Bishop launches new book about dearly loved Offaly church

BISHOP of Killaloe Fintan Monahan recently launched a beautifully produced and excellently written book about St Brendan's Roman Catholic Church, Birr recently.

“A Place in all our Hearts” has been compiled and written by Brian Kennedy and is available for sale in the Parish Office.

Speaking at the launch in St Brendan's, the Bishop pointed out that the launch was coinciding with the Feast of St Brendan, the patron saint of Birr, a saint who was one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland and whom we should all be very proud of.

“Today is also the day after Thanksgiving, celebrated with great gusto by Americans all around the world, including many in Ireland,” continued the Bishop.

“In the business world, today is also Black Friday, but for those living in this parish it is a time for reflecting on the inspiring life of St Brendan.”

Bishop Monahan referred everyone to the Pope's spiritual reflection called “Delixit Nos” (“He loved us”), which focusses on the importance and centrality of our hearts and the fact that our hearts can mirror God's being.

“This beautiful book, 'A Place in all our Hearts', focusses on this Teach an Phobail, as Father Tom memorably calls it, a building which holds a very special place in so many people's hearts. This book has been meticulously researched and handsomely produced. I commend everyone who has been involved in the production of this splendid book, especially Brian who spent so many hours compiling and writing it. He loves this church and parish with all his heart and he's created an outstanding labour of love.

“The book tells the story of a much beloved house of God. It's a tale which features a wide cast of people including clergy, choirs, teachers, school pupils, and architects. It features the parishioners who gave so much of their time on a voluntary and paid basis. It features drama and tragedy, tension and stress, including the arson attack on St Patrick's Day 1935, the famine and storms. It tells the tale of many joyful events. Throughout it all the sacraments continued to be celebrated on a daily basis.”

The book includes as well a piece about Bishop Thomas McRedmond, from Crinkill. Bishop McRedmond was one of two Bishops of Killaloe from Offaly. The other is Bishop Monahan. “A large portrait of Bishop McRedmond hangs on a wall in Westbourne House, Ennis,” commented Bishop Monahan. “I live in Westbourne.”

He pointed out that this year is also the bicentenary of the completion of the building of the church, after a building period of several years. The land for the church had been donated in 1817 by the Second Earl of Rosse. “Lord Rosse was a truly ecumenical gentleman,” writes Brian in the book, “and supported the large Roman Catholic population on his estates.”
“The Second Earl of Rosse,” commented the Bishop, “was ecumenical before it was tolerated or in vogue. It is fitting therefore that today's launch is taking place as part of an ecumenical service.”

Following the Bishop's speech, Lady Rosse brought forward Holy Water from St Brendan's Well which was poured into the Baptismal Font and blessed.

Rev. Arthur Minion, St Brendan's Church of Ireland Church, warmly congratulated Brian for producing an excellent book. He said Saint Brendan's is “a lovely building”, a building which for many people acts as a “gateway to heaven. And as we walk back out into the world after each gathering in this building we bring heaven with us.”

Rita Kelly read one of her poems, an excellent piece called “What is heaven?” which featured these lines:

“We never reach it because we deserve it;
It is a gift, it is a grace...
Heaven is now and here...
Before the year dives into its trough of darkness.”

Brian Kennedy thanked everyone for their kind words. He said the encouragement to write the book came from the Co-PP Tom Hogan “and many of us know how persuasive Fr Tom can be! This book was a labour of love for me. I have been giving tours of the church for many years, but even I learned plenty of new things about the church as I was researching the book."