Tag Archives: Marie O’Connell

Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014, health campaigner, Vicky Phelan told a Broadford author how grateful she was to be still able to complete mundane tasks like ironing and driving her children to school three and a half years before her untimely passing. Marie O’Connell had attended a charity event launched by Ciara McCullough for the Children’s Grief Centre in Limerick which Ms Phelan, who was a guest speaker, acknowledged her children would need after her death. Impressed by both Ms McCullough and Ms Phelan, Ms O’Connell contacted them after this event. On the night, Ms O’Connell stated it was funny, as the audience was waiting for Ms Phelan to arrive, it transpired she forgot she had an engagement because she was ironing, which she admitted during her talk. In an email to Ms Phelan, Ms O’Connell recalled how the two inspirational women had reminded people about the importance of living life to the full and acting on their beliefs …

THE decline in vocations and the number of priests in the Killaloe Diocese has inspired a pastoral worker to write a new book outlining the need for more lay people to complete clerical duties. “Community at Heart” – who will bury our dead?” examines past community and traditions in the catholic church, current reality, future possibilities and guidelines for pastoral councils. It will be officially launched by well known author, David Rice in the Killaloe Hotel and spa on July 1. Marie O’Connell has been a pastoral worker in the Diocese of Killaloe, a choir member, a dancer in an all-girl troupe, and a voice for women. The University of Limerick administrator says she does her best writing in cafes, on park benches, on any beach, and at home in Ballina/Killaloe. The mother-of-three believes it will not be long before a priest will not be available to attend funerals, so who will? “Priests can’t be everything to everyone all of …