19th
MAY - AN IMPORTANT DATE IN THE LIFE OF THE
CATHEDRAL
The
foundation stone, taken from the old cathedral
of St Mel in Ardagh, was solemnly blessed
and laid in position in a ceremony commencing
at 11am on 19th May 1840 in the presence of
40,000 people. This is by any standards a
large congregation, but if we note that in
the following year the Bishop confirmed 2,150
children in the parish of Longford, we realise
the large population in those pre-famine days!
The bicycle, not to mention the car, had not
been invented, so visitors came by foot or
by stagecoach, involving many days of travel.
Later that evening 300 guests joined Bishop
O’Higgins in the parish chapel for a
celebratory meal – there was nowhere
else in Longford at the time to accommodate
such a number, so the sanctuary was partitioned
off and the body of the chapel transformed
into a banquet hall for the occasion. The
hall was decorated with pictures of St. Patrick,
St. Mel, the then Pope Gregory XVI, as well
as Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert!
The old chapel was located where the Family
Centre now stands – hence the name Chapel
Street for the road between the Cathedral
and the Shopping Centre.
In 1893, fifty-three years after work on the
cathedral begun, the front portico was completed,
and on the same date, 19th May, Bishop Woodlock
solemnly consecrated the cathedral. In those
days it was a long and exhausting ceremony
and the public celebration did not take place
until four days later with Cardinal Logue
of Armagh presiding at Solemn Pontifical Mass.
The 19th May 1940 was the date for the great
celebration of the cathedral’s centenary
which fell on a Sunday. Around 1200 children
from various nearby parishes formed a choir
to sing the Mass parts in Plain Chant. Later
that day a great procession of the Blessed
Sacrament wound its way through the streets
of the town made up of contingents from each
of the forty-one parishes of the diocese,
each parish headed by its own banner, ending
with Benediction outside on the e on the steps
of the cathedral in brilliant sunshine.
In recent years 19th May passed by fairly
quietly save for the sacristan lighting the
candles at 12 places on the internal walls
which were marked by gold and red crosses,
where Bishop Woodlock had anointed the walls
with the oil of Chrism back in 1893. This
year perhaps we have all been woken into truly
appreciating the Cathedral that was handed
down to us and this day in future may regain
its historic significance. Remember all in
prayer this Wed 19th May.
P.S.
The 25th December, Christmas Day,
may be synonymous with the fire of 2009. However
in 1823 the humble chapel on Chapel Street
was also hit by a serious accident on Christmas
morning when the gallery gave way and came
down on the crowded assembly beneath! Many
were hurt, but, fortunately, there were no
fatal injuries. A similar accident, strange
to say, occurred in Mohill that very same
morning, thankfully, without much damage.
Both incidents were reported in the national
paper of the day early the following new year.
CORPUS
CHRISTI PROCESSION 2010 - The Feast
of Corpus Christi takes place on Sunday 6th
June. The procession will begin at 5.00 pm
at the Cathedral Car Park. The route for this
year’s procession is: St. Patrick’s
Tce., Deanscurragh, Butterfield, St. Mary’s
Tce., New St., Ballymahon St., Dublin St.
with Benediction at the Cathedral Car Park.
PARISH
DAY
The
Parish Day at Flancare Park on Sunday last
was a tremendous success. Blessed with beautiful
weather, the large gathering of young and
old had a very enjoyable afternoon of music
and celebration. There was a great sense of
the local community gathering in a spirit
of fun and friendship.
We
are very grateful to the many people who were
involved in making this day happen: the organisers
of the event, the many Artistes who gave so
generously of their time and talent, all associated
with Longford Town Football Club, Longford
Pipe Band, An Garda Síochána,
Brendan Gilmore Security, local Press, Order
of Malta, Parish Volunteers, and all who were
involved in any way.
The
proceeds of the day in aid of St. Mel’s
Cathedral Restoration Reserve Fund came to
€12,633. We are very grateful to all
for your generosity, goodwill and support.
While we have been united in loss as a result
of the Cathedral fire, Sunday’s celebration
was a day of unity, community spirit and hope
as we look forward to the restoration of our
Cathedral.
PARISH VISITATION - The Priests and
members of the Pastoral Council will visit
the homes of McEoin Park, Farnagh this coming
week beginning on Monday 17th May. We look
forward to meeting you in your homes and to
inviting you as a community to the 7.30pm
Vigil Mass on next Saturday 22nd May. There
will be a cup of tea afterwards in the Assembly
Hall.
