Abbeyfeale celebrates church in book launch
50 years have passed since the opening of the church in Abbeyfeale and locals are as thrilled to celebrate the occasion as they were back in 1968. The Jubilee Mass taking place this Saturday in Our Lady of the Assumption Church is the peak of the celebrations held in the past couple months to mark the occasion.
Fr Tony Mullins PP said he feels the centre of the celebration is not the building itself - but the community that surrounds it:“On Saturday, Bishop Brendan Leahy, members of the clergy, myself and most importantly the community will all join in the church to celebrate its anniversary. The celebration is not just about the building, it is most importantly the parish community that we are having thanksgiving for.
“Our own church choir that will be singing at the Mass will be celebrating 40 years - but not everyone in the choir is that age! We have our youth and school choirs as well so there will be lots of music during the mass, which is a lovely way of involving so many people in the community.
Not only will the Mass mark a very special occasion, but the past weekend made history of its own with the launch of the parish’s new book. “Over the weekend there was an exhibition of memorabilia for all to get a glimpse of what life has been like over the past 50 years.
“The launch of our parish book, ‘Moladh go deo le Dia’ was on Saturday which looks at the history of the building. It was written by a small group of those in the parish and it reflects back on the past five decades.”
The church was built by Kings Builders, Killarney and cost £110,000 at the time. The old church, St. Mary’s, was later demolished.
“When it was built, there was the need for a church to cater for 700 people, but initially, it was a painful decision for many to see the old church go. However, everyone was delighted with the new one when it was built.”