by Fr Seán Noone
John B Keane once said “there is a book in everyman”. Everyone has a story to tell and because each person is unique, the uniqueness of our being makes each one’s story special. The encouragement to tell Father Noone’s story began a few years ago, when a person said to him “You’ve lived an unusual, exciting and varied life. You have seen many changes in your lifetime. You should write a book about them; it will be the story of your life. It is the author’s view of the period, as he saw and lived it. And because it is a time of endearment to him, a time when communities were strong, united, and supportive of each other, when blood relations were acknowledged and valued, when there was little by way of material wealth, but no deficiency in community wealth, he feels impelled to leave a document for the benefit of later generations
In addition, it is also the author’s wish to document his own life, from its humble beginnings, through many occupations and academic examinations, during which he ‘burned the midnight oil’, to the longed-for day when he was sent out to ‘preach the Gospels to all nations’. It is his fervent wish that his road to the religious life and the priesthood might inspire others, whom the Good Lord calls, to make a generous response.
He has endeavoured to show that the life of a priest can be a happy, adventurous and exciting one. He has enjoyed it tremendously and, should he live his life over again, he would be privileged to do the same.
“Through the pages of this easily read book, the reader’s mind flows in and out of places, faces and events, which are truly fascinating.” John Fleming, Bishop of Killala