Holy Week celebrations began at the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening when Fr. Tom blessed the palm. At 10am on Sunday morning Fr. Arnold and the folk group led the Liturgy at the Jubilee Garden. Fr. Francis Xavier and the choir of Mary Immaculate Church continued the celebrations at 11am. Fr. Tom was joined by Bishop Willie Walsh and Fr. Peadar O’Loughlin SSC for the final Mass of Palm Sunday. The senior choir of SS John & Paul Church led by its director, Mary Lahiff, led the procession from the Jubilee Garden of SS John & Paul Church for the celebration of Sunday Eucharist. Our thanks to Michelle Justice for the photos. Bishop Fintan was joined by the Priests of the Diocese, our Deacon Martin Shanahan, and parishioners from many parishes throughout the Diocese for the annual Mass of Chrism in the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul Ennis on Wednesday evening. At this Mass the Holy Oils used in the celebration of the sacraments in the Diocese throughout the coming year were blessed by Bishop Fintan.
The oil of Cathecumen used in Baptism , the oil of Chrism used in Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination and the oil of the Sick. Bishop Fintan invites the priests present with the support of the people to renew their Priestly commitment. After Mass the priests gathered in the Chapter Room of the Cathedral to bring the Holy oils home to their respective parishes. All the priests of the parish concelebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening in SS John & Paul Church. Fr Arnold was the principal celebrant and washed the feet of some parishioners. Mary Hynds, on behalf of parishioners, invited the priests to renew their commitment to priesthood. At the end of the Mass the procession to the Altar of repose in Cuan Na nÓg took place where a vigil of watching and waiting was held until 10pm. The highlight of Holy week is the Easter Vigil. This year it was celebrated in SS. John & Paul Church at 9pm on Holy Saturday.
All the priests of the parish concelebrated and Fr Tom presided. The Blessing of the Easter fire took place in the Jubilee Garden of SS John & Paul Church. The Senior Choir of the Church, under the direction of Mary Lahiff, enhanced the celebration with beautiful music and singing. As the Dawn broke in Shannon on Easter Sunday hundreds of people gathered in the cold but beautiful morning in Illaunmanagh Cemetery for the celebration of Dawn Easter Mass. Fr Arnold celebrated the Eucharist, assisted by the priests of the parish. The Folk Group provided the music and singing and thanks to Christy Collins and Colin Fogarty for the Easter Fire. Our thanks to Michelle Justice and Joe Buckley for the photos.
