'You're God's temple'
Mass marking re-opening of St. Patrick's Church
Inch
12 December 2025
My friends,
When leaving Cork City along Washington Street in recent years, one observed the construction of several buildings in the vicinity of Kent station. One building stood out more as it was completed. It had a different shape, indeed to the ordinary observer an odd shape – a long-sloped roof and its walls are clad in what looks like huge black slates. Many wondered as it was completed, what its purpose was/is. It turns out to be a hotel.
Why did they build it that way and why build in that place? You’d have to ask the Architect and the funder. One thing you can be sure, there is a reason and an explanation, even if it isn’t obvious to those of us who think it’s strange.
We are familiar with the problems with planning – all the objections against certain proposals – building being too high, too close to amenities. People make objections for all kinds of reasons. What they have in common is that architecture matters. The shape and nature of our buildings matter. That they are built properly is essential if they are to fulfil their purpose.
Over time, buildings, be it our home, school or Church, though once mere stone and mortar, take on a personal dimension. This personal dimension grows out of our experience of life shared with others.
My friends, it is our privilege tonight to gather in a spirit of thanksgiving as we return to pray together in your spiritual home of St. Patrick’s Church, here in Inch. The rains and subsequent flood was heartbreaking to witness. It raised urgent questions about repair of damage done, of insurance cover and the wisdom of putting all things in place again.
Fr. Tim, with the firm support and assistance of the team he put in place, have accomplished a magnificent work of restoration. We rejoice and give thanks that this building which your forebears put in place, as a centre of prayer and gathering for Mass, can live again not just as a frame of bricks and mortar but a genuine sanctuary, where our souls can find rest and our spirits be refreshed through the living water of life that is Jesus, in whose name we gather.
The Readings for our gathering this evening are most appropriate. The lines from St. Paul to the Corinthians, use the image or a picture of all that’s involved by the way of the gifts and skills of all that are necessary, not just to build the physical structure but the spiritual structure that is God’s Temple. You and I, we, together are all needed to enable the Spirit of God dwell among us.
The brief verses chosen for our Gospel, are a very direct instruction from the lips of Jesus. When you or I come to the altar of God, we must do so in a spirit of forgiveness. He goes so far as to say, that if in approaching the altar you realise your sister or brother has something against you – you should think again – go be reconciled first and then come.
This is Jesus recognising life in family, work, sport, people row and fall out. But we must not let it there to fester and become pure poison. Life is too short for that. That’s a chilling but so important part of our faith and trust in God who is ever merciful.
Tonight is a joyful night – we will be reminded later of our debt of gratitude to previous generations, who have gifted us not just a building, a beautiful and much cherished building but ultimately of greater gift still is their fidelity and inspiration of Christian witness and living.
Tonight, as we give thanks for this physical new beginning of St. Patrick’s, we draw again from the well spring of the Christian heritage, which is their priceless living legacy to this generation.
Moladh go deo le Dia.
