THE PARISH OF MAGHERA
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The Spiritual Team
THE SPIRITUAL TEAMThe spiritual team in the parish is led by the Very Rev. Fr. James Crudden PP.Fr. Jim was born in Belfast in 1963. He attended the local De La Salle schools - St. Gall's Primary and later the La Salle Secondary School. He undertook his training for the priesthood at St. Peter's Seminary in Wexford and was ordained in St. Paul's Belfast in June 1988.Fr. Declan Mulligan was born in Loughinisland in 1971. He attended local schools: St Macartans's Primary, Loughinisland, St Colmcille's High School, Crossgar and the East Down Institute, Downpatrick. In 1991 Declan began training for the priesthood in St Malachy's College, Belfast, but left to complete a BSc in Social Work at the University of Ulster. He practised as a family and childcare social worker for North and West Belfast HSST and within Children's Disability Services, Down Lisburn Trust. He returned to complete his Bachelor of Divinity degree and HDip in Pastoral Studies at Maynooth College, Kildare. Declan was ordained on 4th June 2006Sr. Teresa is a member of the congregation of St. Louis. The Sisters have been associated with the Parish of Maghera since 1924. Sr. Teresa was on the staff of the original St. Malachy's High School from its foundation in 1959. She is currently enjoying retirement and is actively engaged in community work in the Parish
Our Lady of The Assumption
OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCHDowns Road NewcastleFirst opened on 12th June 1966, Our Lady of the Assumption Church was built to replace St. Mary's Church, Main Street, which had become too smallfor the ever-growing population, especially during the tourist season.. The church's circular style was a departure from the traditional style of church. In the 60's, as the emphasis on participation of the laity grew, it was felt that the circular style would allow the congregation to be involved more closely in the liturgy taking place on the central sanctuary. It is now a listed building as 'an example of sixties' architecture'. In May 2005 a major refurbishment programme began involving, among other things, the relocation of the choir and organ, the creation of a side chapel (oratory) and the placement, behind the main altar, of a tapestry depicting the Risen Christ. On 15 January 2006 the church was re-opened and a new altar dedicated by Most Rev. Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor.THE TAPESTRY The Tapestry represents the Risen Christ who triumphs over death on the cross, over sin and the power of Satan. He is the life-giver, whose arms are stretched wide in forgiveness and welcome to all who come to him. When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw everyone to myself. (John 12:32) The symbols, representing the four evangelists, surround the living Christ. They represent the word of God leading us to know the Word, Jesus, the Son of the Living God. These symbols are frequently used in the Book of Kells.Matthew is represented by the human figure with wings, Mark by the lion, Luke by the ox, and John by the eagle. Each carries the book of the Gospel.The symbolism goes back to the early centuries of the Church, and is taken from the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse), 4:6-8, where there is a vision of the heavenly court surrounding the throne of God, including four of the noblest creatures of creation, giving praise to God. In the centre, grouped around the throne itself, were four animals with many eyes, front and behind. The first animal was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third animal had a human face, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. Night and day they never stopped singing: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty; he was, he is, and he is to come.The architecture of the roof is echoed in the triangular sections of colour:Pale blue : The sky Ochre :– The light of Christ Dark blue :– The sea.Designed by Erica and Anastasios GkiokasProduced by Donegal Carpets
Stained Glass Windows
Stained Glass Windows in Our Lady of The Assumption Church
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St. Patrick's Church
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCHBallyhafry Road, BryansfordBryansford or Ballyhafry old chapel was erected in 1760 by the Rev. Robert Taylor. The original building had a thatched roof. Before it was erected, Mass was celebrated in a bohog at Cross and at Burren Mass Rock.The church was rebuilt in 1830 by the Rev John O'Heggarty. It may also have been renovated around 1900. A brass plaque on the wall of the Church read In memory of the Very Rev. Eugene McCartan PP VF, Larne under whose will a debt of £430 remaining due for the renovation of this Church was paid off. The total expenditure having been £931. RIP Nov 1904. W Dempsey PP. The debt referred to may have been carried over from the rebuilding of the Church in 1830, or could have resulted from further renovations, which some believe, were carried out around 1900.In the mid-eighties the church was up-dated. A new porch was built on the west end of the Church and new seats were provided by the parishioners. The Stations of the Cross were presented by Mrs Mary Cowan (RIP) in 1902.Official re-opening of St. Patrick's ChurchBishop Noel Treanor officially re-opened St.Patrick's Church Bryansford on Palm Sunday 28 TH March 2010 on the occassion of his first offical visit to the Parish of Maghera. St. Patrick's Church had been closed for several months whilst a major external and internal refurbushment programme was completed.Bishop Treanor's HomilyMy dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a joy to join with you in celebrating the Eucharist on this Palm Sunday, when we re-open this beautifully refurbished Church, dedicated to St Patrick at Bryansford. Many among you are familiar with the local landscape and the history of the parish. Im sure you children have visited the local Mass-rock. And if you have not been there, then in spring or summer you might put on you wellies and get friends or your parents to visit it with you. Knowing our own landscape is a keyhole to knowing the world. My dear children, for at least 250 years our forefathers have celebrated Palm Sunday in this place. That's a long time, isnt it ? !!! According to Fr. James O'Laverty, Mass