A parishioner has left a Co. Antrim parish a legacy of more than half a million pounds, one of the largest donations ever received within the Diocese of Down and Connor.
The parish of Glenavy and Killead received the generous donation from Peter McAreavey, who died peacefully in hospital in July 2015.
Fr Colm McBride said the will instructed that the “extraordinary and wonderful gift” would be solely used for the purpose of helping to pay off the parish building loan.
“On the second week of January this year the parish received a cheque for the sum of £554,000. It is an extraordinary and wonderful gift to our parish. This gift of over half a million pounds means that almost a third of our debt has been wiped out,” he said.
“So as we begin a new financial year I’m happy to say that our debt now stands not at £1.68 million, but is now reduced to £1,135,000. The only way we can express our gratitude to Peter is to pray for his soul.”