Special Mass to celebrate cultural diversity

THE Catholic Church in Cork will celebrate its first multi-lingual Mass this weekend to mark the feast of Pentecost.

Bishop John Buckley will celebrate the special Mass at the North Cathedral on Saturday night, the eve of Pentecost, to mark and celebrate the cultural diversity of the local Church.

With representatives of up to 30 different nationalities taking part, it is expected the Mass will be one of the biggest religious ceremonies ever held in the city.

Hymns will be sung in several languages. The opening hymn will alternate between English, Polish and French.

Some parts of the Mass will be sung with Seán Ó Riada’s music.

The intentions for the Prayers of the Faithful will be read out in seven languages.

Bishop Buckley extended an invitation last night to the estimated 20,000 people who have migrated to Cork in recent years, and to native Corkonians, to celebrate the Mass together on Saturday night.

A diocesan spokesman said the feast of Pentecost recalls the early Church’s account of receiving the Holy Spirit.

“The bible describes how when the apostles preached to a crowd of people who came from different countries, each heard the message in their own language,” he said.

“Representatives of the various language groups which have made Cork home in recent years will participate in the Mass.”

Dozens of people from across several Eastern European countries, many from several African countries and from the Philippines will play key roles in the liturgy.

They will wear the traditional dress of their homeland.

Africans, who will do a traditional dance accompanied by African drum music, will bring the gifts to the altar.

The homily will be given by Fr Angelo Lafferty, a member of the Society of African Missions.

The Mass is being organised in association with Cois Tine, an organisation which offers an outreach ministry to immigrants in Cork.

Coordinator Gerry Forde said the Church wanted to include and welcome people from different cultures.

“Notices about this Mass have been sent to every church in the diocese,” he said.

“This could be the biggest religious ceremony in Cork in recent times,” said Mr Forde.

The Mass takes place at 6pm on Saturday in the North Cathedral, Cork.

Meanwhile, plans are being drawn up for a major celebration in Cork next October marking the 150th anniversaries of the death of Fr Theobold Mathew, OFM Cap, and the birth of the Venerable Matt Talbot.

The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, the Capuchin Order, the Matt Talbot Committee and the No Name Club will hold a weekend of celebrations — The Cork Temperance Weekend — from October 6 to 8.

It will include an international conference and a mass public parade.