O’Brien’s family and friends have had to make since his tragic death during the summer, while out relishing life doing what he loved best, being on his bike.
Nothing can prepare a family for such a loss. People understand this reality and pain and reach out to those grieving with their presence and prayer. Our gathering for Holy Mass today is your own ongoing expression of compassion and support for his family, which they appreciate deeply – because so often words are not enough.
“The life and death of each of us has its influence on others… in life and death we belong to the Lord.” Rom 14:7,8. 1st Reading.
Shane’s life – though short in our eyes was extraordinarily rich and full. He lived with a passion for life’s opportunities. He was ambitious for the ‘higher gifts’ because he was a young man of faith. He appreciated the gifts given him, he understood, believed and prayed with his family and parish community in this sacred place in which we gather.
Shane may not have been a preacher in a conventional sense, but he was a wonderful witness and teacher for all of us by his approach to life. It is important for you as friends and fellow students to appreciate the valuable lessons that his too short life can teach us as we begin a new year of study and opportunity in life.
Shane teaches us that faith and belief in the inner spiritual life is not just possible as we follow our goals and dreams but essential if we are to do so in a wholesome and balanced way. Shane by his deep and myriad friendships teaches us the blessing and need we all have for the respect and care for one another. Us men, are not great at reaching out to one another in our need – Shane would ask – why not?
Every new generation of young people manage the newness of things in their own way, and you do too. Still, it is common to hear that so many are experiencing an emptiness beneath at the noise, demands and ambitions, leaving many with a sense of loss and searching for something of substance. That’s been the way it has been across the ages. Jesus knew that and understood the aimlessness ‘of sheep without a shepherd’. And so, we read in Matthew 5:1. He sat down and began to teach,
How happy are the poor in spirit
There is the Kingdom of heaven
Happy the gentle they shall be
They shall have the earth for their heritage
Happy those who mourn
They shall be comforted
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right
They shall be satisfied
Happy the merciful
They shall have mercy shown them
Happy the pure in heart
They shall see God
Happy the peacemakers
They shall be called sons of God
Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right
Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
As you set out on a new school year – thank God for the opportunities it gives you to achieve your goals but while doing so be ambitious also for the higher gifts of humility, gentleness, respect and a sense of justice. Don’t be ashamed to put your trust in God in humble prayer. It takes humility and courage to do so.
So, we ask God’s blessing on our shared journey ahead – students, teachers and support staff and Shane’s family. Let Shane’s witness of life continue to inspire and animate our ambitions.
“In life and in death, we belong to the Lord.”
Amen
