News from 2000

His Grace Archbishop Desmond Connell was the chief celebrant at a Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean McDermott Street, Dublin, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the death of Matt Talbot on June 7th 2001. The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, was also in attendance. There was only standing room in the church at the start of the Mass. Several countries and indeed continents were represented, with seven Lakota Sioux Indians present, and other representatives from America and Australia. The Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Committee wishes to thank all who contributed in any way to making the occasion a most memorable one.

• Congratulations to Msgr. Liam Bergin, Rector of the Irish College, Rome. appointed Postulator for the cause of the Venerable Matt Talbot.

• Father Morgan Costelloe has completed 25 years as Vice-Postulator
  and has been succeeded by Father John Flaherty Adm., St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral. Dublin.

• A statue of Matt Talbot was unveiled in the grounds of Loyola Retreat House, Morristown, New Jersey where the Matt Talbot Retreat Movement was founded in 1944.

• There is a Matt Talbot hostel for homeless men in Sydney Australia. The hostel has a committee to promote the cause of Matt. The hostel is sponsored by a businessman. It has an annual race day to raise funds and has 350 volunteers. The hostel is a huge success and on one day fed 600 men at lunch

The homily in most Dublin churches on 4th June 2000 was centred around the life of Matt Talbot. That Sunday was set aside as one on which all priests in the diocese of Dublin should preach about Matt, as it was the Sunday closest to the anniversary of his death.

A gift of a brush which was used to brush the bones of Matt Talbot's body when it was exhumed, was donated to the Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Committee by a Mrs. Renwick, whose father used to work in Glasnevin Cemetery. The Committee wishes to express its thanks.

Fr. Morgan Costelloe's book "The Mystery of Matt Talbot"  published by Irish Messenger Publications is available in Catholic bookshops and from the Pioneer Office, 27 Upper Sherrard Street, Dublin 1.

Mrs. Ann Slevin, of Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, as recently written a play on Matt Talbot's life. The Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Committee was delighted to receive it.