Bishop joins parishioners for church anniversary celebrations
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Celebrating 40 years of the Church of Ss Patrick and Sechnall in Dunshaughlin were, back, from left, Fr Sean Henry, Fr Michael Walsh, Bishop Tom Deenhan, Bishop Michael Smith, Fr Paul Connell, Fr Joe Clavin; front, Charlie Gallagher, John Holland, Christine Morgan, and Jim Vesey.Image 2 of 2
Altar servers Emily Wickham, Hope Domingo, Happiness Domingo, and Amelia Breeze.Dunshaughlin parish celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Church of St Patrick and Seachnall in 2022, when Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan, joined the congregation for a special Mass, in which he delivered a homily.
He was assisted by the parish priest of Dunshaughlin-Culmullen, Fr Sean Henry, the pastor emeritus, Fr Joe Clavin, the retired bishop, Dr Michael Smith and the diocesan chancellor, Fr Paul Connell, while Fr Michael Walsh, PP, Carnaross, who was curate in Dunshaughlin when the church was built, joined the celebrations afterwards.
The construction of the new church was overseen by the late Fr Brendan Caffrey, and opened and dedicated by the late Bishop, John McCormack, with Bishop Smith in attendance as his then secretary.
The bishops were welcomed by Jim Vesey, chairman of the parish pastoral council to "what is an important milestone in the life and development of our parish".
He added: "We are indeed greatly indebted to the original Church Building Committee and all who helped them to organise, fundraise, and support the major effort that was required to achieve the successful completion of this building in November 1982. Bishop Michael himself in fact acted as MC for Bishop McCormack at the dedication ceremony and was also of great help and assistance to our then parish priest Fr Brendan Caffrey in getting the church built.
"While sadly many of those who so generously gave of their time and effort at that time have passed to their eternal reward, it is great to see that many are still active and involved in our parish. Two of those here today, who brought up the gifts at today’s mass, are Christine Morgan who was the only lady on the building committee and Charlie Gallagher who was also part of that committee. We thank each and every one of them for their continuing involvement, guidance, and witness in our parish."
Mr Vesey said that, looking forward, the church has been freshly redecorated, and that the heating system was being upgraded.
"We thank all our parishioners for their continued support and contributions, that have enabled us to keep our church looking so well," he said.