Parish News of 2009

December 2009

The Peace Light of Bethlehem, a flame lit at the grotto in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on December 5th arrived at the Cathedral in Monaghan on Saturday 19th December, fresh off the Stena Line from Hollyhead. The flame from Bethlehem was carried first by two scouts, one Israeli and the other Palestinian before setting off on its journey northwards through Europe. The flame is intended to challenge people to overcome the darkness caused by hate, egoism, materialism and spread happiness and hope into the hearts of all those who come in contact with it. In the photo below Fr. John Chester accompanied by Kevin Mc Quillan of Belgium Park receive the flame from Gerard Glynn, Chairperson of Scouting Ireland, on the extreme left of the photo. To the right of the photo are two scouts from Derry moments before they set off.

Cathedral Carol Service

The Cathedral Carol Service took place in the Cathedral on Sunday 13th December. This year the choir which consisted of the Senior Choir, the Junior Choir and members of other parish choirs took their place in front of the altar. The emphasis on the night was on congregational singing and all who attended had ample opportunity to participate in the singing. the carols were linked together by scripture, reflection, poetry and intercessions. Bishop Jackson was one again the guest of the evening. The Carol Service was followed by refreshments in the Scout Hall. Congratulations to all who made the evening so successful.

In Rehearsal before the Carol Service

Andrea Mulhern, Cathedral Organist in rehearsal for the Carol Service.

November 2009

A Service of Remembrance to honour parishioners who died between November 2008 and 2009 took place in St. Joseph's Church, Monaghan on Sunday 22nd November at 4p.m. Families of the deceased gathered in prayer, sadness and hope. The ceremony was lead by Fr. Owen Joe and Fr. Paddy gave a short homily. The centre piece of the ceremony was the lighting of individual candles as the name of each person was called.

Heavy Rains Bring Flooding to Monaghan

Very few locations across Ireland escaped the affects of the torrential rains during the recent days. Monaghan's flood prone black spots were also hit by flood waters, the traffic lights and the area of the Monaghan Shopping Centre. One unlucky car owner had to leave the car to the wrath of the rising waters on Wednesday afternoon 18th November. The River Blackwater burst its banks spreading over much of the floodplain at Blackwatervale and some graves at the Ballyalbany Presbyterian Church were submerged. As bad as things were Monaghan escaped the kind of flooding in towns and settlements in the south west, Cork, Galway, Clonmel and Ballinasloe where damage was inflicted upon homes and livelihoods.

September

The Launch of the Pope John Paul II Awards, 24/09/09

The John Paul II Awards Project was launched at a ceremony in the Iontas Centre Theatre in Castleblayney on Thursday 24th September. The project, already initiated in the Derry Diocese, awards young adults aged 16 years or over with a bronze, silver and gold awards, depending on the time given and the award chosen. It encourages young people to become involved in their local parish at the level of faith and participation. The ceremony in the Iontas Centre, chaired by diocesan Youth Director Mr. Matthew Mc Fadden of Clogher don Óige, was attended by a large gathering of priests of the diocese, students of the second level schools of the diocese, their school principals and their teachers, Knights of Columbanus, and youth leaders. Peter Quinn, former President of the GAA, Fr. Paul Farren of the Derry Diocese who was involved in the initiation of the awards in his own diocese of Derry and Bishop Joseph Duffy were guest speakers.

It is hoped a number of parishioners at fourth year to sixth year at second level will participate in the John Paul II Awards. Fr. Paul Farren said that the youth are not the future of the Church but the present. Bishop Duffy spoke about the importance of belonging and believing and how this project enhances both. The photos below show Bishop Duffy, Fr. Paul Farran and the students of the various schools of the parish present at the awards launch. Best wishes to those who take up the challenge.

For further details of the Pope John Paul II Awards see:

www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com

www.clogherdonoige.ie

www.clogherdiocese.ie

Pilgrimage to Lough Derg: 51 pilgrims from the parish and the surrounding area made the journey to Lough Derg for the one day pilgrimage. The weather that had changed over night was beautiful and sunny and ensured pilgrims had something to celebrate. On arrival at 10am pilgrims received tea/coffee. The day, lead by Monsignor Richard Mohan and Fr. John Flanagan of the parish of Magherarney consisted of Rosary, Way of the Cross, Intercessions, Healing of Memory, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Penance and the celebration of Mass. Pilgrims returned by boat to the mainland at 4pm. Pilgrims were back in Monaghan at 6.15pm.

Embarking for the Mainland

Cemetery Sunday - 6th September: Thousands of parishioners braved the torrential down pours for the annual Cemetery Sunday celebrations. The weather was in keeping with the past two months. At the ceremony Bishop Joseph Duffy blessed the newly rected St. Joseph's Shrine at the top of St. Joseph's Cemetery. The ceremony on Cemetery Sunday consisted of blessing, Liturgy of the Word, Rosary and Intercessions. Over the past few weeks necessary maintenance was carried out in the cemetery, drainage and new paths. The wall of the Calvary Cemetery was washed and capped.

See Funeral Arrangements page on the welcome page for photos of the cemeteries and the shrine to St. Joseph.

