MAURA Whelton has been awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Leo for her exceptional services to the Catholic church and the local community.

The presentation to the recently retired sacristan of the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, was made by Most Reverend Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross at the conclusion of Sunday Mass in Barryroe on Sunday last.

Maura’s work in the Barryroe church spanned some three decades that was in tandem with her association with local organisations including Community Alert, the Legion of Mary and St Vincent de Paul. 

Maura’s own humble assessment of the role as sacristan in her local church was: ‘I did it for God, it’s as simple as that really.’ As to how she attained the role brought the response: ‘I just glided in.’

Perhaps if Maura and her family were not living adjacent to the church, things could have been different, but then, Maura and her late husband Willie, who married in 1970 and bought the local shop in Tirnanean nine years later, it seemed it was the natural thing to do.

For many, the role is seen as just opening and closing the church, but of course it’s much more.

Firstly, it’s a commitment and of that there’s no doubt, put in perspective, finding her replacement has already proved difficult and a rota now involves several people that have to juggle days and times for even opening and closing the church.

On her decision to ‘call it a day’ as sacristan, Maura reflected: ‘I loved it and I will miss it.’

Up until recently, Maura was the go-to person when a new priest arrived in the parish.

Now, the Barryroe parish is served through the Clonakilty Family of Parishes including Ardfield, Clonakilty, Kilmeen, Rosscarbery and Timoleague.

‘It’s not until I reflect on it and the number of priests we had through those years, it shows how time flies, I got on with them all,’ she said.

Even now, people still call to Maura’s house when they are looking for the priest. She laughs: ‘They do and that probably won’t change.’

She has seen many changes and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘There’s no doubt, the congregation has dropped off. For instance, Holy Week - and not just here in Barryroe, everywhere really, the churches were packed, but maybe that could turn the full circle again.’

Times around Easter and Christmas were stressful, Maura admitted.

‘Only a few know and appreciate what’s involved and there’s a great relief when those ceremonies are over and that everything went well.’

Such reflections are a trait of Maura’s diligence to her local church but are a  diminishing role in society.

‘I don’t know why, are people too busy or just don’t want to get involved?’

Still very much a community person at heart, her roles within the other organisations listed above will keep Maura busy, while her children and grandchildren will continue to get her love and attention.