His Excellency The Most Rev Charles John Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio,
presented three Bene Merenti medals in the Parish of Ballaghameehan in
County Leitrim, on Tuesday October 9. He also took the opportunity to meet some of his cousins, as his great, great grandfather was a Murphy from nearby Rossinver.
The Nuncio was welcomed by Bishop Leo O'Reilly to the diocese of Kilmore, and led the congregation evening prayer. He presented Bene Merenti medals to the three parishioners, Lizzie Ann Murphy, Edmund Connolly and Ena Domoney.
In his homily after the scripture reading, the Nuncio encouraged the congregation to, "hold the faith.” He said that in the forthcoming Year of Faith parishioners can deepen faith and, "pass the faith onto the next generation.”
He lauded the three Bene Merenti medal recipients as great examples of faith. He also spoke of the many people who had emigrated from Ireland, and who had kept their faith. His own family in New York can claim a faith that was no doubt passed down from his great, great grandfather from the locality.
Ena Domoney, Lizzie Ann Murphy and Edmund Connolly were awarded the medals for their longstanding service to the church and parish, which is situated near Rossinver Co Letrim.
Lizzie Ann Murphy has been a
sacristan for 40 years at St. Mary's Church, Rossinver. Fr. John Phair, PP, said that Lizzie Ann, "personifies all that is good about the people of North Leitrim.”
She has been helpful to all and faithful to Eucharistic adoration and to her role as Eucharistic minister.
Edmund Connolly has been at the heart of the parish life for many years. He has looked after the graveyard administration and has been a key figure in the finances of the parish. For the past number of years he has been caring for his wife Molly who sadly passed away just two weeks ago. He was an inspiration to all in the parish in how he attended to Molly.
Ena Domoney the third honari has always taken an active part in the
parish and since her retirement from teaching has been more active. She
has contributed to parish life in many ways some examples are Parish
Pastoral Council, Committees, Board of Managements, liturgy group, and
is a Eucharistic Minister.Refreshments were served afterwards on what was an historic occasion for the parish that, in the memory of parishioners, only had one other recipient of the medal in its past history.
Bene Merenti medals are given at the discretion of the Holy Father to Catholics who have given service to the Church and the local community.