Writes Leo McMahon
800 years after Cistercian monks from Wales arrived in the locality, the parishioners of people of Tracton Abbey gathered on Sunday, September 15th for a wonderful Mass and community celebration.
Principal celebrants were Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin and Cistercian Fr Denis Luke O’Hanlon from Mount Melleray, Co Waterford. On the altar too were retired parish priest Canon George Murphy, retired Bishop John Buckley, Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll and Fr James McSweeney, co parish priest, Carrigaline and deacon Rev John Guirey.
The congregation included Cistercian Brothers Alberic, Stephen and Oisin, Mt Melleray; Cistercian Sisters Kathleen and Fiachra, St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, Co Waterford; Kiltegan Fr Joe Long, Church of Ireland Rector Rev James Power, Templebreedy and his wife Fiona and Senator Tim Lombard.
There was a guard of honour for clergy as they entered the church from some of the pupils of Knocknamanagh National School, Minane Bridge (principal Con O’Callaghan) and Scoil Naomh Fionan, Rennies, near Nohoval (principal Liz Scanlan).
A ‘welcome back’ to Tracton to the Cistercians and all present was extended on behalf of the Pastoral Council, Pat Maher who also remembered the late Archbishop Patrick Coveney, a native of the former parish.
Bishop Gavin said it was wonderful to be present at such a historic event. The Cistercians and entire monastic movement reminded everyone of what was important in life, the centrality of God and the whole notion of trying to get balance between work, prayer and hospitality.
Prior to Mass and as explained by Fr James, Hannah and John brought to the altar examples of excellent paintings on behalf of the pupils of both schools on the subject ‘A Day in the Life of a Monk’, all of which were displayed inside the church. One of the sacristans Christine Brown, brought the model of a currach, recalling the time in 1224 when Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Alba, Whitland on the border of Pembrokeshire and Carmenthenshire, Wales landed at Ringabella before setting up their abbey further upstream in what is today part of a farm situated close to a former Church of Ireland near ‘The Overdraught’ restaurant and bar. Pastoral council member Val Dempsey brought up a framed photograph of Fr Denis Luke at Ringabella linking past and present and fellow council member Anita O’Sullivan presented the Book of Psalter.
The readings were delivered by Dan Good and Deacon John Guirey and the homily was given by Canon George. Prayers of the faithful were read by Mary Gillis and Esther Lombard and Angela Collins were ministers of the Eucharist.
There was beautiful singing by the combined choirs from Sacred Heart Church, Minane Bridge and St Patrick’s Church, Nohoval accompanied by Celine Falvey and conducted by tenor Dan Twomey who also sang the plainchant version of Ave Verum while the Cistercian monks and sisters sang the order’s version of Salve Regina.
Fr James thanked all involved in the 800th anniversary celebration including all the diocesan and Cistercian clergy especially Canon George saying: ‘He’s some man for one man, what a legend! He’s such a wise man. He really has the finger on the pulse here. Don’t forget, it took the ‘three musketeers’ (priests) from Carrigaline to replace him. He was the only man who could deliver the homily today and he did an absolutely beautiful job.’
He went on to pay tribute to choir, sacristans Mary O’Keeffe, Pat Good and Christine Brown; all those who cleaned, tidied and decorated the church and grounds, the Flower Group, the teachers, staff and pupils of the two schools; Roberts Cove Vintage group for erecting the marquee; Tracton Arts and Community Centre for seats and equipment; Tracton Athletic Club ladies plus Barbara Meyer, Betsy and Gertrude Ahern and parishioners for the excellent refreshments served after Mass and especially the parish council led by Pat Maher for their trojan work, including a booklet for the special Mass. Bishop Gavin concurred.
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