Big day in Laois for ploughing community

Ratheniska's community is celebrating the completion of  an extensive refit of its local church.

The reopening Of Holy Cross Church Ratheniska will be marked with a special Mass on Sunday, February 11.

Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty will celebrate Mass at 10am when the Catholic place of church will also be rededicated.

Dating back to 1800 this Church has served the Ratheniska area of our parish for 224 years. It is the oldest of our three Churches in Portlaoise parish and the last to be refurbished.

Work on the building included a new roof, new Altar furnishings, new heating system, complete renewal of electrical services, an extension to the Sacristy enabling a space for Altar servers and new entry to the Church for the celebrant.

The church now has a new underfloor air to water, heating system. It has and a new sound system with webcam and streaming services also installed.

The pews have been refurbished with a new floor for the altar. Sanctuary furnishings include: Altar, Ambo, Reredos, Tabernacle and Cross originally placed in the nun's chapel, Templemore which was being decommissioned. These are works by the late artist Richard Enda King 

Thanks are extended to AOCA, in particular Pamela Weldon, who served as engineers and project managers for the work.

Others thanked ate: Pat McBride Construction and his team and sub-contractors; Glen O'Shaughnessy, Portlaoise Gas & Oil; John Cahill Electrical; James Hackett: Acton BV; ICS (Irish Contract Seating); Terry Swayne of Portlaoise Stone Centre.

Special thanks were given to the Mercy Sisters for the Sanctuary furnishings.

"We welcome Bishop Denis who will lead the joyful celebrations today as we thank God for those who gave us this Church and took care of it down through the ages and for all who worshipped here. That it may serve as a little oasis of prayer as well as facilitating our coming together to worship," said Portlaoise Parish.

The original construction of ths Cruciform style church was overseen by Fr. James O'Neill PP Ratheniska.

The site for the church was given by Lord Castletown. The church is a small building typical of the period.