On Saturday 27th April we travelled to Knock to join in the diocesan pilgrimage to Knock. Well done to all who organised the pilgrimage. As a grouping of parishes we travelled together and stopped off in the traditional Longford Arms for breakfast, then onto Knock where we joined with parishes from all over the diocese of Dublin for a short history of the 140th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to Knock given by the rector of the Shrine, Fr Richard Gibbons. After a relaxing lunch we had an opportunity for confession and then the anointing of the sick followed by Mass celebrated by Archbishop Diarmaid Martin. Dinner in Knock House Hotel and then it was back home with the required bottles of Knock water.
Thanks to all who travelled and shared in a wonderful day. Deacon Gerard Reilly and his team who did the groundwork to make the day so special. It was great to have Fr Richard Sheehy and Fr Frank Reburn with us on pilgrimage. For those who hadn’t been to Knock in a long time or only recently many graces are sure to follow. Thanks to Robert Fitzpatrick our driver who had a lovely attitude and was so patient and helpful throughout. Thanks to the five parishes of the grouping, Glasnevin, Iona Road, Corpus Christi, Ballymun Road and of course Ballygall for sending their best. An early start of 7.30 and back home by 10pm.
Well done all.
Roll on next year’s pilgrimage to Oberammergau. A little further than Knock but a special year 2020 marking the Passion play performance every 10 years in thanksgiving for saving a little village from being destroyed by a plague in 1633, almost 400 years ago. See https://www.passionsspiele-oberammergau.de/en/home for more details.
