The Parish Priests’ Window

 

Before St Mary’s was established as a separate Mission the Catholics of Inverness met in a room in Margaret Street where visiting priests celebrated Holy Mass. The Reformation Parliament of 1560 repudiated the authority of Rome and the practice of Catholicism was outlawed. For over three hundred years a small group of faithful Catholics in Inverness and the surrounding areas kept the hope and the glimmer of the Faith alive during periods of desolation and persecution. Priests from Aigas in Strathglass visited Inverness bringing the Sacraments to the people.

In 1791 The Roman Catholic Relief Act had gone some way to addressing the grievances of Catholics. By the provisions of this act Catholics were permitted their own religious assemblies, although under certain restrictions! It was to be about thirty years later when in April 1829 Catholic Emancipation was taken a considerable stage further.

 

It was at this time that there was more freedom locally, and Catholics found it easier to practise their religion. By the banks of the River Ness, near to the grassy knoll on which the missionary St Columba preached the Faith, new Catholic congregations were coming into being. There was some local kindness too, and Catholics - “the auld religion”- were becoming aware of profound and deep respect from some local figures in the Burgh of Inverness.

 

Priests from the Catholic hinterlands, where Protestantism had never really been received and welcomed, travelled about ministering to the sometimes scattered and dispersed congregations. Before the establishment of St Mary’s first as a Mission in 1827, and then as a Parish with its own Church in 1837, the Inverness Catholics were under the pastoral care of Fr Austin McDonell and Fr Duncan McKenzie.

 

The first Parish Priest was Fr Terence McGuire, an Irishman, a fitting resonance of the first Catholic priest to minister in Inverness: Columba from Iona, who had earlier made the perilous journey from Ireland.

 

Fr McGuire had to face many difficulties in his pastorate at St Mary’s, not the least of which was the unsuitable nature of the little Church in Margaret Street, and then in 1833 the dreadful impact of an epidemic of cholera. Fortunately help was at hand because Fr Walter Lovi from Wick came to assist. He had much experience, and had established a reputation for pastoral kindness during the spread of the disease there. The two priests visited the sick and dying. Fr Lovi was held in the highest esteem, and when he came to leave Inverness he was presented with a snuff box with the inscription, “Infirmus fui et visitasti me”- “I was sick and you visited me”.

 

These pastoral ministrations brought together citizens of all walks of life, and greatly assisted the growing mood of religious toleration.

 

The ministries of the early parish priests continued to provide pastoral care and they built up the tradition of Liturgy, all the time enhancing the beauty of the building. The traditions of pastoral visiting, consoling ministries in times of death, and extending Catholic education through the school carried on through the decades. The twentieth century saw many changes, with growth in the town, the establishment of the new Catholic Parish of St Ninian’s, and the impact of the Second Vatican Council, particularly the new Mass in English. The names of George Shaw, Valentine MacKenzie, Alexander Sullivan, Duncan Stone, Robert McDonald and Michael Savage remain in the memories of St Mary’s parishioners.

 

The new window is to commemorate all the Parish Priests who have served St Mary’s, Inverness. It is fitting that it should be a representation of the Curé d’Ars, St John Vianney. He is the Patron Saint of parish priests. He was renowned in his own time as a counsellor. As a pastor of unfailing humility, gentleness, patience and cheerfulness, he gives to all priests a pastoral example of care for the poor, the orphans and the sick.

 

By dedicating this new window to St John Vianney, his prayers are sought, his example is proclaimed, and also the lives and ministries of the Parish Priests of St Mary’s, Inverness are remembered here.

 

The St John Vianney window is set beside “The Good Shepherd Window” – a commemoration of Canon Duncan Stone’s Golden Jubilee, but also in recognition of the clergy who have served at St Mary’s.

 

The new window is by Tomasz Tuszko of Witraze SC, in Poland, and will be installed in March 2012. It beautifully complements its neighbour in the double lancet windows.

 

Some will be able to give more than others, but we would like to ask those who are able to make a contribution towards the beautiful stained glass window of St John Vianney: to remember our Parish Priests.

 

 

Please send a cheque or donation made out to:

St Mary’s No.2 Account - Windows

30 Huntly Street

Inverness

IV3 5PR

Scotland

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen

Registered Scottish Charity 005122