GUSSERANE

MASS RETURNS

Daily Mass is set for a very welcome return to St John the Baptist church in Gusserane from Monday, June 29, at the usual time of 9.30 a.m. The first Sunday Mass back happens on July 5 at 10 a.m.

Adequate signage and hand sanitizers will be provided in accordance with government guidelines and the necessary social distancing measures will be In place. Another welcome return for parishioners is the Adoration of the Eucharist on Wednesdays after 9.30 Mass and up to 9 p.m. New attendees are always welcome for this Holy Hour, so if you are interested in taking part please contact Fr Laffan or any member of the parish committee to book your slot.

GUSSERANE CHURCH

In the whole of Christendom, the little chapel in Gusserane is still relatively new, celebrating only its two hundredth birthday in about five years time. With no annual patron and open air Mass this year, and ahead of the re-opening of our church shortly, it might be a good time to take a look at the history of the church in Gusserane.

Apparently there were churches dotted throughout the area hundreds of years ago, with reports of churches in Ballygarvan and Garryduff, as well as the obvious ones in Rathimney, Owenduff and Nash where the ruins are still visible. Towards the end of the eighteenth century there seems to have been a move to close down the church at Nash and move devotions to Gusserane. A small thatched church was built on the site of the present church around 1800. It was replaced twenty five years later with the current building and this was added to again in the 1850s following the famine years. As the end of that century approached the chapel was apparently in a poor state of repair and, along with the church in Ballycullane, was deemed ‘not such as would have been expected in a truly Christian and religious parish such as Tintern’.

Both underwent major refurbishments in the early 1890s and by 1893 Gusserane church was completed and was a joy to behold. A new vestry was added and Mr Michael Power of Tintern installed new rails and side altars while Murphys of Wexford repainted the building. Much of the cost of the refurbishment was met by local donations and fundraising. A Grand Bazaar was held in Ballycullane in 1893 towards this cause. First prize in the raffle was a £10 note. Second was a new bridle and saddle while third was a ‘Fat Pig’. Over 30 other prizes were listed in the newspaper advertisement, where the cost of a ticket was sixpence.

The church bell was located in the churchyard at that time. As is documented on the plaque in the porch today, the new belfry was only added to the building in 1913 and the church bell was relocated there. Locals rallied around that time following the tragic and untimely death of local farmer, historian and activist, James Ahearne of Cloonagh. Mr Ahearne was killed when thrown from his horse and cart that same year at Doorty Cross near Coolroe and the people of Gusserane were determined that he be remembered in some way and the belfry was erected in his memory.

The next major renovation to be carried out in Gusserane was in 1936. Another fundraiser of note was held that year featuring a jumble sale, much music and dancing as well as a football match between Gusserane and Ballyhogue and a camogie match between Dunmain and St Finbarr’s of Waterford. Not surprisingly, the home teams won both games. Much credit for this fundraiser seems to have gone to Master Peter Corish, but he seems to have been ably helped by another teacher, Miss Kathleen Morrissey of Rathimney. A choir group from Rathangan and ceili group from Mayglass made the trip up for the occasion. All activities took place on lands kindly given by the O’Hanlons.

The church and priest’s residence underwent much needed improvements again in the early 1980s and the hard working parish councils of more recent years have ensured that the place of worship is appropriately maintained through various projects such as preserving the windows, upgrading heating, concreting the yard and the general painting an upkeep of the old building, ensuring that it will be there to serve the people of Gusserane once it’s doors re-open in the coming days and for many more years to come.

SPREAD SOME KINDNESS

‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’, ‘keep smiling’, ‘ sometimes you have to create your own sunshine’, ‘ focus on the good’ and ‘love your own imperfections’ are some of the positive messages that the pupils of Gusserane national school have put on display on the wall of their school in recent weeks. The pupils designed ‘Positive Pebbles’ in an effort to spread a little kindness during these difficult times.

If passing the school, why not take some time to study the decorative stones laid on the school wall. They are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

TINTERN REVIEW

The editorial team of the Tintern Review is constantly looking for material for the popular local annual publication. If you feel that you have a current story, or a story from bygone days that would be relevant, the Review would love to hear from you. Likewise, if you have a photo that you think would be of interest to the readers please consider submitting it.

If you would like to join the editorial team or would just like to submit a story or photo, please contact Billy Downes at 086 0771029 or Paudie Foran at 087 6878647 or just email tinternreview@gmail.com for more information.

Because of data protection legislation it is now not possible for church authorities to release information regarding births, deaths and marriages in the parish to be included in the annual Tintern Review. This segment in the booklet has always been hugely popular and it would be a pity to see these momentous events in the parish not be recorded.

If you would like to have the happy occasion of a birth or marriage in the family, or the sad occasion of a death of loved one recorded in the Tintern Review, please email the details and confirmation of your consent to tinternreview@gmail.com.