Categories
- News from Bishop Joseph
- Around the Diocese
- Cathedral Restoration
- Diocesan Youth Events
- Homilies
- Pastoral Letters
- Gaelic Prayers
- Justice and Peace
- Fr. Colin in Ecuador
- Our Heritage
- Religious Education
- Pastoral Music
- Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
- Cathedral Lights
- Reflections on the Papal Visit
- Canonisation of Saint Mary of the Cross
- Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Joseph Toal
Quick Search
50th Anniversary of Our Holy Redeemer Parish, Stornoway
- 05-07-2011
- Categorized in: Around the Diocese
On the 9th of June, 2001, the Parish of Our Holy Redeemer, Stornoway, reached the age of 50 years. It was a time to look back at the history of the parish and a time to look forward with hope. We had the privilege of having Cardinal O’Brien and Bishop Toal present for our 50th anniversary celebrations which culminated in an evening Mass where the principal celebrant was Cardinal O’Brien.
After the commemorative Mass, the Cardinal happily posed for photographs, sometimes with individuals, sometimes with couples and families, sometimes with almost all of us!
It was a pleasure to have him with us and to hear him speak about the history of Christianity in Scotland, beginning with St. Ninian’s mission from Rome around the 5th century. Cardinal O’Brien also spoke of our own modern day mission to evangelise in the face of increasing secularism and the marginalisation of religion in society.
The 50th Anniversary of our Parish fell on the Feast of St Columba, who like our Cardinal made his way to Scotland from the North of Ireland. Chaluim Chille, as St Columba, is known in Scottish Gaelic has many place names along the western seaboard recognising his influence, not least St Columba’s church on Eye Peninsula in Lewis, reputedly built on the cell of St Catan who was a contemporary of St Columba, and later the burial place of nineteen chiefs of the Clan Macleod.
Photos: Paul McSherry
