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A SPECIAL event celebrating 125 years of the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh will take place later this month.
The historic celebration will be held in St Mary’s Hall, situated under the main chapel, on Wednesday, May 22, starting at 7.30pm.
It will feature conversation and music based around the many fond recollections of the iconic twin-spired place of worship.
Priests, past and present, who have served the parish, including Fr Eamon Graham, Fr Joe Gormley, Fr Gerard Mongan and Fr Damian Bresnahan, will share their memories and experiences of the Sacred Heart, as well as some of its parishioners.
Music on the night will be performed by Tom Sweeney, The McSorley Sisters, and members of the church choir.
The evening will be enabled and compered by Gerarda McCann who will also perform.
Speaking with the UH, Gerarda said, “I am delighted to be part of this 125th anniversary.
“The Sacred Heart Church has played a huge part in the lives of so many Drumragh parishioners, their extended families and friends.
“It will be interesting to hear personal memories from some past and present priests and to enjoy entertainment from some of the local ‘music makers’.
“I would very much advise anyone who is interested in attended to book early.”
The Sacred Heart Church informally opened its doors in 1899, pending consecration (and a second spire).
For the last 125 years, the church has taken on many changes and upgrades.
The second spire was completed some time after 1905, though it is not clear when.
In 1929, parish priest, Dr McShane, made an appeal for donations to repair the church, and he received a ‘most generous response’, which allowed repairs to the roof and two new confessional boxes.
In more recent times, a refurbishment was launched in 1995 with stronger roof fixtures and waterproof materials, and would finish just a week after the Omagh bomb attack.
Today, Mass continues to be celebrated in this magnificent building, which has recorded over a century of local births, funerals, confessions, communions and confirmations.
Tickets to the ‘125 years of the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh’ event are free, but limited, so booking is essential.
You can book now via eventbrite.com or by contacting Drumragh Parish Office on 028 82242092.
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