BYMICHAEL BRESLIN

Record crowds have been attending the ongoing Novena (nine day prayer and talks) in Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea to mark the centenary of the building.

The Novena started on Friday last and concludes this Sunday with a Centenary Mass at 6pm celebrated by the Bishop of Clogher, Most Rev Dr Joseph Duffy.

Apart from opening night, there is a guest speaker every night and, to date, the congregation has been treated to Fr Jimmy McPhillips, CC Killanny ('Has Ireland Lost Its Soul'), Fr Brendan McManus, S.J., who is a native of the parish ('Keeping The Lamps Lit'), Rt Rev Monsignor Sean Cahill, V.G., who recently retired and will shortly be based in Maguiresbridge ('What Does It Mean To Be a Christian Today?'), and, last night, Belleek-born Most Rev Dr Edward Daly, retired Bishop of Derry who shared his experiences of ministering to residents of the Foyle Hospice in the city.

For Canon Joseph Mullin, the parish priest of Aghalurcher (Lisnaskea/Maguiresbridge), the response has been uplifting.

"The atmosphere at the opening night I felt reflected a consciousness among the people of the sacredness of the place, a place made sacred by memory. The whole idea of gathering is we're in a place where we can listen to the voices of yesterday and think of how we have been loved and gained strength from the memory of those who shaped us by their care and friendship".

Tonight, at 7pm, youth will be to the fore, with Mass celebrated by Fr Ian Fee, the local Curate and the address by Tyrone GAA manager, Mickey Harte. Tomorrow, also at 7pm, Fr Brendan Shannon is the celebrant and guest speaker and on Friday, at 7pm, there is a prayer service at which the guest speaker is Dr Ruth Patterson from Restoration Ministries in Belfast. She is a Presbyterian Minister and the author of a number of books on the twin issues of peace and reconciliation.

At 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, there is a special Mass and anointing for the sick and housebound and, at 7 o'clock that evening, Mass will be celebrated by Fr Des O'Donnell, OMI and a talk, 'Living The Gospel Now'). He is a well-known registered psychologist.

As already noted, the Novena concludes on Sunday, at 6pm, with Centenary Mass by Bishop Joseph Duffy.

Everyone is welcome to come along to any of all of these events.