WEXFORD COUNTDOWN TO POPE’S VISIT
THE sound of the phones ringing at the Parish Office at St Aidan’s Cathedral has been a common one over the past few weeks. With the historic visit of Pope Francis to Ireland drawing finally nearly upon us, interest is at a peak and people are keen to organise the last-minute details ahead of the mass migration to Dublin to catch a glimpse of ‘Il Papa’.
The parish was quick on its feet and organised a bus to Dublin almost immediately after ticket information was issued. However, it wasn’t long before seats on the bus became hot property as well.
‘I think on the second day after we initially announced the bus travelling to Dublin, he had to organise a second one,’ said Fr Odhrán Furlong, pictured right. ‘The interest in it was huge. The phone in the office is hopping for the past few weeks with people looking to get information about the visit and trying to get their hands on last minute tickets.’
Two buses will run on two days from St Aidan’s. Firstly, two coaches will depart the Cathedral tomorrow (Wednesday) morning bound for the RDS for the World Meeting of Families Conference. Taking place over four days it will include talks, activities for young and old, prayerful activities, musical performances and much more.
The same two buses will again depart on the Sunday for Mass in the Phoenix Park with Pope Francis and quite a few others have plans to travel to events in Croke Park on the Saturday as well. While some people had expressed concerns about the distances they will be expected to walk to gain access to Phoenix Park on the day, Fr Odhrán says he’s confident that things should run smoothly.
‘It seems very well co-ordinated,’ he said. ‘I think there are rest stops and water stops and places where you can get food and that kind of thing the whole way into the Phoenix Park, so hopefully everybody will be able to manage okay.’
It’s also set to be a busy evening at St Aidan’s Cathedral on Tuesday night as the World Meeting of Families kicks off with a special service. ‘We’re hosting a special service to start the week on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m.,’ Fr Odhrán explained. ‘We’re hoping every parish in the county will be represented and we also have community groups involved. It promises to be a great night and great week.’
Conway, Brenda Conway and Terry McNamee and the Wexford group will be joined by nine students and their teacher/leader Caroline Beirne from Coláiste Bhríde secondary school in Carnew, travelling together in the same bus and all invited to participate under the John Paul II achievement award banner. The leaders were invited to the Phoenix Park last Saturday for a run-through of the proceedings and were delighted to learn that they will be among 160 John Paul II Award participants distributing Communion close to the altar while many more Eucharistic Ministers will be positioned in areas around the park where the Mass will be relayed over giant television screens.
It will be a long day for the Wexford group who are expected to be at the Phoenix Park by 9.30 am on Sunday morning but they are looking forward immensely to the experience. ‘It’s very exciting,’ said Colette. ‘It’s a great opportunity for the young people to be involved in an event that they will remember for the rest of their lives. People who went to see Pope John Paul when he came to Ireland still talk about it. It will be an historic moment for them’, she said. The Christian Media Trust under chairperson Maria Colfer have received official media accreditation to cover the papal visit.