Friday August 26th – 7pm to 8pm.
Saturday August 27th – 6pm to 7pm.
Sunday August 28th - 3pm to 4pm.
Monday August 29th – 7pm to 8pm.
Tuesday August 30th – 7pm – 8pm.
Wednesday August 31st - 7pm – 8pm.
Thursday September 1st - 7pm – 8pm.
Friday September 2nd – Mass at 7pm with Exposition and Novena to follow.
Saturday 3rd September – 6pm – 7pm with special Family Rosary – children most welcome.
Viewing of the Mass Canonisation of Saint Teresa of Calcutta will be shown in Gilhooly Hall on Sunday Sept, at 3pm.
Feast Day of St Teresa of Calcutta, Monday Sept 5th 2016.
2016.
Monday Sept 5th – Mass at 7pm in our Cathedral with chief celebrant, Most Rev Christopher Jones, Bishop Emeritus, Elphin Diocese with Veneration of Relics to follow.
ALL WELCOME
We join those attending the Knock Novena by reciting the Novena prayer.
Novena Prayers to Our Lady of Knock
Give praise to the Father Almighty, to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who lives in our hearts. both now and forever. Amen.
Our Lady Of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray to You with confidence to your Divine Son, remembering His promise, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be open unto you.” Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with your love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely, depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for now, and at the hour of my death. Amen
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Grant us Peace.
St. Joseph, chosen by God to be the husband of Mary, the Protector of the Holy family, the Guardian of the church, protect all families in their work and recreation, and guard us on our journey through life. (repeat – Lamb of God, etc)
St. John beloved disciple of the Lord, faithful priest, teacher of the Word of God; help us to hunger for the Word, to be loyal to the Mass, and to love one another. (repeat – Lamb of God, etc)
Our Lady of Knock, Pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
Queen assumed into heaven, Pray for us.
Queen of the Rosary, Pray for us.
Mother of Nazareth, Pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, Pray for us.
Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Health of the Sick, Pray for us.
Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
Our Lady queen and Mother, Pray for us.
Our Lady Mother of the Church, Pray for us. (here mention your own special intentions)
With the Angels and Saints let us pray, Give praise to the Father Almighty, to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who lives in our hearts, both now & forever. Amen. (Instruction: The Rosary and Holy Communion is recommended each day.)
We join those attending the Knock Novena by reciting the Novena prayer.
Novena Prayers to Our Lady of Knock
Give praise to the Father Almighty, to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who lives in our hearts. both now and forever. Amen.
Our Lady Of Knock, Queen of Ireland, you gave hope to your people in a time of distress, and comforted them in sorrow. You have inspired countless pilgrims to pray to You with confidence to your Divine Son, remembering His promise, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be open unto you.” Help me to remember that we are all pilgrims on the road to heaven. Fill me with your love and concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who live with me. Comfort me when I am sick, lonely, depressed. Teach me how to take part ever more reverently in the Holy Mass. Give me a greater love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for now, and at the hour of my death. Amen
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Grant us Peace.
St. Joseph, chosen by God to be the husband of Mary, the Protector of the Holy family, the Guardian of the church, protect all families in their work and recreation, and guard us on our journey through life. (repeat – Lamb of God, etc)
St. John beloved disciple of the Lord, faithful priest, teacher of the Word of God; help us to hunger for the Word, to be loyal to the Mass, and to love one another. (repeat – Lamb of God, etc)
Our Lady of Knock, Pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
Queen assumed into heaven, Pray for us.
Queen of the Rosary, Pray for us.
Mother of Nazareth, Pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, Pray for us.
Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Health of the Sick, Pray for us.
Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
Our Lady queen and Mother, Pray for us.
Our Lady Mother of the Church, Pray for us. (here mention your own special intentions)
With the Angels and Saints let us pray, Give praise to the Father Almighty, to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, to the Spirit who lives in our hearts, both now & forever. Amen. (Instruction: The Rosary and Holy Communion is recommended each day.)
Parish of Ballisodare.
