REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT THE ST. TERESA’S HOME, OBERÁ, ARGENTINA
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT THE ST. TERESA’S HOME, OBERÁ, ARGENTINA, SATURDAY, 20 MARCH, 2004
Go raibh maith agat as ucht an fáilte croíúil sin chuig an áit álainn seo.
Mr. Pablo Tschirsch, Deputy Governor of the Province of Misiones, Monsignor Rubén Martinez, Bishop of Posadas, Mr. Ewaldo Rinfleisch, Mayor of Oberá, Reverend Fathers, representatives of the churches and of voluntary organizations in Oberá; Management, Staff and Residents of St. Teresa’s Home:
I bring to each of you warmest greetings from Ireland. I am delighted to be here in the Province of Misiones, in this beautiful place which is your home.
As I travelled here today by air and by road, I was struck by the natural beauty of this province. The gifts of God are in abundance here - fertile land, forests, magnificent rivers but of course its greatest wealth is to be found in its people. St. Teresa’s Home is a wonderful showcase of the spirit of the people and it has packed a lot of achievements into its ten years. It is a fine example of co-operation between the local residents, the professionals, the assistants and the public authorities to offer a better life to their fellow-citizens who are in need of special care.
I am very proud that Ireland is involved to a significant extent in this important project. The Irish Government has contributed financially and various individuals and groups in Ireland have donated goods and services and have helped with the running costs of the Home. In Ireland too, our people are our best and biggest natural resource but I think you already know that because you have the inspirational leadership of Father Liam (Hayes), who is here with us today. He may be the only Irishman - and the only Limerick man - in this whole province, but I think he has made a big impression here. His invitation to me to visit you today certainly made a big impression on me when it arrived on my desk. I simply had to accept it and see for myself the remarkable work being done here day in and day out. I am delighted too, that through the work of the Irish volunteers whom Fr Liam recruits to help out here, the links of friendship between Ireland and Oberá are further strengthened.
Ireland remembers what it is to be poor. We are today a very wealthy and successful economy but we have a third world memory from the days when we were poor and hungry and our people had to emigrate to find hope. That memory has always given us hearts of care and compassion for those who suffer in the world from lack of opportunity. It has compelled many of our people to share the journey with those who are suffering and in Ireland we have a saying that “two shortens the road”.
Argentina has gone through a very difficult time in the last few years and there has been great suffering. Please God, this country is now on the road to becoming once again the jewel of South America - a place of hope and opportunity for its people.
I congratulate all those who take part in the work here and who are shortening the road to a better life for each other. I wish them every success and fulfilment in this great work of care for one another.
Tá áthas an domhain orm bheith libh anseo inniu. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an fáilte fíor chaoin a thug sibh dom agus do mo fhear chéile, Máirtín.