Vatican Council II / Parish Council
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					EFFECTS OF VATICAN COUNCIL In spite of the fact that the Second Vatican Council had ended only in 1965 its effects were already being felt, and all over the Diocese of Galloway, under the leadership of His Lordship, Bishop Joseph McGee, church interiors were being redesigned to promote the laity's rnore active participation in the liturgy. In St. Mary's the high altar was moved forward so that the priest could say Mass facing the people. To replace the tabernacle behind the high altar a new Blessed Sacrament altar, made of Creetown granite to match the high altar and the font, was constructed on the south side of the church beside the sanctuary, and the wall above it and across to the sacristy door was painted a deep rich blue to throw one's attention to the plain white of the sanctuary where the liturgy takes place. A new pulpit was placed at the north side of the church and the baptismal font was put in front of it.
						Interior of St Mary's - 2000
					From 1967-8 the car park was enlarged; extensive renovations were made in the 'Dyke' to make it a more suitable hall; and its basement was converted into Youth Club rooms PARISH COUNCIL The years since the Second Vatican Council have also seen changes in the organisation of parish life. To allow parishioners to participate more fully in organising parish activities a Parish Council has been established composed of representatives of various parish groups and also of elected candidates from the different wards of the town. Some of the societies were, of course, already in existence before Vatican II. The St. Vincent de Paul Society owes its origin in Irvine to Father Keane himself, and the Choir, Youth Club and Ladies' Guild are of long duration. The Ecumenical Group was started as an offshoot of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission in 1968 in direct response to the teachings of the Vatican Council. Other Groups however, the Entertainments Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, the Social Action Group, the Liturgical Committee and the Education Committee are sub-committees of the Parish Council. Through it all the members of the various groups are in contact with each other and are able to work together, although in different spheres, for the good of the whole parish. The Parish Council invited the Irvine Town Council, which attended St. Mary's in 1970 and subsequently, on a Sunday following the traditional kirking in the Old Parish Church. In December, 1971 the Sisters of La Misericorde opened a convent in a council house at 53 Livingstone Terrace and played an active part in the life of the parish.