Dear Parishioners,
Today marks a significant milestone in the life of St. Peter’s. After almost two centuries of serving generations of Catholics in our parish, the doors will temporarily close for much needed restoration. The well beaten path of our people is broken for the time being.
This is even an emotional time for many of us as we part company with a much loved Church, unt the work is completed. The faith of our people is etched in every detail and its splendour reflects the living stones of our people’s faith and love. As it touches us so deeply, and is open to every person in and beyond our parish, we pray that God will help us to restore our very special Church. I would like to let you know that, following a formal and open process of tendering, the contract for the restoration has been awarded to O’Neill & Brady Contractors, Coalisland, who submitted the lowest tender of £1,947,500.00. This figure (plus fees and vat) includes all the specified work, except the organ, which we are advised is in a poor state of repair and which is a very specialised field of expertise. This weekend we are grateful to Bishop McAreavey for coming to celebrate Mass and thank God for the countless blessings which our people have received for so many years in St. Peter’s, and also to bless our temporary church so that the important worship of God and the sacramental life of our parish can continue with the minimum interruption. All our efforts to restore St. Peter’s are not just about stained glass, marble or a new heating system; it is more about the spiritual needs of our people and having a worthy House of God where our faith is nourished, our hope is renewed and our love strengthened. Lets hope all the efforts and sacrifices we will be making together for St. Peter’s, especially in these difficult financial times, will bring new life and vigour, to our parish community. On a personal note, I would like to thank Fr. John Byrne for his service to this parish for the past 17 years and for his support to me since I came. Fr Stephen and I wish him every blessing and happiness in his new appointment to Newry. With God’s help, let us face the future with hope. Monsignor Aidan Hamill, P.P. Arrangements during closure Many people have asked about arrangements for Mass and other Church Services while St. Peter’s is closed for renovations. This has not been an easy matter to decide and a number of options were considered. As the time span for the work is estimated to be about eighteen months it was thought that the arrangements should facilitate the Liturgical life of the parish with the least possible inconvenience for our people. It was also thought that the temporary arrangements would need to be large enough for most occasions, and be located in close proximity to St. Peter’s Church. Also, taking account of health and safety requirements, it has been decided to locate a temporary church in Grattan Park. This building will be similar to the one currently in use in Dungannon, where Dean Curry, Parish Priest, and the parishioners found this temporary arrangement very suitable. |
