Westport Parish

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DONATE WESTPORT PARISH BIC: IPBSIE2D IBAN: IE83IPBS99072933204684 Donations to Westport Parish are crucial for both the preservation of its rich historical legacy and the continued spiritual support it offers to the community. Westport Parish, with its four churches including the historic St. Mary’s Church, serves as a vital center for religious life, community gathering, and cultural heritage. With a history spanning over 200 years, St. Mary’s Church not only stands as a testament to the faith of generations but also as a significant landmark that reflects the historical evolution of the region. By contributing to the parish, donors help ensure that these churches remain pillars of faith and history for future generations. ​ The financial support provided by donations directly impacts the necessary renovations and structural work required to maintain these historic buildings. St. Mary’s Church, in particular, has faced significant challenges over the years, including major structural issues that have threatened the integrity of the building. Renovations have been ongoing, with critical work needed to reinforce the foundation and address problems with the roof and ceilings. Donations ensure that these essential repairs can be completed, protecting the church’s architecture and allowing it to continue serving as a place of worship and community gathering. ​ Beyond the physical preservation of the buildings, donations to Westport Parish foster a sense of unity and support within the community. The parish is not just a place of worship but a hub where people come together for various events, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose. By supporting the parish, donors contribute to the overall well-being of the community, ensuring that the parish can continue to offer spiritual guidance, social support, and a place for communal activities. In this way, donations have a far-reaching impact, benefiting both the physical structure of the church and the spiritual and social fabric of the Westport community.

CONFIRMATION Confirmation Preparation Confirmation Programme 2025 ​ Confirmation date for Westport 2025 Wednesday 30th April 2025 at 12.00noon ​ The 2025 Confirmation Programme is now enrolling. Read more information on Confirmation REGISTRATION CARD Child's First name Child's Last name Date of Baptism Month Father's Name Mother's Name (Maiden) Parent's Address Name of Sponsor Confirmation Name Phone Number Email Address by SUBMITTING this form YOU CONSENT TO THE ABOVE INFORMATION BEING RETAINED BY THE PARISH RECORD PURPOSES. YOU CONSENT TO BEING CONTACTED BY THE PARISH USING THE ABOVE INFORMATION REGARDING PARISH ACTIVITIES. YOU CONSENT TO HAVING MY RECORDS RETAINED FOR FUNDRAISING PURPOSES AND BEING CONTACTED BY THE PARISH FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. Submit

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FIRST EUCHARIST AND FIRST PENANCE DATES FOR HOLY COMMUNION Welcome! ​ This page is for the children in 2nd Class who are preparing for First Confession & First Holy Communion in each of our seven primary schools. The sacraments of First Confession & First Holy Communion are wonderful celebrations, not only for you but for your family and the entire community. As a parish, we want to help you prepare to celebrate these occasions in your life so that they may be special and meaningful for you and your family. ​ First Holy Communions for 2025 take place starting from: Saturday 3rd May 2025 Murrisk & Lecanvey Schools at 1.00p.m. Saturday 10th May 2025 Scoil Phádraig & Brackloon Schools at 1.00p.m. Saturday 17th May 2025 Quay & Gaelscoil Schools at 1.00p.m. REGISTRATION CARD Child's First name Child's Last name Date of Baptism Month Father's Name Mother's Name (Maiden) Parent's Address Child's School Parish you live in Phone Number Email Address by SUBMITTING this form YOU CONSENT TO THE ABOVE INFORMATION BEING RETAINED BY THE PARISH RECORD PURPOSES. YOU CONSENT TO BEING CONTACTED BY THE PARISH USING THE ABOVE INFORMATION REGARDING PARISH ACTIVITIES. YOU CONSENT TO HAVING MY RECORDS RETAINED FOR FUNDRAISING PURPOSES AND BEING CONTACTED BY THE PARISH FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. Submit

