Thursday, August 25, 2011

Donegal priest says special Mass for motorbikers

A motorbike mad County Donegal based cleric said a special mass for the safety of all motor bikers last Sunday.   

Fr Gerard McSweeney, who has been a motorbike enthusiast for the past 17 years, celebrated the special mass at St Aengus's Church in Burt at 1:00pm on Sunday August 21.

Speaking about the mass Fr McSweeney, who is curate in Burt, said, “The aim of the mass is to pray for the safety of all motor bikers as they take to the roads of Donegal and a key part of the mass is to focus on those motor bikers who have lost their lives in the past twelve months.”

He added, “There have been quite a few road deaths this year so it is important that we remember them by having a minute's silence.  That's why people wanted me to have the mass.”  

As well as the blessing and remembrance service, the bikers held a collection for the RNLI before heading off on a ride around Buncrana and Ned's Point.

According to Fr Sweeney, the mass was open to bikers of all denominations. 

He said, “I held a similar mass for bikers of all denominations when I was hospital chaplain in Omagh a number of years ago and there was a great turnout.” 

He added, “One man from Strabane in particular was very keen for me to hold another mass which I was more than happy to do if there was a bit of interest .”

Fr McSweeney is a keen motor biker himself and has taken his bike on the continent to places such as Lourdes and the Alps.