Athy community celebrate St Michael's Church milestone

THE Athy community came together in an uplifting fashion to celebrate St Michael’s Church's Diamond Jubilee.

St Michael’s Church celebrated its 60th birthday with a special service led by auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Paul Dempsey who was assisted by PP Fr Liam Rigney, Fr Francis McCarthy, Fr Tim Hannon, Fr Frank McEvoy, Fr Gerry Tanham and Deacon Vincent Crowley.

It was a homecoming moment for Bishop Dempsey who moved to Athy from Carlow at an early age. St Michael’s had played an pivotal role in his life over the decades. He had celebrated his first holy communion and confirmation in the church while funeral masses for his late parents were also in Athy.

In his homily, Bishop Dempsey spoke of the positive changes in the church in recent years with increased involvement of lay people.

What made St Michael’s special was the people and it had been supported by the talents and time of parishioners over the decades.

A special guest at the service was Church of Ireland Reverend Conor O’Reilly. Rvd O’Reilly spoke of the importance of St Michael’s to people’s lives and that it had been a place for people seeking encouragement and support.

Many local groups took part and were represented at the celebration.

The parish choir provided music while a choir from Ardscoil na Tríonóide sang a reflection after communion which was signed in Irish Sign Language by the Athy Sing and Sign Group. Athy cubs and scouts also took part with the scouts providing a guard of honou

The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen, Civil Defence and Order of Malta were represented at the event which local political representatives also attended.

Refreshments were prepared and served afterwards in the church by volunteers along Ardscoil pupils.

The old St Michael’s Church was built in the early 1800s. A new church was constructed to cater to the growing population in Athy and consecrated in 1964.