In early December, a group of parishioners met to clean Boherlahan Church and decorate the windows for Christmas.
As they chatted afterwards, the topic of outdoor cribs came up in conversation. That was enough to ignite the group to get the ball rolling and, under the guidance of Johnny Carew, others with expertise were recruited to construct a crib at the front of the church.
The following Saturday, the group set to work and enjoyed a morning of teamwork and friendship. We are lucky to have talented artists in the parish also who, under the direction of Ann Maher of Gaile, created a beautiful backdrop for the crib.
At this point, statues still had not been sourced but thanks to the Mercy Sisters, Sr Helena Blackwell and Sr Assumpta Dunne, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus are now at the heart of the crib, along with some lambs courtesy of Tom Wallace.
The statue of Baby Jesus came from the Mercy Convent in Templemore. It is a fitting link, given the passing of Sr Breda Coman.
Thanks to Cashel Centenary Co-Op, Stakelums in Thurles and Artist Philip Quinn for their donations of materials.
Gerry Fogarty of Toberadora had two ewes who lambed just before Christmas and he brought the lambs down to visit the crib. A number of children (and one camel!) came along to keep them company!
L to R: Séamus O’Brien, Aislinn Ryan, Donnacha Wallace, Joseph statue, Joseph Wallace, Liam Ó Gormáin (and lambs with the shepherds), Mary, Muireann Ryan, Doireann Maher, Áine O’Brien, Ada Wallace
Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhaoibh go léir.
