Knock churches close for refurbishment

A MAJOR refurbishment of two churches in Knock is getting underway, writes Mike Byrne.

At a public meeting, parish priest Fr. Richard Gibbons explained how, following on from the huge success of the Witness to Hope project, which is expected to draw to a conclusion at the end of this year, it is planned to embark on another project, Together in Faith.

With the potential of a Papal visit next year, although the Pope's plans will not be known until February, management at Knock Shrine are now embarking on a major project which means the closure of the parish church and the Apparition Chapel from Monday, October 2.

The Together in Faith project, which is expected to cost in the region of €6 million, will consist of two elements - the refurbishment of the old church and the Apparition Chapel and the upgrade of shrine technology and communications, which Fr. Gibbons said were 'seriously out of date'.

The plan, which begins this week, is expected to conclude before Easter 2018.

Fr. Gibbons commented: "The work is necessary and vital and we thought it was best to plan ahead just in case of a Papal visit. I always believe a job is worth doing properly as it avoids returning again and again to the same project.

“As with Witness to Hope, we will be fundraising for this project and I look forward to keeping you updated on developments."

Masses at Knock Shrine during the coming months will be as follows.

Sundays and holy days: The 9 a.m. Mass will be celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (beside bookshop), all other public Masses, 10.30 a.m., 12 noon and 3 p.m., will be held in the basilica.

Weekday public Masses will be celebrated as follows: 9 a.m. Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, 12 noon, 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. in the basilica.

Daily adoration in the Chapel of Reconciliation from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; evening adoration (7 to 9 p.m.) in St. Joseph's Chapel (in the HUB/Family Centre).

All funerals during this time will take place in the basilica.