Catholic Communications Office media information for the Memorial Mass for the late Jill Meagher RIP
The Memorial Mass for the late Jill Meagher RIP will be celebrated in Saint Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Archdiocese of Armagh, at 7:00pm this evening, Friday 5 October 2012. The following arrangements and information has been published to assist media representatives and organisations:
• Liturgy
Please see details below on the liturgy for the Memorial Mass for the late Jill Meagher RIP which will be celebrated this evening at 7:00pm in Saint Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Archdiocese of Armagh.
• Television feeds
RTÉ will be providing pool pictures from inside Saint Peter’s Church for television networks. Please contact RTÉ’s North Eastern Correspondent Richard Dowling 00 353 (0) 87 2611550. RTÉ will also live-stream the Mass on www.rte.ie and the Mass will be broadcast on RTÉ’s digital television news channel News Now.
• Audio feeds
Eddie Caffrey of LMFM Radio will be recording the Mass. Eddie can provide a balanced audio feed to radio broadcasters. Eddie will be contactable in the vicinity of Saint Peter’s Church and is available on 00353 (0) 86 8957858.
• Picture journalists
Photographs cannot be taken in Saint Peter’s Church during this Memorial Mass. Immediately before the Mass a number of photographers will be taking pictures and a pooling arrangement is in place for the benefit of all media. Please contact the following journalists:
– Ciara Wilkinson freelance photographer 00 353 (0) 86 33 19724
– Ed Carty, deputy Ireland editor Press Association 00 353 (0) 87 2580345 and Elaine Keogh, freelance journalist 00353 (0) 87 246 4074
– Paul Connor, Drogheda Independent 00 353 (0) 863 847 371
– Newsfile on behalf of the Drogheda Leader 00 353 (0) 86 0484931
• Chief mourners in Australia
Thomas Meagher (husband), George and Edith McKeon (parents) and Jill’s brother Michael.
• Chief mourners in Saint Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Archdiocese of Armagh
Marie Burke, Catherine McKeon-Halpin, Helen McKeon, Margaret Clinton, Liz McKeon, Susan McKeon (aunts); Michael McKeon, Denis McKeon, John McKeon, Bill Scott, Mattie Scott (uncles); Laurence Scott, Richard Burke, Emma Burke, Louise McKeon, Michelle McKeon, Joy McKeon, Daniel McKeon, Matthew McKeon, Emily McKeon; Briana Clinton, Dylan Clinton (cousins). Kevin and Joan Meagher (parents of Thomas); Katrina Meagher (sister of Thomas); and, Thomas’s relatives who comprise the Meagher and Agar families.
• Clergy
Main celebrant will be Monsignor James Carroll, Parish Priest of Saint Peter’s Drogheda; Father Oliver Devine Parish of Ballivor in the Diocese of Meath, homilist (and who married Jill and Thomas on 28 July 2008 in the Church of Our Lady of the Wayside, Archdiocese of Dublin); Canon Patsy McDonnell of Saint Peter’s Parish, Drogheda; Father Iggy O’Donovan OSA, Augustinian Community, Drogheda; Father Aidan Murphy, Parish Priest of Termonfechin; Father Denis Nulty Parish Priest of Saint Mary’s Parish, Drogheda; Father Emlyn McGinn, Curate of Saint Peter’s, Drogheda; and Deacon Paul Murphy will assist.
• Presentation of symbols before Mass
Jill’s aunt Liz McKeon will speak about the symbols which will be brought to the Altar and which represent Jill’s life: Jill’s aunt Catherine will bring a copy of Jill’s baptismal certificate – Jill was baptised in Saint Peter’s Church on 28 November 1982. Daniel her cousin will bring a sample of Jill’s creativity. Jill’s aunt Marie will present one of the many poems written by Jill. Joy, Jill’s cousin, and her aunts Margaret and Helen, will bring memorabilia from Jill’s wedding: a beautiful photograph of herself and Tom and Grandmother McKeon; a copy of their wedding invitation; a poem to Tom by Jill on their wedding day. Cousins Louise and Michelle will bring photographs of Jill’s recent visit to Drogheda. Edith’s friends Mary and Rosaleen will bring a copy of the booklet for today’s Mass and a copy of the farewell letter to Jill from her Mum, Dad and brother Michael.
• Introduction to the Mass
Monsignor Carroll will welcome the family members and various dignitaries including the Mayor of Drogheda Paul Bell; members of the Borough Council; An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD will be represented at this Mass by his Aide-de-camp Commandant Michael Treacy; Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Claire Byrne; Chargé d’affaires John Smith and his wife Glenda; Senator Thomas Byrne and other national parliamentarians; and, members of Louth County Council.
• Music
Music will be provided by local musicians and the congregation will be invited to join in the singing of the Opening and Recessional hymns. The following hymns will be sung by Saint Peter’s male Voice Choir under the direction of organist Edward Holly:
Entrance Hymn Be Still My Soul
Psalm The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalmist Eileen Carr
Gospel Acclamation Plainchant Alleluia
Offertory Ag Críost an tSíol – Soloist Eileen Carr
Sanctus Messe Breve – Gounod
Memorial Acclamation Christ Has Died – O'Carroll
Amen Rizza
Sign of Peace Dona Nobis Pacem – Lightfoot
Communion 1. How Great Thou Art – Soloist Cecil Whitty
2. Be Not Afraid – Soloist John Moonan
Recessional Hymn Let It Be – Soloist Séan Tester
• Liturgy of the Word
The First Reading (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) will be read by Jill’s cousin Emma Burke
The Responsorial Psalm The Lord is my Shepherd will be sung by Eileen Carr
The Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) will be read by Jill’s cousin Richard Burke
The Gospel will be John 14: 1-6
Prayer of the faithful will be read by Jill’s friends:
Patricia O Malley
We pray for Jill whose life was cut short by tragedy – help us to reflect on the beautiful life she shared with her parents George and Edith, her brother Michael and her husband Tom. Let us celebrate that life that they had together – LORD HEAR US
Michelle White
Let us pray for those who lead us through times of tragedy – medical and emergency professionals / Church leaders / police / media/ other professionals / and our surrounding communities – LORD HEAR US
Roisin Burke
Let us pray for all affected in Melbourne and Drogheda by Jill’s tragic death that they will build upon the positivity shown through Jill’s life and continue to treasure the beautiful but fragile gift of life that God has given us – LORD HEAR US
Ann Marie Gayer
Let us pray for those who mourn Jill – especially her Granny; her parents George and Edith; her brother Michael and her husband Tom. The McKeon family; the Meagher family; the Scott family and extended family, friends and neighbours – LORD HEAR US
Julie Cullen
Let us pray for the deceased relatives and friends of the McKeon, Meagher and Scott families and for all who have died and gone before us – LORD HEAR US
• Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offertory Procession
Tom’s mother Joan and aunt Noreen will bring the bread and wine as a symbol of Jill’s faith.
• When the Mass has ended
Jill’s aunt Catherine McKeon–Halpin and cousin Emma Burke will speak on behalf of the families.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
