This Site is in celebration of the bicentenary of

St.Colman`s Catholic Church, Clare, Tullylish. Co.Down

1805 ~ 2005

While many Church bicentenaries pass unnoticed, it is greatly to the credit of the people of the Clare that they decided to mark the bicentenary of their beloved Church of St Colman with a well-planned celebration. The eagerness and enthusiasm with which they set about this task reflects the deep faith that has been devoutly handed down to them during the past 200 years – and indeed for many centuries before, through good times and bad.

This historic church, cradled, as it is, in the surrounding hills is a landmark in more ways than one. It is especially a monument to the staunch faith and devoted loyalty of the people of the Clare for many generations. St Colman's Church has stood as a silent witness of the joys and sorrows of the people of this district throughout the years. Here they came with joy and pride to have their children baptised; with happiness and hope to pledge their marriage vows before the altar; and finally to mourn their loved ones, or be laid to rest beneath its shadow. This church has been central to all that is most precious in their lives, especially in the weekly celebration of Mass. Every Sunday morning for the past two hundred years, the community, young and old have converged upon this Church to pay homage to God and exchange greetings with their neighbours.

In the midst of a changing world the people of the Clare have not only shown a profound loyalty to their God-given faith, and to the priests who have been sent to minister amongst them, but they have by no means neglected the heritage of Irish culture, of which they have always been justly proud, and to which they have contributed in no small way. In particular they are to be commended for their diligence in catering for the youth of the district, and their untiring efforts to hand on to them the treasures of faith and culture, which they themselves have come to appreciate so much.

All these things we commemorate on this bicentenary Sunday. We salute the unswerving faith of the people and generous loyalty to their parish through the generations, and we pray that their faith and devotion may continue to be a shining example, a source of edification to all with whom they come in contact. Remembering is a distinctively personal activity. One of the wonders of being human is that we can delve into the distant past and make a memory come alive. “To acknowledge our ancestors means we are aware that we did not make ourselves, that the line stretches all the way back to God, We remember them because it is any easy thing to forget, that we are not the first to suffer, rebel, fight, love and die”.

I am deeply grateful to all those who worked so hard to compile this history and memories of life in the Clare. I pray that God may continue to bless their family and friends in the years that lie ahead.

Canon Desmond Knowles

Parish of Tullylish 2005

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