History & Renovations Our church has been established on this site for over 200 years. It was built in 1813 and has evolved and changed with the times, addressing the needs of the parish as well as providing a historical and social interpretation of the times. 2024 The new doors in the Croagh Patrick oratory. The five new doors were hung by volunteers Anthony Corrigan, Brendan Conway, Mick Needham, and John Joe McDonnell. 2016 Renovation work commenced. 2015 Structural problems arose with the roof and ceilings. 2004 Major structural works were carried out to reinforce the foundations of the original church. 1990 Placing the statue of St. Patrick on top of the pedestal on the Octagon, March 1990. Watching the preparations are members of the restoration committee. L-R : Joe Berry, Westport; Liam Walsh Chairman; Fr Tony King ADM Westport; Ken Thompson sculptor; John Coffey Monumental Works; Tom Durcan; Cathal Hughes and Sean Staunton, Restoration Committee. Photographer Liam Lyons 1986 St. Mary's Church, Westport, May 1986. House originally the residence of the Gallagher family Westport and it was the property of St. Mary's parish and has returned to the ownership of the parish. It is the residence of the administrator. Photographer Liam Lyons 1973 The alter and sanctuary were remodelled. 1959 Working on St Mary's church, Westport, 1959. Photographer Liam Lyons 1958 Building recommenced to complete the 1928 church and finished in 1961. 1955 St Mary's Church Westport, 1955. before modern renovations & prepared for Procession Sunday. Jim Crawford Castlebar St Westport standing in the doorway. The residents of Westport Quay had the honour every year to decorate the front of the church. Photographer Liam Lyons 1928 A new church was planned and dedicated in 1932. 1813 The foundation stone was laid. Sep 25 Saint Marys Church Westport County Mayo • Bells • Fixing Corrosion The video depicts the severe corrosion of the fixing bolts that support the bells at Saint Mary's Church in Westport, County Mayo. The... 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Sep 18 Exploring the Rich History of St. Mary's Church, Westport: A Fascinating Journey with Barbara Rabbitte by Dr. Oliver Snr. Whyte, 10.08.2019 Welcome, history enthusiasts and curious minds, to a captivating journey through time as we unravel... Post not marked as liked Sep 12 THE DEANERY OF WESTPORT ... A little historical read... THE DEANERY OF WESTPORT. Parish of Westport. The prominent place of the parish of Westport in the... 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 You can learn more about the parish’s history by visiting this page: [click here] . Description Detached nine-bay double-height Catholic church, built 1926-32; dedicated 1932, on a cruciform plan comprising seven-bay double-height nave opening into six-bay double-height flat-roofed side aisles; single-bay (single-bay deep) double-height transepts centred on single-bay double-height tower (crossing) on a square plan opening into single-bay double-height apse (south). Completed, 1957-61, producing present composition. Renovated, 1973, with sanctuary reordered. Pitched slate roofs on a cruciform plan centred on pyramidal slate roof (tower); half-conical slate roof (south), clay ridge tiles, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging eaves retaining cast-iron square profile hoppers and downpipes. Drag edged rock faced limestone ashlar walls to entrance (north) front on cut-limestone chamfered plinth with limestone ashlar frontispiece in cut-limestone frame; roughcast surface finish (remainder) bellcast over rendered plinth. Round windows (clerestorey) with rendered "bas-relief" surrounds framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having square glazing bars. Round-headed window openings (side aisles) with concrete sills, and rendered "bas-relief" surrounds framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. Round-headed window openings (transepts) with concrete sills, and rendered "bas-relief" surrounds framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. Pair of round-headed door openings to entrance (north) front with cut-limestone surrounds having stepped reveals framing timber panelled double doors. "Wheel Window" (gable) with cut-limestone surround having stepped reveals framing fixed-pane fittings having stained glass panels. Interior including vestibule (north) with reclaimed cut-limestone date stone ("1813"); paired square-headed door openings into nave with glazed timber panelled double doors having overlights; full-height interior with organ gallery (north) supporting pipe organ below stained glass "Wheel Window" (1960), terrazzo central aisle between cruciform-detailed timber pews, round-headed arcades on polished red Verona marble pillars on cut-veined grey marble plinths with barrel vaulted ceiling on cornice, round-headed chancel arch framing carpeted cut-veined white marble stepped dais to sanctuary (south) reordered, 1973, with cut-veined white marble panelled altar below inlaid cut-veined white marble "baldacchino", cut-veined white marble stepped daises to side altars with Gothic-style altars below stained glass memorial windows (1948-1981), timber boarded wainscoting (side aisles) with carved timber dado rail, and "Opus Sectile" stations (1929-31) below stained glass memorial windows (1950-1979). Street fronted with concrete flagged footpath to front. ​ Appraisal A church erected to designs by Rudolph Maximilian Butler (1872-1943) of Kildare Street, Dublin (Irish Builder 1st April 1926, 261; 16th April 1927, 282), representing an important component of the twentieth-century built heritage of County Mayo with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the cruciform plan form; and the slender profile of the openings underpinning a streamlined Romanesque theme: meanwhile, aspects of the composition, in particular the "Wheel Window"-detailed frontispiece, clearly illustrate the belated completion of the church to designs by James Rupert Edward Boyd Barret (c.1904-76) with those works recalling his contemporary Catholic Church of the Descent of the Holy Ghost (1956-60) in County Cork (Irish Builder 14th June 1958, 439; 30th September 1961, 765). Having been well maintained, the form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the arcaded interior reordered (1973) in accordance with the liturgical reforms sanctioned by the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican (1962-5) where contemporary joinery; an eye-catching "baldacchino"; opus sectile stations by Hubert McGoldrick (1897-1967) of An Túr Gloine (opened 1903), Dublin; and vibrant stained glass supplied by Earley Studios Limited (closed 1975) of Dublin; Harry Clarke Stained Glass Studios (closed 1973) of Dublin; George Campbell RHA (1917-79) of Belfast and Span; Patrick Pye RHA (1929-2018) of Dublin; and George Walsh (b. 1939) of Dublin, all highlight the considerable artistic potential of a church making an imposing visual statement overlooking the canalised Westport or Carrowbeg River: meanwhile, a reclaimed date stone ("1813") survives as an interesting relic of the Georgian Gothic church 'Erected by subscription and the strenuous exertions of the Most Revd. Oliver Kelly [1777-1834] aided by the Parishioners' which in retrospect was unjustly maligned as 'a large, lumpish, tasteless structure' (Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland 1846 III, 521). ​ data from: NBHS Renovations: The Situation Today In July 2015, part of the ceiling in the side aisle collapsed falling onto the seating below.Thank God no one was injured. While examining the cause of the ceiling collapse it became apparent, after exhaustive investigations, that defects in the building were much more extensive, serious, varied and widespread. The reality is, our ‘200 year’ old Church is ‘physically a lot sicker than it looks’ with serious problems extending from the cross on top of the roof right through to the foundations in the ground. ​ Substantial remedial works are required. The time spent investigating the problems and appropriate solutions has been worthwhile. This process has ensured that poorly planned and abortive works are avoided. The time and effort has undoubtedly saved us money. In the first instance, we have identified the most urgent works to protect your safety and secondly to protect the structure and fabric of our historic building. ​ Accordingly, the works are now divided into four phases in line with what we think we can afford at this time. The more detailed elements of each phase are outlined under the headings below. ​ We deeply appreciate your patience during this process.

