“A celebration of light overcoming darkness” - Mayo priest sends Christmas message

As the year draws to a close, Westport priest Fr John Kenny reflects on the season, the parish community,
and the enduring message of Christmas

DR: From a Westport parish perspective, how would you describe the year 2025?
JK: One aspect that’s sad to say, for some reason this year, there has been a particularly large number of funerals. I’m very conscious that a lot of families will have empty spaces and places at their table. About a hundred people in the vicinity have died since last Christmas.
Thankfully, we’ve been spared bad weather. Hopefully, people will find it safe to travel home and be with family. I had a family wedding this weekend. My family lives in Spain and Scotland, so this was a pre-Christmas visit. Christmas is about family—our relatives and friends, but also the family we are with God’s Son. The greatest gift that God gave us was His Son to be part of our family, and that we could be part of His.

DR: You grew up near Knock, with a view on Croagh Patrick. Does that influence your sense of home?
JK: Yes, I grew up very close by to the airport at Knock. When I visit home, the planes fly over, and there’s always that sense of people arriving or departing. There’s a great sense of home in the area because of the airport, but also a connection with the wider world.
Even those who are far away make the effort to keep in touch. One of my family is still at home, so we have our link that way.

DR: The town looks festive, how has Westport embraced the Christmas season?
JK: There’s a great buzz. The Mall is all lit up, and the tree has moved up to Paddington near your office of the The Mayo News. The town has made a great effort, despite financial strain, to produce the decorations.
Our St Vincent de Paul have been very active. There’s been a generous response to those who find Christmas expensive. We’re conscious of the cost of living and also of people displaced from their homes, like those from Ukraine.

DR: The Ukrainian community held a Christmas production. What stood out to you?
JK: It was called The Heart of Christmas, held in the town hall. For me, that’s when Christmas started—seeing their celebration of music, dance, and culture. One Ukrainian sang an Irish carol in Irish. It was wonderful.
They finished with the Beatles song ‘War Is Over’. Sadly, it’s not over. But we sang about it and reflected. Christmas, at one level, is a celebration of light overcoming darkness.

DR: After so many years as a priest, do you feel the world is more troubled now, or has it always been this way?
JK: We’ve come through difficult times, even recently—Covid is five years ago now. Those Christmases were scary. We seem to replace one difficulty with another. The geopolitical situation at the moment is depressing. Hopefully, next year improves, but it’s hard to see right now.

DR: You support several charities. Do you think that charitable spirit remains strong in Ireland?
JK: We have a tradition of charity, maybe because of our history—famine, emigration, poverty. We know what it is to be exiled or hungry. It’s part of our psyche and our nature.
Sometimes people ask, “Why are we fundraising for care that should be state-run?” But you can’t just leave it to others. We have to do our bit. It’s what makes us Irish.
There were times when people lost trust because of scandals in charities, which puts people off. But they come back again. You can’t be put off doing good.

DR: In that spirit, what does the message of Christmas mean to you?
JK: Broadly speaking, Christmas is a celebration of light and darkness. Christ called Himself the Light of the World. If all of us could light a metaphorical little candle in our own lives, we’d counteract the darkness. Simple as that.

DR: What are your own favourite Christmas memories?
JK: Family, always. I grew up on a farm—farms don’t close down at Christmas—but we always connected with the story of the stable, the animals, the shepherds.
Just this week, a toddler at Mass sat by the crib feeding grass to “Mr Lamb, Mr Donkey, and Mr Bull.” She shared her lunch with them. In her own little way, she understood the Christmas story: Sharing, caring, and reaching out.

DR: Many feel under financial and material pressure during the holidays. What’s your view?
JK: That’s the aspect of Christmas I don’t like, the pressure people put on themselves. Black Friday becomes a black month. We don’t even know what a Christmas sale means anymore.
In our parish, Westport is an eco-congregation. We provide a big box at the church for unwanted gifts, which we redistribute. We encourage people to give time instead, meet someone for a coffee, offer presence instead of presents.

DR: What concerns do you have for the parish and local church?
JK: Attendance is strong, and visitors often comment on how engaged our parish is. But sometimes, I see the church packed for a carol service and wonder, where are these people the rest of the year? I remind them, jokingly, we’re open all year round, not just Christmas and Easter.
We’re setting up a new parish pastoral council, continuing the good work of the outgoing one. The parish fabric is in good shape—though Storm Eowyn left seven roofs needing repair at one point! Thankfully, there’s a great team here to help.

DR: And finally, what’s your Christmas message to the people of Mayo?
JK: Try to be the change you’d like to see in the world. Try to be the positive that cancels out the negative.
We’re thinking, too, of people who are away or in hospital or care homes, those who can’t celebrate Christmas as they used to. They’re not forgotten. Our parish radio and webcam keep that connection alive. It’s a silver lining of Covid.
And for those abroad, you can still join us for Mass online. The connection is strong. Christmas reminds us we’re all part of one family, wherever we are.

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