Our Holy Redeemer Stornoway celebrates golden jubilee

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.”

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