Ballisodare is situated at the head of Ballisodare Bay. It takes its name from the falls and rapids (Eas Dara)on the Owenmore river. Close by the shoreline are the remains of monastic sites, including St. Feichin’s Church (7th century) and the Augustinian Abbey and Kildalough Church. The Sally Gardens of Yeats’ fame and the lead, zinc, and silver mines are also features on the landscape. The parish of Achonry/Mullinabreena is a rural parish of 250 families in County Sligo, situated in the north of the Diocese. It has two churches, a four teacher national school, and many active community organisations. Also in the parish is the Church of Ireland Cathedral, and the 1500 year old site of the first Christian settlement of St. Nathy – patron of the Diocese, from the historic site a stone was presented at the 2012 Eucharistic congress as a symbol of faith and prayer. In this parish also are the ruins of a Franciscan Abbey dating back to the fourteen century and a Holy well dedicated to the memory of St. Finian.
Attymass parish is a place of great natural beauty, with wonderful vistas of mountain, lake and bog at every turn of the road. The parish is made up of 250 households with a total population of approximately 700. The parish church, which dates from 1835, is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph. St. Feichin's National School has there classroom teachers. It was awarded the title "Repak Recycling School of the Year" in 2013, to the great delight of the local community. http://achonrydiocese.org/ballymote.htm
Parish of Riverstown,Gleann, & Sooey, Co. Sligo
Episcopal Commission for Irish Emigrants
The Jesuit sponsored: www.sacredspace.ie is a site for words of comfort and compassion. For those looking for a few moments reflection as they sit before the computer I can heartily recommend Sacred Space. For others who wish to access a thought of meditation based on the Sunday readings:www.staudeons.dublindiocese.ie
If you want to access Church documents, even before they are published, try: www.vatican.va This is a window on the Vatican and includes recent documents and the text of Papal audiences. For those who are looking for accurate information on the teaching of the Church try: www.catholic-pages.com
www.cwn.com a comprehensice Catholic news service by subscription.
Of interest may be:www.catholic-ministries.com/retreats - news of retreats throughout the country. www.jubileeireland.com is celebrating the 2000 anniversary of the birth of Christ. A good site for those wanting to know more about scripture comes from Fr. Tom Lane at: www.frtommylane.ie
The Dublin Diocese web site also has good links that are a help to searching: www.dublindiocese.ie
Parish of Tubbercurry.
Tubercurry / Cloonacool is a parish with a population of 1,700.
The Church of St. John, Evangelist was built in 1933 and St. Michael’s Church, Cloonacool was built about 1853. There is a Mass Rock at Masshill, and Mass is celebrated there every year.
Tubbercurry had a Workhouse and each year a Mass is said in the Famine Graveyard at the site in Connolly Park.
The Marist Sisters have served the community in education and pastoral care for over 100 years and continue to work in and around the parish.
There are two primary schools ( Holy Family NS, Tubbercurry and St. Michael’s NS Cloonacool); one Secondary school – St. Attracta’s community school; and a third level college – North Connaught College.
Gallagher House Resource Centre caters for people with special needs.
The Chamber of Commerce is active and Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre provides many services. There is a strong tradition of music, sport, athletics, drama, and other cultural activities.
Tubbercurry hosts the oldest Drama Festival in the country each March.
In July it hosts the South Sligo Summer School and the Old Fair Day in August.
The priests of the parish are Fr. Martin Jennings and Fr. Dan O Mahony.
Parish of Tourlestrane.
Kilmactigue (Cill Mhic Thaidh) ‘The Church of Teige’s son’ is the ancient name of the present parish of Tourlestrane. We are a rural parish, situated in South Sligo, bordering the parishes of Tubbercurry, Curry, Killasser, Attymass, and Bonniconlon.
We are served by three churches in the parish: - St. Attracta’s in Tourlestrane; the church of the Most Holy Rosary in Kilmactigue; and the church of the Sacred Heart at Lough Talt in Largon.
we have three national schools at Drimina, Castlerock, and Banada and about 170 children attend these schools.
Aclare village is the main built-up area of our parish.
St. Attracta’s well reminds us of the old home-based sacraments and spirituality of a previous time. In Tourlestrane church the statue with the title “Our lady of Banada” and whose feast day is 8th October, reminds us of another kind of spirituality based more on churches, devotions and priests.
Fr. John Glynn is the Parish Priest.
Parish of Swinford.
The parish of Swinford is made up of the two ancient parishes of Kilconduff and Meelick, amalgamated in the 18c.
