Christian Heritage
An exploration of Christian Heritage in the Archdiocese of Armagh
In recent years many people have developed a deep curiosity about our Christian Heritage. One example of such a phenomenon is the Camino to Santiago in Spain, where pilgrims walk the way dedicated to the Apostle St. James. To mark the feast day of St. James the Archdiocese has commissioned five short videos exploring our own Christian heritage here in the Archdiocese of Armagh.
The videos filmed at Altamuskin Mass rock, Ardboe Cross, St. Moinne’s well, Monasterboice High Cross and St. James’ Church and well in Cooley. Each are designed to invoke thought and reflection throughout the Archdiocese about our own Christian heritage. They ask us to consider the strong historical underpinnings of our Catholic faith in the Archdiocese and to reflect on the journey of faith we each navigate, reflecting on how the lives we live influences the wider world around us.
The videos will be released on each of the five days running up to the feast of St. James on the 25th July 2020. The Cooley peninsula was one of the places Irish Pilgrims left from on their journey to Santiago de Compestela in Spain and so it is fitting that the last video should focus on St. James and his connections with that area.
Altamuskin Mass Rock
In this first video Fr. Michael O’Dwyer and parishioners from Errigal Ciaran Parish gather at the ‘Altar Glen’ in Altamuskin. The Mass Rock and its significance for Irish Catholics throughout Ireland cannot be underestimated. Given the recent Covid-19 crisis and the challenges of recent years we are asked to consider our past and reflect on how it will inform our future.
Ardboe Cross & Abbey
In this video we visit Ardboe Fr. Sean McGuigan welcomes us. Parishioner Dr. Malachy O’Neill reflects on the ecclesial importance of the site and its clerics, whilst Pastoral Council member Anne Coyle offers a reflection on St. Colman and his ministry. This video reflects on the influence our ancestors held throughout Europe and asks how we can influence wider society today.
Killeavy Old Churches & St Moninna‘s Well
In the first video we explore the Christian heritage in the parish of Upper Killeavy. Anne Ward offers us some insight into the Life, work & landscape of St. Moninna, Fr Richard Naughton offers us a reflective prayer on the Saint which calls us to consider our life in relation to the poor & marginalised and Charlie Farrell recites the Children’s Prayer for the Year of Reflection and Prayer.
In the second video from Upper Killeavy, Tomaí Ó Conghaile a native of the parish who now lives in Brussels sings Amhran na Craoibhe (Song of the Branch) which recounts how pilgrims on the Pattern day of St. Monnina walked up to the well & tied ribbons and shells to the tree beside the well. The pilgrims would have carried these shells up the ancient path on long sticks.
Monasterboice Abbey & Crosses
In this video we visit Monasterboice Abbey. Fr. Paddy Rushe and pastoral council member Emily Halpin welcome us. Parishioner Maria Callery reflects on the ecclesial importance of the site and St. Buite’s (Boice) life, John Davitt tells us a little about the community of voluntary tour guides that show visitors around the site. This video asks us to reflect on the reality of Christian community both past and present and calls us to imagine the kind of communities we want to create moving forward.
St. James’ Church & Well Cooley
In these last two videos focusing on Christian Heritage in the Archdiocese we visit Cooley Parish. Fr. Malachy Conlan welcomes us, reflecting on the connections the parish has with the Apostle St. James and the Camino de Santiago. We visit St. James’ Well and St. James’ Church Grange and hear about the Holy well and ancient ruins at Kill Mhuire. This video focuses on the Year of Prayer and reflection and through the Hermitage community and prayer garden in Cooley parish., asks us to consider the future of the Church in the Archdiocese of Armagh.