|
Martin Kenny is General Manager of Mrs. Quinn’s Charity Shops, a
fundraising organ
of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. |
I remember my
first appointment in 1980, working in inner city Belfast at the height of
the ‘troubles’, looking out my sitting room window at the street cleaner
doing his job. This was no ordinary street cleaner, but a man who took great
pride in his work and who was delighted to have his streets clean and tidy.
He brought home to me the importance of being happy and content with what
one does in life, and that it really does not matter what that is, just so
long as it brings peace, contentment and happiness.
.
Some twenty five years later I look back on a career that has most certainly
been varied, and has taken many turns and twists to arrive where I am at
today.
.
I completed my Leaving Cert. in St. Peter's in June 1974 and immediately
entered the Seminary in September of that year. This was my life’s dream, to
work for others, to help other people etc.
I was ordained in June 1980 and appointed to work in Belfast City Centre for
three years.
I totally enjoyed the work, immersing myself in the Parish life and the life
of the people.
It was a very happy three years, abruptly halted by the request to return to
Ferns Diocese
as Dean of Discipline in St. Peter's. Not the most fulfilling year by any
means, but a job I undertook just the same, teaching as well, another job I
did not enjoy. Freedom came in 1984 when I was appointed to work in Ballyduff, Ferns, where I was Curate for the next 10 years until transferred
to Wexford Town in 1995.
.
The 10 years in Ferns, were very happy and fulfilling years, but a certain
disquiet was beginning to take root and I was beginning to question my
future and the work I was doing.
.
Whilst working in Wexford Town, I became the Chairman of the Wexford Branch
of the National
Council for the Blind of Ireland. I began to immerse myself more and more in
their work and found
I was becoming more and more involved and associated with the blind and
visually impaired people.
I identified a new challenge to develop services to blind and visually
impaired people and also fundraise to support the services provided.
.
I decided to seek release from parish work during the week and with the
Bishops consent transferred to Ballymurn as weekend curate in 1997-98. The
eventual decision to leave the Priesthood was not too difficult for me, and
in 1998 I decided to work full-time for NCBI and leave the ministry.
.
Now in 2005, I find myself, married, working as General Manager of the NCBI
Charity Shops (62 shops in total), energised by what I am doing and
extremely happy. I am presently completing an MBA course with the University
of Liverpool, and will graduate early 2006.
.
It goes to show that we can never say what we will undertake in life or what
twists life can hold.
My only advice to young people is to do what you ‘really want to do’, ‘be
happy’, ‘education is no burden to carry’.
.
Just like the street cleaner I met in 1980 it is very important to ‘love’
what one does in life and to enjoy each day and live it to the fullest. I am
very grateful to St. Peter's for the education I received there, but even
more so for the friendships forged there, friendships that continue today,
and friendships to cherish and value.
|