International conference in Maynooth on priestly formation
From 17—19 November, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, hosted an international conference on the theme of ‘Models of Priestly Formation: Assessing the Past, Reflecting on the Present and Imagining the Future’.
Speakers at the conference included Archbishop Eamon Martin; Archbishop Diarmuid Martin; Archbishop Jorge Carlos Patrón Wong, Secretary for Seminaries at the Congregation for Clergy (pictured with Father Willie Purcell and Bishop Francis Duffy above), and Rev Dr Hans Zollner SJ of the Centre for Child Protection, Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Rev Professor Michael Mullaney, President of Saint Patrick’s College, said, “The purpose of the conference is to reflect on the issue of priestly formation since Vatican II; to assess the current situation; to look at best practice from elsewhere; and, to imagine new models of priestly formation into the future. It is timely for the national seminary to host a conference of such significance.”
In his opening address Archbishop Eamon said, “I think any consideration of priestly formation must see formation as a lifelong process. Who knows what challenges lie ahead for today’s seminarians? How might we best prepare them for the changes that will transform the world in 20 or 30 years’ time but which cannot even be dreamt of today? To put it in business terms: how can we ‘future-proof’ formation?” Full details on catholicbishops.ie.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin ordains Bill O’Shaughnessy and James Daly to the priesthood
On the feast of Saint Laurence O’Toole, 4 November, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin celebrated the ordination Mass of Rev Bill O’Shaughnessy and Rev James Daly in Saint Mary’s Pro- Cathedral in Dublin city centre.
During his homily Archbishop Martin directly addressed the Archdiocese’s two new priests saying, “Firstly may I thank you for the way in which you have prepared for this day and for the challenging life that opens out for you today. They have been long years but you never lost your own passion to be priests. The clergy and the people of this diocese welcome you and I know they will accompany your ministry with their prayers.”
Father O’Shaughnessy will now minister in the parishes of Springfield and Jobstown in Tallaght and Father Daly will minister in the parish of Skerries.
You can read the homily in full on www.dublindiocese.ie.
Bishop John McAreavey welcomes the first World Day of the Poor
The first World Day of the Poor took place on Sunday 19 November. Pope Francis’ message, Bishop John McAreavey said, “Francis highlights ‘the contrast between the empty words so frequently on our lips and the concrete deeds against which we are called to measure ourselves.’ I would urge all people of faith and of none to read the Pope’s short statement. And more, I would encourage people in Ireland to act now and to share ‘with the poor through concrete signs of solidarity and fraternity’”. Read Bishop McAreavey’s statement and Pope Francis’ message in full on www.catholicbishops.ie.www.trocaire.org
News Snippets
- On 8 November Bishop John Kirby undertook a 12 day pastoral visit to meet Irish emigrants, prisoners and chaplaincy staff in Boston and San Francisco.
- On 19 November Bishop Fintan Monahan celebrated Mass in Ennis for World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims.
- The persecution of Christians was highlighted by the illumination of buildings, including cathedrals, in red for #RedWednesday on 22 November.
- On 23 & 24 November, the Irish Inter-Church Meeting took place in Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry, on the theme Proclaiming Christ to Families Today.
- From 3 December, the first Sunday of Advent, our online Advent calendar will be available on catholicbishops.ie.
- Contact us to obtain our ‘Catholic News’ newsfeed.
Issue 46 | November 2017
Produced by the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
To contact the Catholic Communications Office email [email protected]
