'Come as you are' will be the theme of Longford town parish Festival of Faith

It is ten years since a devastating fire destroyed St Mel's Cathedral and five years since it reopened after the work of a team of incredible skilled artists and tradespeople.

The Parish Pastoral Council have organised a Festival of Faith to mark these landmark anniversaries and it will run at the Cathedral from Friday, February 1 to Thursday 7 inclusive.

The format will differ slightly from a traditional retreat or mission, in that it will feature a visiting priest to celebrate the 10am Mass each morning and an invited speaker to speak to a theme each evening at 7.30pm. The evening will have a para-Liturgy and will incorporate a talk by an invited speaker.

Saturday, February 2 will focus on young people with various speakers from various experiences of life around the world, and this will be from 2pm-4pm in the Crypt of the cathedral.

Ahead of the week long event, parish administrator, Fr James McKiernan said: “ It is our hope that this Festival of Faith will be an occasion of renewal and re-affirmation for you in your faith and offer you some enrichment as you continue to live the Gospel.”

The programme of speakers will be: 

Friday, February 1: Feast of St Brigid – John Connell, farmer and writer on “My Faith, my Life”. 7.30pm

Saturday, February 2: Feast of the Presentation – “Challenged to live my faith”, with speakers from Athlone Institute of Technology - 2pm-4pm in the Crypt

Sunday, February 3: Feast of St Blaise – Senator Rónán Mullen “The role faith plays in my life, my career” at 5pm

Monday, February 4: Fr Richard Gibbons , Knock – “The desire for Reconciliation”

Tuesday, February 5: Carole Coleman, Journalist: “Motherhood, media and me”. 7.30pm

Wednesday, February 6: Sr Patricia Lynott 'Care for our common home'. 7.30pm

Thursday, Feb 7: Feast of St Mel. Celebration of all that is positive & good in life. Concluding with Mullingar Town Band. 7.30pm