Courtney McGrailMercy Sisters depart Rochfortbridge
The Mercy Sisters have left their convent in Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath after 154 years working in the town. The last three nuns of the local congregation departed on September 18 after a special Mass of thanksgiving at Rochfortbridge church.
Far from being confined to the Westmeath town, since their first arrival in 1862, the Mercy Sisters there are credited with helping to establish the order as far away as New South Wales in Australia. The departing nuns will now join other Mercy Sister houses around Ireland.
Cycling cleric raises funds for Alzheimer’s charity
A priest of the Diocese of Killaloe has cycled the 144 kilometres from Cork City to Ennis, Co. Clare to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Fr Ger Fitzgerald, a curate in Ennis, joined with parishioner Patricia Blake in completing the marathon trek, with all funds raised set to go to the Alzheimer’s Care Centre in Ennis.
“This very worthy cause is a place of care and respite for people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease,” Fr Fitzgerald said. “The staff in this facility are genuinely wonderful people who give of their time, gifts and experience to assist the patients who have to live with such a terrible affliction.”
Conclave blockbuster
Bestselling author Robert Harris, famed for political thrillers such as Fatherland and Imperium, has made the internal workings of the College of Cardinals during a papal election the subject of his latest book. Conclave, released today (September 22), has been described as a “ripped from the headlines” thriller which focuses on cardinals at a fictional 118-strong conclave during which ambitions and rivalries are brought to the surface.
Advance publicity around the novel suggests it is set to be a bestselling hit.
No financial irregularities found in Belfast parish
An audit of a parish in Belfast, prompted by concerns raised by its finance committee, has found no evidence of wrongdoing or monetary loss.
Following the referral of concerns voiced in Drumbo and Carryduff parish to Bishop Noel Treanor of Down & Connor in 2015, HillVellacott auditors examined all matters and found no material loss or monies not accounted for.
In a statement to parishioners, Bishop Treanor assured them that there were no “systemic issues with regard to the financial stewardship of the parish” and added that “the report found that the former finance committee acted correctly in highlighting its concerns.
Bishop Treanor said, further, that recommendations arising from the auditor’s report “were forwarded to the parish priest…and were responded to promptly and appropriately”.