was celebrated in a bohog at Cross in the townland of Tullyree in the neighbouring parish of Kilcoo and at Burren-Rock before the erection of the old chapel at Bryansford or Ballyhafry in or around the year 1760. Year on year over two and a half centuries the women, men, youth and children of this area have gathered here every Sunday in prayer and worship. Each year on Palm Sundays with palms in their hard-working, knowledge-laden and skilful hands they listened to and heard the gospel account of Christs triumphal entry into Jerusalem where, in stark contrast to that joyful entry, he would meet his Passion, crucifixion and death at the hands of the non-comprehending religious and political authorities and of the misled and myopic people. On this spot in the old chapel and as of 1830 in the Church of St Patrick your kith and kin nourished their Christian faith and hope as they listened to the Word of God from the Holy Scriptures and celebrated the saving mysteries of our redemption in the Eucharist, in the sacraments and as they came and gathered here for private and parish prayer and devotion. St Patrick's Bryansford, was made a holy place by the prayers, contributions and assemblies of the generations of men and women who have gone before us. Like all Churches it is a temple that sanctified their lives and the communities they composed. This Church was, as it is today, a sanctuary which shaped the identity of all who built, supported and maintained it. This Church building helped to make generations holy and wholesome people. It inspired parishioners to charity, good works, solidarity, spiritual insight and qualitative citizenship. It stood, as it stands today, as a symbol of God incarnate in Jesus Christ alive in our lives and in this parish.St Patrick's kept the flame of Christian hope alive in times of trial, famine and uncertainty, as its restoration does in this year of the Lord 2010. An earthly temple, needing regular renewal over the decades and centuries, its walls, furnishings and aura never ceased to speak of the suffering and risen God, revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the bed-rock of our identity, the assurance of divine love for each one, the guarantor of forgiveness for each human person and the source of our strength in the face of lifes sufferings and trials. On this Palm Sunday 2010 the re-opening and blessing of the refurbished St Patricks, Bryansford, keeps Christian hope alive in the faith-testing conditions, arising from the horrific crimes and sin of the sexual and other abuse of children, minors and vulnerable persons, prevalent within our Church in Ireland and elsewhere. The work, imagination and parish support for this refurbishment project is nothing other than faith at work in concrete and measurable terms here and now. It is also an immeasurable contribution to the future of this community and parish and to the public good of society.I congratulate the parish, the parishioners, Fr. Albert McNally and Fr Declan Mulligan, respectively your Parish Priest and Curate, on undertaking and completing this refurbishment project. I salute the work of the architect, Patrick O'Hagan, the contractor, Castledara Developments and its director, Michael OHagan, the quantity surveyor, John Heaney, the numerous sub-contractors who worked in the construction related fields listed at the end of the impressive booklet produced for this historic occasion. I congratulate all the craftsmen and women, tradesmen, workers and advisers who have re-appointed and embellished St Patricks. Your work and combined efforts are an expression of the vitality of your faith and a homage to the Christian witness of your forbears. They are a spiritual and religious gift to generations to come. This magnanimous local effort, on which we invoke Gods blessing today, stands in line with the heroic building on this site of the chapel in 1760, of the Church in 1830 and of the restorations carried out throughout its history and particularly in 1985. My dear friends in Christ, today, Palm Sunday, we set out on the Great Week of the Christian calendar when Christians celebrate the paschal mystery of Christs life, death and resurrection in the sacred liturgy of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. We enter this week carrying the palm of hope eternal in our hands. Holding these palms in our hands, we realise full well that life is made up of trials and difficulties. Through the years of life we learn time and again that, even as baptised women and men and as striving followers of Christ, we all carry the burden of imperfections and failure. Even as we carry these Palms of hope and joy, there echo in our ears the chastening and salutary words from the third of the Servant Songs in Second Isaiah (Is.50. 4-7 - the first reading of todays liturgy of the Word): those words remind us that persecution, insult, spittle are not spared to the Godly, even if they are agents of conversion, renewal and reform, as were the prophets and Christ himself. These lines from the prophet Isaiah, ever pertinent to the life of each Christian, and indeed to the crucible Christian history, provide the backdrop to the Passion narrative we read from the gospel according to St Luke (Lk.22.14 - 23.56) and that sets the scene for the saving mysteries that we shall celebrate and re-live in the liturgies of this Holy Week.Today, as we carry these palms to our homes and prepare to enter Holy Week, I pray with you that St Patricks, Bryansford, will continue to draw you together as a believing, praying community that celebrates the sacred mysteries of our redemption from sin. I pray that this Church will be a place and a centre where the beautiful and noble message of the Christian gospel will be handed on to new generations of youth and that you, young children present today, will hand on this treasure of faith in the person of Jesus to your children and grandchildren. With you I pray too that the lifes witness of all who worship here will continue to civilise and inspire improvement in the life of society and in our ever smaller and more interdependent world bedevilled by the evils of injustice, poverty and human suffering.May St Patrick's, Byransford, and this parish community, grow in faith in our Saviour Jesus of Nazareth, the suffering Christ of God whom God raised from the dead, the risen Christ who is our Hope eternal. Amen.
