The Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, visited the parish of Corlough-Templeport in West Cavan on Sunday 31 October 2021 on what he called ‘a pilgrimage’ to mark the centenary of the birth of the late Fr. Gregory McGovern S.M.A. who baptised the Archbishop and also gave him his First Holy Communion in the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Kano, Nigeria.

Archbishop Okolo in the grounds of St. Patrick’s Church, Corlough, with Fr. Seán Maguire, PP Corlough-Templeport

 

Archbishop Okolo, accompanied by Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore and Fr. Seán Maguire P.P. Corlough-Templeport, first visited the McGovern family homestead in the townland of Tonlagee where he met members of Fr. Gregory’s family and also visited the graves of his parents in Corlough Cemetery before celebrating Mass in St. Patrick’s Church in Corlough.

 

Bishop Martin Hayes, Archbishop Okolo and Fr. Seán Maguire, PP Corlough-Templeport in the grounds of the McGovern family homestead in Tonlagee

 

Archbishop Okolo greets members of the late Fr. Gregory’s family

The Papal Nuncio looks at family photographs

Bishop Hayes and Archbishop Okolo at the McGovern family homestead in Tonlagee

 

Archbishop Okolo with members of the McGovern family at Fr. Gregory’s home in Tonlagee

 

Fr. Seán Maguire, PP Corlough-Templeport, with the Papal Nuncio at the graves of Fr. Gregory’s parents in Corlough Cemetery

 

The Mass was offered for Fr. Gregory’s parents, Andrew and Margaret McGovern, his deceased brothers and sisters – John McGovern, Philadelphia; Eileen McGovern, Swanlinbar; and Fr Patrick (Paddy) McGovern S.M.A.

Prayers were also offered for Fr. Gregory’s sister, Rita McCabe in Philadelphia, and his brother, Barney in New Jersey, who were unable to attend.

Archbishop Okolo was the principal celebrant of the Mass and was assisted by Bishop Hayes; Monsignor Liam Kelly P.P., V.G.; Fr. Malachy Flanagan, Provincial Superior of the Society of African Missions; as well as a number of priests from the Diocese of Kilmore, including a number from Nigeria currently serving in parishes across the diocese.

 

Concelebrating clergy at the Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Corlough

 

Archbishop Okolo with Bishop Martin Hayes and Monsignor Liam Kelly PP VG in the background

 

Fr. Seán Maguire, PP Corlough-Templeport, addresses the congregation

 

Bishop Hayes, Archbishop Okolo and Monsignor Kelly during the Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Corlough

Fr. Maguire acted as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed all present to the Mass. Margaret Dempsey and Anne Minehane read the readings and Rebecca McGovern – one of this year’s First Holy Communicants from St. Patrick’s National School in Corlough – sang the responsorial psalm.  The Papal Nuncio read the Gospel and delivered the homily during which he described the great influence which Fr. Gregory had on his vocation and ministry.  He also thanked the Society of African Missions for their missionary zeal and endeavour.  The Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Sarah Minehane, Killian McGovern, Mark Minehane and Ben McKiernan.  Philomena McGovern, a relation of Fr. Greg’s, will sing a hymn to the tune of ‘Edelweiss’, which was a particular favourite of his.  The music for the Mass was provided by the choir of St. Patrick’s Church in Corlough.

 

Bishop Hayes, Monsignor Kelly and the Papal Nuncio in the sanctuary during Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Corlough

 

Before the Final Blessing and Dismissal, Bishop Martin Hayes addressed the congregation on what was his first official visit to the parish and he was followed by Emer Devine, Chair of the Corlough-Templeport Parish Pastoral Council.

Brian Baxter presented the Archbishop with a wood plaque featuring an etching of St. Patrick’s Church and a special wooden reliquary containing soil from St. Mogue’s Island and St. Mogue’s Holy Water while young Oisin McGovern, a pupil of St. Patrick’s National School in Corlough, presented him with a project on Fr. Gregory’s life compiled by the pupils of the school.  Donal McTeggart presented Bishop Hayes with a special wooden reliquary containing soil from St. Mogue’s Island and St. Mogue’s Holy Water.  In return, the Papal Nuncio presented Fr. Maguire with a papal medallion.

After the Final Blessing, Archbishop Okolo and Bishop Hayes greeted those attending as they left the church in a socially-distanced manner.

 

Bishop Martin Hayes addresses the congregation

 

Emer Devine, Chairperson of the Corlough-Templeport Parish Pastoral Council, addresses the congregation.

 

Brian Baxter makes a presentation to the Papal Nuncio on behalf of the people of the parish of Corlough-Templeport to mark his visit

 

Donal McTeggart makes a presentation to Bishop Martin Hayes on behalf of the people of Corlough-Templeport to mark his first official visit to the parish

 

Oisin McGovern, a pupil of St. Patrick’s National School in Corlough, presents the Papal Nuncio with a project on Fr. Gregory’s life compiled by the pupils of the school.

 

Archbishop Okolo presents a Papal Medallion to Fr. Seán Maguire, PP Corlough-Templeport

 

Archbishop Okolo imparts his blessing on the congregation following the Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Corlough

 

Archbishop Okolo and Bishop Hayes greet members of the congregation after Mass

It was truly a historic and memorable day for the parish.  Great credit is due to the local Parish Pastoral Council and all who coordinated the arrangements. 

A recording of the Mass can be viewed on the Corlough-Templeport Parish Facebook page or on the CavanTV website.

Fr Gregory McGovern SMA, 31 October 1921- 27 December 2010,  Requiescat in Pace

Photographs courtesy of The Anglo-Celt newspaper