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Drive-through Mission stall popular with Co Down parishioners

Among those to visit the mission stall was Brian Fitzsimons, where he purchased a crucifix from Fr Johnny Doherty, left, and parish priest Fr Gerry McCloskey. Picture by Bill Smyth
Among those to visit the mission stall was Brian Fitzsimons, where he purchased a crucifix from Fr Johnny Doherty, left, and parish priest Fr Gerry McCloskey. Picture by Bill Smyth Among those to visit the mission stall was Brian Fitzsimons, where he purchased a crucifix from Fr Johnny Doherty, left, and parish priest Fr Gerry McCloskey. Picture by Bill Smyth

JUST weeks after a church in Co Galway offered a drive-through Ash Wednesday service, parishioners in Co Down are enjoying shopping for religious items from the comfort of their car.

The drive-through stall has been set up outside the Church of St Nicholas in Ardglass as part of Mission Week in the parish.

Parishioners have been able to drive up to the make-shift shop, set up in a caravan, and purchase religious items through their vehicle window.

The Mission Week initiative is taking place in the parish of Dunsford and Ardglass, in which Redemptorist Fathers from Clonard Monastery, Belfast are celebrating Masses and holding a series of talks for parishioners.

Redemptorist priest Fr Johnny Doherty, who is based in Clonard, and Dunsford and Ardglass parish priest Fr Gerry McCloskey were among those to serve at the mission stall over the weekend.

Among the items for sale in the stall are crucifixes, rosary beads and pictures of Pope Francis.

It comes after a Co Galway church allowed parishioners to get their Ash Wednesday blessing - from the comfort of their own car.

Glenamady Church held a 'drive-thru' service on March 1, where motorists were able to drive through the church grounds and get their ashes through their car window.

Parish priest Fr Paddy Mooney said at the time that the innovative service was in response to modern worshippers being too busy for a conventional Mass as "people and families are on the move all the time".