July

Fr. Owen Joe Mc Eneaney celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to priesthood in the parish on Saturday 4th July. Fr. Owen Joe was ordained on Sunday 1st July 1984 with Monsignor Joseph Mc Guinness, Parish Priest of Enniskillen. Fr. Owen Joe's first appointment was to the parish of Tullycorbet where he worked for six years. In 1990 he was appointed to the parish of Monaghan & Rackwallace where he has worked for the last nineteen years. In 2000 Fr. Owen Joe was appointed parish administrator. Bishop Duffy,  who presided at the Jubilee Mass, welcomed and congratulated Fr. Owen Joe for his loyalty and commitment to the parish and he welcomed his mother Lil, sister Rosaleen, his niece, nephew and brother in law. Packie Mc Adam and Bríd Donnelly congratulated Fr. Owen Joe on behalf of the people of the parish. The Brass Band played outside as the Cathedral as people offered their best wishes to Fr. Owen Joe and there followed a reception, speeches and the cutting of the cake in the Scout Hall.

June 2009

Successful in the Introduction to Organ Music

Ruth O Neill, Rosie Mc Carthy, Agnés Callaghan, Evanne Mc Kenna, Edel Sherry and Mollie Mc Keever and Peader O' Lamhna (absent) successfully completed an introductory course in organ music under the tutorship of Deirdre Macklin (extreme left). If you would like to learn to play the organ and have Grade 4 in piano contact the Parish Office or Deirdre Macklin at 89981. The course is by the Advisory Committee on Church Music and the National Centre for Liturgy at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

May

Annual Pentecost Sunday Clogher Ecumenical Service

The 7th annual ecumenical service took place under blue skies and in warm sunshine at Errigal Old Graveyard. The service which was attended by up to a hundred people of different denominations was lead by Bishop Duffy. Bishop Jackson, Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, also gave a thought provoking homily on the Scripture chosen for the ceremony and Bishop Noel Treanor of Down & Conner shared in the prayers. At the service Bishop Duffy spoke on the life of St. Mellon, Errigal Truagh's local saint. Two students spoke about how the scriptures impacted on their own lives and the lives of young people. Hymns were also sung lead by a young choir. Afterwards Bishop Duffy invited everyone back to Ballyoisin for refreshments.

Some of the people in attendance

Bishop Jackson, Bishop Treanor, Bishop Duffy & Barney Treanor

Confirmation

Congratulations to the 146 boys and girls who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in St. Macartan's Cathedral on Saturday 30th May. The celebrant was Bishop Joseph Duffy. The Mediterranean weather conditions on the morning added to the sense of celebration.

First Communion Celebrations

Congratulations to the boys of St. Mary's Boys' National School who celebrated First Communion in the Cathedral on Saturday 23rd May.

Congratulations to the children of 2nd Class in Rackwallace National School who celebrated First Communion in Ardaghey Chapel on Sunday 17th May.

Congratulations to the boys and girls of Rang a Dhó i Gaelscoil Ultain who celebrated First Communion on Saturday 9th May at St. Joseph's Church, Park St.

Congratulations to the girls of second class in  St. Louis Convent School who celebrated First Communion on Saturday 3rd May in the Cathedral, Monaghan.

April

Shrine to St. Joseph erected in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Latlurcan.

A shrine in honour of St. Joseph was constructed in St. Joseph's Cemetery in April. The engineer and constructor of the shrine was Gerard Touhey, Dureen, Durrow, Co. Laois (see www.aquascapes4all.com). The shrine comprises of a water fountain cascading from the statue of St. Joseph at the top. The sound of flowing water acts as a source of consolation and companionship to those visiting the graves of loved ones. The shrine is designed as a focal point for reflection and prayer.

Blessing of Easter eggs and Easter baskets on Holy Saturday Morning

Fr. Rafal Siwek, the Polish Chaplain to the Parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace, officiated at a blessing of Easter eggs and food baskets at 11.30a.m on Holy Saturday morning. A large congregation of mainly Polish parishioners attended the liturgy. At the climax children came forward with their baskets to the sanctuary for the blessing. Everyone departed excited for Easter.

The Masternak Family

An Easter Basket

Mass of Chrism, Holy Thursday in the Cathedral

A large number of priests and people assembled for Mass of Chrism in the Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Joseph Duffy. At the ceremony the Bishop and priests renewed their priestly promises and the sacramental oils of Catechumen, Chrism and Holy Orders were consecrated.

View of the Chrism Mass from the Choir Gallery

The children of 6th Class preparing for Confirmation process with the gifts.

March

FEAST OF ST. MACARTAN, 24th MARCH

ST. PATRICK'S DAY, 17th MARCH: The weather on St. Patrick's Day was the best seen in these parts for some time, dry and sunny. It put so many  in good and festive spirits and drew them out in big numbers to celebrate the National Patron Saint's Day. Bishop Joseph Duffy blessed shamrock at the 10.30a.m Mass in the Cathedral where the Scouts did parade of honour. The 11.30a.m. Mass in St. Joseph's Church was celebrated in the Irish language and traditional music was played. The traditional St. Patrick's Day Parade attracted one of the biggest attendances for some time, perhaps due to the welcoming sunny weather.

FIRST CONFESSION Congratulations to the children of St. Mary's Boys' National School and St. Louis Girls' National School who celebrated for the first time the Sacrament of Penance on Thursday 5th March in St. Joseph's Church.

CÉAD FAOISTÍN Comghairdeas do na buchaillí agus na cailíni i rang a dó i Gaelscoil Ultain a cheiliúraigh Céad Faoistín ar an 10iú lá de Mhárta i Séapéal Naoimh Seosamh.

FIRST CONFESSION Congratulations to the two pupils of Rackwallace National School who celebrated First Confession on Tuesday evening at Ardaghey Church at 7.30p.m on the 10th March.

Lough Derg-Ash Wednesday

Music Workshop by Tony Alonso & Marty Haugen

For further details on Tony and Marty  see www.tonyalonso.com & www.martyhaugen.net/

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