At a time when Catholic parishes are merging or dying out, a new one has been born in the fastest growing city in the State.
The Good Shepherd parish on Galway's east side was launched by Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway yesterday who concelebrated Mass along with 20 priests from the diocese.
But the pomp of the occasion was not matched by its surroundings. The congregation of more than 400 gathered as they do every Sunday in the Castlegar Sports Complex, which doubles as a temporary church. The new parish incorporates the geographical areas of Doughiska, Roscam and Ardaun, which were formerly in the parishes of Castlegar and Ballybane. From about 100 houses seven years ago, the latest census showed there are now approximately 3,000 houses there, with a projection of more than 7,000 houses within the next decade - which prompted the establishment of the new parish.
It is the first new parish to be set up in the Galway diocese since Knockncarra 15 years ago and is the fourth parish created from the original Castlegar parish set up in 1829.
Fr Martin Glynn, who has been looking after the area's spiritual development since 2004, was appointed the first parish priest yesterday.
He told the congregation the presence of so many people from around the world - with more than 35 nationalities represented - brought a new dimension to the Catholic Church in Galway. "Our mission statement reads: an inclusive Christian community that is a beacon of light and love to nurture the faith of all, articulates the qualities of the Good Shepherd."
The parish has grown from humble beginnings. Two dozen people from the area organised the celebration of the Eucharist in the kitchen of the hall two years ago. The first Mass was celebrated in the kitchen on the first Sunday of Advent in 2005 but within a fortnight it had moved into the main hall to accommodate the increasing numbers.
Every Sunday the children gather in the kitchen where they take part in their own version of Mass while a video link of the main event is played. There are plans to build a church in the parish, although as yet no site has been earmarked.
The congregation is made up mostly of Irish, Africans, Indians and east Europeans.