ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BROCHURE FOR ST. ENDA’S CHURCH
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BROCHURE FOR ST. ENDA’S CHURCH, JOHNSTOWN, KILMICHAEL, CO. CORK
It has been a great experience for me to be with you this afternoon – and to join you at the Mass here in the beautifully restored St. Enda’s Church. Indeed, it is a great tribute to Fergus Costello – who clearly put his heart and soul into the project – that it has become such a great attraction in the short time since in was completed. We are privileged to have Fergus with us today - and I would like to take this opportunity to commend him on his work for and with the people of this parish.
Since my inauguration, I have visited quite a number of communities up and down the country – and I have been struck by the awakening of a great community spirit – of a willingness of people to come together to help one another – and to work in tandem with organisations and business to enhance their own places – and to make their own communities better places in which to live and work – to make them places of which they can be proud. I have been struck by the great spirit of community and partnership that pervades – a sense of commitment and enthusiasm that is literally transforming the country. But of course there’s nothing new in this – it always has been a feature of Irish life for neighbour to help neighbour - and friend to help friend - especially when an extra pair of hands were needed. Nowadays not only are “willing hands” welcome, but also open and creative minds with new ideas, to help and support communities as they come together to harness their strengths and talents for the good of all, such as in the parish level support of local development initiatives. There is a new spirit in Ireland – a self-confidence in our abilities – a “can do” philosophy – which is bringing us to new levels of achievement.
The ‘renewal’ of the Church was itself an exercise in partnership – between the artist and designer - and the local parish building committee – a partnership in working out a plan to meet the needs of the community for a place of liturgy and worship – which reflects the deep faith and rich culture of the people of the parish. The links with the ancient past were symbolised by the use of bog oak over 4,000 years old - oak that grew in Ireland before Abraham and before the pyramids in Egypt were even thought of! The end result is a place worthy of being called a place of peace and meditation – a place where you can find peace with yourself and with your maker. That is its true mark of success.
The Foróige Club has been involved in the parish for the past 8 years – and I would like to pay tribute to Fr. Coghlan – who founded the Kilmichael Club - with the help of local adult leaders in 1990. I would also like to commend the hard-working and committed members of Foróige for their great work in the community - and to congratulate them on receiving the National Citizenship Award in 1993 – and on being runners-up in 1995.
This project which the Club have undertaken – the production of the brochure on the refurbished St. Enda’s Church – is unique – and is a great tribute to the depth of the sense of community that the young people of Kilmichael have – a spirit which embraces their religious ethos and commitment. I want to commend the Club of the quality of the brochure – and on the thought and imagination that went into producing something that will prove to be a great asset to the parish of Kilmichael and to its reputation. Of course Kilmichael already has a high reputation - with Bishops Daniel Cahalan and Michael Murphy both being natives of the parish.
What you have achieved here in Kilmichael will be an inspiration to many other communities and parishes throughout Ireland. I congratulate you on an excellent job which has been well done – and I have great pleasure in launching the brochure on St. Enda’s – a place which is already established as a place of pilgrimage for many.
ENDS