Starting on Monday, I will be having a blogalogue with Pat Coyle, the Communications Manager for the Irish Jesuits.
I heard her laugh in a large lecture hall at University College Dublin on our second day there in 1976 (!) and immediately told myself that I had to get to know whomever was responsible for that infectious roar. Pat and I have been fast friends ever since.
Pat has been a professor of Philosophy, a journalist (with both the BBC and RTE – Ireland’s national broadcaster) and she continues to write and speak extensively. She is sports mad and has two grown children, Sadhbh (I kid you not – pronounced “Saive”) and Paul Og (Paul Jr.)
Pat and I have sent each other five questions and because, unlike Meredith, Pat doesn’t have her own blog, I’ll post our reflections on alternating days for the next two weeks.
I hope you’ll enjoy the dialogue half as much as I will.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Laughing is the echo of the soul I was told – don’t know by whom or when – but it sounded like a good saying. Maybe it’s true if it pulled you in eh?
Simon,
Pat and my sister Maura have different but totally infectious laughs. I love spending time with them. People here tell me that I also have a “distinctive” laugh.
Paul
Look forward to the exchange. Thanks for sharing!
To reassure Pat of your PFO friends, tell her all three of our daughters were Irish Dancing Champions – one went to the world championship in Toronto some years ago.
This way she’ll know she’s not just dealing with an Chicago residing, Citroen loving Irish Jesuit.
Bob
Bob,
Thank you for giving Pat such a warm welcome. I know that she appreciated it and is enjoying the blogging experience.
Paul
Thanks Paul, looking forward to the blogalogue. Have an invigorating weekend everyone…
Tim,
It was way too hot and muggy for me to have an invigorating weekend. I spent as much of it as I could wrapped around my window air conditioner!
Paul
I love the blogalogue! That’s how I “met” you, when you and Meredith had your conversation. I look forward to the exchange!
Fran,
I’m dying to know what you’re up to behind our backs. Guess we find out soon enough.
Paul
Can’t wait to see what will come of this! Our PFO is so wonderful. I look forward to it daily.
So welcome, Pat. Even tho I can only lay claim to 1/4 Irish, and Ulster Scot at that, everyone always ask where in Ireland my family’s from. I have that map right on my face. It’s the red hair and freckles!!
I think you’ll love us all. By the way I have the second loudest laugh in my office, so you’re in good company here.
m.
Marg,
I was talking with Pat this morning and she told me she loves the blogging experience, especially the comments from people like you. She thinks you are all deep (which probably indicates that she thinks I’m shallow…)
Paul
Looking forward to welcoming Pat to PFO!
Denise,
As you know, she brings a special and unique perspective to things!
Paul
With that kind of introduction, I can’t wait to “hear” Pat! Maybe the bright young things could put up a link to Pat speaking, so we can share the laughter?
Michelle,
As you’ve probably seen, your wish is our command. And it wasn’t even the BYTs who did. Old Fogey here did it myself.
Paul
Laughing = the joyful noise the psalmist was really singing about. Really looking forward to this!
Meredith,
Was speaking to Pat this morning and she asked me about you. When I started telling her about the wedding, I got one of those explosive laughs of hers!
Paul
I’m very much looking forward to it!
Claire,
I’m late getting to this, of course. I hope that you are enjoying it as it unfolds.
Paul
I’m with Michelle about the bright young things linking up with Pat. I, too, have an Irish background on my mother’s side – red hair and freckles – and an easily heard laugh. This exchange of ideas should be very interesting.
Lynda,
Interesting? Definitely. Amazing? Hopefully…
Paul
I am looking forward to the blogalogue.
Carol,
I hope it will live up to your expectations.
Paul
How exciting Padre Paul!! I missed your blog-alogue with Meredith, and I promise to be on my best behavior ;0]
But, no Wisdom Story this week????? Because you didn’t, I will
We were talking of seemingly insignificant happennings, but, this one is about “seeming significances”. It’s been circulating in my circle of friends and I think it is just too cute 
and American to the core: It’s titled, “The Arrogance of Authority”
There’s a ranch in the south of Texas, bordering the Rio Grande. One morning the old rancher is out completing his chores when with lights flashing and guns blazing, immigration officers swarm in. The officer in charge walks up to the old rancher and says, “We have a warrant to search your ranch.” The old rancher replies, “Wellllll, ok, but don’t go into that pasture over there.” The officer stares down the old rancher and in his most authoritative, intimidating voice responds, “Do you see this badge???? This badge gives me the right to go anywhere on your property that I desire,” and with that he walks off, climbs the fence, and enters the pasture that the old rancher had told him not to enter.
Within 2 minutes, screams for help were heard emanating from the direction that the officer had stomped off towards. All turned towards the cries for help to see said officer running across the pasture screaming for help. On his heels was a 1500 lb. angus bull, stomping and snorting! The old rancher leaned on the fence and hollerred, “Show him your badge!!! Show him your badge!!!” LOL!!! Have a good weekend all.
Emma,
Lovely as always to hear from you and I enjoyed the story.
Paul
I can hear her laugh through her picture!
Angela,
She is a hoot and a half. I know you’d love her.
Paul
YES!!! Hurry everyone!! Company!!! We’re having company, all the way from across the pond!!! Wash the windows, dust, mop the floor and vacuum!!! Paul, you bring the Guiness, I’ll bring tamales…….but, wait; CAKE!!! We have to have CAKE!!! Who’s going to bring the cake???? Oh, hurry everyone!!! We’re running out of time!!!
Emma,
Don’t worry. She’s practically family. Think of her as a cousin coming to visit from the Old Country.
Paul
We were taught that laugher is the best medicine; and I had always believed that God gave us laughter to laugh our sorrows away until I read Thomas Merton – laughter is not holiness.
Well, I did not stop laughing, not that I am not holy. I still laugh!!