Sunday 2nd October 2005Celebrationof theBicentenaryandThe Anniversary of the DedicationofThe Church of the Most Holy RosaryTullowbyHis Eminence Desmond Cardinal Connell(Archbishop Emeritus of Dublin)andThe Most Reverend James Moriarty(Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin)
Below are a few photographs of the ceremonyPlease be patient it will take some time for the page to load.
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
Photo courtesy of William Paton
The second of the New Stain Glass Windows by George Walsh DublinCentre Panel Institution of the Eucharish and Pope John Paul IIL.H. Panel Baptism of Jesus and Wedding at CanaR.H. Panel Preaching the Kingdom and the TransfigurationForward from the Order of Service Booklet
Today we reflect back with gratitude on the development and growth of this beautiful church over the past 200 years. We recall its modest beginnings in the early years of the 19th century, the proud message proclaimed by the magnificent steeple just after Catholic Emancipation, the addition later in the century of the organ, side altars, stained glass windows and the much admired high altar as a memorial to Bishop Lynch in 1900. The extensions in the early 1940's transformed the church into its present square shape and the controversial extension of the sanctuary in the 1970's was designed to meet the requirements of Vatican 11. The rebuilding and re-roofing initiated by the late Fr. Peter Dunne gave a great foundation for the most recent redecoration and the addition of new sanctuary furniture, stained glass windows and baptismal font.
The story is important in its own way, but far more important is the story of the development growth and handing on of the faith by the six or seven generations of parishioners during those 200 years. We salute the 12 bishops who were parish priests, the 23 administrators and the 60 other priests who looked after the pastoral needs of the parish. We honour the religious. Brigidines and Patricians who spent their lives here and were such a huge influence locally, and the postulants and novices who filled the two side aisles of the church before committing themselves to mission work throughout the world. The extent of their influence can be measured by the number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life amongst the young people of Tullow. A few short years ago 11 of the 55 parishes in the diocese had natives of this parish as their parish priests. We remember them all today with gratitude.
But those vocations were due also in no small measure to the outstanding commitment and dedication of the lay people of the parish; whether as parents, family members, workers, business people, farmers, service providers, who passed on the beliefs, values and practice of a very vibrant and authentic faith to successive generations.
As we prepare to incorporate the beautiful convent chapel, so generously given to the parish by the Brigidine Sisters, into the parish church, we pray that while religious diminish in numbers, present and future generations of laity will generously meet the demands that will be made upon them to play a more active role in the life of the Church. May we continue to grow as a truly Christian community and may this time of celebration be a time of renewal and special grace for each of us and for the whole parish.Brendan Byrne, P.P. Andy Leahy, C.C.
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