GOOD cross-community relations are at the heart of one Donegal town as the local Methodist congregation has opened its doors to Catholic Mass-goers whose chapel is closed for repair.
Since earlier this month, the daily Mass in Moville has been taking place in the Methodist Hall while refurbishment works are undertaken at the nearby St Pius X church.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week Moville parish priest, Fr Pat O’Hagan, explained that it was the second time in the past decade that the two communities have helped one another.
With the local chapel located less than thirty yards away from the Methodist Hall on the town’s upper main street, Fr O’Hagan said that the move made sense.
“The chapel is being painted, getting new carpets and some lighting. It will probably take about a month to complete the work and the Methodist community have kindly allowed us to use their hall for week-day masses in the meantime.
“There’s a really good working relationship between all the local clergy in Moville. We would meet up regularly while we also have an ecumenical bible reading once a month – that’s on Thursday while the clergy all get together on Friday morning,” Fr O’Hagan said.
“We have a very good relationship with the Methodists here and Rev Alison Gallagher has been very kind to us,” he added.
Ironically, the Methodist Hall is to be torn down in the coming months to make way for a new hall.
“It’s lovely and warm. Our weekday congregation is quite small so the use of the Methodist Hall will be very convenient for us. The hall is nearby, it has ease of access and the parking remains the same,” Fr O’Hagan said.
Mass will only be held in the Methodist Hall morning weekdays from Monday to Friday as the chapel is still used for the much busier services on Sunday.