Bishop sings praises of Ballina choir after performance for the Pope

Bishop sings praise of Ballina choir after performance for Pope


During his recent homily at the Cathedral in Ballina, Bishop of Killala, John Fleming paid tribute to the recent exploits of the Cathedral Choir.  On July 20, they sang at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and Bishop Fleming said the choir were delighted to get a personal greeting from the Pope himself.
“Pope Francis stood at the window of the Papal Apartments in Rome and greeted the Choir of this cathedral. He said; ‘I greet the choir of the Diocese of Killala (Ireland)’ with his greeting coming after the choir had sung at 10.30am Mass in St Peter’s Basilica,” said Bishop Fleming.
 The 10.30 Mass is the principal Mass celebrated in St Peter’s every Sunday and it is celebrated at the Altar of the Chair, which is situated directly behind the Altar on which the Pope says Mass on all the important feasts of the year, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost. Bishop Fleming said the some months ago the choir received an invitation from the Vatican to sing at this Mass.
“Insofar as I know, they were only the second Irish choir ever to receive such an invitation. This invitation is a tribute to them and to the very high standard of their singing; a standard which is recognised and admired by many choirs throughout this country. Indeed, over the past number of years, many people have said to me that the singing in this cathedral for the Easter ceremonies which were televised some years ago has never been surpassed. As a parish and a diocese, therefore, we are privileged to have a choir of exceptional standard and on behalf of the people of this parish and this diocese I want to pay tribute to the choir and thank them.  And I know that they would want me to recognise the particular contribution made to the choir by their conductors Regina Deasy and Una Loftus.”
Bishop Fleming said he was privileged and delighted to be able to concelebrate this Mass and to offer support on this historic and important occasion for the choir.
“The picture looking down the vastness of St Peter’s Basilica and seeing the congregation in awe at their singing will never leave my mind.  The Gospel of our Mass talks to us of the importance of recognising hidden treasure when we find it and of valuing it when it is found. It even goes so far as to say that when we find it we should put everything else aside in order to hold on to it. Well we don’t have to sell off the assets of the diocese to hold on to our choir but I want them to know that we treasure them greatly. Like many people, they will now take a well earned break for a couple of weeks. I wish them well and once again I thank them for enhancing our liturgies here at home and representing us so well abroad,” concluded Bishop Fleming.