‘Seek out the lost’ during pandemic bishop tells newly ordained Kilmore priest

Bishop Martin Hayes has told Kilmore diocese’s newest priest that his calling “may cause many to be fearful” but that he must “seek out the lost” as the current pandemic continues to cause strife across Ireland.

Fr Thomas Small from Belturbet, Co. Cavan, was ordained to the priesthood over the weekend in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Belturbet. Fr Small had been working as a deacon for the diocese already, having been ordained to the diaconate in February of this year. Due to Covid-19 regulations the ceremony was restricted to family and friends only.

In his homily Bishop Hayes said: “The challenge of public priestly ministry today is to teach based on the Word of God.  Thomas, you are appointed to act for God’s people in relation to God – in union with the bishop as successor of the apostles and with your fellow priests.

“Yes, you are to become a bridge to people, so as to be of service, to reconcile and to seek out the lost – and there are those who are lost today, struggling, particularly, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Yours is a calling, a privilege, a responsibility that may cause many to be fearful, however the good Lord promises: ‘I am with you to protect you.’”

Reality

Speaking of the importance of family and community for priests, Bishop Hayes said that “it is among a caring family and community that the reality of God’s love for us is revealed to us”, and that it’s essential to stay in touch with “vital sources of personal growth found in a loving caring home environment”.

“It is in solid family and local community life; its nurturing, its joys and coping with sorrows, its fragility, where that ‘still small voice’ of God, the God who journeys with us, is heard,” he said.

He said that the administrative responsibilities of a priest “may conflict with the value of just ‘being present to others in Christ’. We need to develop a balance, between our pastoral work and the care of ourselves, while remaining rooted in a deep spiritual life”.

Bishop Hayes spoke of the “turmoil” caused by the coronavirus crisis over the past six months.

“It has brought uncertainty, worry and frustration, resulted in physical sickness, mental anguish, the tragic death of loved ones, bereavement and it is still ongoing,” he said.

“Jesus Christ is with us in our uncertainty, our suffering and pain; he has shared in our human frailty – he has been there himself.

“In bonding with us, Jesus has revealed to us a spark of divinity, that ‘still small voice’ which holds us, enfolds us, and can carry us through to new life.

“We have a solid basis in Jesus Christ with which to offer hope to all who are feeling frustrated, anxious, and fearful today.

“This is our calling Thomas, and your calling now.”