St. John's Parish Stevenston Celebrates 40 Years

Celebration at St. John's Parish Church, Stevenston, Scotland.
4th. July, 2003

The central event of this special anniversary celebration was a concelebrated Mass with Bishop Taylor as the principal celebrant. Concelebrating with him were several previous Parish Priests as well as priests from the Deanery and from the Diocese. The homily was given by Canon John Walls while the music for this truly joyful celebration was provided by the teenagers of the parish.

Joining the parish community of St. John’s for this special occasion were local authorities and ministers of other churches. In expressing his congratulations, Bishop Taylor spoke of the tremendous involvement of the lay people in the life and ministry of St. John’s. He said that this was particularly evident in the work that had been done to prepare for the anniversary celebrations.

Among those who had the privilege of being part of this event.were four Columban Sisters who had all worked at one time or another in Stevenston. Among them was Sr. Clare Farren who together with Sister Agnes McGuinness had been the first Columban Sister to take up residence in Kerelaw Avenue in 1992. Sister Clare had at that time returned after 28 years working in Korea. Since then, the Sisters have continued to work as Parish Sisters in St. John’s. They visit the sick, the elderly and those living alone and play an active role in the life of the parish.

A specially prepared exhibit of photos of all Baptisms. First Communions, Confirmations and Weddings held in the Church during the previous forty years was on display and generated great interest. Many people returned the following day to spend time with this montage of memories.

Columban Sisters Eithne Foley, Rita Deegan and Clare Farren, all of whom worked in St. John's Parish and are now assigned in Ireland, pictured with Fr. Martin Chambers, Parish Priest of St. John's.

To contact us:
columbansrs@eircom.net

Visit the website of St John's Parish Community at