Dawn Mass 2024
It was dull enough at 6am on Easter Sunday morning March 31st 2024 when many parishioners and beyond gathered for our special and meaningful Dawn Mass celebration. There was no sign of the sun rising, not to mind to see it dancing. There is always a joyful anticipation in the parish of Gurteen / Ballymacward as plans are made in advance for Dawn Mass on Easter Sunday morning which has now become an annual event. These plans include preparing Cloonkeenkerrill cemetery in advance – weeding & edging paths, erecting adequate lighting within the cemetery which Keith & Mike Donnellan take charge of; filling bottles with Easter water; organising the choir lead by Tony & Marie McLaughlin, identifying readers, ministers of the Eucharist, ‘sacristy’ duties – preparation of the altar at St.Kerrills bed, lighting the paschal fire both at the entrance gate & adjacent to the altar, a very rich symbol in itself. Lighted lanterns led the way from the warm glow of Paraic O’Connor’s paschal fire at the cemetery entrance gate along the main path to the altar while a warm hue of light penetrated through the recently restored abbey window and the Christmas star perched by PJ Finnerty on the cemetery’s front boundary wall also assured a warm welcome for the large congregation.
Dawn Mass was beautiful and although it teamed rain from 3:30 -5am, the inclement weather held off for when it mattered most.
Following the Mass there were lovely homemade refreshments & welcome hot beverages served in ‘The Shed Cafe’ specifically made by the Hynes Family, Gurteen to cater for this occasion. There might even be a new business venture for ‘The Shed Cafe’ following its inaugural outing. Kudos to the early morning bakers & hospitality staff: Olive Hynes, Andrea Hynes, Maura Carr & Anne Tuohy. Anything fresher was still in the oven! This is always a special celebration in our Parish & 2024 was no different. Thanks to our fantastic celebrant Fr. Raymond Sweeney and parish secretary Gerry Kenny.