THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION
Thousands turn out for candlelight procession
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
People took part in a special candlelight procession in Omagh on Sunday night, in memory of those who.lost their lives in the August.
The 'Walk of Light' - Organised by the town's Churches Forum ended with a cross-community carol service at the Courthouse.
Many of the bereaved and injured were among those who took part in the procession, led by local clergy, which paused for a moment's silent reflection as it passed the bomb site in Market Street.
Some who found it too distressing to pass the scene, joined the silent procession as it made its way towards the town centre.
Welcoming those present, Mary Daly from the Tara Centre introduced members of the town's clergy who read a number of short prayers throughout the ceremony.
St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band accompanied members of the town's children's choir - conducted by Sheena Herron - who sang 'In the Bleak Mid-Winter.'
Rev John Murdoch, First Omagh Presbyterian Church, read the first lesson, followed by a reading by Fr Francis Murray, PP Cappagh.
In a tribute to the two Spanish victims and those from Buncrana who died in the atrocity, the first verse of 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' was read in Spanish by CBS teacher Rhona Laverty, followed by Maura Toohig from the Tara Centre, who recited the verse in Irish.
Readings were also carried out by Christine Nesbitt, Community Relations Officer with the local District Council and Rev Dr Brendan McCarthy, representing Omagh Community Church.
The final blessing was conducted by Methodist Minister, Rev Peter Good and Fr Michael Keaveny PP who spoke in Irish, while Army Chaplain Fr Francis Barber addressed the congregation in Spanish.
Fr Barber was taking part in his last ceremony in Omagh before taking up his next posting at Sandhurst Military Academy in the New Year.
Speaking afterwards, Stanley McCombe whose wife Anne was one of the victims of the bombing said the occasion was a particularly emotional time for himself and others who had lost loved ones.
But he felt the fact that so many had taken part in the poignant service was a reflection of the cross-community relations the town had always enjoyed. "I feel Anne should be with me here tonight. And although some friends accompanied me as we walked past Market Street, it is still a very difficult time to get through.
"It was nice to see so many people turn out for the occasion, but that is what Omagh is all about, friends and friendship."
Retired consultant, Rustam Jamshidi, who treated many of those seriously injured in the bombing, said he was delighted to see so many people from every section of the community coming together for the service.
"It.is beautiful to see people from every strata brought together with just one thing in mind, and that is for everyone to live together in peace and harmony.
"This is a particularly difficult time for many, a time when families come together, and so many of those families are without loved ones.
"But I hope they get the support that they need to bear this terrible burden" he added.
Cllr Paddy McGowan - who also helped out at the scene of the bombing - believed Sunday's service was "a form of therapy" for the people of the town.
"It is a time when the community can come together and I believe it will be welcomed by those who have lost loved ones" he said.
Fellow councillor, Reuben McKelvey said that, although it was a very emotional time for the town, people must now look towards the future with peace, hope and charity in mind.
"I think tonight's events are a very positive time and one which gives the people the chance to release their emotions."
Earlier in the day, a packed congregation at St Columba's Parish Church led the country in the celebration of Christmas.
The cross-community service was broadcast as part of the 'Morning Worship' programme on the ITV network.
The victims of the bombing were remembered during the service which took as its theme 'Light out of Darkness.'
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
People took part in a special candlelight procession in Omagh on Sunday night, in memory of those who.lost their lives in the August.
The 'Walk of Light' - Organised by the town's Churches Forum ended with a cross-community carol service at the Courthouse.
Many of the bereaved and injured were among those who took part in the procession, led by local clergy, which paused for a moment's silent reflection as it passed the bomb site in Market Street.
Some who found it too distressing to pass the scene, joined the silent procession as it made its way towards the town centre.
Welcoming those present, Mary Daly from the Tara Centre introduced members of the town's clergy who read a number of short prayers throughout the ceremony.
St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band accompanied members of the town's children's choir - conducted by Sheena Herron - who sang 'In the Bleak Mid-Winter.'
Rev John Murdoch, First Omagh Presbyterian Church, read the first lesson, followed by a reading by Fr Francis Murray, PP Cappagh.
In a tribute to the two Spanish victims and those from Buncrana who died in the atrocity, the first verse of 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' was read in Spanish by CBS teacher Rhona Laverty, followed by Maura Toohig from the Tara Centre, who recited the verse in Irish.
Readings were also carried out by Christine Nesbitt, Community Relations Officer with the local District Council and Rev Dr Brendan McCarthy, representing Omagh Community Church.
The final blessing was conducted by Methodist Minister, Rev Peter Good and Fr Michael Keaveny PP who spoke in Irish, while Army Chaplain Fr Francis Barber addressed the congregation in Spanish.
Fr Barber was taking part in his last ceremony in Omagh before taking up his next posting at Sandhurst Military Academy in the New Year.
Speaking afterwards, Stanley McCombe whose wife Anne was one of the victims of the bombing said the occasion was a particularly emotional time for himself and others who had lost loved ones.
But he felt the fact that so many had taken part in the poignant service was a reflection of the cross-community relations the town had always enjoyed. "I feel Anne should be with me here tonight. And although some friends accompanied me as we walked past Market Street, it is still a very difficult time to get through.
"It was nice to see so many people turn out for the occasion, but that is what Omagh is all about, friends and friendship."
Retired consultant, Rustam Jamshidi, who treated many of those seriously injured in the bombing, said he was delighted to see so many people from every section of the community coming together for the service.
"It.is beautiful to see people from every strata brought together with just one thing in mind, and that is for everyone to live together in peace and harmony.
"This is a particularly difficult time for many, a time when families come together, and so many of those families are without loved ones.
"But I hope they get the support that they need to bear this terrible burden" he added.
Cllr Paddy McGowan - who also helped out at the scene of the bombing - believed Sunday's service was "a form of therapy" for the people of the town.
"It is a time when the community can come together and I believe it will be welcomed by those who have lost loved ones" he said.
Fellow councillor, Reuben McKelvey said that, although it was a very emotional time for the town, people must now look towards the future with peace, hope and charity in mind.
"I think tonight's events are a very positive time and one which gives the people the chance to release their emotions."
Earlier in the day, a packed congregation at St Columba's Parish Church led the country in the celebration of Christmas.
The cross-community service was broadcast as part of the 'Morning Worship' programme on the ITV network.
The victims of the bombing were remembered during the service which took as its theme 'Light out of Darkness.'
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1722
Published Date: 24-Dec-98
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