Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal Keith O’Brien will join Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the Isles and the community of Our Holy Redeemer’s Church, Stornoway, on Thursday June 9 to celebrate the golden jubilee of the parish.

In 1961, Our Holy Redeemer’s was established as the first Catholic parish in Stornoway since the Reformation. Three church buildings have since stood on the site of today’s church.

Priests from Dominican and Jesuit orders, who have previously served the parish, and priests from across Argyll and the Isles Diocese will join recently appointed parish priest Fr Roddy Johnston (above inset) at the Mass—to be celebrated on the feast day of St Columba.

Historic parish

Fr Johnston, who was appointed to the Western Isles parish in February, spoke to the SCO of Our Holy Redeemer’s first 50 years. He noted that Bishop Stephen McGill founded the parish and the first priest was the Jesuit Fr Joseph Ryland-Whittaker. The following two priests to serve the parish (Frs Capaldi and Hackett) were also Jesuits before Dominican Fr Tom Cairns, the predecessor of Fr Johnston, took over as priest.

“I have been here since the beginning of February and it has been a tremendous few months,” Fr Johnston, who was previously parish priest at St John’s Church, Caol, said. “It is a vibrant wee parish and the involvement of children and young people in the parish is tremendous to see.

“Many of the people here are not indigenous Catholics but have moved from Barra, South Uist and the main land.”

Anticipation

Although small in number, Fr Johnston said that the parish community have been looking forward to the jubilee with great anticipation and are keen to welcome the cardinal and their diocesan bishop to Stornoway.

“The parishioners have been raking through their homes for old photographs of their Confirmations and First Communions and we hope to have a display of parish celebrations,” Fr Johnston said.

In addition to the jubilee Mass, a celebratory barbecue is being planned for the summer and an ecumenical service will be held at Christmas.

Fr Johnston is the first diocesan priest to be appointed at Our Holy Redeemer’s Church and he believes that this decision by Bishop Toal to place a priest from the diocese at Stornoway reveals the important role that the parish has in the diocese.

The previous church building was burnt out in a fire eight years ago, with the new church building opening in 2007.

“The new church building is beautiful and we are very much looking forward to the golden jubilee,” Fr Johnston said.

— The anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Thursday June 9 at 7pm at Our Holy Redeemer’s Church. This will be followed by a buffet reception at the local Caladh Inn.

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