Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board was charged by the Department of Education and Skills with the responsibility of identifying an area in which to conduct a survey seeking the views of pre-school parents on the choice of school patronage available to them. Ennis is the town selected for the survey. This is part of the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process, which was announced by the minister in January 2017. The minister has set a target of having 400 multi-denominational or non-denominational primary schools in Ireland by 2030. He hopes that many of these schools will come about through this process, whereby schools currently under the patronage of a religious group will reconfigure to become a multidenominational or a non-denominational school. George O’Callaghan, chief executive, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, said, “After careful consideration, training board has identified Ennis as the initial area in which to roll out this survey. The purpose of the survey is to …
Read More »New Year’s Day message from Bishop Fintan Monahan
There is something so great and so welcome about new things. Their sense of novelty, freshness and difference is much appreciated by us all. This day with joy and anticipation we greet the new year that is 2018 in all its newness and hope of opportunity and possiblity and dreams and blessing and peace. Past and Future Last night new years eve was a time for looking back on the year gone past with gratitude in our hearts for the good times and challenges that we had in 2017. Today however, we look forward with anticipation to the new year and pray that God will journey side by side with us and grant us and those in need good fortune. Homeless, unborn and families I remember in prayer three distinct groups in need of our prayer and concrete action in these challenging times, the homeless, the unborn and families. We are privileged in Ireland to be hosting the World Meeting …
Read More »Bishop makes diocesan changes
Bishop Fintan Monahan has announced a number of new anointments in the Diocese of Killaloe, which has a Catholic population of around 127,000. Fr Des Hillery, PP, Nenagh was appointed Vicar General of the diocese during the year. In Ballynacally/Lissycasey, Fr Joe Hourigan to retire as parish priest but continuing to lead the sacramental and pastoral work in the parish. Fr Albert McDonnell, to take on the administration of the parish and become the parish priest in addition to his existing duties. Fr Martin O’Brien to retire as PP of Tulla and to take extended leave from duty on medical advice. Fr Ignatius McCormack, Adm., Quin has recently been appointed principal of St Flannan’s College. Quin will now be covered by Ennis parish, pro-tem, supported by the Abbey cluster. Fr Tom O’Gorman as Adm., will continue to live in the presbytery, Cloughleigh, effective from September 1. Tulla will be covered by Ennis parish, pro-tem, supported by the East- Clare …
Read More »Bishop Fintan Monahan is Ordained
The episcopal ordination has taken place of Fr Fintan Monahan, as Bishop of Killaloe at Ennis Cathedral this Sunday afternoon. The newly ordained Bishop of Killaloe was joined by his parents Tom and Peg, his sister Caitriona and brother Sean, extended family, close friends and neighbours at the celebration. Among the great many clergy present to participate and witness this event, were: Bishop Willie Walsh (Bishop of Killaloe 1994-2010); ordaining metropolitan Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly; Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio; Archbishop Eamonn Martin Primate of All-Ireland; Archbishop Michael Neary; Fr Des Hillery, consecrating bishops, concelebrating priests. The sermon was delivered by Very Reverend Brendan Canon Kilcoyne PP of Athenry, a close friend of Bishop Monahan’s for the past 20 years. In his homily, he said “We will not be led by small men”. Addressing Bishop Monahan he added, “You must give everything to it, you must lead from the front. You must have more than we need”. He reminded Bishop Monahan …
Read More »School chaplain becomes Bishop of Killaloe
Forty-nine-year-old Fr Fintan Monahan was appointed Bishop to the Diocese of Killaloe on Friday morning (July 29), a see that had been vacant for more than a year and a half. At the same time, His Holiness Pope Francis accepted the retirement of Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora, Martin Drennan, on grounds of ill health and on medical advice. Fr Monahan has been chaplain to St Jarlath’s College and Tuam diocesan secretary for the past 10 years. His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Fr Fintan Monahan as the new Bishop of Killaloe at midday in the Vatican, 11am Irish time. Fr Monahan spoke at the Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul in Ennis this morning, where he was formally introduced to local parishioners. Also in attendance was His Excellency Archbishop Charles J Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly (and formerly Bishop of Killaloe); Bishop William Walsh, Bishop Emeritus of …
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