St Ciaran's Church, Castledaly set to celebrate 150-year milestone
St Ciaran's Church in Castledaly is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary this coming weekend, with a programme of special events to take place over the space of nine days.
The celebrations will commence on Saturday, May 3 with Mass at 6pm and blessing of the church. Stations of the Cross, walking in procession to Kilcleagh Cemetery, a prayer service and blessing of graves will also take place.
Next Sunday, a Youth Mass will be celebrated at 10am and on Monday, which is a bank holiday, Mass will be celebrated at Castledaly GAA at 12pm, followed by blessing of the pitch, with a family fun day and barbecue also to be held at the club grounds.
Next Tuesday, May 6, the at 7.30pm Mass will feature a marriage jubilee celebration and on Wednesday, May 7, healing and anointing of the sick will form part of the Mass (7.30pm). On Thursday, May 8, there will be musical entertainment as well as a talk on the history of St Ciaran's Church and the local area, which will be delivered by Alan Duffy (also 7.30pm).
On Friday, Confirmation will be celebrated at 3pm for students from Kilcleagh National School, as well as students from St Oliver Plunkett BNS and St Brigid's Primary School in Moate.
First Holy Communion for Kilcleagh NS pupils will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10 at 1pm, and the celebrations will conclude with a Closing Mass/Baptism on Sunday week, May 11 at 10am.
The parish priest of Moate Parish - which includes St Ciaran's Church, Castledaly and Corpus Christi Church, Mount Temple - is Fr Bernard Noonan. Fr Liam Farrell has served in the parish for many years, with Fr Reji Kurian also based in the parish at present.
Castledaly GAA said it is "delighted to be involved" in the anniversary celebrations and has welcomed anyone interested to attend next Monday's events at the club.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to recognise a landmark occasion for our community. We look forward to seeing our members at the celebrations throughout the week," said Castledaly GAA public relations officer Dermot Walshe.
"All are welcome to join us on the Bank Holiday Monday to mark the longstanding contribution of the church and our club to our community and its history."