Thurles parish Carol Service was the perfect welcome for the Festive Season

The telling of the Nativity Story is always one of the highlights of the Carol Service in Thurles

placeholder image — The telling of the Nativity Story is always one of the highlights of the Carol Service in Thurles

The service took place in the Cathedral of the Assumption

REM - that brilliant American rock band from Athens, Georgia, which was formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe - would surely have delighted in the Thurles parish Carol Service on Sunday last in the Cathedral of the Assumption.

Why? Because one of their hit songs conveyed perfectly the scene as the packed congregation departed the event - Smiling Happy People.

The evening might have been dark with a threat of rain in the air, but the atmosphere was warm and sunny as the many participants put their talents to good use to help bring people into the Festive spirit.

The Carol Service is a wonderful way to take time out from the madness of the pre- Christmas rush and to bring life back down to brass tacks. It achieved that brilliantly with the Cathedral Choir, Thurles Youth Choir, Dwan Theatre Group, Flan Quigney of Thurles Drama Group, and of course the First Holy Communion Children all bringing the congregation on a journey towards Bethlehem and a step closer to Christmas day.

Thurles Parish Pastoral Team members had put a lot of time and effort into preparations for the Carol Service which had Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly in attendance.

And, the musicians, soloists and choirs certainly helped to raise the roof of the Cathedral - indeed the Cathedral roof was not too far from the thoughts of all in attendance as Kay Skehan of the Pastoral Council made an impassioned plea for people to join the Raise the Roof Lotto in a bid to get the re-roofing project off the ground.

Two magnificent Christmas trees had been donated to the parish by Stakelum’s hardware and they were blessed at the beginning of the Service - the magnificent crib is now open for all to visit and families are encouraged to go along during the Festive Season and take some time out at the back of the sanctuary.

It felt great to be back at the Carol Service again - one of the highlights of the year in the parish.

Congratulations to all who participated and those who went along to welcome in the Festive Season.