Renata Steffens
St Michael’s Parish, Gorey, Co. Wexford The parish archive of St Michael’s Parish, Gorey, Co. Wexford has reopened in St Patrick’s Presbytery on January 24. The project was initiated by Fr William (Billy) Flynn PP who completed it with the help of James Grannell and other parishioners.
Fr Tommy Curran, who was baptised in 1945 in St Michael’s and celebrated his first Mass in the same church in 1970, officially launched the archive.
“Today we have a special event here in Gorey when we reach another important milestone in our history, as we inaugurate this archive,” Fr Curran said during the launch. “St Michael’s has been an integral part of our town over the past 180 years. It’s been here in times of famine and of revolution, in times of rebellion and war, in times of want and prosperity.”
Fr Curran invited parishioners to search sheds, attics and boxes for pictures, photographs and memorabilia and donate or lend the items to the archive to share their history with the community.
With a collection of items showcasing the history of the parish and town the archive will be open every Wednesday from 10.30am to 2pm.
Cork parish raises money for Gaza
Wilton Parish in Co. Cork has raised €20,000 to support humanitarian aid in Gaza. Fr Michael O’Leary PP and his parish team raised €8,000 last summer with a ‘parish blanket raffle’ and in January a further €12,000 donated following a Christmas appeal.
Proceeds raised will support Trócaire who work directly with Caritas Jerusalem who are in Gaza providing basic needs, food, water, medicine, blankets, shelter as well as psychosocial support for the citizens.
Speaking at the presentation of the €12,000 cheque, Janet Twomey, Trócaire’s Centre and Volunteer Officer, thanked the people of the Wilton parish and all who contributed so generously during 2024.
Ms Twomey said that over 90% of the population of Gaza have been displaced multiple times, 87% of housing units have been destroyed and only 36% of primary health centres are functioning while 625,000 students have no access to formal education.
Today, she said, on top of almost 47,000 dead, thousands more lie beneath the rubble and UNOCH estimate that there are more than 100,000 wounded people in Gaza, More than 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated from their families.
Clonard Monastery pays tribute to volunteer after his death
The Redemptorist Community in Clonard Monastery, Belfast paid tribute to Sean Curley a volunteer and friend who worked with the Redemptorist Community for many years.
The congregation said in a statement that “Sean dedicated over 30 years of his life to volunteering at Clonard Monastery, where his unwavering commitment to the Church and his faith was truly inspiring.”
They said that Mr Curley’s contribution to the Clonard Community was “remarkable”, and he selflessly volunteered in the car park during the Solemn Novena. “He also led the St Vincent de Paul Conference of the Most Holy Redeemer, devoting countless hours to helping those in need.”
The congregation said that “in recent years, Sean’s service expanded as he helped in the sacristy and served as a Eucharistic Minister, demonstrating his deep devotion to his faith and community. Beyond Clonard, Sean was a dedicated member of St John’s Ambulance and a Knight of St Columbanus, reflecting his lifelong commitment to serving others.”
The Clonard Community, offered their “deepest sympathy to Sean’s family, his brothers, sisters, his children and grandchildren… Sean’s kindness and dedication touched the lives of so many, and his love for his family was evident in all that he did.”