A wonderful occasion was enjoyed by all in Redhills on Sunday 24 May last for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Mass at Shannow Wood Mass rock (celebrated by the late Fr Felim McGovern R.I.P.) since Penal Times.
A large crowd began the day, in the spirit of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope, walking from Belturbet, via Drumalee chapel and Gannons Cross before passing through the village of Redhills and arriving at Killoughter Hall with Bishop Martin Hayes joining pilgrims for the final leg of the journey.
All then enjoyed a well earned cup of tea with refreshments before the larger congregation gathered and everyone processed from the Hall to the Mass rock for the beginning of Mass, led by the recent First Holy Communion class and Fr Jason Murphy.
Hundreds of people celebrated the Mass under the cover of the tall trees of Shannow Wood, with the Killoughter Church choir providing music on the day, the altar servers of that first Mass 50 years ago reading the Prayers of the Faithful and Martin Brady reading a poem written by the late Mick ‘Texas’ Reilly. Fr John McTiernan concelebrated the Mass.
A massive thanks is owed to Fr Jason and all those involved in the organising of the day, those who prepared the Mass Rock and its surrounds over these past weeks, those who baked goods, made sandwiches and distributed tea and coffee in the hall and were involved in the clean up afterwards, to Sean O’Neill who made a beautiful altar, a replica of that same altar 50 years ago, to the Smyth family for the use of their land. and to all those who helped in any way.
Anne McDonald prepared a beautiful cake for the occasion and Ollie and Bridie O’Neill, who both celebrated special birthdays this month, were invited to cut the cake for the occasion.
