This Week's Newsletter
Publishedon Thursday 19th September 2024
A Few Words from Fr Joe……
Last Saturday Fr Peter graduated from the Pontifical University at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. After 6 years of classes, seminars, essays, dissertations, sweat and tears, he has both a Doctorate in Theology and a Diploma in Youth Ministry. On the day, he looked resplendent in his Doctoral Robes, and there was great pride in his achievements by the friends and colleagues who made the trip to be with him. On behalf of the whole partnership let’s join in congratulating Dr Fr Peter Ewaoche Johnson, well done Peter.
At the weekend Fr Donie said his farewell in Mount Merrion having already spoken in Kilmacud and Clonskeagh. We really appreciate Donie for his years of service here and we all wish him well for the future. He didn’t leave empty handed so many thanks to everyone who contributed to his farewell gift.
Fr Peter had hoped to remain in Ireland for a period of rest and renewal before returning to Nigeria. However, the loss of Fr Donie from the partnership team creates a vacancy which he very generously has agreed to fill. Archbishop Farrell has approved the appointment of Fr Peter to a curacy in this partnership so he will be working full time for us for the coming year. We are very grateful to Fr Peter for modifying his personal plans in our favour.
We are now in a position where the provision of sacraments, support of schools, celebration of funerals, baptisms and weddings is totally dependent on the generous involvement of priests from Africa and India. This is one great fruit of the Irish missionary movement, as so many of the dioceses that had men and women from our country involved in mission to their young church are now choosing to send the very brightest and best of priests to study in Ireland and support our parishes. Frs Peter, Patrick, Roy, and Sebastian at present, Clement, Michael, Thomas, and Alvin in the recent past are all among this number and we are so indebted to them. It was joyful to see many international students graduating with advanced degrees in Theology, Philosophy, and Pastoral Ministry alongside Peter. We wish them all well for their future ministry here and in their homeland.
Fr Joe Mullan, Moderator Clonskeagh, Kilmacud & Mount Merrion Parishes