Following the announcement of the latest summer appointments, a priest in the Diocese of Meath has taken the title of youngest priest in Ireland from a Dublin colleague.
Bishop Michael Smith appointed seven parish priests in his clerical changes, which come into effect on September 29, among which Fr Patrick Donnelly (33), currently curate in Tullamore parish, has been appointed parish priest in Collinstown.
Taking the title of youngest PP from Redemptorist Fr Sean Duggan (34), who is parish priest in Cherry Orchard in Dublin, Fr Donnelly said he is sad to leave Tullamore, but is looking forward to bringing his experience to his new parish as well “as learning new ways of ministry from the people of Collinstown”.
“I will spend my first three years building a team around me to work together as a parish and work with young people, and to carry on the traditions that the previous parish priest has started,” he said.
“The most important thing is to get lay people involved in parish management so that they have ownership and have a real say in parish life.”
Fr Donnelly is heavily involved in faith formation in Tullamore between the Alpha course for adults and the annual conference for Junior Parish Pastoral Councils for young people.