History of the Parish
A HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF MAGHERAThe first Catholic Church in Bryansford was built in 1760 by Fr Robert Taylor on a site granted by the local landlord, who some years later inherited the title Lord Roden. It must have been a small thatched church, and it is not certain that it occupied the exact site of the present church. Before it was built Mass was celebrated at a bohog at Cross in Tullyree, or at Burren Rock (Burrenreagh) by Dominican Friarswho lived from 1671 to 1750 in a small house in Burrenbridge behindthe present home of Cora OHare, whose late husband John was a great source of information on the history of the area. The Dominicans later moved to Moneyscalp, though there are records that the last Dominican in the area, Friar Byrne (or Burns), 1743 1817, born at Ballymagreehan, preferred to reside in Burrenbridge. This Friar Byrne may have continued to say Mass at Burren Rock, near which he also ran a hedge-school, after the building of the church in Bryansford, though there are memories of him also saying Mass in Clonduff.Before Rev. Robert Taylor, only a few names of priests are on record. In 1704 Rev Neile McIlboy (McEvoy?) was returned as PP of Kilcoo and Kilmegan, aged 56, residing at Tullyree, and in the same year Rev Patrick Hagan was PP of Maghera and Kilcoo, aged 49, residing in Dromee. Probably the parish of Patrick Hagan was coterminous with the present parish of Maghera, which contains the civil parish of Maghera and seven townlands from the civil parish of Kilcoo. The church historian Mgr. James OLaverty (The Diocese of Down and Connor, 5 Vols, up to 1880s) says that after the death of either Patrick Hagan or Neile McIlboy the survivor became PP of both which remained united until 1785, when Rev Daniel McAlea became PP of Maghera.Fr Robert Taylor, a native of Duneane, was appointed P.P. of the combined parishes of Kilcoo and Maghera in 1760, and resided in the townland of Burren, and later in Cross. O'Laverty records a return from the hearth-money collectors for County Down, Loughbrickland, 1765 reporting on the state of religion in the parish of Kilcoo, which states:Church, 1(in good order); meeting-house, 0; convents and Popish chapels, 1 (in good order) [referring to Bryansford Chapel]; Protestants, 345; Papists, 1,510. Fr. Taylor was assisted by Rev Charles Murtough and Friar Gribben. Towards the end of his life Fr Taylor was in poor health and the parish was administered by Fr Michael Morgan. Fr Taylor died in 1771 and is buried in Down Cathedral. In 1771 Rev Cormac Shiel succeeded (died 1780), followed by Rev Daniel ODoran, who died in 1785 after a fall from a horse and is buried in Ballytrustan near Portaferry. In 1775 the parishes of Kilcoo and Maghera were divided as they are today. The priests of Maghera after that were Rev Daniel McAlea. 1775-1793, Rev William McMullan, first Administrator in 1793, then P.P. from 1796 until appointed to Kilmegan in 1802; Rev John Maglenon (McGlennon), 1802-1808. In 1808 Fr Hugh Smith P.P. Kilcoo was made Administrator of Maghera, where Fr Bernard Murray was curate. At an unknown date Fr Murray became independent of Fr Smith, but was in bad health and in 1824 Fr Luke Dempsey was made curate and Administrator.At that time the Bread and Butter Reformation was at its peak in the area, attempts were made to win over Catholics to Protestantism with bacon and bibles. It is said that the new bishop of Down and Connor,Dr Crolly, visited Maghera parish, but wasnt recognised by Fr Murray, who said, O Bishop dear, sure I thought you were a souper! Fr Murray resigned in 1827 and died in 1832. He was succeeded in 1827by Fr Luke Walsh, who put an end to the Bread and Butter Reformation in the area. He had the blacksmith