Thanksgiving Mass

Archbishop Eamon Martin led a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the completion of the refurbishment of Saint Oliver Plunkett Church.

Parish priest Padraig Keenan described the ‘ church a treasure part of our local heritage and community and is now more revealing not alone to all who live here but also to those who will visit it, our Village and Parish Community.’

Speaking at the end of Mass, Father Keenan remarked ‘the word thanksgiving is apt in many ways for today’s occasion as we bring to mind the wisdom of those who had the foresight in 1919, in building our Church to nourish the spiritual lives of the people of its time and for those who have followed.’ The first Mass in the church was celebrated on Christmas morning in 1922.

He said the project ‘ has enhanced this place of worship, preserved its heritage and embraced the new in a very sensitive way, I express my thanks to all professions who have ensured this was fulfilled.’

The works costing over €400,000 began at the end of January, incorporating a new side entrance to the church and the refurbishment also included * Altering the sanctuary. * Upgrading the heating, lighting systems, providing CCTV.

* Making good damp ingress to external walls.

* Reducing the Sacristy to provide a separate room for altar servers and a common meeting room giving access to the church.

* Providing a new plant room complete with new wheelchair accessible WC Minor works to car parking facilities.

Marie McCallion, the Coordinator of the Liturgy of the Word in the Church welcomed all and specially Archbishop Martin at the start of Mass, along with clergy from the Dundalk area who with Father Keenan and Father Brian White CC took part in the concelebrating of the Mass.

Captain Geoffrey Walmsley of Saint Paul’s Church of Ireland, Heynestown was also in attendance.

The three young people Katie Brady, Paul Conlon and Dearbhla Malone, who represented the parish at World Youth Day in Poland brought gifts to the altar symbolising some of the refurbishment work, which entailed also the relocation of the Baptismal Font. led Theby pupils Prayers .* preparingof Intercessionfor Confirmawere tion, two from each of the three local primary schools, while the Offertory Gifts were taken up by the daughter and son of the late Matt Murphy.

Father Keenan said “in life, we need to stand back and reflect, and that ethos began in late 2012, initiated by our Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Management Committee and others in relation to this sacred building.

From then to March of this year, in a spirit of transparency and accountability from a Parish and Diocesan perspective and in consultation with local Planning and Conservation guidelines, and I acknowledge the role of Angela Dullaghan, Conservation Officer with Louth County Council, work commenced on the refurbishment of this Church.

Archbishop Eamon we are indebted to you in giving us the responsibility to take on this project on behalf of St Patrick’s Archdiocesan Trust Ltd.

The vision of what has unfolded in a spirit of imagination has been inspired by many from design, mechanical, electrical, landscaping and many oth- er creative skills in coming together, has been directed by Sheehan & Barry Architects Ltd.

To its Director, Mr David Sheehan, I personally thank you in what you have achieved, it is truly a reward to you personally and professionally.

Behind every good man, there is a good woman, behind many good men on this project, there was an exceptionally good woman in Janin MacGabhann, Project Architect. We were blessed by your presence, guidance and direction on this venture. To Cathal O’Gara, Architect and Mary receptionist with Sheehan and Barry Architects Ltd, your help was appreciated.

It is a building that has resulted in going some way to reducing global warming, in light of new heating, windows and doors. This would not be a reality without the support of S.E.A.I. I acknowledge the role locally of Barry Woods, Marie O’Callaghan, (Louth County Council) and Stuart Quinn (DkIT), even though they created extra hoops for me to jump. It is a project that has reflected wonderful community relations with various organisations and to them in the presence of Declan Meally, head of Emerging Sectors and Jim Gannon CEO of S.E.A.I. Many thanks for your support.

It would not have been achieved without the direction and guidance of Frank & Niall Duffy of M.J.Duffy & Sons Ltd.

Your professionalism in a spirit of detail and perfection was constant and rigorous during this project was exceptional

Your sensitivity, co-operation, understanding and reverence to the building and to those not alone engaged in the project but to parishioners and visitors on a personal or public capacity attending this Church were appreciated by one and all. To my eyes and ears the attention to detail of Bernard Lynch, Quantity Surveyor, was exceptional.

For the support of parishioners and friends and various committees, those who assisted in many voluntary ways, one is eternally grateful.