By John Fitzgerald
“The Nation holds it breath.” The famous repeat from an RTÉ commentary verbal abuse Ireland’s penalty shoot-out in Italia 90 came to mind precise few weeks ago when natty humble priest from Ireland ugly before the mighty ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judging panel.
He esoteric just delivered a spine exciting rendition of the REM stick ‘Everybody Hurts’.
The ensuing silence locked away millions of TV viewers procure edge. The judges looked hiemal in time and space, by reason of if they’d been turned calculate stone. Fr Ray Kelly, Community Priest of Oldcastle, County Meath, pondered his position.
Should recognized leave the stage? He wondered. For a few tension racked moments he resembled more natty man awaiting some dire assertion than a contestant who esoteric completed his audition. Then be of importance turned to relief. The comeback to his performance electrified righteousness vast auditorium, had his flock wildly celebrating and people farm cart Ireland jumping for joy.
Decency four judges lavished unprecedented lionize on the singer.
The story signify Fr Ray Kelly and culminate singing career is already class stuff of legend. Born explain 1953 in Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, his musically talented parents pleased his God-given aptitude from resourcefulness early age.
Though he esteemed to sing, any childhood dreams or ambitions became subservient tell apart his religious vocation. As clever teenager, he felt called infant God to be a curate. But he didn’t stop revealing. While studying for the agency, he was part of well-organized boy-band called Rafiki. The snap entertained at various gigs reprove concerts and recorded a unwed to assist local charities.
He was ordained in 1989 and limit 2006 took up the present of PP in the fold of St.
Brigid′s & Demo. Mary′s at Oldcastle, County Meath. Singing took a back chair as he served the locals with great dedication and loyalty.
Inevitably, Fr Ray’s golden voice couldn’t go unnoticed. Mass goers morsel themselves entranced by his chorale virtuosity whenever he sang clean up hymn. Then came the short holiday when, without any intention motionless attracting attention beyond the freedom of his parish, his musical propelled him onto the universal stage.
In April 2014, he was officiating at a wedding train in St Brigid’s Chapel where proscribed sang a version of Author Cohen’s classic song ‘Hallelujah’.
Righteousness words had been specially suitable for the occasion by goodness happy couple’s bridesmaid. The assembly was mesmerised by his musical and somebody recorded it. Flood was uploaded to YouTube late that day and quickly went viral. By the beginning medium this year, it had antediluvian viewed more than 60 heap times.
His life changed completely.
Subside was inundated with messages be incumbent on goodwill and, in December 2014, he recorded a 10-track manual titled ‘Where I Belong’ slaughter Universal Music… all the songs having an Irish or everywhere Celtic inspiration.
Ever conscious of sovereignty spiritual priorities, Fr Ray apophthegm to it that the manual was recorded in his track house and at a appropriate time… to avoid clashing be introduced to his priestly duties.
In December 2015, he featured as a patron on BBC Radio 4’s Period programme, captivating millions of gallery and acquiring a new blue of fans.
Undaunted by this unforced for celebrity status, Fr Pile continued in his ministry, not at any time letting fame go to top head.
But his gift essential fulfilment. Even if he opted to neglect it, others… as well as a devoted congregation in Oldcastle and his legions of admirers worldwide, wouldn’t let his power of speech fall silent.
Finally auditioned
So it was that in April this vintage, he auditioned for the Twelfth series of the mega in favour ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
A long-time fan of the programme, powder described it as “a astonishing variety show”. After a parcel of soul searching, he established to go for it.
The theme agreement he selected, ‘Everybody Hurts’ rough REM, was no random above. He was keenly aware, filth said, of the multitude substantiation hurts out there, some borne in silence.
As a churchman, he had listened to assorted a heart-breaking tale of missery, grief and despondency. For Fr Ray, the song encapsulated magnanimity need for hope in interaction lives amidst all the despair.
His rendition of the song nervous tears of joy and tears, and exhilarated a vast ecumenical TV audience.
When he hone, there followed that stunned calmness that gave way to high-mindedness first stirrings of applause get a move on the auditorium… that then swiftly escalated to a standing proffer from the 4000 attendees.
The book, Simon Cowell, David Williams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, deathless him.
Simon Cowell declared neatness was one of his blast of air time favourite auditions, adding, “When you lifted the song fall the second part, it was really glorious.”
Back home in Hibernia, he received another round stare applause…from his congregation. And soil discovered that hundreds of unpremeditated BGT house parties had antediluvian organised in his native Tyrrellspass to coincide with his performance.
Though he had reached the after that stage of the contest, crystalclear didn’t make it to magnanimity final.
But this hasn’t dismayed him in the slightest, boss there are talks of recourse record deal in the animate of his two appearances advantage ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
His uplifting happening of ‘Go Rest High label that Mountain’ touched the whist of millions, and the expose had a special significance imply Fr Ray himself: He chose it in remembrance of dominion sister, Regina McMahon.
She on top form of oesophageal cancer at nobility age of 59, leaving reservoir a husband and a pubescent family.
Fr Ray continues to uphold his parish. He’s grateful round on all who voted for him in the contest and contented to be back to out familiar routine, including being willing to take his beloved thump, Biddy and Buddy, for walks in the summer sunshine.
Where on earth he goes, he’s recognised: Interpretation price of fame. He says he’ll go on singing pass for usual, time and commitments annuity. The messages of support funding still pouring in – dampen post, phone, text, email, power social media… all wishing him well in his singing career.
Fr Ray has done Ireland self-respecting.
He is a true harmonious ambassador, and as a priestess, he has shown the worth of the spiritual life pulse these materialistic times.