Holy Cross: A Personal Experience
Troy, a Passionist priest, had just been assigned to the Holy Cross parish in Dublin, Ireland, in 2001 when the "troubles" erupted again: Loyalist protestors hurled insults, urine-filled balloons and bricks at young Catholic girls making their way to school. One day, someone threw a bomb that injured some police officers; on another, Father Troy was cautioned that a sniper was lurking nearby. During the anxiety and fear of the three-month protest, Father Troy, the students and their parents bravely confronted the situation. Though the story is powerful, this is a dry description of it, replete with day-by-day accounts. The tale is at its best when Father Troy simply reports his experiences and those of other eyewitnesses. In the end, this is a moving story of community activism. (June 19)
