Eucharistic Congress Bell in Cloonclare/Killasnett
The Eucharistic Congress Bell arrived in the parish on Saturday 28th May 2011. Here is the story of the bell and how it came to be here.
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress is due to take place in Dublin from 10th to 17th June 2012. The Congress is an international gathering of people which takes place every four years somewhere in the world.
It aims to:
- Promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church;
- Help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy;
- Draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist – “We are one, the Body of Christ”.
These aims are achieved through a programme of pastoral preparation in the years leading up to the Congress and a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops, a Eucharistic Procession and a massive closing ceremony. The last occasion on which the Congress was held in Ireland was in 1932.
The Eucharistic Congress Bell is a key symbol of the forthcoming Congress. The pilgrimage of the Bell throughout each of the Dioceses of Ireland is a vehicle to:
- Invite people to deepen their communion with Christ and with one another;
- Promote the pastoral aims of the Congress;
- Invite all Christians to join in giving a common witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an increasingly secular society;
- Animate the people of each diocese to become involved with the Eucharistic Congress both locally and nationally;
- Invite people to come to the Congress from June 10th to 17th 2012.
The Bell has its origins in the Dominican convent, Portstewart, Co. Derry. It is a reminder of the tradition of St. Patrick’s Bell, representing a call to faith and prayer. It began its pilgrimage throughout the dioceses of Ireland from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on St. Patrick’s Day, 2011 and will end at the opening of the International Eucharistic Congress on June 10th 2012. Accompanying the Bell are four icons which correspond to the four stages of the Pastoral Preparation Program.
The Bell was collected from Dromahair parish at Shanvaus Cross, Manorhamilton at 11.30 Am on Saturday 28th May 2011. There was a large gathering at Shanvaus comprised of volunteers from both parishes of Dromahair and Cloonclare/Killasnett. Four volunteers took charge of the bell and proceeded to carry it through Lurganboy village to Milltown Bridge where four others took it on the final part of the journey to St. Clare’s Church, Manorhamilton. It went via Creamery Road, Castle Street, the Commons, Upper Main Street, Congress Terrace, Boley Hill and Station Road. 
Health and safety was a paramount consideration during the journey and the Bell was accompanied at all times by a Bell Pilgrimage Coordinator in a van and by a lead car and rear car with flashing amber warning lights. Also, each volunteer bearer wore a high visibility jacket. A local nurse was available to render first aid if required. The HSE ambulance control was advised of the route and timings and arrangements made to have an ambulance available if necessary. A
Garda patrol car accompanied the cortege during the journey from Shanvaus to St. Clare’s and a Garda directed traffic at the Sligo road/Main Street crossroad.
On arrival at St. Clare’s Church at 12.45 PM it was welcomed outside by Fr. Oliver Kelly PP and a large group of parishioners. A short service then took place in the church of readings and hymns during which the Bell was rung 3 times at three different stages. The church choir sang the official hymn of the Eucharistic Congress “Though we are many” as the Bell left the church on its journey to Kinlough at 1.30 PM.
After travelling through Amorset, Ballyglass, Mullies and Largy the Bell and the icons eventually were handed over to a large group of volunteers from Kinlough parish at Glenade Lake car-park. Fr. Oliver Kelly led some thanksgiving prayers and the Eucharistic Congress hymn got another spirited rendition before the Bell set off for St. Aidan’s Church, Kinlough at 4.00 PM.
The arrangements for the Bell worked smoothly thanks to the co-operation of all the volunteer participants and the Gardaí. The total journey through the parish was 14 Kms. Thirty volunteers of all ages from 18 upward were involved in carrying the Bell in teams of four at a time. All agreed that the experience was very worthwhile and satisfying. Hopefully, it was instrumental in bringing the International Eucharistic Congress 2012 to public attention.