Bishop celebrates Mass in historic Clara Vale church

March 1995

A Bishop’s proper place might be in a cathedral, but Bishop Donal Murray looked perfectly at home when he visited one of County Wicklow’s smallest churches recently.

Bishop Murray celebrated Mass at Clara Vale Church for what was believed to be the first time a clergyman of his ranking had done so since the little church was built in 1801.

It was certainly the first time in living memory and it won’t be an occasion that will be quickly forgotten.

A capacity congregation turned out for the 9 a.m. service in the glorious sunshine which reflected the mood of the morning.

The church itself looked resplendent after its recent refurbishment so it was appropriate that the Mass was offered for the late Michael Meegan who took great pride in caring for the church.

Michael was sacristan at Clara Vale for many years before his death, carrying on a tradition which was in the Meegan family for over 100 years and members of his family were represented at the Mass to hear his life and work recalled.

The service also remembered those other long servers in the community, the former teachers of the adjoining school, in particular Mrs Byrne and Mrs Fitzpatrick who are still active in the locality.

Singers from Rathdrum and Glendalough joined the regular Sunday morning choir to lift the roof in song and many former members of the Clara Vale community travelled home for the historic event. In his homily, Bishop Murray praised the work that went into the church renovation, pointing out that it was an expression of appreciation for the faith passed down by the ancestors of the parish to the present generation.

Parishioners Essie Healy and Seamus O’Brien presented the Bishop with a framed portrait of the church while a hand-crafted wooden bowl was presented to Paul McManus of Avondale Chemicals in thanks for the company’s support for the renovation works.