William McNally and the Widow Judith McKernan declare openly in Bryansford Chapel that presents and promises had been secretly made to them to entice them to become Protestants. As a consequence the whole movement was discredited and died away.In 1829 Fr. Walsh was transferred to Culfeightrin in north Antrim, and was succeeded by Fr John OHeggarty. Our present church in Bryansford dates to his time, 1830. The church historian O'Lavertysays cryptically: he was necessitated to rebuild the chapel of Ballyhafry or Bryansford. It is said that the Chapel was built of jail masonry, according to the Frontier Sentinel (Newry, 1st November, 1930). Fr OHeggarty met a number of masons passing through from Downpatrick to Dublin, carrying loads of masonry which was left over after the building of Downpatrick Jail. The good priest, alive to the possibilities, approached these masons and engaged a number of them to build a church at Bryansford of the same material. Although the old jail is no longer in use, Bryansford Chapel is still good for many years of service, being a very sturdy structure, and one which one could hardly imagine is a hundred years old. There was much turmoil in the area at the time, and Fr OHeggarty made himself personally offensive to Lord Roden, who, in consequence, served notice to him to give up possession of the chapel in Bryansford (OLaverty). There was to be a court case in July 1839, but Lord Roden changed his mind, and in 1843 Fr. OHeggarty was transferred to Armoy. Rev Peter McSorley administered the parish until the appointment as P.P. of Rev Hugh Hanna in 1845. OLavertys history ends with Rev Hugh Hanna, whobuilt old St Marys in Newcastle in 1845, previous to which Mass had been said for some time in a temporary station in King St, Newcastle.First opened on 12th June 1966, Our Lady of the Assumption Church was built to replace St. Mary's Church, Main Street, which had become too small for the ever-growing population, especially during the tourist season.. The church's circular style was a departure from the traditional style of church. In the 60's, as the emphasis on participation of the laity grew, it was felt that the circular style would allow the congregation to be involved more closely in the liturgy taking place on the central sanctuary. It is now a listed building as 'an example of sixties' architecture'. In May 2005 a major refurbishment programme began involving, among other things, the relocation of the choir and organ, the creation of a side chapel (oratory) and the placement, behind the main altar, of a tapestry depicting the Risen Christ.On 15 January 2006 the church was re-opened and a new altar dedicated by Most Rev. Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor.
Parish Office
PARISH OFFICEParochial House24 Downs Road, NewcastleSecretary: Margaret LawrensonOpening Hours: Monday to Friday9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2 pm - 4.30 pmTelephone: 028 4372 2401Fax: 028 4372 5598email: parishoffice_parishofmaghera.comNotices for the Parish Bulletin should be left in the Parish Office, before 12 noon on Thursday's
Parish Centre
PARISH CENTRE14 Main Street NewcastleManager: Margaret BranniganOpening Hours: Mon - Fri - flexible to meet needs of parish groups but opens at 10 am Telephone: 028 437 23399email: magheraparishcentre07_btinternet.comThe Parish Centre was officially opened on 20 October 2002 by Most Rev. A Farquhar, Auxilliary Bishop of Down and Connor. The centre provides a coffee shop, a shop selling religious objects, books, cards, etc as well as a clothes shop where you may buy or donate good quality used clothing. The centre also provides facilities for meetings and conferences held by a range of parish groups as well as outside agencies and organisations.
