EXPATRIATES REMEMBER OMAGH IN THEIR PRAYERS
Expatriates remember Omagh in their prayers
Melbourne based Omagh man organises special Mass to remember bomb victims
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
AS knowledge of the suffering of many of the people of Omagh reached the wider world over the past few weeks there have been messages of support from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, England, France and a great many other countries.
This week, it was learned that a special Mass, organised in Australia, by Omagh expatriate, Michael McSwiggan, and other former townsmen, was said for the victims of the Omagh bomb.
The Mass was celebrated in St. John's Catholic Church, Melbourne, by Father J. Hill and Father John Colgan, a native of Carrickmore, a Columban Father, resident in Melbourne.
The congregation comprised almost entirely of Irish Australians, and from both religious denominations all of whom were united in their grief for the victims of the atrocity.
The opening reading an 'Expatriate's Thoughts' were eloquently expressed by Peter Doody; while Val Noone, an Australian of Irish ancestry read out the names and ages of the deceased, the congregation bowed their heads in silent contemplation.
The other readers included, Michael McSwiggan, Thomas Gollogly, Gerarda McCann and Michelle O'Connor all of whom were eloquent, and thoughtful, notwithstanding the stress and anxiety over the past few weeks in their thoughts of family and friends at home.
David Connolly, who contacted the 'Herald' said that at this particular time many expatriates feel helpless; "They dearly want to be there for moral support, but, realistically, given the distance and time difference, it can be virtually impossible to do anything other than console by phone, mail, or in many cases, by prayer it can indeed, be a high price to pay for emigration."
In Australia as in the town itself, the question on many people's minds is 'why Omagh'. Michael McSwiggan, was in Perth attending a wedding and a guest casually mentioned that another bomb had gone off in Belfast. As he watched the events on TV his shock turned to disbelief, as he saw the carnage in his home town.
Mr Connolly commented; "As events unfolded over the next few days, and everyone hung on to every scrap of T.V., radio and newspaper information about the atrocity. Omagh received international recognition in the world media but sadly for all the wrong reasons, and what a price to pay in human lives."
Peter Doody mentioned in his opening reading that, "A phone call at 7.55 a.m on Sunday is not sure to be good news", but in no way was he or any of the other ex-townspeople prepared for what would follow.
Said Mr Connolly; "As we sat in prayer the thought foremost in our minds was that Omagh had got to be the catalyst for lasting peace in Ireland."
Continuing he said; "I met with former residents after the Mass and just about everyone had a relative or friend injured. Michelle O'Connor, who had immigrated to Melbourne just seven weeks earlier was a first cousin of Adrian Gallagher, who died in the blast."
Other former residents at the service were Pat Bradley from Greencastle, Steven Tracey, Jimmy McSwiggan, Eileen McFlynn (nee McElduff), Carrickmore, Michael McFlynn, Killyclogher, M McGarvey, Catherine Galovin (nee Doody), Michael Doody, Michael Colton jnr, Christopher Conlon, Eddie Brolly, Patricia Connolly (nee Donaghy) Sion Mills, and John Logue, formerly of Sion Mills.
Mr Connolly concluded; As I left the church that night and went into the chill of a Melbourne winter's night, I remembered Fr. Hill's words; 'For God's Sake, don't let Omagh be a flash in the pan. We have to pray more than ever for peace in Northern Ireland and remember the victims and relatives of Omagh."
Melbourne based Omagh man organises special Mass to remember bomb victims
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
AS knowledge of the suffering of many of the people of Omagh reached the wider world over the past few weeks there have been messages of support from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, England, France and a great many other countries.
This week, it was learned that a special Mass, organised in Australia, by Omagh expatriate, Michael McSwiggan, and other former townsmen, was said for the victims of the Omagh bomb.
The Mass was celebrated in St. John's Catholic Church, Melbourne, by Father J. Hill and Father John Colgan, a native of Carrickmore, a Columban Father, resident in Melbourne.
The congregation comprised almost entirely of Irish Australians, and from both religious denominations all of whom were united in their grief for the victims of the atrocity.
The opening reading an 'Expatriate's Thoughts' were eloquently expressed by Peter Doody; while Val Noone, an Australian of Irish ancestry read out the names and ages of the deceased, the congregation bowed their heads in silent contemplation.
The other readers included, Michael McSwiggan, Thomas Gollogly, Gerarda McCann and Michelle O'Connor all of whom were eloquent, and thoughtful, notwithstanding the stress and anxiety over the past few weeks in their thoughts of family and friends at home.
David Connolly, who contacted the 'Herald' said that at this particular time many expatriates feel helpless; "They dearly want to be there for moral support, but, realistically, given the distance and time difference, it can be virtually impossible to do anything other than console by phone, mail, or in many cases, by prayer it can indeed, be a high price to pay for emigration."
In Australia as in the town itself, the question on many people's minds is 'why Omagh'. Michael McSwiggan, was in Perth attending a wedding and a guest casually mentioned that another bomb had gone off in Belfast. As he watched the events on TV his shock turned to disbelief, as he saw the carnage in his home town.
Mr Connolly commented; "As events unfolded over the next few days, and everyone hung on to every scrap of T.V., radio and newspaper information about the atrocity. Omagh received international recognition in the world media but sadly for all the wrong reasons, and what a price to pay in human lives."
Peter Doody mentioned in his opening reading that, "A phone call at 7.55 a.m on Sunday is not sure to be good news", but in no way was he or any of the other ex-townspeople prepared for what would follow.
Said Mr Connolly; "As we sat in prayer the thought foremost in our minds was that Omagh had got to be the catalyst for lasting peace in Ireland."
Continuing he said; "I met with former residents after the Mass and just about everyone had a relative or friend injured. Michelle O'Connor, who had immigrated to Melbourne just seven weeks earlier was a first cousin of Adrian Gallagher, who died in the blast."
Other former residents at the service were Pat Bradley from Greencastle, Steven Tracey, Jimmy McSwiggan, Eileen McFlynn (nee McElduff), Carrickmore, Michael McFlynn, Killyclogher, M McGarvey, Catherine Galovin (nee Doody), Michael Doody, Michael Colton jnr, Christopher Conlon, Eddie Brolly, Patricia Connolly (nee Donaghy) Sion Mills, and John Logue, formerly of Sion Mills.
Mr Connolly concluded; As I left the church that night and went into the chill of a Melbourne winter's night, I remembered Fr. Hill's words; 'For God's Sake, don't let Omagh be a flash in the pan. We have to pray more than ever for peace in Northern Ireland and remember the victims and relatives of Omagh."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0403
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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