Jubilee Year of Hope Mass on Trinity Island

Approximately 200 people of all ages, from local parishes in the Cavan Deanery and further afield, gathered last Sunday in beautiful and tranquil surroundings on the shores of Lough Oughter for the celebration of Mass on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.  The Mass was celebrated in the shadow of the ruins of the 13th century priory on Trinity Island.

Bishop Martin Hayes was the principal celebrant and homilist assisted by local parish priest, Fr Gabriel Kelly PP Kilmore, and Fr Gerry Comiskey, Castlerahan-Munterconnaught.

The music for the Mass was provided by the choir of St Felim’s Church in Ballinagh.  Ministers of the Word, those reading Prayers of the Faithful and Eucharistic Ministers also came from the parishes of Kilmore and Ballintemple.

The organisers of the Mass are deeply grateful to Tom and Marietta O’Dowd for allowing access to the lands where the Mass was celebrated.

Bishop Hayes thanked all those who went to great lengths to prepare the site for the Mass which was a truly memorable experience.  The natural beauty of the location, punctuated by the sounds of birdcall, added to the joyful celebration.

Refreshments were served afterwards during which young people from the locality played traditional Irish music.

The Mass was the first in a series of events to be held marking the Jubilee Year of Hope across the Diocese of Kilmore.  Representatives from the Diocesan Jubilee Year of Hope Liturgy Planning Group were also present at the Mass.

Bishop Martin giving his homily

A View of the Congregation

Fr Gabriel Kelly, Bishop Martin Hayes and Fr Gerry Comiskey at the Altar

The Choir of St Felim’s Church, Ballinagh

Fr Gabriel Kelly, Bishop Martin Hayes and Fr Gerry Comiskey on the shores of Lough Oughter after the Mass