LARGE ATTENDANCE AT VISIT OF RELICS OF ST. OLIVER PLUNKETT TO DIOCESE OF KILMORE

Hundreds of people, young and old alike, from across the diocese of Kilmore and beyond visited the Conaty Chapel of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan recently to pray before the relics of St. Oliver Plunkett. The relics were on display for veneration by the faithful from 10:00a.m. until 10:00p.m. that evening.

The relics arrived at the Centre at 10:00a.m. and were greeted by Fr. Ultan McGoohan, Kilmore Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services, who conducted a welcoming liturgy.

There was a lunch-time Mass in the Chapel at 1:15p.m. offered by Fr. Calistus Isara MSP, CC Munterconnaught and Visiting Chaplain to St. Clare’s College in Ballyjamesduff, for those doing examinations at this time.

Fr. McGoohan, was the principal celebrant of Mass at 5:45p.m. and also delivered the homily.  Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore was the principal celebrant at the 8:00p.m. Mass during which the homily was given by Fr. Philip Gaffney PP, St. Mary’s in Drogheda. The music for this Mass was provided by the choir from the parish of Kilmainhamwood and Moybologue under the directorship of Mrs. Bernadette Curtis who was also the organist.  The Mass servers came from the Cathedral Parish of Urney and Annagelliff in Cavan Town.

Fr. McGoohan, a native of Carrigallen in Co. Leitrim, celebrated a short liturgy of farewell at 10:00p.m. before the relics left the Pastoral Centre.

Opportunities to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation were also made available during the course of the day.

This was the fifth annual visit of the relics and was organised by Seán Coll, Director of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre with the assistance of the Knights of Saint Columbanus in Cavan and Drogheda.