Supporting Church Life
In Kinawley there exists a quite a number of vibrant groups and committees that support the Priests and Life of the Parish. Lay people are now taking their rightful place in Church Life in-line with Vatican II.
Border Pastoral Area: The parish of Kinawley-Killesher is part of the Border Pastoral Area. The other parishes in the area include Knockninny (Fr. Fintan Mc Kiernan P.P.), Kildallon (Fr. Eamon Lynch P.P.) and Templeport (Fr. John Phair P.P.). We are in the Ballinamore deanery.
Kinawley-Killesher Pastoral Council: The members of the pastoral council are as follows: Caroline Baxter (chairperson), Claire Hussey (secretary – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Fr. Gabriel Kelly P.P., Fr. Benny Fitzpatrick C.C., Kathleen Malanaphy, Grainne Gilheaney, Mary Owens, Mairead Mc Dermott, Leanne Scollan, Michael Reilly, Gerry Mc Kiernan, Aine Prior, James Breen, Ann Mc Manus, Pat Mc Teggart, Ann Mc Govern, Brendan Owens, Geraldine Mc Govern, John Martin Mc Govern.
Kinawley-Killesher Finance Committees: These committees are invaluable in the life of the entire parish. They oversee parish finances in conjunction with Father Kelly. John Breen (chairman), Michael Curry, Sean Martin, Maureen Maguire serve on the Kinawley Finance Committee. Brian Bogue (chairman), Tony Mc Govern, Yvonne Mc Govern, Breda Reilly and Michael Leydon serve on the Swanlinbar Finance Committee. Michael Dolan (chairman), Caroline Baxter, Mary Kerrin and Geraldine Mc Govern serve on the Killesher Finance Committee.
Kinawley-Killesher Child-Safeguarding Committee: Caroline Baxter (Killesher), Kathleen Malanaphy (Kinawley), Grainne Gilheaney (Swanlinbar).
Kinawley-Killesher Divine Mercy Prayer Group: This NEW group began in September 2013 in Saint Naile’s Church, Kinawley. Members of the parish have been travelling to Poland on a Divine Mercy Pilgrimage for the past number of years. The time seemed right therefore to start a group in the parish. It takes place each Monday night at 7.30pm. It is proving very popular. So much so, that an offshoot of this group meets during Lent on a Sunday evening in St. Mary’s Swanlinbar at 5pm. After Lent is over, this time will change to 7.30pm-8.30pm on a Friday evening. This year for the first time, there will be Divine Mercy Devotions in St. Naile’s Church Kinawley from 3pm-4.30pm on Divine Mercy Sunday. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited after the weekend Masses in the four churches of the parish.
Rosary Groups / Pilgrimages: There are a number of rosary groups in homes in the parish, going on for many years. They come together each week to pray and intercede for the needs of the parish. Each year since 2007, Ann Mc Govern organises a pilgrimage to Medjugorje with Fr. Gabriel Kelly as the spiritual director. This year (2014) a group of parishioners will be going to Poland and also to Rome for the canonisation of Blessed John XXIII & Blessed John Paul II.
Days of Healing: These days of healing take place every three months in the home of Ann Mc Govern, Glassdrummond, Kinawley with Father Noel Conlon. They have proven very popular, with people travelling from far and wide for healing prayer.
Eucharistic Adoration: Committed groups of lay adorers adore the Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist in St. Naile’s Church on a Wednesday from 10am-12 noon and in Saint Mary’s Church, Swanlinbar from 5pm-9pm.
Youth Group: The Youth Officer on the parish pastoral council is Mary Owens. For the past number of years, young people from the parish have completed the John Paul awards. They have involved themselves actively in the parish and in the community. Last year they put on an Easter play and also organised a Youth Mass. Each year a number of young people go on pilgrimages. Last year a group went to World Youth day in Brazil and also to Lourdes. This year a group are going to Taize in France.