By Paddy Walsh
AS the Veritas store on Letterkenny’s Main Street prepares to close its doors permanently today, the retired Catholic Bishop of the Diocese, Philip Boyce has maintained that it was one of the company’s shops throughout the country that wasn’t running at a loss.
He was speaking at a special Mass last Saturday afternoon held in the shop where staff and customers gathered to bid their farewells on what the Bishop described as a sad day for the town and the Diocese.
There was praise for the store’s manager, Sheila Macken, who had arranged for local musician and singer, Declan Nee, to perform during the ceremony on the site which had once housed his family home and retail business.
In his introductory words, Bishop Boyce said he never thought there would come a day when he’d be celebrating Mass to mark the closure of Veritas’s Letterkenny store.
“It’s so dear to all of us and thank the Lord for all the good that was done in this shop.”
Later in his homily, the Bishop reiterated his remarks: “It is heart-breaking to see that it is closing in a few days time.”
The Veritas store had moved location but had finally found its resting place on the Main Street.
“This shop was not running at a loss as some of the other Veritas shops were throughout the country.
“The end day has come and it’s a sad day for Letterkenny. People can hardly believe it.”
Declan Nee performs at the Veritas Mass The shop is located where his home once stood on Letterkenny Main Street.
Describing manager, Sheila Macken, as the “driving force” behind the establishment of Veritas in Letterkenny, the Bishop declared: “She took it on as a labour of love. It grew and flourished from strength to strength and from year to year under her direction.”
The shop would be greatly missed in the Diocese, Bishop Boyce maintained.
“It even had a little prayer room where people came in for a quiet prayer.”
But he added where the Lord closed one door he opened a window “and gives us something else in its place.
“At this moment we do not know what will take its place or where we will go for religious items and books in the future. But the Lord assures us all will be well.”
As well as a sense of sadness, there was also a sense of gratitude to Sheila and all who had worked in Veritas outlets over the years.
The Bishop referred to the “sad and challenging days” that were now being experienced by the staff of the Veritas outlet and he wished them well for their future.
“We pray that the Lord will give us something to take its place,” he said.
In response at the conclusion of the special Mass, Sheila Macken thanked Bishop Boyce and the con-celebrants at the Mass who included Monsignor Kevin Gillepsie, Fr Ciaran Harkin, and Fr Martin Doohan.
Present also was Fr. Oliver Crilly who had worked with the Veritas organisation for many years.
The manager also paid tribute to her own family and to all the staff who had served in the Letterkenny outlet over the past 23 years. In addition, she thanked the customers who had supported the premises during that time.
“It’s so heartbreaking but I would urge people to continue the faith as strong as you can because without God in our lives we actually have nothing.”
Representing the staff, Eileen Esslemont, described Sheila as a formidable lady.
“Her dedication, her vision and enthusiasm for the company was beyond incredible. Nothing was too big or small for her when it came to looking after our customers over the years..”
She had shown gratitude, empathy and respect to all her staff over the years.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, laughter and tears, but we take a lot of great memories with us.
“On behalf of myself, Sandra, Bernie and Marian, we will miss the craic, Sheila, but we all wish you very good wishes and blessings for the future.”
Before the Mass concluded, Sheila returned thanks to the staff and also acknowledged the presence of singer and guitarist, Declan Nee, who most appropriately had been asked to provide the music and song for the occasion.
He led the congregation in ‘Lady of Knock’ as the event drew to a close.
Some months ago, three crumbling buildings were demolished in close proximity to the Veritas outlet which will remain standing but which has emptied the location of a religious icon and left the devout demoralised.
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