A vision of holiness at the Kilmore Cathedral

Bishop Ken Clarke dealt with the history of St. Fethlimidh's Cathedral eloquently in his sermon at the service to mark its 150th anniversary and re-dedication on Sunday afternoon. Telling the overflowing congregation that a church had first been built there in the sixth or seventh centuries, he described how by the mid-19th century, the old cathedral was "too small to accommodate the parishioners". "What a problem to have!", he said and went on to explain that Lady Farnham laid the foundation for the present building in the summer of 1858 "and that's why we're here today". Look around at a cathedral fit for the purpose in the 21st century, and thank God for all he has done, said the bishop. He thought there was a danger that sometimes we live in the past and neglect the present, but the TV screens in St. Fethlimidh's are a visual clue that the people of this cathedral live in the present and know about clear communication. "And what do we want to communicate? Peter said 'come to him'; he wants us to become living stones, engaged in wonderful deeds and living holy lives. "What does holiness look like? Look at Jesus Christ and the life he lived. Ireland needs to see holiness again, people in Ireland today need to see something of the passion of Christ." Bishop Clarke told an anecdote about a blind girl who benefited from the kindness of a stranger and asked him if he was Jesus: "Wow, 'are you Jesus?' What an impact he [the stranger] made, and dear friends on this 150th anniversary in this building, I cannot think of a better vision for a new Ireland, a different Ireland, a new Cavan, in which we in the church are known as the most loving people in the community, right across this island. "My prayer is that on this wonderful anniversary weekend we dedicate to God the gift of our lives so that he can use us as he will." The 150th anniversary of the cathedral was discussed more than 10 years ago when plans for its renovation began, and the organising committee set this year as a target for completion. They are delighted with the outcome, said Wendy Swan, secretary of the Select Vestry, who was one of the team that put so much effort into the events of last weekend. Among the huge number at St. Fethlimidh's for the re-dedication service on Sunday afternoon were Seymour Crawford, TD, Senator Joe O'Reilly, Councillors Dessie Boylan, chairman of Cavan Co. Council; Madeleine Argue, Maura Maguire Lynch, Sean McKiernan, Winston Bennett with his wife Wilma, Peter McVitty and his wife Maura, and Charlie Boylan. Senator Dermot Wilson and Minister Brendan Smith sent apologies. Representing the clergy from the other churches were Bishop Leo O'Reilly and Fr. Peter McPartland, and Rev. Stephen Foster (Fr. Eugene Clarke, Fr. Peter Casey and Minister Jean Mackerel sent apologies) and solicitor George Maloney was there with his daughter (John V. Kelly sent apologies). The architect behind the renovation work Philip Brady and his wife Deirdre were also among the invited guests, as were Alan Tomlin, who took care of stained glass window repairs, and his wife Barbara. Cmdt. Brian Fitzsimons from Dun Ui Neill represented the Defence Forces. Also there were three former deans - Very Rev. Herbert Cassidy and his wife Anne, Very Rev. Charles Combe and his wife June and Very Rev. David Godfrey, (the latter two did the readings). The choir looked fantastic for the occasion in their robes as the two church wardens Wendy Swan and Jason Poyntz led the procession of clergy with the church warden's wands, and after the service organists Vera Pollock and Daphne Scott handed everyone a celebratory pen so they would remember the event. Later the nearby hall was also filled to overflowing for the social, where as MC Dean Raymond Ferguson invited speeches from Wendy Swan, (as people's church warden) and Bishops O'Reilly and Clarke, and cut the anniversary cake with his daughter Susan Ferguson. Margaret Scott presented the cake, which had been baked by Leila Beattie, well known for her involvement with the ICA. Also dedicated on Sunday were the side chapel, which had been taken from the See House and is now placed in the south transept (craftsman Charlie Donohoe did a huge amount on this project); the TV screens and enhanced sound system (dedicated in memory of Rev. Cecil Lindsay and presented by his wife Rev. Sandra Lindsay and family); the Communion linen (presented by Edith Smyth in memory of her parents Tom and Lily McDowell); and the numerous monetary gifts from friends within and beyond the parish. The annual Kilmore barbecue was on Friday evening, and among the 500-plus who attended were Olive and Maureen Turkington, daughters of former Dean Turkington, and their cousin Carol Hennessy, niece of Mrs. Turkington, home from Toronto and Dublin.