Courtney McGrailDromore diocesan changes
Bishop John McAreavey has announced a series of new appointments in Dromore. Canon F. Boyle has retired as PP, Saval; Canon G McCrory has retired as PP, Magheradroll; Father Colum Wright has resigned as PP, Aghaderg and Adm., Donaghmore; Fr P.J. Murray, PP, Dromore to be pastor emeritus, Dromore; Fr Brian Brown, PP, Magheralin to be PP, Magheradroll; Fr Conor McConville, CC, St Peter and St Paul’s parishes, Lurgan, to be PP, Magheralin and PP, Dromore; he will assist with school chaplaincies in Lurgan, as well the chaplaincy in Craigavon Area Hospital; Rev. Anthony Corr, CC, Newry to be PP, Donaghmore and PP, Aghaderg; he will assist with school chaplaincies in Newry; Fr Mario Jachym (Society of Christ) to be Adm, Saval; he will assist in Newry parish and, when necessary, in the Clonallon pastoral area. The priests of Newry parish will celebrate a Mass in Saval each weekend. Rev. Brendan Kearns, CC Kilbroney and Clonallon to be Adm, Kilbroney; Fr Jarlath Cushenan, PP, Clonduff and Fr Gerard Powell, PP, Tullylish become members of the Cathedral Chapter.
Down & Connor diocesan changes
Bishop Noel Treanor has announced new appointments for Down & Connor. Fr Martin Kelly to retire as a pastoral emeritus; Fr Michael Sheehan, to be PP Drumbo & Carryduff; Fr Eugene O’Neill, to be Adm St Patrick’s, Belfast; Fr Brendan Smyth, to be PP Killyleagh; Fr Brendan Mulhall, to be Adm Holy Trinity; Fr Diarmuid Sheehan, on loan from The White Fathers, to be Adm Coleraine; Fr Martin Magill, to be Adm Ballyclare & Ballygowan; Fr Darach MacGiolla Cathain, to be PP Sacred Heart; Fr Peter Carlin, to provide pastoral support in Sacred Heart Parish; Fr Patrick McCafferty, to be PP Corpus Christi; Rev. Don Kettle, on loan from Archdiocese of Perth, to be Adm Crossgar; Rev. Conor McGrath, to be CC Drumbo & Carryduff; Rev. James O’Reilly, newly ordained, to be CC Antrim; Fr Brian O’Kane SMA, to be Adm Rasharkin pro tempore; Rev. Gerard Fox, to be Associate Episcopal Vicar for Education; Rev. Edward McGee, to be Director of the Schools Trustee Service.
Vicar General appointed to Killaloe
Fr Des Hillery, PP of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, has been appointed as Vicar General of the Diocese of Killaloe. Reacting to news of his appointment, Fr Hillery said he was “privileged and humbled by the trust that Bishop Fintan has placed in me. I look forward to working closely with him in continuing to serve the people of this diocese and in building up a Christian community where Gospel values can flourish.”
Bishop brings personal touch to vocations drive
Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross has personally manned a vocations information stand at a careers fair in Cork to meet with prospective priests of the future.
In a novel departure, Bishop Buckley brought the personal touch to the diocese’s stand at the first day of the Career Options Cork 2016 event on October 18, where he met some of the hundreds of students in the region trying to decide on the next step in their lives.
As in other dioceses, Cork & Ross is working in the face of declining vocations, but its bishop has been one of Ireland’s most vocal in encouraging everyone of faith to play their part in highlighting the priesthood as a valid choice in the lives of young men.
Tralee to host addiction Conference
The Institute of Technology Tralee, Co. Kerry has announced that Alexis Goosdeel, Director of Europe’s 27-country Drug Policy and Monitoring Agency will address an international conference on addiction to be hosted at the Institute this November 4.
Mr Goosdeel was recently appointed to head up the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) which advises member countries, including Ireland, on the latest trends in the global drug trade as well as new medical and social interventions.
Joining Mr Gosdeel at the event will be specialists from the US and leading Irish experts including Cuan Mhuire founder Sr Consilio Fitzgerald.
Cuan Mhuire is jointly hosting the event as part of the rehabilitation organisation’s 50th anniversary celebrations.