Presentation of Benemerent Medals and 130 years
Church of the Immaculate Conception,
Blarney
21 November 2024
My friends,
A Report on The Cork Examiner on 22nd of October 1894 relayed that this church of the Immaculate Conception, Blarney was sanctified 21st October 1992. It detailed the design of the building, the benefactors who had funded its construction, the cognoscenti present and a most lengthy sermon by Bishop Brown!
If it’s your expectation that I emulate the enthusiasm of my predecessor by way of a lengthy sermon you may either be relieved or disappointed!
I’ve no doubt that his enthusiasm more than likely was generated by the fact that it was most likely the 1st church he sanctified having been consecrated Bishop that year. It certainly was the first of many that he sanctified because he served as Bishop of Cloyne for all of 40 years!
That Examiner report gave a detailed account of the myriad of architectural features that combined seamlessly to fashion this beautiful house of God. All of that endeavour in the late 19th Century was to secure an appropriate place of sanctuary for the growing population of Blarney.
The O’Mahony Bros. who were the principal benefactors of this church were also responsible for the construction of the convent. So, we owe them a great debt of gratitude.
However, this church would never have been constructed without the prior desire and wish of the people, religious and priests; our forebears in faith. The community of believers came first and once this sanctuary, this place of privileged encounter with the Lord of faith came to be, it released a powerful dynamic of faith and mission that’s well documented. Little could those succeeding generations have imagined the changed and changing social and cultural paths that have emerged in Ireland – whereby what was treasured and valued by way of faith and wholesome living is subject to rigorous questions if not indifference. But let us not go there because the other dimension of our celebrations this evening is the acknowledgement of those among us who have given outstanding service and leadership to this Parish community over many years. This recognition is by way of presenting the Benemerenti Medal to a number of your own community of faith. Whitechurch, Waterloo and Blarney.
Given our changing social and cultural climate whereby public profession of a faith perspective can easily be cast aside as right, reactionary, conservative and backward. We need to use the word community in a more nuanced way. We need to qualify one use of community, with the word faith.
Those who gather and pray here do so with the intent and desire to be part of a community of faith.
Saying this is not to exclude anyone – all are welcome but many choose not to belong – that’s our reality.
This evening, we give thanks to God and express our appreciation to these parishioners who have given of their time and gifts to strengthen and support one another in faith.
Those who seek to journey alone face a very difficult journey.
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” under the shelter of each other we thrive.
Moladh go deo le Dia.