TAX
RELIEF SCHEME - THANK YOU to the
many people who have returned Tax Relief Forms
over recent weeks. Under this scheme ‘PAYE
only’ Taxpayers who have contributed
over €250 to the Parish in 2009 can make
the tax they have paid on earning that money,
available to the parish. We would be delighted
to receive any outstanding forms so as to
submit our claim to the Revenue Commissioners.
PARISH
WEBSITE - WWW.LONGFORDPARISH.COM
This
week saw the appointment of the Project Managers
to co-ordinate all groups involved in the
restoration of the cathedral over the next
few years. They are Interactive Project Managers
led by architect Joan O’Connor and they
have previously worked on public building
projects such as Cork Courthouse and the Assay
Office in the heart of Dublin Castle. More
details on this and photos from the Parish
Day in Flancare are on our website - longfordparish.com
LONGFORD
PRAYER GROUP hold their meeting this
Monday at 8.00pm in St. Joseph’s Hospital.
All are welcome to come along as we pray for
family, friends and all the people of our
community.
NOVENA
TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY will
take place during the month of May at 7.30pm
Mass each Tuesday in Clondra and on Fridays
in Killashee at the same time.
NIGHT
PRAYER VIGIL Clonmacnois, Cluain
Chiarain Prayer Centre on Fri. 21st May. Mass
at 10.00pm, Adoration follows, finishes at
3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 085-7746763
Noel (087-2156759).
PIONEER NEWS - The Annual
Presentation of awards to Jubilarians takes
place on Sun. 30th May at the 10.00am Mass
in St. Mel's Cathedral Centre. Pioneers who
have been members for 25, 40, 50 or 60 years
are eligible. If you are eligible and would
like to receive an award please contact your
local Centre as soon as possible. Tel: Brendan
3341277; Cathal 3345818; Presbytery 3346465
or email cmcw1@eircom.net. Thanks, Cathal
McWeeney, Hon. Sec.
BEALTAINE FESTIVAL 2010 – As
part of the National Bealtaine Festival, which
celebrates the contribution of people to the
development of community, Tuar Ard Arts Centre,
Moate, will screen ‘Dean Spanley’
a charming and dramatic comedy film on Tues.
18th May at 7.30pm. All Welcome. Admission
Free. Light refreshments will be served from
6.30pm onwards in advance of the screening.
ARDAGH
& CLONMACNOIS PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2010
27 May – 1 June, 5 nights, fully inclusive
price €715. Places available, please
contact Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lr. Baggot Street,
Dublin 2. Tel: 01 2410812 / 2410811. Pilgrimage
Director: Msgr. Bernard Noonan P.P. Moate,
Co. Westmeath. Tel: 090 6481180. Director
Invalid Section: Fr. Michael Scanlon P.P.,
Cloghan, Co. Offaly: Tel: 090 6457122.
ARDAGH
& CLONMACNOIS YOUTH MINISTRY –
Join us on our visit to Taize, France from
15th to 23rd August 2010. Rediscover an inner
peace, a meaning to life. Cost approx. €350,
minimum age 17 years. Limited to 20 places.
Contact 086 8255178 or email info@aym.ie.
PILGRIMAGE
TO FATIMA 23rd – 30th September,
7 nights full board at Cinquentenario Hotel.
Spiritual Director: Fr. Eamonn O’Connor.
€779 fully inclusive. Please contact
Fr. Eamonn O’Connor at 043 3326020.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE 14th –
21st August. Spiritual Director:
Fr. Vincent Connaughton. To book a place please
contact Fr. Vincent 087 9563668 or Carmel
087 6593484. The all inclusive cost is €670.
SHINE -Support and training
for people supporting someone with mental
health difficulties for 7 weeks in Longford
town. Free, professional and confidential.
Contact Catherine Rountree, Regional Development
Officer at 086 8525281 for details or SHINE,
10 Patrick St., Tullamore or www.shineonline.ie,
www.recover.ie, email: crountree@shireonline.ie.
Information Helpline 1890 621 631. Tel: 0579323111
REVAMP
FURNITURE - We are appealing for
good quality furniture suitable for re-use.
Restored and second-hand furniture for sale
at our Showroom open at Mastertech Business
Park, Mon. to Sat. Free collection and delivery.
The project is doing vital work reducing,
re-using and recycling. Tel: 3348876; Web:
www.revamp3rstore.com
