News/Events
Reopening and Rededication of St Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Clady
19 December 2006
Rededication of St Oliver Plunketts Church Clady
The Bishop congratulated Fr O'Reilly, the members of the Fundraising and Building Committees, and all the parishioners on the completion of the renovations, and was particularly pleased with the improvement of the lighting!
Fr John Gilmore gave the homily of the Mass recalling his involvement in the initial committees and groups dedicated to building a new chapel in Clady, which was completed in late 1980. He reminded the congregation of the fact that the Church building in which they sat was not the Church, but those who dwelt within it. He reminded all that this was an ideal time to renovate and restore and make a new beginning in our own personal lives as living stones of the church of the parish.
Fr O’Reilly thanked the Bishop for his attendance, guidance and help on the day and throughout the renovations. He also thanked the surrounding parishes and their priests for their help with Marriages, Funerals, and other ceremonies during the work on the chapel, especially the monastery of Bethlehem Abbey in Portglenone, for the use of their chapel and grounds for 1st Holy Communion this year. Thanks was also reserved for the Finance and Building Committees, Altar Servers, Choir and Musicians, Cleaning Staff, Builders, Architect and all who worked on the Chapel, as well as all the parishioners and contributors to the completion of work.
Following the ceremony everyone was invited to St Mary’s College for refreshments, which was provided by the catering staff or Ballynease, Portglenone and Greenlough Primary Schools, as well as the staff of St Mary’s College Canteen. A huge thanks is offered to them all.
Two Booklets were produced for the occasion and were available at the entrance to the chapel. One a Souvenir booklet with details of the reopening and the chapel (which is available in the Gallery section of the website), the second a brief history of the parish (which is included in the History section of the website)
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Galleries of the event are now available in the Gallery section of the site
There are six galleries:
Interior Photographs of St Oliver Plunkett’s Clady following Renovation;
Exterior Photos (with more to come in day light);
Close ups of the Penal Cross (donated by the Clarke Family of Glenone in memory of Tommy and Maura Clare RIP);
Panoramic Views of the interior;
Groups/People who attended the Rededication;
The Complete Souvenir booklet that was available on the day.
