Scranton Bishop visits Mayo as historic sister-city ties continue
Bishop Joseph Bambera leads pilgrimage to Ballina and North Mayo as links between the communities keep growing
The longstanding relationship between Ballina and Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA was celebrated this week with a visit by the Bishop of Scranton and more than 50 pilgrims to North Mayo.
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, led the group as part of a wider pilgrimage to Ireland, arriving in North Mayo on Monday, September 21.
The pilgrims travelled directly from Dublin Airport to the Father Peyton Centre in Attymass, before continuing to Ballina the following day.
Bishop Bambera concelebrated Mass at St Muredach’s Cathedral at 10am on Tuesday, September 22. Following Mass, the group was welcomed at the Clarke Museum of Irish History, where they learned more about the deep historical connections between Ballina, North Mayo and Scranton.
Among those welcoming the pilgrims were Cathaoirleach Cllr Annie May Reape, Anna Connor, Head of Ballina Municipal District, Mayo County Council; Cliona Campion, President of Ballina Chamber of Commerce; Mairéad Melody-Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism; Mags Downey Martin and Michael Larkin, who has played an important role in maintaining the Ballina-Scranton connection.
The pilgrims also explored Ballina town centre before continuing their journey through the region.
Cllr Reape said the relationship between the two communities was an important part of Ballina’s history, built on generations of family connections, friendship and shared heritage.
“It was wonderful to welcome Bishop Bambera and the pilgrims to Ballina and to see this historic relationship continuing to grow,” she said.
Ballina and Scranton formally became sister cities in 1990, building on links that date back generations. Many families from Ballina, Mayo and the wider west of Ireland emigrated to Pennsylvania, creating strong family, cultural and community connections which continue today.
Michael Larkin said the connection was particularly personal for many people and went back generations.
“To welcome Bishop Bambera and the pilgrims to Ballina and North Mayo was particularly special, and I hope this visit will lead to further exchanges and strengthen the relationship for years to come,” he said.
The relationship also has significance for tourism, with the Ballina-Scranton connection providing an opportunity to reach people in Pennsylvania with genuine family and historical links to North Mayo.
Mairéad Melody-Carr said visits such as the pilgrimage provided an opportunity to share the story of those connections and encourage people to explore their family heritage in the region.
The Father Peyton Centre was a particularly significant first stop for the pilgrims. Fr Patrick Peyton was born in Attymass in 1909 and became internationally known for his promotion of family prayer. He later spent time in Scranton, where he worked at the Cathedral of Saint Peter before entering the seminary.
During their visit to Ballina, the group also visited St Muredach’s Cathedral and the Clarke Museum before travelling onwards to Knock Shrine, Kylemore Abbey and Galway.
The Ballina-Scranton relationship has continued to develop through cultural and civic exchanges. Ballina Arts Centre and the Scranton Fringe Festival have worked together on cultural initiatives, while representatives from Ballina have travelled to Scranton for community and civic events.
The visit by Bishop Bambera and the Diocese of Scranton pilgrims represents another chapter in the longstanding relationship, bringing together the shared history of two communities while creating further opportunities for cultural, civic and tourism links.