Frankfield & Grange Parish is celebrating a milestone as the community marks the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of its church
The Church of the Incarnation was dedicated in 1976 to cater to the needs of the expanding city suburb. It was designed by architect Patrick McSweeney, a native of Ballydehob.
It was constructed on land donated by Patrick McCarthy and the building contractor was P. J. Hegarty & Sons. The church was blessed by Bishop Michael Murphy who earlier that same year had been ordained Coadjutor Bishop of Cork and Ross.
Marking the golden jubilee of the church, Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant at Mass.
Preaching at the concelebrated Mass, Bishop Fintan noted how the church had soon become very busy.
At the Golden Jubilee Mass at the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield.
“Just two days after the church opened, the first baptism was celebrated here, and only a few days later the first marriage. In a sense, that tells us immediately what this building was for. It was never simply a building. It was to be a place where people would bring their lives before God.”
Bishop Fintan said the jubilee is an opportunity to give thanks for all who have been part of the life of the church.
“They include priests and parishioners; those who built and cared for this church; those who served in ministries and parish groups; those who taught and handed on the faith; those whose names we remember and the many more whose quiet generosity is known only to God.”
On the day of its dedication, Bishop Murphy thanked the people of Douglas Parish for their generosity in helping to pay for the building of the church. After a number of years, Frankfield & Grange became a separate parish.
Fifty years later, the parish’s connection with Douglas is being strengthened again. Referring to the family of parishes of which the parish is now part, Bishop Fintan said that faith communities are being called to be outward-looking, welcoming and helping people to know Jesus.
“And increasingly we do that, not on our own, but as part of a Family of Parishes — Frankfield and Grange working together with Douglas and Rochestown and Turner’s Cross.
That does not mean losing what is distinctive or precious about this community. Quite the opposite. It means bringing the faith, experience, generosity and gifts built up here over 50 years into a wider partnership for the mission entrusted to all of us.”
The choir at the Golden Jubilee Mass at the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield.
