September was a busy and fulfilling month for the parish of St Mary and St Columba, with several special liturgical and social events.

 

On 7–8 September, the relics of St Gerard Majella visited the Island as part of a tour marking the 300th anniversary of his birth. A larger than usual congregation attended the 10am Mass at St Columba’s, which included a votive Mass and homily by Redemptorist priest Fr Royston Price, who accompanied the relics. Parishioners then had the opportunity to venerate them.

 

On 12 September, the parish celebrated its patronal feast of Our Lady of Rushen, a title unique to the Isle of Man and the church. Established in 1249 following a miracle recorded in the Chronicles of Mann, it recalls the Island’s rich religious heritage. Rushen Abbey, founded in 1134 as a daughter abbey of Furness, was dissolved in 1540 under Henry VIII. After afternoon Mass, parishioners gathered for tea and cakes in the Presbytery garden.

 

The following weekend, they held a Barn Dance in the hall at St Columba’s.

 

The parish’s final celebration marked the Jubilee Year of St Francis, commemorating the 800th anniversary of his death. This has particular significance for the parish, as Franciscan Friars Minor established Bymacan Friary in Arbory around 1373, serving the south of the Island until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540.

 

To help mark this special occasion, they welcomed Fr Maximilian Martin, OFM Conv., who gave a well-received talk on St Francis, the Franciscan mission and the relevance of Franciscan spirituality today. The gathering attracted Catholics from across the Island and members of other local churches.

 

On Sunday 27 September, Fr Maximilian was principal celebrant and preacher at the 11am Mass for the Solemnity of St Francis. The celebrations concluded with a faith lunch in the parish hall.

 

“All in all, a busy but very fulfilling month”, commented Deacon Graeme Easton. “Both spiritually and socially!”