Blessing of renovated Grotto to Our Lady at St Michael's
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Micheál Cassidy (left) and Andy Donohoe who, with the late Pat Finnegan and the support of people inside and outside the parish, built the Marian grotto on the grounds of St Michael’s Church, Castlepollard in 1999. The grotto was rededicated to Our Lady of Lourdes last Saturday.Image 2 of 6
The Mass servers in Castlepollard last Saturday.Image 3 of 6
Joe Monaghan was one of the readers at last Saturday’s Mass for peace and healing in Castlepollard.Image 4 of 6
Gifts being brought to the altar during Saturday’s Mass in Castlepollard.Image 5 of 6
Fr Patrick Moore, PP, Castlepollard, delivering the homily during the Year of Hope Mass in Castlepollard on Saturday.Image 6 of 6
Some of the attendance of nearly 250 people who attended the Mass in Castlepollard on Saturday evening.Around 250 people turned out on a beautiful evening in Castlepollard last Saturday for a special Mass of healing to mark the rededication of the grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes, which was built 26 years ago.
The Mass, celebrated on the lawn at St Michael’s Church, Castlepollard by Fr Patrick Moore, PP, also marked the Jubilee Year of Hope announced by the late Pope Francis, and was said with special intentions for peace in the world.
The grotto, which depicts the Blessed Virgin’s appearance to St Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858, was built in 1999 by local men Micheál Cassidy, Andy Donohoe and the late Pat Finnegan, with the help of volunteers and donors from Castlepollard and surrounding parishes and the support of Fr Moore.
In January, Storm Éowyn damaged a number of trees on the green around the grotto, necessitating their removal. The work, which drew huge support from the parish community, opened up a new view of the grotto and an opportunity to reimagine its surroundings. That work took place over recent months, leading to last Saturday’s Mass.
In the heat of the summer sun, hundreds of people gathered on the church grounds resplendent after weeks of hard work by parish volunteers, the local altar society and the Legion of Mary.
Joined by priests from surrounding parishes, Fr Moore celebrated the Mass at a wooden altar sourced from Coole-Whitehall parish which, incidentally, was made 100 years ago. During his homily, Fr Moore paid tribute to Micheál Cassidy, Andy Donohoe and the late Pat Finnegan for their work on the Marian grotto a quarter of a century ago, and to all those who took part in the preparations during recent weeks and months.
Musical accompaniment for the Mass was provided by the Castlepollard church choir. In keeping with the Lourdes connection, anointing of the sick took place, as well as a procession with gifts.
Adam Sullivan presented a trowel that was used in the construction of the grotto, while other gifts were brought forward by Brendan Dermody (representing Castletown; a bell), Maurice Farrell (representing Finea; a hymn book), Sr Mary Cox (a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes), Pauline Griffith (candles, on behalf of the altar society), Kathleen Earle (flowers, on behalf of the altar society), Majella Fox (rosary beads, representing stewards and collectors), Gráinne Conlon (bread), Andy Donohoe (wine) and Donie Cassidy (List of the Dead).
A number of people who received the sacrament of Confirmation when the grotto was originally dedicated 26 years ago read prayers of the faithful.
The grotto, built with Liscannor flagstone and statues donated from Italy, lights up at night, and the sound of a water fountain, coupled with a new seating area in the sylvan surrounds of St Michael’s Church, makes it an ideal place for prayer and reflection.