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21 Oct 2025

Bishop helps plant trees of hope at Carrick-on-Suir grotto to mark Jubilee Year

Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan planted one of three Cherry Blossom trees at the Marian grotto at Reilig na Muck Cemetery in Carrickbeg

Bishop helps plant trees of hope at Carrick-on-Suir grotto to mark Jubilee Year

Pictured above: Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, planting one of the three Cherry Blossom trees at the grotto in Reilig na Muck, Carrickbeg, on Sunday, October 5 with the help of brothers Seán and Tom Connolly. Also pictured are Fr Tom Flynn, Pastor Emeritus and Fr John Fortune, Parish Priest of Carrickbeg/ Windgap Parish. 

The visit of the Bishop of Waterford & Lismore to Carrickbeg in Carrick-on-Suir last week as part of the diocese’s Jubilee Year of Hope celebrations culminated with the planting of three cherry trees at the Marian grotto at Reilig na Muck Cemetery.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan celebrated Mass in nearby St Molleran’s Church during his visit to Carrickbeg/Windgap Parish on Sunday, October 5 before helping to plant one of the three tree saplings at the grotto.

He concelebrated the Mass with the parish’s priests Fr John Fortune PP and Fr. Tom Flynn, Pastor Emeritus.

Bishop Cullinan told the Mass congregation it was wonderful to be with them on this special occasion. He said planting trees marked this era of hope and they would be there long after we have gone.

He encouraged parishioners to ‘guard the flame of faith’ and to each morning offer a short prayer and at the end of the day to ‘take a minute to examine your conscience’.

The tree planting ceremony at the grotto included a short prayer service that highlighted the beauty and powerful purpose of the trees which represent the cycle of life, offer shelter, shade, food, are symbols of healing and are essential to the survival of the earth and its inhabitants.

The cherry blossom trees, placed on either side of the grotto with one behind it, were blessed by Bishop Cullinan before he planted and turned the soil on the first sapling.

“May these trees take root in this soil, drawing from it water and nutrients so they may grow and blossom, bringing beauty in flower and leaf, offering shelter to birds and insects, enriching this place with their presence and life,” he said.

The second tree was planted by Trish Dowley representing all the females in the parish while the third tree of hope was planted by John Tobin representing the male members of the parish.

Tree planting and prayer services are taking place in parishes throughout the Waterford & Lismore Diocese up to the end of this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Fr John Fortune PP, John Tobin, who planted one of trees, and John Casey, Parish Council.

Trish Dowley, planting one of the trees with John Casey, Parish Council, Fr John Fortune PP and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan

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