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St. Joseph & St. Brigid’s Church, Thurles, To Celebrate Golden Jubilee.

Church of St. Joseph and St. Brigid, Bóthar-na-Naomh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Archbp. K. O’Reilly: SMA KC*HS

On Friday next, June 10th, 2022, an open invitation has been extended to everyone, by Thurles Clergy and parishioners; to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Church of St. Joseph and St. Brigid, Bóthar-na-Naomh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

This event, to mark five decades of Christian church service within the Thurles community, sadly had been previously postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

On Friday next, Mass will be celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, (Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Archdiocese), at 7:00pm, followed by a social evening of music, song and dance, in a specially erected marquee, situated on the north-side of the church grounds.

A book, detailing old photos, latter illustrating the many memorable elements of life within the Bóthar-na-Naomh and Thurles church community; including a commemorative CD recorded by the Bóthar-na-Naomh Choir, will also be launched on Friday night next.

Local parishioners have, over past weeks, been heavily involved in the many preparations for this much anticipated Golden Jubilee event, with many families have pledged cakes, confectionery and other food items, to help feed those in attendance.

A reminder that all offers of further help are still being gratefully accepted and those wishing to further assist may contact the Parish Office on Tel. No.: (0504) 22229.

Brief History of Bóthar-na-Naomh Church.

“The New Church”, as it is still often referred to locally, today, is as its real name suggests, dedicated to St. Joseph and St. Brigid and was built to accommodate 800 people.

The sanctuary is octagonal and the seating for the congregation radiate outwards from five of its sides thus making a fan-shaped structure, facing onto the altar area.

The tower above the altar is designed to reflect light directly down onto the altar itself: latter being a solid block of natural granite with a St. Brigid’s Cross inscribed on the front.

The Priest’s chair is also made of granite, as is the pulpit, which has a metal eagle fixed on the front, thus symbolizing the spreading of the Word of God.

The mosaic on the wall of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel depicts the Paschal Lamb, unifying the Old Testament, represented by the seven-branched candle-stick and scroll and the New Testament, represented by the Chalice, wheat and grapes.
The human figures symbolize the People of God being led to salvation by the Lamb.

The silver Sanctuary Lamp is one presented to the old Chapel of Thurles in 1839, as the joint gift of Archbishop’s Bray and Slattery.

The building containing six stained glass lancet windows, are each dedicated to:- The Sacred Heart; Our Lady; St. Patrick; St. Joseph; St. Brigid and St. Ailbe.
The simple lines of the Stations of the Cross in the building are clear and unostentatious.

The completed St. Joseph’s and St. Brigid’s church, was consecrated by Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary born, His Grace, the Late Archbishop Dr. Thomas Morris, D.D. KC*HS (1959 to 1988) in 1971.

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