Ruins of an old church are still extant in Kilconduff Cemetery and the Round Tower at Meelick dating back to the 8c. with an inscribed stone, are testament to the beginnings of the Christian faith in these parts. In Midfield there is a Mass Rock from PenalTimes.
There are three churches in the parish with vibrant communities; St. Joseph’s, Midfield (1876); St. Luke’s, Meelick (1881); and Our Lady, Help of Christians, Swinford (1891) which has much admired stained-glass windows and Stations of the Cross by Richard King.
There are five primary schools and a secondary school (an amalgamation of the Convent of Mercy Secondary school, Coláiste Pádraig and the VEC school).
Swinford was the site of a Workhouse in the 19c which is now part of the District Hospital and there is a famine graveyard at the site.
The parish has 58 active clubs and organisations, including the Midfield Pipe Band and among Swinford’s attractions are the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade (which has run for 63 years) and the Siamsa Sráide Festival in August (celebrating 30 years this year.)
The Priests of the Parish are Fr. Dermot Meehan, PP and Fr. Gerard Davey CC.
Parish of Straide.
The parish boundaries of Straide (Templemore) parish stretch from Lough Cullen in the north to close to the town of Balla in the south, and is bordered, largely, by Bohola and Foxford Parishes to the east and Tuam diocese to the west.
The parish contains many historical sites – including Wedge Tombs (2500 – 1800 BC) and Ring Forts (400 – 1100 AD).
The townland of Ballylahan also contains the ruins of one of the first and largest baronial castles built in Mayo in the mid 13c by Jordan of Exeter, who built Straide Abbey (the Priory of the Holy Cross) in 1252.
Straide’s most famous son is Michael Davitt who was instrumental in founding and advancing the aims of the Land League. He is buried in the grounds of Straide Abbey. The disused Church in which he was baptised is now a museum in his honour.
The parish has one Church and one Primary School – both dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It also has a Community Hall named after Michael Davitt.
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the present Church as well as the 50th anniversary of the occupancy of the present school building.
The parish has numerous active groups, committees and organisations.
Further information can be found by visiting the parish website – www.straideparish.com
Fr. Martin Convey is the parish priest of Straide.
Parish of Kiltimagh.
The Parish of Kiltimagh is situated at the Southern end of the Diocese of Achonry. It is bordered with the Parish of Bohola and Swinford in Achonry Diocese and the Parish of Augamore, Knock, Claremorris, Mayo Abbey and Balla in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
The Parish Church is the Church of the Holy Family and the one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of the building of the Church in 1888 was celebrated in 2013.
Mass is also celebrated in Craggagh Community Centre every Sunday.
The original name of the Parish is Killedan which comes from the Irish ‘Cill Liodáin’ – the ‘Church of Liodáin’. Killedan Abbey, which is a Franciscan foundation, was the centre of Christianity in this part of Co. Mayo from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. The restored stone Church believed to have been built in the twelfth century still stands in the Townland of Killedan and Mass is celebrated there every July.
The Church of the Holy Family has a web-cam system in operation by which all Masses celebrated in Church can be seen on the internet –
www.kiltimaghparish.org
The Parish is served by two priests, Fr. Paddy Kilcoyne is Parish priest and Fr. Pat Lynch is Priest in Residence.
Parish of Kilmovee
Kilmovee, a parish in East Mayo, includes four church areas; Kilmovee, Urlaur, Kilkelly, and Glann. Each brings its own distinct style and contribution to the Faith Story. Its churches range in age from one of the oldest in the Diocese (St. Patrick’s, Glann) to the two most recently built (Kilkelly and Urlaur). There exists a strong tradition of faith and an embracing of all things Irish; Traditional Music, GAA, Irish Language (with emphasis on drama) and, central to all a “Céad Míle Fáilte”. Urlaur Abbey is the focus of much pride and it Hallowed Ground welcomes pilgrim and visitor, especially on August 4th for the Annual Pattern. Kilmovee boasts a hugely active and enterprising Community Centre that acts as a hub for much that takes place from Postal Service to the weekly “eyes down” that is “Community Bingo”. Likewise, each of the four areas has its own history, identity and network of activity but we strive to be as one – as Parish – God’s People.
Frs. Vincent Sherlock and John Maloney are the priest of the parish.
