A NORTH Clare parish priest is offering to conduct “downsized” weddings for couples who have been putting off taking the plunge because of the recession.
Lisdoonvarna priest, Father Conor Cunningham has offered to open up traditional Sunday mass for weddings and has also offered his services free of charge if couples decide to partake in a private church ceremony involving the bride, groom and their witnesses. The offer comes as marriage rates continue to drop in many parts of the country. According to Fr Cunningham, financial difficulties brought about by the recession should not prevent willing couples from getting married.
“I have noticed, and other priest friends of mine too, that some couples are putting off their sacramental marriage because they think a wedding day has to be an expensive occasion. It doesn’t have to be,” he said.
“If any couple in our parish wants to get married in Christ, money and the economic climate definitely should not be factors in their decision. Why not get married at any of our regular parish Sunday masses with your friends, family and neighbours around you and supporting you in prayer?
“Parishioners would be thrilled and privileged to be present. Or even in a quiet liturgy with Jesus, the priest and your two witnesses on any day that suits? I would be privileged to facilitate such weddings anytime, and it would be totally free of cost and pressure.”
Sunday marriages are prohibited in many diocese as the church authorities feel that priests, who could say mass five or six times on a given Sunday, should not be put under pressure to conduct weddings as well.
Fr Cunningham’s idea to combine traditional Sunday mass with weddings ceremonies has been well received in North Clare. While no Sunday marriages have yet been scheduled, a number of couples have recently renewed their vows on a Sunday, as part of the regular mass schedule.
Mary GRIFFIN
, John Street, Kilrush. Laid to rest in NewShanakyle Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Nancy QUINN
, 158 Finian Park, Shannon. Funeral Mass today (Tuesday) at 1pmin St Peter and Paul’s Church in Shannon. Burial afterwards in Illaunamanagh Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Maura MCNAMARA (née O’Brien)
. Ballinclea Heights, Killiney, Dublin, North Clare. Laid to rest in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Doolin. Donations to Alzheimers society if desired. May she rest in peace.
Michael (Mick) DALY
, 6WolfeToneTerrace, Roxboro Road, Limerick/ Clonlara. Late of Yardfield, Clonlara. Laid to rest in the Bridgetown Church Grounds. Donations, if desired, to the Alzheimer’s Association of Ireland. May he rest in peace.
Martin CASEY
, Chapel Drive, Kilrush. Laid to rest in the NewShanakyle Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
John GALLERY
, Parliament Street, Ennistymon. Laid to rest in the Old Cemetery, Ennistymon. May he rest in peace.
Edmund MARSHALL SR
, 44 Abbey St, Ennis. Memorial Mass was held in Ennis Cathedral on Friday last. May he rest in peace.
Maura MCDONAGH
, MeadowCourt, Clonroad, Ennis. Late of Marian Avenue. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Brian MCMAHON
, Caherminane, Kilfenora/ San Francisco. Died tragically in San Francisco following an accident. Laid to rest in Noughaval cemetery. Donations if desired to the Clare Crusaders. May he rest in peace.
Gerry GARVEY
, Roslevan, Ennis. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Clooney Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Fergus BARRON
, Clonskeagh/ Ennis. Formerly of Bord na Mona and former President of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association. Peacefully at St Vincent’s University Hospital. Laid to rest in Shanganagh Cemetery. Donations in lieu to MS Ireland. May he rest in peace.
Marty KEANE
, Benedin, Lissycasey. Laid to rest in Lissycasey. Donations if desired to Cahercalla Hospice. May he rest in peace.
Eileen MC MAHON (née Carey)
, Lough South, Doolin. Laid to rest in the Holy Rosary Cemetery, Doolin. May she rest in peace.
Peter John KELLY
, 74 Rossbracken, Shannon. Laid to rest in Lemenagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Padraigh MARKHAM
, Boloughra, Lissycasey. Suddenly. Laid to rest in Kilmihil. May he rest in peace.
Martin MC DONNELL
, NewYork and late of Moyhill, Maurices Mills. Laid to rest in Rath Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
John O’DWYER
, Rinneville, Carrigaholt. Peacefully at Milford Hospice. Laid to rest in Kilballyowen Cemetery. May he rest in peace.