Arklow unites to pay tribute to late pope

April 2005

HUNDREDS of townspeople thronged the parish church in Arklow on Monday night for a con-celebrated mass paying tribute to the life of Pope John Paul II.

The packed congregation of worshippers heard parish priest Fr Colm Gallagher recall how the Pope had touched the lives of so many people, young and old, and influenced policies and decisions on a worldwide basis. Fr Gallagher, describing the Holy Father as a man of vision and a true Shepherd of his flock, said that he had brought about nations and religious denominations.

The congregation at the Mass included a number of Pope John Paul’s country men and women with some of them chosen to take part in the procession.

A shrine with a framed photo of Pope John Paul has been set up in the Parish Church where people can go and say a prayer and light a candle.