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Celebrating the life and spirit of Maghera

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PEOPLE came together at Maghera last Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the local church and to reunite past pupils of the local national school, which closed down 40 years ago.

 

Outdoor mass is celebrated by Fr Collins from Quin during the 80th anniversary of St Stephens Church Maghera on Sunday.They also commemorated the 31st International Eucharistic Congress, held in Ireland in 1932 and held again this year in Dublin.

A special booklet was produced to mark the occasion and writing in it, parish priest Father Michael Collins said it was a time for looking back. “This is definitely a time for remembering and a time to be grateful for the community here in Maghera. We celebrate the building of St Stephen’s Church, which coincided with the 31st Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932. We also remember our national school, which closed its doors for the last time 40 years ago in 1972.”

He paid tribute to those who put the church in place. “This year we give thanks for this church building dedicated to St Stephen. But what would this beautiful building be without its people – its flesh and blood. So our thoughts of gratitude go back to those who had the vision of a church here in Maghera, to the donor of the land, to the priests and people of the community in the early 1930s. It was a great example of people working together in providing voluntary labour and in fundraising, both inside and outside the county.”

The church has a huge local importance, he added. “It has served as a place of prayer and worship for generations of people. Think of the many people and families, who over the past 80 years, have celebrated the joys and sorrows of their lives – christenings, first communions, marriages and funerals. What an amount of memories this sacred place holds for so many.”

He also said he wanted to welcome the school’s past pupils. “We welcome the past pupils of Maghera school. Your coming here will no doubt trigger many memories and stories of byegone days. Maghera school not only provided the best possible standard of education but also provided people with an opportunity to interact, engage and build a community and make a difference wherever life led them.”

Vincent O’Halloran was the chairman of the organising committee and he was very happy with how things went. “It was a great day, really terrific. There was a big turnout and it was a great occasion.”

It was an enjoyable afternoon, he added. “There was a procession from Maghera Cross up to the church, which was led by two members of the Tulla Pipe Band. There was mass at 3pm and after that, a tree planting ceremony on the grounds. Refreshments were provided and there was a booklet produced that’s still available in the local shops.”

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