St Patrick's Church Ballysteen 1861-2011

The parish held a Celebration Mass, commemorating 150th Anniversary of the building of Ballysteen Church, on the 29th March 2001.

A historical commemorative booklet was compiled by Bro. John Feheney for the occasion. It included a commemorative poem written by Kay Naughton and Fr. Seán O’Longaigh. John Anglim of Membrane Technology donated souvenir Bookmarks.

During the week leading up to the celebration booklets, flyers and bookmarks were delivered to the households of Ballysteen. Buntings and banner, donated by D.J. Daly of Daly Hurleys and John Anglim respectively, were erected by members of the organising committee to set the scene.

In preparation for the main celebration Mass there were three nights of spiritual preparation:

Wednesday night 23rd March: Fr. Paul Finnerty celebrated a beautiful Mass, reminding us of the struggle of St Patrick and how he went forward to evangelise.
Thursday night 24th March: Fr Chris O’Donnell got all the youth to join in wonderful celebration, with a candlelight prayer service, reminding us of the light of Christ in our lives.
Friday night 25th March: Fr Noel Kirwan led a prayerful candlelight procession from the church to Beigh Cemetery, remembering the people that went before us and who passed on this Church and their faith to us.

The main celebrant for the Mass on the 27th March was Fr. Tony Mullins the Diocesan Administrator. The celebrants were Fr. Seán O’Longaigh and priests who previously served in the parish (Fr. Michael Cussen, Fr. Eugene Boyce, Fr. Andrew Keating, and Fr. George Ranahan). Regretfully, Fr. Kelleher, Fr. Howard, Fr. Finnerty and Fr. Senan Murray, were unable to attend.

It was a beautiful day and large numbers attended, filling the church to capacity with many more seated outside. And the end of Mass Caroline Sheahan, Chairperson of the organising committee, thanked all those who gave of their time and resources to make the day the success it was. A presentation was made to Mary Holland in recognition of her contribution to the parish as Sacristan over the last 42 years.

Following the Mass a monument, erected to mark the occasion, was blessed Fr. Seán O’Longaigh, P.P. and a few verses of the ‘Road to Ballysteen’ were sung by Michael Ranahan with L.J. Somers on accordion. This set the scene for the many who retired to the adjacent school premises for ceoil, caint agus craic that followed.

The work that went into preparing the church and the grounds was evident to all, and it was enhanced by the beautiful sunny day that God visited on Ballysteen.