| Blessing of Pastoral Centre site and cutting the sod |
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 On Saturday 10th October 2009 the Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, Most Reverend Gerard Clifford joined clergy and parishioners at St John the Baptist Church for a liturgy of blessing in connection with the construction of the new Parish Pastoral Centre.Approximately one hour before the Vigil Mass parishioners gathered to the rear of St John the Baptist Church on the site where the new Pastoral Centre will be erected. The Choir sang an entrance hymn as the procession arrived led by altar servers, clergy and Bishop Clifford. Representatives from da Architects and Moss Construction Ltd who will oversee the works were also in attendance. Mr Dennis McKeever – chairman of Drumcree Parish Pastoral Council – extended a warm welcome to His Lordship and spoke of the purpose of the new Pastoral Centre.  The liturgy of blessing consisted of Scriptural readings and prayers of intercession. Bishop Clifford sprinkled the site with Holy Water which the Choir accompanied with another hymn. A prayer of blessing brought the liturgy to a close before Bishop Clifford concluded the ceremony by cutting the first sod on site.Holy Mass was then concelebrated by Bishop Clifford and the parish clergy. A model of the Parish Pastoral Centre together with drawings and photographs are available to view in the Church of St John the Baptist. Please pray for all those who work on the centre and for its successful completion. Click here to view more photographs of the blessing of the site. Click here to download a copy of the liturgy of blessing. |