Return to Inishbiggle, Sat 15 February 2025

 

It was especially joyful for a few of us from mainland Mayo to step foot again on Inishbiggle on 15th February, having been prevented by the weather from sailing on our last attempt at the end of November 2024. While on this occasion it was lashing in Limerick, wet in Westport, and raining cats and dogs in Castlebar, the sun was splitting the clouds gloriously on the approach to beautiful Biggle.

Also uplifting was to arrive at the church and on entering to find it looking, if not transfigured, transformed - for example, with its newly-stripped and repolished pews, clean floors, doors, harmonica and walls, and a close-to-spotless vestry into the bargain. Hats off and enormous thanks to the church wardens for the hours of painstaking work - truly a labour of love for this precious and important place of gathering and worship, emanating from a sincere love for God and his people, of all faiths and persuasions. Holy Trinity Inishbiggle conveys the message “Come on in! There’s plenty of room in the kingdom of God!” and this message is always underlined by the welcome warmth and hot tea in the old school house.

It was a joy also to have Bishop Michael TLK preside and preach at Holy Communion. The bishop’s sermon on Luke 6 and the Blessings and Woes, and his insights on the blessing of a “critical friend” was pertinent, salient and memorable. (More on this to follow.) Thank you to Bishop Michael, to the islanders who once again pulled out all the stops to welcome the mainland lubbers, to Michele for the tin whistle accompaniment of a hymn or two, and to ferrymen Michael and John who kept us all safe.

Here are a few photos from the day. 

You're welcome!