1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Parish Priest 'encouraged' by Mass figures
15 October 1997
By Tom Kelly
Numbers attending Masses in Castlebar are on the increase, according to a survey carried out in the parish.
The study, which is part of a census being conducted in the Tuam Archdiocese, showed that 6,453 people attended ceremonies in the town on the weekend of October 4th and 5th last.
The findings, which appear to be contrary to national trends, are up on last year when similar research was carried out.
According to Fr. Paddy Curran, P.P., the figures were very encouraging.
He stated: "The last survey of this nature was carried out in June, 1996, when 6,100 attended weekend Masses. That figure has increased by over 300, and we are very happy about that.
"The biggest attendance was recorded at 12.30p.m. Mass on Sunday, October 4th, when 1,340 parishioners were present at the Church of the Holy Rosary.
"On the Saturday evening, 1,190 were at 7.30 Mass in the same Church. That is a lot of people."
The full breakdown of attendance in the various parish churches on the weekend in question were as follows.
Castlebar (4,460); Breaffy (834); Burren (55); Sacred
Heart Hospital (107); Ballyheane (460); St. Mary's (377);
Mayo General Hospital (160).
