Church celebration in Youghalarra
Bishop attends community event
Image 1 of 6
Bishop Fintan Monahan with members of the Parish Pastoral Council that organised the 50th anniversary of the renovation of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Youghalarra. From left: Fr Tim O’Brien, Maeve Slattery, Jane Quinlan, John Joe Buckley, Bishop Fintan Monahan, Mary Armitage and Fr Rexon Chullikal. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 2 of 6
Bishop Fintan Monahan with members of the 1970 Youghalarra Church committee present at the 50th anniversary of the renovation of the church (from left): Sheila Hanly, John Joe Buckley, Nancy Armitage, Donie Nealon and Cyril Greally. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 3 of 6
Youghalarra NS Choir directed by their teacher Lisa O’Brien. Photos: Bridget Delaney BRIDGET DELANEYImage 4 of 6
Members of the Youghalara and Ballywilliam choirs directed by Niamh Chadwick (left), who performed at the Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the renovation of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Youghalarra. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 5 of 6
Members of Derg Youth Pastoral Council with Bishop Fintan Monahan, Fr Rexon and Youth Leader Siobhan Darby (left) at the Mass of Thanksgiving in Youghalarra Church. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 6 of 6
Paddy Ryan from Coolbawn was building contractor for the Youghalarra church renovation in 1970 and his son George worked on the project. George Ryan was present at the Thanksgiving Mass with his wife Mary and met Bishop Fintan Monahan. BRIDGET DELANEYBishop Fintan Monahan celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Youghalarra, last Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the renovation of the church in 1970. Fr Tim O’Brien, Fr Rexon Chullikal, Fr Pat Mulcahy, Fr Ger Jones and Fr Seamus Gardiner were concelebrants of the Mass. The choir of members from Youghalarra and Ballywilliam church choirs was directed by Niamh Chadwick and Youghalarra NS choir also took part.
Donie Nealon, who was a member of the 1970 Parish Council, welcomed all to the celebration and gave an outline of the great efforts made by parishioners to renovate the church. Members of the organising committee and family members of those who have passed away were invited and took part in the Mass.
Lough Derg Youth Pastoral group delivered the Prayers of the Faithful. Before the final blessing, Mary Armitage, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, thanked Bishop Fintan and the clergy, the choirs and musicians, the sacristans, Marion for her wonderful display for the altar, all who attended and those who worked so diligently to prepare for the event, especially Fr Tim and Fr Rexon. The event was scheduled to take place in October 2020 but was put on hold due to Covid-19.
Mary presented Bishop Fintan with copies of The Annals of Arra, wherein Volume II the story of the work done and the great efforts by the parish community was outlined.
Bishop Fintan in his homily referred to the fact that Youghalarra church is 190 years old this year, having been built in 1832, and is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its renovation in 1970.
He outlined the changes from pre-Vatican II of the old church to the post-Vatican II layout of the renovated church, the sanctuary of which is dedicated to Bishop Michael Fogarty, who hailed from Kilcolman in this parish. He gave thanks for the outstanding sacrifices, generosity, faith, courage and vision of all those who played a part in the renovations along with the clergy. Bishop Fintan also praised the laity, who exercise ministry and the teachers, religious, parents and school staff who shared, celebrated and taught the faith as well as the music ministers, readers, sacristans and maintenance people, who work in so many ways.
During the Mass the Benemerenti Medal was presented by Bishop Fintan to John Joe Buckley for service to the parish community for over 50 years.
The Celebratory Mass was followed by refreshments. The large congregation attending remained in the church chatting and reminiscing after the ceremony.