Courtney McGrailIn a quiet terrace in the East Wall parish in Dublin, neighbours opened their doors for the annual ‘Mass on the Grass’, the final one to be held in this area by beloved priest, Fr Declan ‘Deco’ Blake, who moves parish this year.
Organised by the St Laurence O’Toole Parish, this was the third year of Mass on the Grass after a long break. Parishioners poured out of their houses on to the street to enjoy the communal ceremony held on a small patch of grass in the centre of Irvine Terrace.
“We come every year. It’s a great idea, especially this year with Fr Declan leaving,” said Helen Maher. Many other residents expressed their sadness of having to let go of their beloved priest affectionately known as ‘Father Deco’.
Speaking at the end of the Mass he expressed his own reluctance to let go of the community he loves. “I’ll be really sorry to be leaving here,” he said, “It came out of the blue. It’s sad to be moving on.”
Fr Declan told The Irish Catholic: “It’s a brilliant community – long may it last. You get a community spirit here that you don’t get in many places.”
Helena Sheridan agreed saying, “It’s always been very community orientated here,” and the Mass on the Grass is an opportunity to welcome new members of the community and to meet neighbours.
“It gets the whole community together,” said Neil McAdam, a sentiment shared by all those in attendance who gathered to enjoy the Mass; music and song by local young people; refreshments and face-painting for the children.
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