Mags GarganBishops appeal to the faithful to pray for more vocations
Bishops have appealed to the faithful to pray for more vocations, as dioceses around the country held joyful celebrations over the weekend with the ordination of four men to the priesthood.
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam ordained Fr Seán Flynn in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Chapel Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo on Sunday.
Fr Flynn (40) is a native of Keelogues, Co. Mayo and worked for a number of years in the catering and undertaking business in Castlebar before beginning his studies for the priesthood.
His ordination follows a double ordination for Tuam two years ago, and there are two other students studying for the priesthood from the archdiocese.
Archbishop Neary said in many respects the vocational call to priesthood is “profoundly countercultural because the primary dominating voices today stress doing one’s own thing” and clerics are “dependent on the support, encouragement and prayers of so many people on our journey”.
Vocation
He encouraged the congregation to pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life, saying “maybe there is someone here present today who is contemplating such a vocation, I ask you to pray with me for that person today that that call will receive a generous response”.
Also on Sunday, Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore celebrated the ordination of Fr Brian Fitzpatrick (36), from Donaghmore, and Fr Colum Murphy (34), from Rostrevor, in the Cathedral of St Patrick & St Colman in Newry, Co. Down.
Bishop McAreavey said the ordinations – the first in the diocese for six years – would be a “blessing” for the two men as well as “their families, parishes and the whole diocese”, and he asked the people of the diocese to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
On Saturday, Fr Ben Hodnett, a native of the Cathedral Parish in Cork, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Buckley of Cork & Ross in the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, joined by hisfamily, friends, and priests of the diocese.
