Ursula Hayden
Following the monthly family Mass in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow the parish of Graiguecullen/Killeshin was treated to a spectacular family fun day and BBQ in the grounds of the church and the parish swimming pool.
The crowds were lead to the festivities from the church doors by Killeshin Pipe Band.
It’s only a few short weeks to the WMOF in Dublin and the fun day was just one element of the year-long parish preparations for this great occasion for Ireland.
All year there have been great celebrations at the Family Masses on the first Sunday of every month with the singing led by the parish children’s choir and Jessica O’Rourke and Sunday, July 1 was no exception. Families of all shapes and sizes and in some cases two and three generations attended.
With the sun splitting the trees there was great excitement when Mickey Mouse, Peppa Pig and Sponge Bob Square Pants made an appearance and the young volunteers painted lions, tigers, princesses and butterflies on faces young and old.
Musical entertainment led by the Horohan Brothers and Helter Skelter included Fiacc Moriarty, Robbie Allen, Wibbly Wobbly Wendy, the Graiguecullen Youth Dancers and the wonderful parish choirs with Fr Liam Lawton.
Side shows included hook a duck, bouncy castles, slides and a Make a Wish Tree where people wrote a wish for their family on coloured ribbons and placed them on a tree. The tree will be included in the WMOF Sacred Space in the church until the end of WMOF 2018.
All this surrounded the fantastic BBQ with volunteers serving over 900 burgers and thousands of cups of tea/coffee and buns. The young volunteers made sure everyone was kept hydrated with water and juice and of course sweets and balloons galore.
Fr John Dunphy PP said he was delighted with the number of families that attended. Everything was free and it was a great opportunity to celebrate together as a parish family and to repay all those who support and volunteer in the parish during the year.
Ursula Hayden is the Youth Choir Director of Graiguecullen/Killeshin Parish.