PRESS RELEASE
2 JUNE 2006
CORK TO CELEBRATE PENTECOST
IN MANY LANGUAGES SOUNDS AND DRESSES
Anthony O’Mahony to be ordained a priest on Pentecost Sunday at Ardfield, West Cork
On Saturday evening next the Catholic Church in Cork will celebrate, for the first time,
the Feast of Pentecost in many languages.
At a special Mass at the North Cathedral on the eve of Pentecost at 6pm on Saturday next,
3 June, Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, will lead a celebration of the diverse
gifts and languages that now make up the local church in Cork. Concelebrants at the Mass
will include representatives of the Society of African Missions as well as other religious
orders based in Cork.
Bishop Buckley said: “I eagerly look forward to Saturday’s Mass and I thank all those who
have tirelessly prepared for it including the members of Cois Tine and the Cathedral staff.
Saturday’s celebration is a coming together of Cork people whose origins may be diverse,
but whose common Catholic faith binds us together as one community. I encourage all those
who can attend the Mass to come along and celebrate this unique occasion with us.
“On Saturday the intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful will be read in seven languages
and the congregation will be invited to pray for the good of all God’s people and for peace
and harmony between peoples.”
During the presentation of the gifts, members of the African community will partake in a
traditional dance which will be accompanied by African drum music. The homily will be
given by Fr Angelo Lafferty, a member of the Society of African Missions.
Representatives of the various language groups which have made Cork home in recent years
will participate in the Mass. These include people from the Baltic countries, Poland,
and Asia – especially the Philippines – and from several African countries. ‘Failte’ and
‘Welcome’ will mingle with ‘Wilkommen’, ‘Mabuhay’, ‘Bienvenue’, ‘Karibu’ and ‘Marhaban’!
The traditional homeland dress will be worn by participatants in the Mass, reflecting
Cork’s cultural diversity in colour, language, symbols and music.
The hymns at the Mass will be sung in several languages with, for example, the opening
hymn alternating between English, Polish and French. Some parts of the Mass will be sung
using musical arrangements composed by the late Sean Ó Riada.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
* The parish of Ardfield & Rathbarry in West Cork is preparing for a historic moment
on Sunday 4 June when the first ordination will be held in the parish. Anthony O’Mahony,
a native of Ardfield, will be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Cork & Ross by Bishop
Buckley at 2 pm in St James’ Church, Ardfield. The Mass will be concelebrated by a number
of priests of the diocese, including Ardfield Administrator Fr Patrick McCarthy, and
Anthony’s college friends who are ordained already.
* Anthony will celebrate his first Mass on Monday night in his native parish.
* Cois Tine is an outreach project of the Society of African Missions Justice and Peace
Office. * Cois Tine is a multicultural interfaith organisation which addresses the pastoral,
spiritual and social needs of the immigrant community. It is focused on facilitating
the integration of immigrants into the faith life of the Church and the community. Its
remit is purely a pastoral one.
* Sean Ó Riada (1931 – 1971) was a traditional Irish music composer and lived most of
his life in Cúil Aodha, West Cork. He was Music Director of the Abbey theatre between
1955 – 1962. During in the 1960s he composed a number of musical arrangements for
different parts of the Mass, which are still in use today at Masses throughout Ireland.
Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)