A Novena of healing and hope has been warmly received in the Parish of Aghalurcher over the last week.

The Novena which took place in Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea and St. Mary’s Church, Maguiresbridge began on Sunday, April 28 and concluded last night (Wednesday, May 1).

Canon Jimmy McPhillips said: “Good crowds are coming to the daily sessions, all speakers to date have left the congregation with great hope and healing and that was the intention of the four days.”

He noted that the Novena has been popular online with people tuning in to the services from all around the world: “Many have also joined us online and through Facebook live, messages of appreciation have come in from many parts of the world”, he said.

Speakers included Oisín McConville, former All-Ireland winning footballer with Armagh and a former Crossmaglen GAA player and the current Wicklow GAA manager who spoke about his battle with gambling addiction, he now works as an addiction counsellor.

Noelle McAlinden, originally from Co. Armagh but now a resident of Fermanagh, Ms McAlinden spoke about her work as well as the impact of suicide.

Impartial Reporter: Noelle McAlinden and Canon Jimmy McPhillips.

Ms McAlinden is a long-term volunteer with the Aisling Centre in Enniskillen and is a founding member of the Hope, Healing and Growth event as well as being involved in several creative and artistic endeavours.

 

Other speakers included Fr. Seamus Quinn, who is originally from Derrygonnelly but now serves as the Parish Priest in Cleenish Parish having been ordained as a priest in 1992. In addition, he is involved in traditional music circles.

Also speaking was well-known former teacher Connor McBarron who took a step away from his job of 24 years at St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen when he was diagnosed with Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer which he was diagnosed at 43.

The novena can be watched back via the webcam on ChurchServices.TV.