Fr Paudge McDonnell PP 042-9740121; Canon
Philip Connolly PE 042-9741239.
6th
January 2006 Epiphany of the
Lord
The sudden death of Fr Brendan Kieran on Friday evening last brings home to us very vividly the challenge facing the Church in our country and diocese and now most especially in the parish of Clontibret: How can we maintain a level of service which parishioners expect despite the ever decreasing numbers and increasing age profile of priests? Both Canon Connolly and I are anxious to provide the best possible service to people in terms of weekday Masses and the administration of the sacraments. At this point, I want to address a few issues for all parishioners but especially those in the Eucharistic Community of St Mary’s church.
Sunday Masses: I wish to emphasise that there will be no changes to Sunday Mass times as a result of the reduction of priests in the parish. The new times that came into operation in January 2005 are designed to account for a situation where, potentially, one priest could cover all Masses in a weekend.
Weekday Masses: - The Eucharist is the centre of our Catholic life and the “source and summit of the life and mission of the Church.” (Pope John Paul II) I invite suggestions on how we can best provide some level of weekday Masses in our churches, especially in St Mary’s where there is, for now, no resident priest for the first time in 140 years. If you have a workable suggestion please write it out and place it in the Offertory collection basket. Such suggestions should take account of the effect in all three churches of the parish. The Canon and I will assess these and make some proposals in due course.
In the meantime, it is proposed that we continue with a morning Mass in St Mary’s at 10am on Wednesdays together with the traditional 7.30pm Friday evening Mass. Accordingly there will be no Wednesday or Friday Mass in Annyalla or Doohamlet on alternate weeks as we have agreed that whichever priest of the parish celebrates the Vigil Mass in St Mary’s will be responsible for the weekday Masses and any funerals in St Mary’s for the week following. We also encourage people to come to any the three churches for Mass during the week. If there is no Mass in one church on a particular day, we invite members of that community to join their brothers and sisters in one of the other Eucharistic communities. This too is about building community, through the Eucharist.
Anniversary Masses:- I know that many people had booked anniversaries with Fr Brendan. Canon Connolly and I will ensure that these are honoured. However, some re-arrangement may be necessary and I will be in contact with families shortly. If, after a few weeks, you do not hear from me please feel free to call me. In view of the reduction in the number of priests and, in turn, the reduction in weekday Masses, I would ask families in all areas of the parish to consider having only one anniversary Mass per family per year. Such an arrangement would not affect First Anniversaries or Months Minds.
Funerals, Weddings, Baptisms:- The priest on duty will cover funerals. Funeral arrangements can be made with Fr McDonnell or Canon Connolly. Weddings and Baptism bookings can be made with me also at 042-9740121.
Emergencies:- In the first instance people from St Mary’s should call 042-9740121. If I am not there the call will be diverted to either Canon Connolly or another priest in the cluster. Our parish is in the Ballybay/Clontibret/Latton/Rockcorry cluster.
By working together as the living Body of
Christ, we will be living out the great vision of the Church that Fr Brendan
left us as his legacy. The above guidelines aim to ensure that a reasonable
level of service is maintained in the parish. I ask for your suggestions on how
we can build on it with the resources available to us- the greatest resource
being you, the people of the whole parish. As Parish Priest, along with Canon
Phil who continues to give tremendous service to the people, we are here to
serve in whatever way we possibly can. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will
guide us- the local Christian Community here in Clontibret- as we face changes
in the Church together. Fr Paudge.