Parochial Registers

Several Registers of historical importance and kept in a safe in the Parochial House in Mountbolus.

• The Registers for Baptisms and Marriages date from 1912 - the year Fr. Kane took up residence at Mountbolus.
• A register of burials at the Cemetery at the Church in Mountbolus is the earliest register held in Mountbolus. The first burial took place there on the 12th October 1840. The entry records that the burial was that of Mary Shepherd (al. Hudson) of 'Loglass or Pallas', died 1st September 1840. She had been buried at Rathlion as the same entry states 'her remains were translated from Rathlinn Churchyard.' The years covered by this register date from 1840 to 1914. The book has a title page: "The Dead List for the Cemetery of the new chapel: at Mount Bolus." A drawing of a skull was placed under the title.
• The Register of Deaths in current use dates from 1920.

Other interesting records include Church accounts in four books:

• 
  The first relates to the building of the church at Mountbolus and covers the years from 1835-1879 with a few miscellaneous entries in 1885 and 1886. This book has a title page: 'Subscribers to the Fund collected for building a new chapel at Mount Bolus 1835'. At the end of the book there are accounts under the heading 'An account of subscriptions received towards the building of a National School in the town of Mt Bolus or convenient' dating from 1846 to 1852.
• The second book covers the years 1879 - 1888.
• The third covers 1901 - 1985 and
• the fourth book covers 1985 to the present day.

Books containing weekly announcements made at mass date from 30th June 1940, and miscellaneous receipts are also still extant for example the one dated April 15th 1879 which represents the purchase of 1 Monstrance and case, 1 brass thurable and boat, 1 White Cope and 1 Statue of the Sacred Heart.

Earlier records of Baptisms and Marriages in the parish are held in Kilcormac. The registers of Baptisms date from 1821, the Register of Marriages from 1822.

Offaly Historical Society have alphabetically indexed copies of our older Parish records. For details visit:

OFFALY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Excerpts from the Mass Announcement Books

Mass announcements for Sunday 21st July 1940:
21.July. Dom X post Pent.
Peace devotions this evening and Friday evening at 8oc.
A meeting of the Children of Mary will be held today after last mass. A good attendance is expected.
Mon. Feast of St.Mary Magdalene
Thurs. Feast of St. James the Apostle. Mass for the people.
Friday. Feast of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass for the people.
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Margaret Coughlan, a native of the parish who died in Birr during the week. R.I.P.
A First Aid Class is being formed in the Parish and Dr. McCarthy will deliver the first lecture this evening ni Mt.Bolus School at 8.30. It is expected that as many as possible of the women and girls of the parish should attend. Exhort etc.

Mass announcements for Sunday 10th January 1942:
10 Jan. Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Meeting of the Womens Sodality and Holy Housr today at 3oc.
List NoIV of the Altar Society will kindly assist in the church on Sat. next.
The men of the parish are asked to attend a meeting in the hall on Wednesday evening at 8oc. to plan for a days work in the church and parochial grounds.
Friday evening peace devotions at 7oc.
The Christmas offering list will be read on Sun. next.
Prayers for Very Rev. Dr. Peter Coffey, a distinguished priest of the diocese who died in Maynooth during the week. R.I.P.
(Enclosed Oats List).

Sacred Vestments, Vessels, and Church Furnishings

None of the older Roman Vestments from the date of the building of the Church remain. Present vestments date from the 1970's and 1980's.

Among the older of the sacred vessels that have been used in the mass and other liturgical celebrations are:

• A silver chalice inscribed: The Gift of Mrs Mary Molloy to the Parish of Gortecor 1781: Pray for her & friends
• A silver chalice inscribed: Pray for the Matrons of Killoughy Parish who presented this chalice to Mt. Bolus Chapel Rev. W. Lynch P.P. 1855
• A silver chalice inscribed: Pro ecclesia Sanctae Brigidae, Apud MtBolus Oct 23rd 1945