Fr John’s book on ‘the spirit of hope’ launched in Athlone

By Adrian Cusack

Fr John O'Brien's "special calling as a spiritual writer" was celebrated at the launch of his latest book in Athlone recently.

A native of Galway who is currently based in Multyfarnham, Fr John spent many years ministering in Athlone's Franciscan Friary.

The personal connections he made during his time by the River Shannon were in evidence at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Sunday, March 23, as more than 30 people turned out for the launch of 'Winter Past: The Spirit of Hope'.

The book was described by Fr John as his reflection on how "God lives in each person, so each person is sacred."

The launch heard from two guest speakers, Mary Frances Cox, a long-time friend of Fr John's and a former teacher and deputy principal, and Justin Harkin, pastoral coordinator of the Diocese of Elphin.

Attendees were told that 'Winter Past' was Fr John's 18th book. However, as Mary Frances Cox explained, his prolific output as a writer is perhaps not surprising given his family's connections to the written word.

"Fr John was born in the world of books," she said. "His family - his uncle and aunt - owned the famous Kenny's bookshop in Galway.

"His aunt Peggy was married to Walter Macken, or as John calls him Uncle Wally, another author. And Fr John's grandfather was the editor of The Connacht Tribune."

She went on to speak about reading 'Winter Past' on a flight between Malaga and Dublin, drawing connections between the stages of that travel journey and broader themes covered in the book.

"John has woven threads of study, life, books and popular culture into this slim but very deep volume," she said.

Justin Harkin said that, while reading the book, he was "struck by the depths of (Fr John's) perceptive insights," and by the ways in which the author showed that "we each have a unique dignity in the eyes of God".

The launch concluded with Fr John addressing the gathering, and he began by talking about two occasions when he came close to death as a result of illness.

He said that, since his journey in life had involved "a battle with hope", he wondered how he would be able to write about that theme.

"The answer I got was, 'you have to'. So I kept wrestling with hope," he said. "As St Francis said, 'Even the deepest darkness is dispersed by the tiniest light.'"

Fr John said 'Winter Past' was the first instalment of a series, with two more books planned.

'Winter Past' by John O'Brien, ofm, can be ordered online, on amazon.ie, priced €15.