St Anne’s church celebrates 150 years serving community
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A LOCALLY-PRODUCED drama was performed and a Eucharistic Mass was celebrated in St Anne’s Church in Bohernabreena on Sunday, September 16, marking 150 years since the blessing of the foundation stone of the church by Cardinal Paul Cullen in 1868.
Since its inception, St Anne’s Church has served a number of communities including Ballinascorney, Newlands Cross and Templeogue, before more churches were built in the surrounding areas as the population grew.
St Anne's Church in Bohernabreena
The church’s place at the centre of community over the years was celebrated on Sunday, beginning with a locally-produced drama that was devised and directed by professional actor Ciaran McMahon, and starring four local actors, Patsy Murphy, David Murphy, Muriel Black and Neil Black.
The performance saw the characters discussing the various elements of the history of the area and of St Anne’s Church, and the changing ways that people now worship in the church.
“We wanted to devise a piece that set the tone for our celebration,” said Roisin Alexander-Pye, who is a member of the parish’s pastoral council and was on the committee for preparing the plans for the celebration.
“It was a short drama that had four local actors from Glenasmole, and Ciaran McMahon worked with them and devised a two-scene dialogue.”
Following on from the showing of the short drama, a Eucharistic Mass was held where Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Bishop Eamon Walsh and Canon William Deverell were in attendance.
Locals brought a number of symbols representing the history of the area, including a granite stone, a baptism register, which was brought by Peter Lawless, who is a relative of one of the first people to be baptised in the church in 1868, while a marriage register was brought by Maura and Paudge Byrne, who were married in the church over 50 years ago.
“The last couple of years have seen great community work to prepare for this year and this event,” said Ms Alexander-Pye.
“The church grounds have been restored and improved, the interior of the church painted and carpeted, and many people contributed towards this occasion.
“A spirit of thanksgiving and joy infused our celebration, and is evidence of a strong community spirit and a witness of hope for our parish community well into the future.”
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