St. Attracta (Adhracht)
Co-patron of the Diocese of Achonry
Feast on Tuesday next, 12th August.
Attracta’s dates are uncertain. An old tradition says that she received
the veil from St. Patrick which would place her in the later part
of the fifth century. She founded her convent at Killaraght (Irish,
Cill Adhracht, the church of Attracta) in Sligo and another in Roscommon.
(Killaraght lies between Monasteraden and Boyle and today it is the
site of one of the outlying churches in Gurteen parish). Attracta
is co-patron, with St. Nathy, of the diocese of Achonry and her cult
has been very strong and durable especially in the west of Ireland.
(The image at left is from a window in Collooney church.)
The name Attracta was at one time very popular among Irish girls and is still
to be found . She was credited with exceptional powers of curing the
sick and her convents were famous for their hospitality and care of
the poor. The strength of the veneration in which she had been held
for fourteen centuries was illustrated by the Act of Pius IX in 1829
when he personally authorised the Mass of St. Attracta on her feast
day in Achonry diocese. Her feast is on 12th August and there is still
a ‘pattern’ at her well in Clogher, Monasteraden, on that day.
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Changes in Our Parish
Canon Patrick Peyton is coming to the parish as Parish Priest. (Monsignor
Spelman has reached retirement age.) Fr. John Maloney
has been appointed curate in Kilmovee parish. He will not be replaced.
New Schedule of Weekend Masses
Collooney:
Saturday Vigil Mass: 8.00pm Sunday Mass: 11.00am
There will no longer be a Sunday Mass in Collooney at 8.30am.
Ballinacarrow:
Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.00pm Sunday Mass: 10.00am
These changes will come into effect on the weekend 6/7th September. |
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