Re-opening of Newtownmanor church took place on June 25

Church of Mary, Mother of God, Newtownmanor’ re-opened last Sunday June 25, 2023 having had a new roof constructed and a total interior redecoration; the church had been closed for 6-7 weeks while the work was undertaken.

Fr Casey's address to the congregation:

On behalf of the ‘Roof Committee’, and those involved in helping to finalize the colour scheme, I welcome you all. It’s a great day and it’s great to be here this morning. Long threatening comes at last. It’s great to see the end of the leaks, of the wet seats and kneelers; and of the damp carpets.

As you know, our Church is two years short of celebrating its bi-Centenary. The works we have completed: new roof, new velux windows over the altar, new guttering around the roof of the Church; the leaks in the porch repaired, the complete repainting of the inside with the addition of the liturgical designs on the ceiling and around the sanctuary here; all of these improvements complement the important place this beautiful church, which is steeped in history, has in the lives of this community here present and going back many years as well.

The necessary works that have been carried out will ensure that this Church continues to be an oasis of peace and welcome for our local community and for the visitor; the walker and the curious; and for generations yet to come. It will ensure that, for the community here, this Church will continue to be a place for families to celebrate important family occasions:- happy occasions like baptisms, first communions and weddings; and sad occasions as well. This is phase one; between now and 2025, we plan to paint the outside and to do some landscaping at the back of the church.

In getting this far, I would like to acknowledge and thank the following:

• Niall Kelly of P & N Construction and his team for their professionalism and speed.
• Mike Parkyn and his team for the beautiful painting done and for their attention to detail; their expertise and advice.
• A & J Regan, Specialist Painters, for the designs in the ceiling panels and around the sanctuary, which add to the dignity of the place we are in.
• Tommy Hannon for the great job he has done in breathing new life into the carpets and the porches; making them look as good as new.
• Paul McDermott for having the grounds around the Church and the graveyard looking so neat and tidy. Not just for today, but the whole year round.
• James Boylan (Sacristan), for being available as the work was progressing and for his help with the flags and bunting.
• Sean McTernan, for fitting the new carpet on the Sanctuary and for his advice.
• Terence & Hilary McDermott for re-upholstering the seating on the Sanctuary and for the design on the Celebrant’s chair.
• Volunteers who helped with putting up the bunting on Friday morning last, and gathered here to do the final bits and pieces.
• Irene Kavanagh and Gareth Byrne for capturing the excitement of the occasion in their photographs. 

Thanks also to the Newtownmanor Hall Committee for facilitating us for the six weeks the work was going on. As I mentioned last Sunday in the Hall, we are very lucky to have such a premises beside us and it looking so good. I really enjoyed celebrating Mass there, it was very special and homely.

Also, I would like to acknowledge you [the congregation] for your help on the Sunday before we closed; we asked for your opinion on two things. Firstly, which of the four colour options, would you prefer? Secondly, would the stations of the cross look better with or without, the frames? With the feedback received that day, we began the refurbishment / restoration project.

I would like to thank you sincerely for your support of the parish over the years and in particular for your support for the Newtownmanor Church. Without your financial support and your support in general, we could never consider taking on a project like this. The final figure isn’t available at the moment but in the Autumn, we will have an opportunity to discuss it then.

In saying all of that, it is important to have a beautiful church where we can gather as a community but, the most important thing I am going to say is this:

The church here in Newtownmanor, while really beautiful and steeped in history, is still only a building, made up of stone and mortar, stained glass and shiny statues and stations of the cross. The real Church here, in Newtownmanor, is ‘you, the people’. This Church is only a building where we can gather; young and old, to pray and remember loved ones.

It is your presence here each Sunday and on a Thursday evening, at Exposition, or during the week, as you drop in to light a candle; it is your presence, your prayers and your faith, that makes this building a Church; a living Church.

Of all that I have said this morning, that is the most important comment. I would ask you to encourage your family members, your neighbours, your friends, to come and complete our Church by their presence.

That way, our Church becomes more, than just bricks and mortar. It becomes a Church that is alive. Once again, a sincere ‘Thank You’. Fr Paul.