DUNGANNON
Drumglass Killyman Tullyniskin

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Dear Parishioners,
We are familiar with the Prayer of St Francis that states so eloquently the spiritual truth: "It is in giving that we receive". Those people who have been involved with the Parish Pastoral Council for the past three years have given considerably. They have given their time; they have shared their talents and gifts; they have worked alone and with others. I would like to think they have also received much in return. They have enjoyed their achievements and learned from their failures. Above all, they have the satisfaction of knowing that they have contributed in some small way to the up building of God's Kingdom in our parish.

It is not just a small group of people, like those involved as membersof the PPC, who have responsibility for the various affairs of parish life – all parishioners are called to play their part. As St Paul says, "There are all sorts of service to be done" and "there is a variety of gifts" within the community. It is important that more and more people be given the opportunity to express their opinion, share their talents and contribute to the life of the parish. For that reason it is important that membership of the PPC be renewed periodically to avoid stagnation and to explore new possibilities. After Easter we are hoping to have a plenary gathering of people in the parish who might wish to learn more about the role of the PPC and to share their views about enhancing its function.

In the meantime, we continue our Lenten journey. As we enter the third week of Lent, we become more and more aware of the need in our own lives for pruning. This Sunday we are invited to consider the ways in which Sacred Heart our lifestyles might be negatively impacting on others. In a particular way, we are called to look at how our lifestyles in the developed world might be negatively impacting on the lives of our brothers and sisters in the developing world; on people like Domitille whose picture is on the Trocaire box. The following incident reminds us of an important aspect of this holy season: An old rabbi once asked his pupils how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun. "Could it be", asked one of the students, "when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it's a sheep or a dog?" "No", answered the rabbi. "Then when is it?" the pupils demanded. "It's when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see them as your sister or brother. If you cannot see this, it is still night"

With every Blessing,
Colum Curry PP

When the parishes of Ireland came to be marked out from the twelfth century on, three parishes emerged which would one day be united to form the present day parish of Dungannon – Drumglass, North of the modern town, Tullyniskin to the North East, and Killyman to the South –East. The following town lands were appointed for the support of these three parish churches and their clergy: Rossbeg, Rossmore, Ranaghan, Derraghadoan, Tullygun and Tullycullion and Creenagh for the support of Drumglass and Tullyniskin, and Kinnego, Moyroe and Laghey for the support of Killyman.
At the end of the 15th century a Friary for the Franciscan Order was built at Washingford and endowed with the townlands of Ballysaggart, Killymaddy, Mullaghannagh and Mulboy. That was the beginning of the Franciscan connection with Dungannon and they continued to minister in the Dungannon area until the early 19th century.
St Oliver Plunkett visited Dungannon often and mentions it in his letters to Rome. In 1673 he ordained Roger Phelan for the parish of Killyman –as the three united parishes were then being called –and throughout the worst period of the Penal Laws this heroic figure served for over sixty years as parish priest of this parish. He lived in Creenagh and after his death in 1735 he was buried under a tombstone which is still decipherable in the old graveyard at Mullinakill. His successor, Fr John Rogers, was parish priest for another forty years. The life span of these two parish priests covered more than a century.
The growth of religious tolerance enabled the first Catholic Mass-house to be erected in the town in the late 18th century and this was succeeded in the early 19th century by the first church on the present site in the town. In the 1860’s it was decided that a larger building was required and the present St. Patrick’s Church was built. It was dedicated on Trinity Sunday, 11th June 1876. These are some of the roots of our faith today.

Go dtuga Dia duinn an creideamh a mhuin Naomh Padraig, patrun an pharoiste seo, dar sinsir i dtus ama, a choinneail ar lasadh inar gcroi fein agus e a thabhairt do na gluinte a thiocfas inar ndiaidh.

Church of St. Patrick's (1876)

Church of St. Malachy, Edendork (1814)

Church of St. Brigid, Killyman, (1786)

Church of Sacred Heart, Clonmore, (1837)

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