Sir, - Brian Kerr, the wonderful manager who steered Ireland's under-18 soccer team to become European champions in their victory against Germany, was interviewed immediately after the match for the benefit of TV viewers internationally. The first question to him was: `What's the secret of your success?' To which Brian replied: "The prayers and rosaries of the mothers [of Ireland]."
May we invite Brian and as many of the players as are available to show their gratitude with us and the people of Ireland for this extraordinary success by participating in the National Marian Procession on Saturday, August 15th, commencing at 2 p.m. from the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1. The sincere prayers of those participating will be for the Peace of Christ in Ireland (especially Northern Ireland) and the "Dead of 1798", and we will now include spiritual thanksgiving for Our Lady's intercession with Her Divine Son for this most gratifying success of Ireland's future world champions!
Incidentally, for the benefit of non-Roman Catholic Christians who might wish to take part, the Divine Mercy Chaplet - centred solely on Christ - will complement the rosary prayer. May this prayerful occasion afford those who felt that the Church of Ireland was unfairly demonised over the Drumcree stand-off an opportunity to pray that all churches may co-operate in spiritual union to restore the law of God to our country as a means of restoring the Peace of Christ. "Ni neart go cur le cheile." - Yours, etc., T.C.G. O'Mahony, Director, Christian Community Centre,
Serpentine Avenue, Dublin 4.