Parish Schools
PRIMARY AND POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE PARISH.St. Mary's Primary SchoolBeechfield Pk, Newcastle BT33 0BDPrincipal: Mrs D Flanagan028 4372 3730St. Mary's Primary School, located in Newcastle, is the largest primary school in the parish. The school is currently located on 2 sites at Beechfield Park (Junior School ) and Shanslieve Drive (Senior School). Plans have been approved to expand facilities at the Beechfield Park site by providing a number of new classrooms. When this work is complete, the junior and senior schools will be amalgamated on the Beechfield Park site. St. Mary's caters for children from 4 to 11 years and teaches the revised National Curriculum as laid down by the Department of Education. St. Mary's provides a Christian Education of the highest quality in the Roman Catholic tradition.St. Mary's is a mixed school with an enrolment of 333 boys and girls in 7 classes and 53 boys and girls in a Nursery Unit. The school has a very active Parents Association which runs a number of events annually including a Book Fair, Fun/Sports Day and First Communion Party. Enrolment: Forms are available from the school Secretary for St. Mary's Primary School and Nursery UnitSt. Joseph's Primary SchoolCarnacaville, Newcastle Principal: Mr F McCormack028 437 22185St. Joseph's Primary School, located on the Carnacaville Road approximately 2 miles north of Newcastle, is the 2nd largest primary school in the parish. The school caters mostly for children from families who live on the north and north east side of Newcastle. St. Joseph's caters for children from 4 to 11 years and teaches the revised National Curriculum as laid down by the Department of Education. St. Joseph's provides a Christian Education of the highest quality in the Roman Catholic tradition.St. Joseph's is a mixed school with an enrolment of 146 boys and girls in 7 classes .The school has a very active Parents Association which runs a number of events annually including a Book Fair, Fun/Sports Day and First Communion Party. Enrolment: Forms are available from the school Secretary .St. Patrick's Primary SchoolBurrenreagh Road, Castlewellan Principal: Mr J HuntTelephone: 028 437 78593St. Patrick's Primary School, is located in the rural area between the village of Bryansford and Castlewelan, approximately 3 miles north of Newcastle. It is the smallest primary school in the parish. The school caters mostly for children from families who live on the north and north west side of the parish. St. Patrick's caters for children from 4 to 11 years and teaches the revised National Curriculum as laid down by the Department of Education. St. Joseph's provides a Christian Education of the highest quality in the Roman Catholic tradition.St. Patrick's is a mixed school with an enrolment of 53 boys and girls in 3 classes .The school has a very active Parents Association which runs a number of events annually including a Book Fair, Fun/Sports Day and First Communion Party. Enrolment: Forms are available from the school Secretary .St. Malachy's High School3 Dublin Road, Castlewellan, Co Down BT31 9AG Principal: Nuala Cunningham, B.Sc.,BA,M.Ed.,M.Sc(Ed.Mgt.)Telephone: 028 4377 8255 St Malachys High School is a co-educational school for pupils aged 11 18 years. Students are offered a wide and varied curriculum and a rich extra-curricular programme in a new, highly resourced, purpose built school. St. Malachy's provides a Christian Education of the highest quality in the Roman Catholic tradition.A new £12m school building for St Malachy's High School, Castlewellan was officially opened on 23 June 2000 by the Bishop of Down and Connor, the Most Reverend Patrick Walsh DD and the Bishop of Dromore, the Most Reverend John McAreavey DD. Staff in St Malachys are totally committed to achieving the maximum potential of each pupil and preparing them for adult life in the new millenuim. For further information, please contact the Principal or any of the other members of staff.
Parish Halls
PARISH HALLSSt. Mary's Hall NewcastleMain Street NewcastleSt. Mary's Hall is one of two church halls in the parish, the other one being St. Patrick's Hall in Bryansford. St. Mary's Hall is a key facility in the parish and is extensively used by parishioners and a diverse range of community groups.St. Mary's Hall is home to number of clubs and societies including St. Mary's Bowling Club and St. Mary's Snooker Club. The hall also plays host to a wide variety of social events hosted by the parish including bingo, the Monday Tea Dance, indoor bowling, badminton, snooker, line dancing, exhibitions, displays and concerts. St. Patrick's Hall BryansfordBallyhafry Road, BryansfordSt. Patrick's Hall is one of two church halls in the parish, the other one being St. Mary's Hall in Newcastle. St. Patrick's Hall is a key facility in the parish and is extensively used by parishioners and a diverse range of community groups.St. Patrick's Hall is home to number of clubs and societies and plays host to a wide variety of social events hosted by the parish including exhibitions, displays and concerts. The hall is also used as a venue to provide tea / coffee and light refreshments following burials in the adjacent St. Patrick's Cemetery.
New to the Parish
NEW TO THE PARISH OF MAGHERAThe Priests of the Parish and the Parish Pastoral Council would like to extend a warm welcome to parishioners who are new to the Parish of Maghera.This is a Parish where involvement at all levels and in all ministries is encouraged - indeed, it functions well simply because so many people are prepared to participate in whatever way they can. It is a community that is marked by a sense of welcome and belonging, a spirit of caring concern, and a style of worship that is nourishing and lifegiving. We are here to serve you wherever possible, and we hope that you will be a part of all that we do together.This page contains some material which has been prepared to help you become familiar with the people and the life of the Paish of Maghera. Our hope is that it will help you to feel a welcome partner in all that is going on.Under construction
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