The Parish of Gurteen
Gurteen Parish, comprises the 3 church areas of Gurteen, Cloonloo, and Killaraght. Historically, called the parish of Kilfree & Killaraght, from combining, in 1851 of the two, St. Joseph’s Church, Cloonloo in 1873, and St. Attracta’s, Killaraght, in 1875. The name Killaraght is from the Gaelic, Cill Attract. There is an ancient St. Attracta’s Well (on the Boyle – Frenchpark Road).
Situated in the half – barony of Coolavin, whose chiefs came from the O’Gara family, their seat was Moygara Castle. In the 17th century Fergal O’Gara was the patron of The Four Masters.
There are five historical cemeteries: Killaraght old cemetery (Boyle – Frenchpark Road), Templeronan (by the Cloonloo shore of Lough Gara), Carrauntemple, (Kilfree area) containing replicas of ancient grave slabs, Mount Irwin (in the direction of Tubbercurry) and Gurteen, which contains the ruin of the Protestant Church.
Gurteen is a noted centre for Traditional Irish music, which is promoted at the Ceoláras Coleman Visitor Centre, Auditorium & Archive.
There are three primary schools; Carn, Mullaghroe, and St. Ronan’s Cloonloo. There are approximately 500 households in the parish. Fr. Joe Caulfield is the parish priest of Gurteen.
The Parish of Curry.Curry – Moylough Parish is situated in south Co. Sligo, between Charlestown (Co. Mayo) and Tubercurry. It is a rural parish with the N17 route way running through its centre. There are two churches in the parish. The Parish Church (the Church of the Immaculate Conception) in Curry was built between 1868 and 1872. It replaced an earlier wooden structure built in 1832. St. Patrick’s Church, Moylough was built in 1889 also replacing an earlier (thatched) structure dating from 1828.
Each centre has a modern primary school and parish facilities including St. Mary’s Community Centre in Curry and Moylough Heritage Centre.
Evidence of pre- Christian settlement in the areas is afforded by the Curry Torc c 500BC (British Museum, London) and the 8c Moylough Belt Shrine (National Museum, Dublin.)
Fr. Leo Henry is the Parish Priest of Curry.
The Parish of Collooney. Collooney ( Kilvarnet) is a rural parish in the Diocese of Achonry. The boundaries of the parish date from 1978, when a larger parish called “Ballysadare & Kilvarnet” were divided. The present parish comprises the ancient parish of Kilvarnet and part of the ancient parish of Ballysadare.
There are two churches in the parish – Church of the Assumption in Collooney, which was consecrated in 1861 and the Church of St. Feichin & St. Lassara in Ballinacarrow, which was dedicated in 1904/1905, situated approximately 5 miles south of Collooney. There are 3 schools in the parish; Mary Immaculate Girls NS and St. Joseph’s Boys NS in Collooney and St. Fechin’s NS in Ballinacarrow.
Cloonamahon which is in the parish, was a former Passionist Monastery, now a residential care home for people with intellectual disability.
Fr. Pat Peyton is Parish priest of Collooney and Fr. Jim Finan, former Parish Priest of Keash ia a priest in residence.
The Parish of Killoran, Coolaney.
Greetings to one and all from the parish of Killoran – Coolaney, Co. Sligo.
The parish of Killoran is in the centre of Co. Sligo on the southern side of the Ox Mountains. It is part of the barony of Leyney. The Parish church is situated in Rockfield, dedicated to the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph. The Jesuit motto is inscribed on the gable “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” meaning “For the greater glory of God.” Across the road is Scoil Chriost Rí educating 173 children. There are two Community Centres, one in Coolaney and the other in Killoran, a Community park where many sporting activities take place. Our parish is blessed with an excellent community spirit, welcoming, caring and a warm people, good natured, faithful to family and friend; trying to do everything for the greater glory of God. You can join us in prayer by tuning into our parish radio at 106.5fm. Mass times: Saturday – 7pm and Sunday - 10.30am. Monday - Friday 10am.
You are most welcome to visit our parish at any time. Thanking you for your prayers, thoughts and best wishes.
Fr. Patrick J Holleran is our priest – feel free to contact him at 91677745 or 087653050/ fr.patrickholleran@gmail.com
Blessings from the Hill Country.
