Powerfully elegant, Newry Cathedral presides above a cacophony of city commerce. Nestled between the loveliness of The Mournes, The Ring of Gullion and The Irish Sea, on the main Dublin to Belfast thoroughfare, Newry historically and contemporarily is an important investment centre.
It is fitting that this city boasts the first cathedral to be built following Catholic Emancipation. Formally known as The Cathedral of Sts Patrick & Colman, it embodies a magnificent outpouring of public faith – a reminder of God’s presence, not distant but right at the centre, the beating heart of everything.
Designed by the city’s greatest architect, Thomas Duff, Newry Cathedral, a Grade A listed building, holds 1,000 people and serves as the seat of the Bishop of Dromore. High in the main aisle, the names of the 22 parishes of Dromore Diocese are displayed in mosaic.
The mosaic enveloping the walls of The Cathedral, from the floor to the ceiling, is unique with images of many saints depicted in coloured glass known as ‘smalti’. The floor and the sanctuary area are also mosaic, consisting of porcelain ceramic. More gold leaf was utilised here than in any other cathedral or church in Ireland. Every detail reflects the light and beauty of generations of sacrificial faith, spiritually and aesthetically.
The reliquary containing the largest number of relics in the British Isles (404) is a very popular and peaceful place of prayer. In this collection may be venerated a relic of the True Cross, a piece of the veil of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, pieces from the instruments of Christ’s passion (Arma Christi), two sets of relics belonging to the Apostles and relics of several Irish Saints including St Patrick, St Brigid, St Columcille, St Columbanus, St Virgilius, St Gall, St Laurence O’ Toole, and St Oliver Plunkett. Relics of many other saints, including a first-class relic of St Mother Theresa, also reside here.
Museum
Yet the Cathedral is far from a museum – it is but one part of a living parish, serving around 30,000 people and supported by a network of dedicated volunteers and clergy.
Parish Administrator, Canon Francis Brown, informs that three priests and one Permanent Deacon also serve in St Mary’s Church and St Brigid’s Church, which are much loved and pivotal in the life of this thriving parish. Parish Curate, Fr Alphonsus Chukwunenye MSP, from Nigeria, praises the community spirit, describing how the priests “eat together as a happy family.”
Historically, the Christian Brothers, and still currently, the Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of St Clare, build up the fabric of this parish, especially through education in the schools”
The Dominican Order, enjoying a growth in priestly vocations, also has a strong community in Newry, which richly contributes to the spiritual life of the area. Adjacent to the stunning St Catherine’s Dominican Church on Dominic Street, their Lectio Centre provides a sacred space for scriptural reading, meditation, and contemplative prayer. Historically, the Christian Brothers, and still currently, the Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of St Clare, build up the fabric of this parish, especially through education in the schools, of which there are now twelve.
Sacramental preparation is given the attention it deserves. Parents and sponsors, before taking a baby for baptism, attend a course in the parish centre to aid understanding of the significance and importance of the Sacrament. In schools, a team helps to prepare parents and pupils for the sacraments of First Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation. The Diocesan Youth Worker, alongside a team of young adults, works with young people taking the John Paul II Award and the Cress programme for pupils in the early years of their post-primary education.
The Knights of Columbanus assist at many Cathedral ceremonies, help prepare adults for the Sacraments and are very supportive of students, financially assisting school retreats.
The sick and housebound are held in great value and can tune in to Mass on the webcam and can receive Holy Communion at least weekly. An online media team ensures that parishioners are kept well-informed. Organists, musicians, and choirs are assisted by the Parish Screen Team, who ensure that the words on the screens enable parishioners to sing their favourite hymns smoothly.
A Parish Bereavement Team provides the invaluable service of visiting the home of a deceased person with the priest to offer assistance and support to families during those difficult days.
Caring
From baptism to bereavement, through a host of interwoven quiet services, Newry Parish exemplifies well-developed, caring parish ministry.
The blessing of a city parish is that God’s presence is very visible right where He desires to be – at the centre of everyday life. Adjacent to the Cathedral is a gorgeous garden with a graceful grotto to Our Lady – a cared-for space where, during fine weather, lunch can be eaten, and a prayer said. In the centre of Newry City, it has become, as Canon Francis expresses, “a sanctuary of soul rest and heart healing for many where time is properly treated as the infinite thing that it is.”
On January 12 past, in Newry Cathedral, Fr Anthony Moffett presided over his first Mass, following the joyful occasion of his ordination in nearby Dromore Parish. He is presently serving in Newry, and as a gentleman named Eamon commented, “His ordination fills me with hope!” Two seminarians are currently training for the priesthood for Dromore Diocese.
The proactive Parish Pastoral Council, which has been initiating and forming teams for the past fifteen years, are conducting surveys, making restoration plans and engaging in community discussions regarding how the upcoming bicentenary of the Cathedral will be marked in April 2029.
Like the marvellous mosaic tiles, each individual, each ministry here, reflects a different aspect of God’s light – each is vital in contributing to the whole picture of parish life.
As Fr Anthony embarks on his priestly ministry, alongside the dedicated service of clergy and laity of all ages in Newry Parish, the bicentenary celebrations will be yet another occasion of hope. Newry Cathedral’s exquisite craftsmanship, the other beautiful churches and sacred spaces in the parish reflect the loving faithfulness of the people and most of all, the love of God, “Who loved us first”.
