175th anniversary of the Parish Church in Coole

This year marks the 175th  anniversary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Coole.

A number of events have already been held to mark the occasion, but the main event of the year takes place between Sunday 26thJune and Saturday 2nd July.

A church like any building is merely an inanimate object.  Left to itself, a church building will eventually deteriorate; every so often it needs to be restored and renovated or it will fall into ruin.  There is an ongoing renovation project at the moment and we are grateful to parishioners for their generosity and support.

This 175th anniversary year is an opportunity not merely to restore the physical church building, but also – and more importantly – to renovate the building blocks of the faith community in Coole, Whitehall and the surrounding area.  Saint Peter speaks about “living stones” building a “spiritual house”, that is, the Kingdom of God in the world.  Just as a building has foundation stone, walls, roof and interior decoration, so the Church – the living stones building the Church of Christ in an area – has its Seven Pillars – the Seven Sacraments.

The programme for the week is as follows:

Sunday 26 June, 11am BAPTISM

Monday 27 June, 7.30pm RECONCILIATION (Cardinal Seán Brady and visiting priests)

Tuesday 28 June, 7.30pm MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Confirmation)

Wednesday 29 June, 7.30pm EUCHARIST (Rev. Nigel Charles, Adm., Streete and Rathowen)

Thursday 30 June, 7.30pm ORDERS (Priesthood)

Friday 1 July, 7.30pm MARRIAGE (John and Jennifer Kehoe)

Saturday 2 July, 7.30pm ANOINTING OF THE SICK (Rev. James Gavigan, Opus Dei)

All are welcome to join the parish community and witness to a great and valuable legacy handed on to us by past generations in the Faith – a legacy that goes back more than 175 years to Saint Patrick himself.  May we honour that legacy and hand it on intact to future generations – a vibrant, living faith that will transform our lives and our world.

(Fr Oliver Skelly, PP)