The Parish of Charlestown.Charlestown (Kilbeagh) parish is situated in Co. Mayo but it does venture across the border into Co. Sligo to embrace the territory of Bellaghy (Old Town) within its boundaries. There are eight wayside shrines in the parish, one commemorating the Eucharistic Congress of 1932, two dating from the Marian Year of 1954, the others dedicated to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart are a testimony to the faith of the immediate locality. There is one off-the-road
Shrine dedicated to St. Attracta alongside a well also associated with St. Attracta.
The Parish has two churches; St. James’ in Charlestown and St. Patrick’s in Bushfield. There are four National Schools, three pre-schools, one secondary, two Nursing Homes and one International Airport, all within the parish boundary.
Sport and community activities, are very much a feature of life in the parish. Just this year the Community of St. Attracta’s NS won the Meitheal Award, the second time for Charlestown to win this special award.
Journalist and author John Healy; playwright, Tom Murphy; and bishops Cassidy (Tuam), and O’Doherty (Manila) and Morrisroe (Achrony) were natives of this parish.
Fr. Tommy Johnston is the parish priest of Charlestown and Fr. John Doherty is the priest in residence.
The Parish of Carracastleis a rural parish situated in the north east of County Mayo which shares its borders with County Sligo to the north and County Roscommon to the east. The name Carracastle is a translation from the Irish ‘Ceathrú and Chaisil’ – the area of the stone fort.
Rúscaigh or Rooskey means ‘moory land’. It became a parish in its own right in 1800, prior to which it originally was part of Kilbeagh that included Charlestown. The parish has two churches; St. James’s, Carracastle, opened in 1877 and St. Joseph’s, Rooskey, opened in 1891.
The parish has one primary school – Scoil Íosa, a pre-school and after school facility, two community centres, a sports field, the John Healy Memorial Park, The O’Dwyer Forest Park and a number of active clubs and organisations.
We host the very popular Carracastle Lass competition – now in its 24th year; we are home to one of the last remaining Fife and Drum Bands in Connaught dating back to the Land League and our Caiseal Gaels Hurling club have won several titles in its first few years of existence.
Fr. Michael Quinn is the parish priest of Carracastle.
The Parish of Bunninadden(comprising the ancient parishes of Cloonoghill, Kilturra, and Kilshalvey, which united in 1767) is a rural parish in south Sligo, with the district of Doocastle, situated in Co. Mayo. The parish has two churches. The Parish church, built in 1829, is located in the village of Bunnanadden and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. There are two National Schools in the parish – Scoil Croí Naofa and Killavil National School. Many thriving community organisations and clubs are centred around the Community Centre (Bunnanadden), the Community park (Ballinalack), and the Céilí House (Killavil). Traditional Irish music has strong roots in the parish and monuments, dedicated to the memory of former musicians, can be found in Doocastle, Bunnanadden, and Killavil.
The Parish of Bonniconlon.The village of Bonniconlon is situated close to the Windy Gap in the Ox Mountains and near the Sligo border.
Bonniconlon is one of many townlands which make up the parish of Kilgarvin. The name ‘Bonniconlon’ means ‘the thicket or woodland of Conlon.’ The name of Kilgarvin means ‘the church of Garbhan’. In the seventh century, St. Feichin built a church in Kilgarvin and it was named after the local saint, St. Garbhan. The parish of Kilagarvin contains ample evidence of pre-Christian habitation. In recent years, Mayo historical and Archaeological Society discovered an Ogham stone in Kilgarvin cemetery. Traces and evidence of pre-Christian settlements have also been discovered in the townland of Glenree.
The famous Rosary Priest, Fr. Peyton, may well become the saint associated with the parish of Kilgarvin. For some time, he attended Bonniconlon N.S. and served Mass in Bonniconlon church; his cause for canonisation continues.
Each year, Bonniconlon makes a nationwide appearance as it hosts the largest Agricultural Show west of Shannon. The Bonniconlon Show is synonymous with the August weekend holiday, as it is also an enjoyable day out for the family.
The Parish of Bohola
Bohola Parish is a rural community located about five miles from both Swinford and Kiltimagh. Called after St. Tola, (‘Both’=dwelling) it originally had a thatched church which was replaced in 1864 by the present one dedicated to ‘The Immaculate Conception & St. Joseph’.
Celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary are planned for the June bank holiday week-end.
The area is blessed with great fishing in the river Moy on whose banks are the impressive remains of a Mass Rock and an ancient burial site at Carragolda.
A fine Community centre, evidence of an excellent and energetic community, is named after Martin Sheridan, the famous athlete who won nine gold Olympic medal in the early twentieth century.
The O’Dwyer Cheshire Home, built in Lismirrane on the ancestral home of Paul & Bill O Dwyer, who was Mayor of New York, now cares for the physically handicapped.
The six original National Schools were amalgamated in 1986 and now the parish has one central school. The former school at Shraheens is a Mass centre and caters for a great community.
The Parish of Ballymotewhich comprises the medieval parishes of Emlaghfad & Kilmorgan (amalgamated in 1703AD) is located along the east bank of the Owenmore river. St. Colmcille founded the Emlaghfad Monastery circa 570 when he appointed Enna as the first Abbot. The parish of Kilmorgan grew around the medieval church of St. Murchon or Murchaidh, which was founded about the same time. The Abbey in Ballymote was built in 1442 by the Third Order of Franciscans and members of that Order served in the parish until the early 19th century.
Ballymote’s Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception was dedicated in 1864 and the Chapel of Kilmorgan Parish in Doo was dedicated in 1880. It replaced the last thatched chapel in Ireland.
There are four schools in the parish: Scoil Mhuire gan Smál; Knockminna N.S.; Coláiste Mhuire (Sisters of Mercy); and Corran College (V.E.C.)
Rev. Andrew Donlevy, the celebrated 18th century Parisian churchman and bilingual catechist, Brother Walfrid Kerins, founder of Glasgow Celtic and Michael Corcoran, U.S. Civil War Hero; were all natives of Ballymote Parish, as were the renowned Traditional musicians: Paddy Killoran (Lisananny), Willie Coleman (Carnaree) and James Morrison (Drumfin).
The commercial life of the area is based on farming, and the Cattle Mart is the hub.
The Norman castle, built in 1300, gave the first impetus to the growth of the town.
The Parish of Castlemore and Kilcoman, (Ballaghaderreen) is the Cathedral parish of the Diocese of Achonry. There are four church areas in the parish, each with its own vibrant community, Ballaghaderreen, Brusna, Derrinacartha and Monasteraden.
The Cathedral was consecrated and dedicated to St. Nathy and the Annunciation on the 3 November 1861. The church of St. John the Baptist and St. Colman in Derrinacartha was built in 1873, St. Aiden’s Monasteraden was built in 1881 and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Brusna was opened in 1950.
Religious practice has been to the forefront in this community for centuries. In spite of constant harassment, priests continued to minister to the people celebrating Mass in the open air at Mass Rocks, such as the elaborate ‘Four Alters’ in Creggane, Edmonstown. There is also an altar beside St. Attracta’s well in Clogher, Monasteraden.
Three counties meet in the parish, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon adding diversity of the people and their religious practice.
Today there are two Mass centres in the parish – St. Brigid’s Church, which was rebuilt in 2008 – 2009 and rededicated August 16, 2009 by Bishop Kelly, and St. Mary’s Oratory located beside the Convent where the Sisters of Mercy reside.
There are two schools; St. John’s NS and St. Mary’s College, and a host of fine organisations catering for both young and old, thus enriching the life of the parish.
The Parish's most famous son is of course Servant of God, Father Patrick Peyton CSC (1909 - 1992), Rosary Priest, who was born and raised in the townland of Carracastle. A beautiful Memorial Centre was officially opened in October 1998 to celebrate the life and apostolic work of this great priest. The Centre, which attracts up to 10,000 visitors annually, has in recent years become a very popular venue for school retreats.
'Father, may you support us all day long, till the shadows lengthen and evening falls, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done: then in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last. We ask this through Christ our Lord.'
Some Catholic Web sites.
A new Irish site on the web helps couples prepare for a Catholic wedding.
www.gettingmarried.ie gives a guide to the ceremony and special tips for choosing reading, prayers and music. The website also has stories and experiences of couples, an online bookshop and lots more.
Community Games Sligo: www.communitygames.ie
Ballymote Golf Club: www.ballymotegolfclub.com