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Moville Methodists open their
doors for Mass
25.08.09
by Linda McGrory
A small Methodist congregation in Inishowen has
opened its doors to local Catholic Mass-goers whose
chapel will soon be closed for repair.
In a rare move, Mass will be said in the Methodist
Hall, Moville, during September and October while a
major refurbishment project is undertaken at the
local St Pius X church.
The move came about after Moville parish priest, Fr
Paddy O'Kane, approached his Methodist counterpart,
Rev Eric Lawson, with the proposal. The two
communities are near neighbours with the local
chapel located just 20 yards away from the Methodist
Hall on the town's upper main street.
Rev Lawson said his congregation were delighted to
help out their Catholic neighbours.
"When Fr O'Kane approached me I got in touch with
the members of our church council who didn't have
any basic problems with the proposal. We were
pleased our Catholic neighbours felt free enough to
approach us," said the Queensland-born minister. |
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Mass will only be held
in the Methodist Hall morning weekdays from Monday
to Friday. The building contractors, who are
carrying out rewiring, fixing a hole in the roof and
installing a new heating system, are required to
leave the chapel fit for the much-busier services on
Sunday. Fr O'Kane said he looked at other options
such as hiring a local hotel room or using the local
Catholic hall, St Eugene's, which is further away
and has a flight of stairs.
"Our weekday congregation is |
only about 65 people so
the use of the Methodist Hall will be very
convenient for us. The hall is on the one level so
it will be perfect for the elderly and people with
disabilities. It is so nearby, it has ease of access
and the parking remains the same," said Fr O'Kane.
"We have a very good relationship with the
Methodists here and Rev Lawson has been very kind to
us in the past." While St Pius X is under repair,
all Moville funeral Masses will be held in
Ballybrack chapel, added Fr O'Kane.
Meanwhile, Moville is the main centre for the small
community of Methodists living on the Inishowen
peninsula where approximately 100 members of this
faith currently reside. |
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