Special Year of Vocations in Ireland 2023-24

Bishop Cullinan with Seminarians in Maynooth, March 2023

Next Sunday 21st April, is Good Shepherd Sunday (a reference to the Gospel of the day from John 10.11-18 which begins "I am the good shepherd"). Given that theme, it is also known as Vocations Sunday. A special Year of Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood was launched on Good Shepherd Sunday last year (30th April) and will close this coming Sunday. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan (Waterford and Llismore), Chair of the Bishops' Council of Vocations, was the main organiser of the year. He is pictured in the photo above with three clerical students, two Irish and one Czech, in our National Seminary at Maynooth. (The photo is taken from the website of the Bishops' Conference here.)  So how did the year go?  Read Bishop Cullinan's summary below, taken from The Irish Catholic, 21 March 2024 (p.15).

The Irish Catholic, 21.3.'24. 

Pull-Up Banner on display in
Pugin Hall, Maynooth College

All in all, then, food for thought, as we look round today at the situation in our parish, our diocese, our  country and beyond, wondering and asking ourselves questions about the decline in the number of priests ‒ and what that might be saying to us.

Easter Ceremonies 2024

Click to enlarge

Remember, the ceremonies in Saggart and Rathcoole are streamed.  The link to Saggart is on the menu-bar above (Mass Live) and that for Rathcoole on side-bar to the left (Mass Live : Rathcoole). 

What Do You Think of Our Church Readers?

The Irish Catholic, 22 February 2024

Feedback, we all agree, is very welcome, provided it is constructive. We can all improve, and people's well-intentioned views can help us do so (in the form, " Well done!"+ "Maybe you could etc.").  What do you think of Ossory priest Martin Delaney's approach to the subject in this recent article?  (For bettter magnification, click here.)

If anyone would like to offer his or her services as reader (and raise the standard maybe!), please contact the reader coordinator for Newcastle, Rathcoole or Saggart. (For contact details, under 'Parish Team' on the menu-bar above, scroll down to 'Parish Groups' => 'Ministers of the Word'.)