End of an Athlone era as friars say farewell

The Friary church in Athlone was packed to overflowing last Sunday morning as the Franciscan community held a Mass of thanksgiving to formally bid farewell to the town after 788 years here.

While the Franciscan church itself will remain open for the time being, with two Masses per week being celebrated there over the coming months, Sunday was the day when the Franciscan province of Ireland formally withdrew from the friary in Athlone.

The departure of the order, announced in October, was greeted with widespread sadness locally and leaves a void both in the physical and spiritual heart of Athlone.

"Today, as a community of friars, we must say goodbye," said the Minister Provincial of the Franciscans in Ireland, Fr Aidan McGrath, during the Mass on Sunday.

"For almost 800 years the Franciscans have been part of the life of this faith community in Athlone, remaining here through thick and thin," he said. "Today, sadly, this story takes a step towards a conclusion."

A statement which was read out during the service on Sunday gave an update to the congregation on the future of the friary living quarters and the church itself.

"With regard to the friary: the Franciscans have received enquiries from a number of groups and individuals offering suggestions about the future use of the building," said the statement.

"At present, an agreement is being finalised with one of these groups and an announcement will be made within a few weeks. At this stage, it can be stated that the property is not being sold.

"Concerning the church: at this time, it is not possible to make any definitive decision about the church; however, as has been publicised already, arrangements are being made to keep the church open for private prayer, with a reduced availability of the celebration of Mass.

"When a new Bishop has been appointed to Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, this situation will be reviewed," the statement ended.

Fr McGrath said the withdrawal of the Franciscan community had stirred up a range of emotions in the people of Athlone and surrounding areas.

"Some of you have communicated this to me by letter and by email. Some have conveyed their deep sense of loss and of sadness.

"A few have let me know of their anger, but most have expressed their great affection for the friars down through the generations, mentioning some individuals in particular.

"On our part, we Franciscans are here today also with a mixture of sadness, regret, but with deep, deep gratitude," he commented.

"Since the year 1235, the people of Athlone and the surrounding districts have been generous, kind, courteous and welcoming to the Franciscans. For that reason in this Mass, above all, we give thanks to God for you and for all that you have helped us to do."

He reiterated that the scarcity of vocations, and the older age profile of the existing friars, were the reasons why the Franciscans were leaving Athlone.

"Out of 76 friars in the province today, 50 are over the age of 75. Many of those, and some of those under 75, are in need of specialist care.

"This is something that I have struggled with... and we have tried to understand, but the conclusion is that it's part of the greater mystery in which we are involved.

"Vocations come from God. We Franciscans cannot manufacture them, you yourselves cannot manufacture them. It is God who calls.

"Older men, who are unable to do what once they did, cannot be expected to continue indefinitely. They have the right to step back and live their final years without undue expectation and unnecessary stress," he said.

"We now are being called to step forward in faith into the unknown. The closure of this community of Franciscan friars should not undermine the faith of believers.

"The Gospel is not about keeping people living in a certain place, or keeping buildings open, or maintaining a certain fixed schedule of services.

"One day, in God's own time, God will manifest his plan to us and help us understand more fully how our withdrawal from Athlone is part of that plan."

Fr McGrath concluded by telling the people of Athlone that the Franciscans "will never forget your kindness, your generosity, and your love."

Following the service, people were invited into the Friary for tea and a chat with the friars, and catering was provided by John McLoughlin and his staff at the nearby Bonne Bouche.

Another Irish Franciscan community, in Clonmel, also closed in the last week and its farewell Mass was celebrated on Friday.

The friars who had been based in Athlone are now taking up residence in Multyfarnham, Galway, Ennis, and Merchant's Quay in Dublin.

* For further coverage, see this week's Westmeath Independent