FAITH moves mountains, goes the old adage but in the case of Letterkenny it simply moved up the street.
For thirty four years the Veritas outlet occupied number 13 Lower Main Street and has now relocated to new premises at 12-14 Upper Main Street.
On Thursday last, Bishop Alan McGuckian performed the official opening and blessing of an outlet that almost trebles the capacity of its predecessor.
In his address to the large attendance, the Bishop said he, along with retired Bishop Philip Boyce, and Sheila Macken, manager of Veritas Letterkenny, paid a brief visit to the former premises just before the opening.
“Sheila had this lovely idea of going down to the old shop.” And a photograph to prove that each of them had been present there on the occasion, four years ago, of the 30th anniversary of the Veritas presence in the town.
Ireland’s oldest religious publisher, the retail outlet houses a vast array of books and other publications covering not just faith, prayer and devotion but also health and social issues.
There are also numerous stocks of Christian gifts, statues, candles and jewellery in addition to other religious themed items.
It is also an outlet, as Bishop McGuckian pointed out, to drop in and say hello. “A place of community and meeting up.”
And at the rear of the shop, a small oratory is located where, he said, visitors and customers could take a few moments in a quiet place to pray and reflect.
“It’s a place where we can learn about our faith,” the Bishop proclaimed, before blessing all who availed of the new shop either buyers or sellers.
Veritas Director, Tony Moroney, outlined the history of the Veritas concept which is the publishing company of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference.
Founded in 1899, the company opened its first retail outlet on Dublin’s Abbey Street in 1928.
He went on to acknowledge all those involved in the Letterkenny store including Sheila and the staff.
Also addressing the gathering, the manager thanked all the customers who had embraced the former outlet for the past thirty four years and would now be welcomed into the new premises.
She paid tribute to the staff, both past and present, who worked in the Veritas store and thanked those from the premises in Dublin and Derry for assisting in the relocation process.
The Lessons were read by Sr, Bernadetta and staff member, Eileen Essslemont. The Gospel was recited by Monsignor Kevin Gillespie.
Bringing the formal proceedings to a close, Sheila revealed that the previous day, a new grandson had arrived in her life.
One birth and a rebirth to celebrate on the day…