Paróiste Naomh Bhríd ag Ceiliúradh Iubhaile Ófga

Ard na Carn, Cathair Dhoire, Éire - Tá Eaglais Naomh Bríd i Ard na Carn ag súil go mór le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar 50 bliain ó a bhunaíodh, cloch mhíle shuntasach i stair an pharóiste. 

Fr Roni and James McMonagle making St Brigid's Crosses.

Neadaithe laistigh de thírdhreacha suaimhneach Ard na Carn, tá Naomh Bríd ina léaró creidimh agus pobail ó bunaíodh é i 1974.

Tá athrú ar leith tagtha ar an bparóiste, a rugadh dhá scór is deich bliana ó shin, ag comóradh imeachtaí suntasacha ar nós bunú na bunscoile agus na meánscoile agus oscailt ionad na pharóiste le Siúr Áine Ó Dochartaigh. 

An éiteas bunaidh na Gaeilge ag an bhFeis

An tábhacht a bhaineann leis An Teanga ag Feis Ḋoire Ċolmcille

Le toirbhirt an tséipéil ar an 31 Deireadh Fómhair, 1976, leis an chéad aifreann a ceiliúradh ar an 22 Nollaig, 1974 sa 'bothán adhmaid' mar a tugadh air idir an dá linn (is cuimhin le m'athair féin a bheith ina bhuachaill altóra), bhí Naomh Bríd ina mhol spioradálta don phobal.

Do mhachnamh a dhéanamhar an turas, cuireann lucht an pharóiste agus an chléir béim ar an thábhacht domhain na garspriocanna seo. 

Dúirt an tAthair Ó Domhnaill, sagart cúnta den Pharóiste na dTrí Phátrún, a bhfuil cónaí air i Ard na Carn, "Is cloch mhíle álainn í, níor bheag an t-éacht é i saol an lae inniu." 

Tá an comóradh a ailíniú le  ceiliúradh 1,500 bliain Naomh Bríd, ag cur béime ar an gcreideamh buan agus ar an treoir spioradálta a léiríonn sí.

Is é spiorad an-fhlaithiúil, bá agus tiomantas domhain don chreideamh í Naomh Bríd, banéarlamh na hÉireann. 

Tá ómós tugtha ag an bparóiste dá hoidhreacht trí imeachtaí éagsúla, ina measc aifreann faoi cheannas an Easpaig Dónal Mac Eoin, ag admhaigh an méid a rinne sí leis an gcreideamh agus ag spreagadh an phobail chun aithris a dhéanamh ar a sampla.

Le 50 bliain anuas, le idirghabháil an Naomh iontach seo, tá forbair tagtha ar pobail Naomh Bríd go dinimiciúil, ag dul i dtaithí ar an riachtanais athraitheacha a pobail agus í ag fanacht bunaithe sa traidisiún. 

Ó a tugadh isteach an Oifig grá Dé I rith am an tAth Sheamus Ó Conaill, go ndéana an Rí a mhaith air (le súil go n-athbhunófar é don phobal), chun friotháil díograiseach ceoil a chothú faoi stiúir lucht an pharóiste dílis ar nós Eibhlín Mag Fhionnghaile,  tá an séipéal fós i láthair go diongbháilte i saol a cuid ball.

Agus an paróiste ag ceiliúradh an chloch mhíle seo, tugann an tAthair Ó Domhnaill teachtaireacht dóchais agus machnaimh do mhuintir an pharóiste agus don phobal i gcoitinne. Leagann sé béim ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le láithreacht Dé a aithint inár saol agus glacadh lenár ról i phlean ár Thiarna, ag macalla éiteas Naomh Bríd maidir le Críost a fheiceáil i duine a céile. 

Ag breathnú i dtreo na todhchaí, tá pobail Naomh Bríd, Ard an Carn, ag iarraidh a rannpháirtíocht leis an bpobal a dhoimhniú, spiorad seirbhíse a chothú. 

Trí thionscnaimh ar nós oícheanta ceardaíochta, tionscadail maoirseachta comhshaoil, agus turais oideachais, tá sé mar aidhm ag an bparóiste creideamh agus naisc chultúrtha a chothú i measc a chuid ball.

Agus Eaglais Naomh Bríd, Ard an Chairn ag tabhairt faoin gcéad chaibidil eile dá aistear, tá sé tiomanta i gcónaí a bheith ina rabhchán solais agus dóchais, ag léiriú luachanna tráthúla an chreidimh, an phobail agus na seirbhíse a shainigh a oidhreacht le 50 bliain anuas.

Más mian leat teagmháil a dhéanamh le Míċeál-Piaras seol ríomhphost chuig: moceallaigh01@stmarys-belfast.ac.uk.

ST BRIGID'S PARISH CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

Anniversary: 'It's a lovely milestone and no mean feat in today's world' - Fr Sean O'Donnell

In Derry City, Ireland - St Brigid's Church in Carnhill is abuzz with anticipation as it gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, a significant milestone in the parish's history.

Nestled within the serene landscapes of Carnhill, St Brigid's has been a beacon of faith and community since its inception in 1974.

The parish, birthed five decades ago, has undergone remarkable transformations, marking significant events such as the establishment of its primary and secondary school and the inauguration of the parish resource centre led by Sr Anna Doherty.

With the church's dedication on October 31, 1976, the first mass celebrated on December 22, 1974 in the ‘wooden hut’ as it was known as in the interim (my own father remembers serving as an altar boy), St Brigid's has served as a spiritual hub for the community.

Reflecting on the journey, the parishioners and clergy emphasize the profound significance of this milestone.

Father O’Donnell, Priest Curate of the Three Patrons Parish, residing at Carnhill, remarked, "It's a lovely milestone, no mean feat in today's world."

The anniversary aligns with the celebration of St Brigid's 1,500th anniversary, highlighting the enduring faith and spiritual guidance that she represents.

St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, embodies hospitality, care, and a deep commitment to the faith.

The parish has honoured her legacy through various events, including a mass presided by Bishop Dónal McKeown, acknowledging her contributions to the faith and inspiring the community to emulate her example.

Over the past 50 years, St Brigid's Church through the intercession of the great Saint, has grown dynamically, adapting to the changing needs of its community while staying rooted in tradition.

The Altar at St Brigid's during the 40 Hours Adoration.

From the introduction of the Divine Office since the beginning during the time of the late Fr Seamus O’Connell (with hopes of its reintroduction to the public), to sustaining dedicated music ministries led by stalwart parishioners like Evelyn McGinley, the church has remained a steadfast presence in the lives of its members.

As the parish celebrates this milestone, Father O’Donnell offers a message of hope and reflection to both parishioners and the wider community.

He emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's presence in our lives and embracing our role in His plan, echoing St Brigid's ethos of seeing Christ in others.

Looking towards the future, St Brigid's Church Carnhill aspires to deepen its engagement with the community, fostering a spirit of service.

Through initiatives such as craft nights, environmental stewardship projects, and educational tours, the parish aims to nurture faith and cultural connections among its members.

As St Brigid's Church Carnhill embarks on the next chapter of its journey, it remains committed to being a beacon of light and hope, embodying the timeless values of faith, community, and service that have defined its legacy for the past 50 years.

If you would like to contact Míċeál-Piaras please email: moceallaigh01@stmarys-belfast.ac.uk.