Flame Of Hope 27th January, 2002

Niall Quinn, the Sunderland player who holds the goal scoring record for the Republic of Ireland soccer team, made an astonishing announcement this week. He stated that all the proceeds from his forthcoming testimonial match between Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland would be donated to charities. This match will be played on May 14th at the Stadium of Light prior to Ireland’s departure for the World Cup in Japan and Korea.

The financial windfall, which is expected to be €I.3 million, will be divided evenly between Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin and a children’s charity in Sunderland. In an interview for his local paper, Niall explained that the reason he was giving it all to charity was because he recognizes that he has lived a privileged life as a professional footballer and wants to make restitution for misuse of that privilege. “ I have abused the privileged life I have had and if this match is anything, it is me paying my debt.”

Niall also intends to reward the players who feature in the game in a unique way. They will not receive any gift as such but each will be given an envelope containing a letter from a child in the underdeveloped world whose education will be sponsored by the player. “Some players get Rolex watches when they play in testimonial games” said Quinn. “Our plan is to do something different. When the players walk away from the stadium, they will know that I have given them something more valuable than an another piece of crystal.” This act of generosity comes at a time when some of the news from our professional sports people has been anything but good.

Niall’s decision, which is the first time a player has donated to charity one hundred percent of the money from a testimonial, demonstrates all that is good in people. His gesture is a flame of hope in a world that is sometimes dark. Others too carry that flame.

Last weekend I went to  London to visit Fr Brian Doyle, CM (former PP of St. Peter's, Phibsboro) who has suffered a  severe stroke. My first impression was one of shock and sadness as I saw the damage the stroke has inflicted. As I looked around the hospital I saw other stroke victims in various stages of recovery. They had been helped in no small way by the generosity, courage and bravery of their family, friends and staff. They have been encouraged to make the difficult journey on the road to recovery. These special people carry a flame of hope to the patients who live in a land of deep shadow.

”On those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone”, are the words that greet us as we gather to celebrate Mass this Sunday morning. They come from the lips of the prophet Isaiah as he speaks a word of comfort to the people of Israel. He carries a flame of hope to a people in despair; he brings encouragement to those crushed by the trials of life; he announces the promise of a God who cares.

Jesus is the fulfilment of that promise, for he is the light of the world. He is the flame of hope that draws us all to himself. As his disciples we carry that flame of hope to our sisters and brothers who are living in a land of deep shadow.

Fr. Sean Farrell, CM.

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