Pope’s special blessing for Curraheen works

A FEW months ago, the committee group in St Brendan’s Church, Curraheen, were hopeful of two things: to be granted planning permission to extend the family room in the Church, and for Pope Francis to bless the extension.

The committee felt the former was more likely to occur than the latter but still decided to write a letter to the Pope asking the Pontiff to bless their venture. And, to their disbelief, a very special package arrived within a few weeks.

“The community here decided we wanted to extend the family room at the back of the Church,” Ann O’Shea Daly, speaking on behalf of the committee, said.

“It’s used for all different types of community gatherings but, in recent times, it has proved too small.

“We want to extend the present room, re-roof the old roof and add disabled toilets and a kitchenette.

“We approached Fr Francis Nolan, and he was very much up for the extension. We received full planning permission just last week and hope to begin building in the very near future.

“We decided that since the time frame coincides with the World Meeting of Families, we would write to his Holiness asking him for a blessing.”

Although the committee received a response from the Pope a few months ago, they could not announce it until they received full planning permission.

“It could finally be announced at Mass on Sunday, and we were delighted for everyone to know that, to our shock, we received a Letter and Crucifix back from his Holiness – where he assured us of his remembrance in his prayers. He also sent his blessing, and the crucifix has been blessed by him,” Ann continued.

“When we wrote the letter months ago, we never expected a reply, and even if we were to receive one, we were aware it could take months before it came.

“The letter will be framed and placed on a wall with the crucifix in the family room. This has made our extension even more special; we feel as though it was just meant to happen.”

The committee has been fundraising with quizzes, concerts and bag-packing to fund the building of the extension, and a monster bingo and Christmas concert are to follow.

“It is wonderful to know that he is praying for us during this.” Ann said. “Pope Francis is an incredible individual; what he is up against is tough, and we feel he has carried himself brilliantly.”

Fr Francis Nolan and Ann O’Shea Daly showing off the Cross and Letter that was sent to Curraheen Church last weekBack includes:Julieane Murphy, Helen O’Sullivan, Eileen Wall, Depo Dairo, Mary Scanlon, Jackie O’Sullivan, Breda Browne, Margaret Moynihan, Ann Walshe, Phil Leen, and Joan Trant.