The Guardian of the Franciscan Community in Athlone says volunteers who are planning to keep the Friary Church in Athlone are on a fast learning curve.
Fr Gabriel Kinahan is to be based at the friary in Multyfarnham from January when the order officially withdraws from Athlone.
He intends coming back to say mass twice a week at the church, and another friar will also commute to help out as well.
A 'support group' of local people have been meeting with Fr Gabriel since the announcement in October and they'll be seeking volunteers to open and close the church , as well as maintain it in terms of cleaning and other issues.
The withdrawal of the Franciscans from a number of areas around the country this year is due to the advanced age of its remaining members and Fr Gabriel says the church hierarchy generally hasn't worked a specific plan for the involvement of laity…..
The Irish church doesn't have any great record in terms of laity taken responsibility of the church.
Laity were never trained to take full responsibility.
So now in this situation, these people are on a fast learning curve in terms of taking responsibility of taking care of the church.
Now they are also talking about putting on other services in the church where a priest is not needed, such as adorations or prayer services.
