Blessed with good weather, a large congregation travelled out to St Maedhóg’s Island on Port Lake in the parish of Corlough-Templeport on Bank Holiday Monday, 4 August last, when Bishop Martin Hayes celebrated a special Jubilee Year of Hope Mass during which graves on the Island were also blessed. A number of people travelled long distances to attend.
Archbishop Francis Duffy, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tuam and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Killala (a native of the parish); Fr Seán Maguire, PP Corlough-Templeport; Fr Jordan MacGabhann, CC Cathedral; Fr Seán Mawn, PP VF Oughteragh and Drumreilly Lower (Ballinamore); Fr Malachy Moses Anyoko-shaba, CC Oughteragh & Drumreilly Lower (Ballinamore); Fr John McMahon, PP Carrigallen and Drumreilly Upper; Fr Andrew Tully, PP Killeshandra, and Fr Tom McKiernan, former PP of Templeport concelebrated the Mass.
There was a short camino-style walk beforehand from the grounds of the former Wonderland Ballroom in Kildoagh for those who wished to do so. Many also availed of the shuttle bus service to the Island and enjoyed refreshments on the shore.
The Mass was transmitted to the shore for a good number of people who were unable to travel across to the Island.
Mass Servers, Readers and Eucharistic Ministers from the parish participated in the Mass and the Blessing of Graves. Some Pope John Paul II award participants also read the Prayers of the Faithful and sold Diocesan Jubilee Year of Hope lapel pins on the jetty after Mass.
Fr Maguire thanked everyone for attending and commended all those who worked hard to prepare the Island for this very special occasion in the life of the parish and diocese. Aidan Brady, Chairperson of the local Parish Pastoral Council, also added his words of thanks and appreciation as did Bishop Hayes.
Fortunately, Storm Floris did not have a major impact on the event which was another in the series of events across the Diocese of Kilmore as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope in the Church being celebrated this year.
A recording of the Mass may accessed from the following link [with thanks to Isabel Duggan Rofé]: www.facebook.com/100070446038842/videos/747938567976255
Being transported across to the Island
Bishop Martin blesses the congregation with St Maedhog’s Holy Water at the beginning of Mass
A view of the congregation
Fr Seán Maguire PP Corlough-Templeport blesses the graves as the Rosary is recited
Bishop Martin Hayes and Fr Seán Maguire at the altar in the shadow of the old monastery church
Concelebrating Clergy: Fr Jordan MacGabhann, CC Cathedral; Fr Seán Mawn, PP VF Oughteragh and Drumreilly Lower (Ballinamore); Fr Malachy Moses Anyoko-shaba, CC Oughteragh & Drumreilly Lower (Ballinamore); Fr John McMahon, PP Carrigallen and Drumreilly Upper; Fr Andrew Tully, PP Killeshandra, and Fr Tom McKiernan, former PP of Templeport
Fr Sean Maguire PP Corlough-Templeport, Bishop Martin Hayes, and Archbishop Francis Duffy
