Meath students hosting Frs Brendan Ludlow & Tony Gonoude at Maynooth

Bishop Smith invites continued prayerful support for seminarians

I am delighted to welcome Noel, Robert, Barry and Kevin and I thank them for their generosity in considering the call to priesthood. I wish them every blessing as they begin their studies.

As I have often said before, vocations to the priesthood come from among the community. They reflect the prayer and openness the local faith community. I wish to thank the students’ families, friends, local clergy and parishioners, as well as all who have journeyed with them to date. Vocations are always a sign of hope and a source of encouragement. They remind us, if we need reminding, that the faith of many young people is very much alive and an important part of their lives.

Speaking to students for the priesthood, Pope Benedict XVI pointed out that “the seminary years are a time of journeying, of exploration, but above all of discovering Christ. It is only when the student has a personal experience of Christ that he can truly understand the Lord’s will and consequently his own vocation”. I pray that all our young people, especially those currently discerning their future, may encounter Christ and discover their true vocation in life, whatever that might be.”

Further information from:

Fr Mark English CC
Dunboyne
County Meath

Tel 01-8255342

markjpenglisgh@gmail.com

Welcome from Vocations Director

As you discern an interest in a vocation to be a priest in the Diocese of Meath I assure you of the prayers of the Bishop, priests and people of our diocese. 

To explore any interest you may have further please contact me at your convenience.

Mark

Tel 01-8255342

markjpenglisgh@gmail.com

Vocations Sunday 2009

Pope Benedict's Message for Vocations Sunday 2009 is now available. Click on link alongside or here to read full text from Vatican website. This text is also available as an A5 study-text here.

The diocesan Vocations poster is available below as a pdf document.

Diaconate Ordinations in Maynooth.

Rev Joseph Campbell and three classmates were ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on Pentecost Sunday in the College Chapel Maynooth.

Joseph is pictured below with his family and also with Msgr Hugh Connolly (President of St Patrick's College, Maynooth).

Tubridy Show interview during Easter Week now online.

Fr Patrick Donnelly (Ratoath), Frs Padraic Corcoran & Shane Crombie (Tullamore) were interviewd on Easter Wednesday's Tubridy Show. Ryan enjoyed them so check out the link alongside.

Diaconate Ordinations in Rome

Pictured above are Rev Stephen Kelly (Meath), Most Rev Eamonn Walsh (Dublin) and Rev Patrick O'Donohue (Galway) following diaconate ordinations in Chiesa di Sant’Agata dei Goti.

 

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Vocation Sunday: 3 May 2009

In conjunction with the celebration of Vocation Sunday 2009, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth are holding an open day beginning at 2.30 pm. 

Seminarians will welcome all those who are interested in becoming a priest and will be available to show them around the college.

They will be available to answer any questions about being a student priest. 

The afternoon will conclude with Mass and refreshments.

 

 

If interested please contact Fr. Mark as soon as possible at 01-8255342.

     Prayers during Year of Vocation      

We thank the Eucharistic Adoration Apostolate for co-ordinating the Diocesan proramme for this Year of Vocation which will conclude on Vocation Sunday.   We hope and pray that the opportunities for prayer and reflection during the visitation of the candle and cross to each parish will bear much fruit in the years to come and that many young men and women from our diocese will seek a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in our diocese.

Our Students

We currently have five students studying for our diocese

Joe Campbell (Rosemount), Declan Kelly (Rochfortbridge) and Ciaran Clarke (Dysart) who are studying in Maynooth and Stephen Kellly (Kilcloon-Batterstown) and Michael Hinds (Trim) studying at the Irish College, Rome.

Please keep these seminarians in your prayers. Stephen was ordained to the diaconate on Easter Monday in Rome. (Photo on the way...Robert)

 

"The witness of a priestly life well-lived brings nobility to the Church, calls forth admiration among the faithful, and is a source of blessings for the community; it is the best way to promote vocations, the most authentic invitation to other young people to respond positively to the Lord’s call. It is true collaboration in building the Kingdom of God!”

Pope Benedict XVI in Brazil June 2007

              Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father,
Shine your light upon me so that I may see my true vocation. Give me the grace to hear your word and be an example to others of your love for us.

I pray for all in Priesthood, Consecrated life, Marriage and Single life, and for all who are listening to your call, that they may answer you in their vocation.

Thank you for sending your son Jesus - Lord of the Harvest - help me to follow His example. May I freely, courageously and lovingly respond. Amen.

 

(Ordination of Fr. Tony Gonoude in Tullamore 2007)

 

                     Family Vocation Prayer

Loving God, each member of our family is a special gift from you. You have given each of us gifts and talents so that we may enjoy life but also so we can share with others. Generous and loving people are needed for service and leadership in our Church.

Help us to know how to encourage and support each other so that we can respond generously to this need. We know that you will be with us, invite us to become the kind of people you desire us to be. Help us to trust in you and in each other. Amen.

 

 

                     Vocation Prayer for Discernment

God, I know you love me and have great plans for me. But sometimes I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future. Show me how to walk forward one day at a time.

May I take heart while I search openly, learn about all the choices, listen to others for advice, and pay attention to my own feelings. By doing these things, may I hear your call to a lifestyle and a career that will let me love as only I can, and let me serve others with the special gifts that you have given me. Amen.

The vocations director for the diocese of Meath is

Fr Mark English CC
Parochial House
Dunboyne
County Meath

Tel 01-8255342

markjpenglisgh@gmail.com

Fr Mark will always be glad to hear from you and to arrange a meeting at any time.