Homily for Mass to mark the ruby jubilee of Rathcabbis Church and the launch of The Soul of Dorrha, the Spirit of Rathcabbin, A tapestry of Faith, Heritage and History, celebrating 40 years of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland
Sunday 23rd of November, 2025
Just two weeks ago we celebrated the Feast of the Lateran Basilica in which is very close to the Irish College in Rome. It is a celebration of what is regarded as the Mother Church of all Churches in the world. The feast encouraged us to focus on the fact that a Church, not just one as splendid and magnificent as a huge basilica out in Rome, but our very own local Church is a place of huge importance for us. Our local Church, Teach an Phobal, the house of the Community is a sacred place, a meeting place between us and God, a sanctuary of respite, refuge, calm and serenity from the noise, hustle and bustle of the world and life around us.
Our Lady, Queen of Ireland
Our Lady, Queen of Ireland Church here in Rathcabbin in the parish of Lorrha and Dorrha, the lost parish of Banachum, the Pastoral Area of Cois Deirge has been just that for the past 41 years since it was officially consecrated in 1984.
Ruby Jubilee and Book Launch
It is with great joy today that we mark that significant ruby jubilee celebration and also launch a beautiful and thoroughly researched and presented history this sacred location and beyond into the rich tapestry of the phenomenal history of the parish going back to the times of St. Ruadhan.
What’s in a Name?!
What a clever and well thought through title for the publication,
The Soul of Dorrha
The Spirit of Rathcabbin
A tapestry of Faith, Heritage and History.
The title alone speaks volumes.
This parish is steeped in sacred history and it is so well described in this great publication. It ranges from the early days of St. Ruadhan, St. Ciarán, St. Dioma, St. Aodh, the Dominican and Augustinian influence, Penal times, famine times, the building of St. Flannan’s Church in 1787. In just four years’ time we will celebrate the heroic efforts of Daniel O’Connell and collaborators in bringing about Catholic Emancipation and in that context it is remarkable that a Church was built here in that in-between time of the penal laws and emancipation. A testimony to the faith heritage that is in every step of the roads in this unique ecclesiastical territory.
Features of the Church
Right from my first visit here back in 2016 I was very taken by the features of the Church. The huge allure and prayerfulness of the beautifully lit stain glass windows of the Annunciation, the Sacred Heart window and Our Lady, St. Dominic and the Rosary window.
I appreciate also the carved Bríd ní Rinn shrine to Our Lady, the crucified, resurrected Christ here in the sanctuary, what the book describes as the “noble simplicity” of the sanctuary, opening up and embracing the new liturgy of post Vatican II times. Outside the low trajectory of the façade rising up in the centre to the spire lifting our spirts in prayer, heavenwards.
Human Stories and Characters
The human stories of the many local people are so well documented, the characters, the personalities, the influence of people like Fr. Martin Ryan, Fr. Tom Seymour, Fr. John Donnelly, members of pastoral councils, choirs, teachers, some bene merenti medal recipients.
Fundraising Efforts
Ní bheathaíonn na briathra na bráithre, a deirtear and the story of the mammoth task of fundraising over €300,000 over a million in today’s terms makes for fascinating reading. Today one would organise a lotto system a go-fund-me page, but the outstanding efforts of “the 12 apostle” committee is so intriguing with events like Birr Bingo, Guest Teas, Calf Rearing Schemes, Fun days and The Big Draw. All ending up in a tidy surplus that was invested in the local schools.
St. Flannan’s Church Bell
I enjoyed the short feature on St. Flannan’s Church bell that I believe is in safe keeping in the shed out the back. In conversation with Bro. Colmán Ó Clabaigh, noted Benedictine historian in Glenstal he informed me that bells in the Monastic tradition were regarded as the Vox Dei, the Voice of God and their role was to:
- Gather the Clergy
- Summon the Laity
- Implore for the Dead
- Enemy of Demons!
That historic bell that rang out in the landscape for many generations summoned so many to prayer in the day.
Community Fabric
The fabric of the community in and around Church here in Rathcabbin is expanded into schools, the Gaelic Athletic Association, Community Games, Music, Drama, Farming, Ploughing, the local hall and much more.
The Meaning of Church
I was very taken by the inspiring words of Bishop Michael Harty on the opening day back in 1984 which capture the meaning of what a Church is all about:
This is a wayside church in a very literal sense, opening out into the village and public road and beckoning all to its warm welcome. You will have noticed … that the emphasis is on us, the people of God who will use this church. This indicated that we must make this church our own in a very special way, that we must dedicate it daily by constant and loving use. It will take years to make it your special church. It will take babies crying at Baptism: it will take weddings and funerals: it needs to be part of your joys and sorrows. It will require your friendly talk as you assemble faithfully for Mass and the movement of feet as you approach the altar to receive the Body of the Lord. It needs the click of the Confessional door as you receive the mercy of God in the sacrament of Penance: it needs the echo of bells tinkling gently inside and the clear sound of the Angelus bell calling us to a refreshing moment of prayer in field and kitchen. It needs the car casually parked outside or the bicycle thrown against a wall because someone dropped in to say a prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in this welcoming, wayside church. It needs to be anointed by your presence. It needs to be a much-used church.
No doubt that has been the case for the past 41 years here in Our Lady Queen of Ireland Church. Heartiest congratulations, good wishes and blessings to so many involved in the origins, development and care of this Church for the past 41 years.
Finally, again I leave the last word of Michal Harty who in reflecting on the traditional Irish custom to make a wish when we visit a church for the first time.
He says:
My wish for all of us is contained in the prayer of blessing of the water at the beginning of this ceremony, namely,
“May we here today, And all those in days to come, Who will celebrate your mysteries in this church, be united at last in the holy city of your peace: We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.”