Ruadhán Jones
MONAGHAN: Pictured in Bawn at a presentation to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC) for their missionary work is Bishop of Clogher Larry Duffy, special guest on the evening, as well as Fr Michael Ruddy SS.CC (provincial), Fr Jerry White SS.CC, Fr Peader Cronin SS.CC and Fr Tom Quigley, who joined people from the community for the occasion. Faith ‘under attack from modernity’
The Christian Faith is “under attack from modernity”, a Nigerian bishop has said while celebrating Mass at an Irish holy well.
Bishop Charles Hammawa, Bishop of Jalingo Diocese in Nigeria, encouraged the Irish Faithful to pass on the faith of their fathers during Mass at St Feichin’s well in Abbey Parish, Galway.
“The Christian faith is under attack from modernity that seeks to discredit it. It is our duty not to let this happen during our lifetime,” Bishop Hammawa said.
A large congregation gathered from the parish of Abbey, surrounding parishes and counties to join in prayer at the spiritual community event in celebration of the birth of St Feichin 1,443 years ago.
His holy well is located in the foothills of the Lackan Mountains, along with St Feichin’s Cemetery.
Bishop Hammawa concelebrated Mass with Fr Seamus Bohan, PP Tynagh/Killeen, Fr Pat Conroy PP Ballinakill/Derrybrien, Fr Kieran O’Rourke PP Woodford/Looscaun, Fr Charles Nyameh CC Ballinasloe, Fr Raymond Sweeney PP Ballymacward/Gurteen, Fr Brendan Duggan CSSp, Rockwell College, Co. Tipperary, Fr Michael Ifiora CC Loughrea, Fr Joe Brooder, Fr Erasmus Emmanuel, Rockwell College, Co. Tipperary and Fr Tony Nzinang CC Loughrea.
Cardinal Dolan pays tribute to Irish nuns
During his recent pilgrimage in Ireland, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, met with the Irish nuns who taught him in school as a young boy.
Cardinal Dolan visited the Sisters of Mercy in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, where he met with Sr Mary Bosco, Sr Rosario and Sr Emmauel.
“The highlight of Ireland is for me to come to Tullamore to visit the Sisters of Mercy who taught me in school,” Cardinal Dolan said in a video from the convent.
“Sr Mary taught me when I was a gossoon,” he said in the video, with Sr Mary piping up, “A bold gossoon!”
There were two dozen who served in the cardinal’s school in New York, of which five sisters remain.
“To this day the parish is known as the Irish sisters parish and school,” Cardinal Dolan said, adding: “I can’t tell you the impact the sisters had on me.”
The American cardinal finished by telling Sr Mary Bosco about some apps that he runs, commenting that: “A priest friend of mine says, I think all you’re doing is passing on what you learned from Sr Bosco. And I am!”
Cardinal Dolan was visiting Ireland to celebrate Mass during the 150th anniversary celebrations for Armagh’s St Patrick’s Cathedral.