Information for Pilgrims Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick Every Pilgrim who ascend the mountain on St Patrick's Day or within the octave or anytime during the months of June, July, August & September and prays in or near the Chapel for the intentions of our Holy Father, the Pope may gain a plenary indulgence on the condition on going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion on the summit or within the week The Stations The performing of penitential exercises – the stations of the Reek – is a very ancient custom. It is not possible from the records to state the exact date the stations of the Reek started, but it must have been soon after Saint Patrick’s visit. For stations of the Reek, please click here .

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Baptism Baptisms are held every weekend, on Saturday (the second Sat.) and three Sundays in the month (check with parish office for actual dates). Parents are required to give three weeks notice and are invited to attend a short information meeting our Baptism teamon the Wednesday prior to baptism, at Carrowbeg House, at 8.30 p.m. We strongly encourage parents to avail of the new Baptismal Teams who will make contact with you and visit you in your home if you wish. We wish God’s blessing on all children who will be baptised this year and welcome you into the Christian and Parish Community. Westport Parish Contact the Parish Office @ 098-28871 All bookings for Baptism should be made to Margaret at the Parish Office. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of the priests or the Baptism Team. Book Baptism About Baptism Baptism is the Sacrament of welcome into the Catholic Church, indeed throughout the Christian denominations into the family of Christ. In Baptism we are reborn in Christ and begin our Christian journey. It is by right of Baptism that all the other Sacraments of the Church are conveyed. The decision whether or not to have your child baptised is an important one. Should you choose to have your child baptised you are taking on the responsibility of training them and bringing them up in the practice of the faith and all that this entails. In choosing godparents for your child the Church asks that these be people (ordinarily one female and one male) who take on the responsibility of ensuring that your child grows to be a mature Christian and this should be taken into consideration when godparents are being selected. The ceremony itself is rich in meaning and symbolism. First of all the child is received and welcomed officially at the door of the church, or at the foot of the sanctuary and signed with the sign of the cross by the priest, their parents and godparents. The liturgy of the word then takes place, which includes the readings, prayer of the faithful and the invocation of the saints. In the Catholic tradition the saints are invoked at all important ceremonies in the life of the Church, this illustrates the long line of which the candidate for the sacrament is becoming part of and asks the strength of the saints prayers in carrying out their responsibilities as Christian. The traditional prayer of preparation for baptism asks that the child be protected from all harm and danger and then they are anointed with the oil of catechumen, a symbol of preparation for the important sacrament which is about to take place. The blessing of the holy water which will be used in Baptism then takes place. Water is the great symbol of life, and the water is used to bring the new life of baptism to the child. The Baptismal Promises are made on behalf of the child. These are the tenets of our faith and should be considered closely. This is the faith into which the child is being baptised. Following the promises the parents are asked if they wish to have their child baptised into the faith just professed, and if they do they proceed to the font where the Baptism takes place. When the baptism is complete the child is anointed on the crown of the head with the oil of chrism, a symbol of God’s seal on what has just taken place. The baby is then clothed in the christening shawl, which is normally white and symbolises both the new beginning and the child being wrapped in the warmth and love of the Christian family. The christening candle is lit from the Easter candle, the great symbol of resurrection. In baptism we begin the journey through life to God in heaven, in accepting the light of Christ we promise to follow the light of Christ and strive to keep the flame of faith burning brightly in our hearts until the day Christ calls us home. The blessing of ‘Ephaphata’ and Aramaic word which means ‘be opened’ is essentially a prayer over the senses that our ears may be open to receiving the word of God and our mouth be opened to proclaim His faith. The final blessing is in a number of parts, first of all a blessing on the mother, then on the father and finally on everyone present. What’s needed? Each family needs to fill out the Baptismal form. Each family needs to bring along the christening shawl and candle. Each family needs to be available to meet the Baptismal Team who will call to your home to discuss the Baptism.