Page 6 - LOTN Spring Issue 46 2021

DIOCESE
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Banff emerges

from lockdown lighter and brighter!

£40,000 renovation project during last year’s
lockdown is helping one Banff church emerge from
A the pandemic looking brighter and more welcoming
than ever. The restoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
came just in time for the church’s 150th anniversary last
year though unfortunately, due to the lockdown, it was not
possible to have a celebratory Mass.
Parish priest Fr Piotr Rytel, who took up his post in October
2019, believes that despite worship being stopped in its tracks
by the pandemic, there was also a positive side to the situation
for his parish.
He said, “On the one hand everyone was disappointed that
we couldn’t go to the church and celebrate Mass together during
that time, on the other hand it enabled us to carry out the work
without the additional costs of hiring other space for worship.”
The project began in early May 2020. Local firms carried
out the £40,000 works which are thought to be the first major The refurbished church, repainted in pale colours with new
refurbishment carried out for around 50 years. The work chandeliers and wall lights. Altogether lighter and brighter
involved the repainting of the walls and ceiling in the main body
of the church and sacristy, new chandeliers and wall lighting He spent six years in Inverness as Polish chaplain at St Mary’s
and a new sound system which now covers the whole building. Church and has been incardinated as a priest of for the Diocese
“It feels so much lighter and brighter,” Fr Rytel said. of Aberdeen.
“It’s really beautiful and more welcoming. Fr Rytel celebrates Mass and other services in English for about
“Every part of the church is now covered by the sound system, 40 worshippers, and in his native language for a congregation
giving us more space to spread out the congregation. of 140.
“Our congregation are very appreciative of what has been Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council and Banff and
achieved. District Councillor Glen Reynolds said, "The restoration work
“When I arrived in Banff and realised the 150th anniversary is not just a testament to wonderful craftsmanship that was
was approaching I felt it would be a good opportunity to mark sensitive to the unique demands of the church, but in very
this with the renovation of the church. difficult circumstances, is symbolic of the pandemic times in
The church takes its name from the Carmelite monastery which we live.
founded in the town by King Robert the Bruce in 1321. "We had to ensure that safety guidelines were fully complied
with, effectively involving the work being carried out behind
closed doors.
"When the completed work was able to be unveiled, it was a
stunning revelation. It is a makeover and a 'new normal' for not
just the building, but for the parish community!"
The 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
in 2020 and the 700th Anniversary of the arrival of the
Carmelites in Banff in 2021 will be jointly celebrated
this year on Saturday17 July. This is a community event
celebrating the legacy of the friars, combined with a
church event celebrating both anniversaries.
Theday begins with a pilgrimage tour of Banff in the
footsteps of the Carmelite friars. After a bring-your-own
picnic lunch in the grounds of Duff House, the pilgrims
The newly refurbished sanctuary will proceed to the site of the monastery and offer some
reflective prayers. This will be followed by a special
Fr Rytel said, “It’s an important part of the history of this area
of Scotland. thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Bishop Hugh Gilbert
“So many places in Banff have connections with the OSB in the church to which everyone is warmly invited.
Carmelites: Carmelite Street to take just one example.
“This is a chance to reflect on our church's historical roots.”
Fr Rytel moved to Scotland from Poland in August 2013.

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