St Kieran’s Catholic Church, Moe
1970 - 2020
On Sunday 9th August 2020 the parishioners of St Kieran’s, Moe, now incorporating Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Newborough, gave thanks to God and celebrated the 50th Anniversary, The Golden Jubilee, of the opening of the present St Kieran’s Church, Moe.
The history of St Kieran’s Parish, Moe commenced in 1949 with the establishment of this new faith community. Bishop Ryan, then Bishop of the Diocese of Sale, invited the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate into the Diocese to pastorally care for the people of St Kieran’s, Moe. This pastoral care extended to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Newborough in 2014 under the new banner of Parishes in Partnership, through the pastoral care and guidance of the new parish priest, Fr Harry Dyer OMI.
The original two storey building (left) included the church on the ground level and St Kieran’s primary school on the top floor, commenced construction in 1948. Fr John Ryan OMI was appointed the first parish priest of St Kieran’s parish in 1949 and in that same year the church and school were blessed and opened by Bishop Ryan, Bishop of Sale.
In 1965, after 16 years of prayer and service planning for a new church begun under the guidance of Parish Priest, Fr Thomas Shortall OMI. In 1969 the building of the new St Kieran’s Church was approved. The cost of St Kieran’s Church was just over $67,000.00 with a seating capacity of 500 people.
On Sunday, 9th August, 1970, after much hard work and with an atmosphere of great excitement, the new St Kieran’s church was blessed and opened by Bishop Arthur Fox, Bishop of Sale. Fr John Dunlea OMI, Parish Priest, Fr John Hannah OMI, Oblate Provincial, fellow Oblates, and local clergy were in attendance. A large gathering of Moe parishioners, with family and friends from near and far, joined in this faith filled celebration.
In 1999 St Kieran’s parish celebrated 50 years with a written history of the parish entitled ‘A Great People’. Thankfully, this title still rings true to this day. The Official Souvenir booklet has two different references.
From the very beginning there were many nationalities and since its foundation, Moe Parish has been blessed and assisted by generous parishioners serving the community and the wider De Mazenod Family. It is the people of God who are the life of any parish. However, the physical building of St Kieran’s church is also an important reminder to passers-by of the presence of God amongst them, even if they do not frequent our community on a regular basis. The building makes a strong and imposing statement that the life of faith is still alive and active through its people and the doors of welcome are always open. The original description for the church building in the Official Opening Souvenir Booklet highlights this: ‘The porch and main entrance are soaring up inviting people’. Today, this remains a great witness to all who pass by.
Currently the Oblates pastorally caring for the Parishes in Partnership are Fr Harry Dyer OMI, PP,
Fr Nadeem daniel OMI and Fr Vincent McGillicuddy OMI.
Sadly, on this milestone Sunday in 2020, amidst our new restricted way of life due to covid-19, we can only remember this occasion, rather than our usual prayerful gathering for the Eucharist, followed by a joyful community celebration in Oblate Hall. However, more importantly, we can still give thanks to God for the gift of the many faithful who have been welcomed and passed through the doors of St Kieran’s church to celebrate faith filled family events such as Baptisms, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Weddings, Funerals, school Masses, Anointing Masses, Anniversaries etc and, of course, the weekend and weekday celebrations of the Eucharist which is the source and summit of our Christian lives.
Together, over the 71 years of St Kieran’s parish, parishioners, priests and religious, have continued to strive to live and be faithful to, the ‘Joy of the Gospel,’ which in turn, enables the presence of God to dwell within our City of Moe. Hopefully, this souvenir edition of our parish newsletter will bring back some wonderful memories for parishioners, who, of course are a little older now, than when they were present on this day in 1970.
