Faith is a thing I don't talk about much. Today Fr. Gerry Byrne the one-time Chaplain at Blackrock Clinic died. He supported my mother when she was dying, and my family before we knew that was really happening.

Hospital Chaplains have a relentless job, they see people at their most vulnerable and desperate. Gerry wore that burden so lightly. Countless people knew the loving care he offered. I wrote to @DublinDiocese at the time to let them know what a talent they had in him.

After my mother died, he visited us, and cared for us better than I could have imagined. He gave the funeral mass and became a friend and confidant. He came to my maternal grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, again said mass and gave them an apostolic blessing.

I visited him, and saw a side to the priesthood I'd never considered. Working - so involved in peoples' lives, returning home alone. I won't give an opinion on celibacy - but it cannot be easy.

I visited him a little while ago, when he was really quite unwell - and I am so glad I did. Saying goodbye and knowing you won't meet again is awful. It hurts so very much that I won't be able to go to his funeral. I can't imagine the pain of those losing people during lockdown.

So onto the faith element. Mine was shaken by the way the Church in general and my school in particular historically dealt with safeguarding. Too many times attending pro forma masses, where the identity of the celebrant was neither known nor wished to be known.

But seeing what a priest can do, the reassurance, kindness, love, care and support they can give - it goes someway to rebuild that.

So, tonight I'll raise a glass to Fr. Gerry. A good man, not without his failties, but one who cared for my family with such love.