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Dear Friends, I recently returned from the land of my ancestors, Ireland. My mother’s maiden name is Kelly. Until this trip, I wasn’t quite sure of the Duffey connection. I have been able to trace my Kelly history about three generations to the area around Roscommon and a little town of Moate in central Ireland. My wife and I were on a Celtic Pilgrimage. This pilgrimage was to visit the sites of some of the famous saints of Ireland. We visited the wells (sacred places) of St. Patrick at Trinity College in Dublin, St. Kevin in Glendlough, St. Brigid in Kildare, St. Canice in Kilkenny, St. Declan in Ardmore, the monastery of St. Finbar in Gougane Barra, St. Brendan on the Ring of Kerry, St. Ita and the Glenstal Abbey between Limerick and Galway City, St. Enda on the Aran Islands, Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, and the monastic site of St. Kieran in Clonmacnoise. At each site we were told the historic story or myth of the particular person. After which the Storyteller would always end with the Irish saying, loosely translated, "You may believe it if you wish". Our guide at St. Brigid’s surprised me when she asked if there were any "Duffy’s" present? When I raised my hand, she said that I may be related to St. Brigid. St. Brigid’s father’s name was Duffy, naturally spelled differently. So I might be able to trace my ancestry back to St. Brigid in the 3rd century. You may believe it if you wish. I hope for each of you that you have had the opportunity this summer to share your family stories, your faith stories. Hopefully you can pass on how God is present and has been present in your families life experiences. Deacon Duffey |
