Procession of Our Lady of Knock - led by Fr Willie Moran & Fr Pat Beecher

A group of 56 pilgrims from Berkeley Road Parish and its environs attended the annual pilgrimage to Knock for Carmelite Sunday (24th July 2011).  The pilgrimage included a visit to Attymass, the home place of the famous Rosary Priest, Fr Patrick Peyton, who began the Family Rosary League and travelled the world promoting the Family Rosary and its benefits.  He coined the phrase, 'the family that prays together stays together.'

Parish Group in front of St Mary's

The group also visited the beautiful Church of the Sacred Heart in Roscommon town.  The church is rich in imagery of the Sacred Heart.  Fr Liam Dunne SVD, who was the spiritual director of the pilgrimage was baptised in this church and gave a lovely talk on the symbology used.  He also gave a very interesting talk on the history of the church.  The mosaics and stained glass were paid for by donations from Irish who had emigrated to Argentina and the USA.  The main mass in the Basilica on Sunday was celebrated by Fr. Jim Noonan, the Provincial of the Discalced Carmelites.  The homilist was Fr Martin Kilmurray, Provincial of the Calced Carmelites.  The day was attended by Carmelite groups from all over Ireland, also by a group of visiting international Discalced Carmelites who are studying English in Derry.

from left
Fr Patrick Staunton (OCarm - vice provincial)
Fr Martin Kilmurrary (OCarm - provincial)
Fr James Noonan (OCD - provincial)

International Discalced Carmelites studying English in Derry

Fr Pat Beecher & Friends from the Abbey Loughrea

The Senior Choir, The Abbey, Loughrea sang the mass