BUNCRANA TO HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES
BUNCRANA TO HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES
THE small town of Buncrana will be holding its own memorial services over the weekend, to remember three of its young inhabitants, and two Spanish visitors, who lost their lives in the bombing.
Oran Doherty (8), Shaun McLaughlin (12), James Barker (12), Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and his teacher, 23-year-old Rocio Abad Ramos, never returned from the day trip they set off on that morning to Omagh.
The local community, who will be joined by representatives from Spain and Omagh, will also be remembering the 24 other people who died as a result of the atrocity.
A small delegation of representatives from Omagh will be taking part in a civic reception in Buncrana on Saturday morning, which will include a wreath-laying ceremony in St. Mary's Cockhill graveyard.
That night, a vigil for peace will be held in St. Mary's Oratory. This will provide people with the opportunity to pray in private for peace.
Commenting on the arrangements, Rev. Shane Bradley, who is on the town's Anniversary Organising Committee, said: "The reality of the lack of peace has hit our community in a very real way, and so people's prayers are all the more fervent."
On Sunday, an hour-long memorial service will be held in the town's Main Street beginning at 3pm, and coinciding with the service in Omagh.
The service is open to everyone who wishes to attend, and people are asked to gather in the street for 2.45pm.
Following an introduction and welcome, a mime will be performed by local children, entitled 'Requerdos', the Spanish for 'remembrance'.
This was first performed for the Spanish people at the end of August last year, and has been adapted for Sunday's service.
'Powerful'
Fr. Bradley said: "This is a powerful reflection on life, which ends on a strong note of hope 'Yahweh is here. The future is in your hands'."
At 3.10pm the time the bomb exploded the mime will be interrupted for a minute's silence, when everyone will be invited to recall those who died.
The service will continue with a specially written reflection, entitled 'A Year Ago Today', recalling some of the aspects of that tragic day.
Fr. Bradley went on: "A specially composed song, 'The Song of the Bereaved', will then be sung, highlighting the reality of their grief but that healing is possible, not through time worn cliches, such as 'time heals', but through God. This will be followed by a lament on the violin."
There will be short pieces read by a member representing each of the bereaved families, and the Spanish youth leader will read a special message on behalf of the Spanish people. A representative from Omagh will also share a reflection.
Following a selection of; hymns and a Gospel reading, there will be Prayers of Petition, including a prayer from the Spanish, and the 'Our Father'.
The service will conclude with a message from the people of Buncrana to the people of Omagh, entitled 'We remember', followed by an ecumenical blessing.
"We move from recalling the tragedy, to acknowledging the anguish, and end by evoking God, in the belief that his presence, his message, is the source to strength and hope," Fr. Bradley said.
"This is the heart of the Christian message, that if we face our weakness, suffering and anguish, we can be led into God's salvation even, or especially, the most hurt and broken."
THE small town of Buncrana will be holding its own memorial services over the weekend, to remember three of its young inhabitants, and two Spanish visitors, who lost their lives in the bombing.
Oran Doherty (8), Shaun McLaughlin (12), James Barker (12), Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and his teacher, 23-year-old Rocio Abad Ramos, never returned from the day trip they set off on that morning to Omagh.
The local community, who will be joined by representatives from Spain and Omagh, will also be remembering the 24 other people who died as a result of the atrocity.
A small delegation of representatives from Omagh will be taking part in a civic reception in Buncrana on Saturday morning, which will include a wreath-laying ceremony in St. Mary's Cockhill graveyard.
That night, a vigil for peace will be held in St. Mary's Oratory. This will provide people with the opportunity to pray in private for peace.
Commenting on the arrangements, Rev. Shane Bradley, who is on the town's Anniversary Organising Committee, said: "The reality of the lack of peace has hit our community in a very real way, and so people's prayers are all the more fervent."
On Sunday, an hour-long memorial service will be held in the town's Main Street beginning at 3pm, and coinciding with the service in Omagh.
The service is open to everyone who wishes to attend, and people are asked to gather in the street for 2.45pm.
Following an introduction and welcome, a mime will be performed by local children, entitled 'Requerdos', the Spanish for 'remembrance'.
This was first performed for the Spanish people at the end of August last year, and has been adapted for Sunday's service.
'Powerful'
Fr. Bradley said: "This is a powerful reflection on life, which ends on a strong note of hope 'Yahweh is here. The future is in your hands'."
At 3.10pm the time the bomb exploded the mime will be interrupted for a minute's silence, when everyone will be invited to recall those who died.
The service will continue with a specially written reflection, entitled 'A Year Ago Today', recalling some of the aspects of that tragic day.
Fr. Bradley went on: "A specially composed song, 'The Song of the Bereaved', will then be sung, highlighting the reality of their grief but that healing is possible, not through time worn cliches, such as 'time heals', but through God. This will be followed by a lament on the violin."
There will be short pieces read by a member representing each of the bereaved families, and the Spanish youth leader will read a special message on behalf of the Spanish people. A representative from Omagh will also share a reflection.
Following a selection of; hymns and a Gospel reading, there will be Prayers of Petition, including a prayer from the Spanish, and the 'Our Father'.
The service will conclude with a message from the people of Buncrana to the people of Omagh, entitled 'We remember', followed by an ecumenical blessing.
"We move from recalling the tragedy, to acknowledging the anguish, and end by evoking God, in the belief that his presence, his message, is the source to strength and hope," Fr. Bradley said.
"This is the heart of the Christian message, that if we face our weakness, suffering and anguish, we can be led into God's salvation even, or especially, the most hurt and broken."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0621
Published Date: 12-Aug-99
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