Following successive years of falling vocations due mainly to the retirement of priests, the Diocese of Killaloe has been buoyed by the news that three men from counties Tipperary and Clare will enter the seminary at Maynooth, later this month.
Vocations Director Fr Ignatius McCormack pictured at St Flannan’s College in Ennis.
For the first time in two decades, three vocations have been recorded in one of Ireland’s largest dioceses, where just over half of the 58 parishes are currently served by a resident priest.
The Diocese of Killaloe, last year, launched a vocations promotion in parishes across Tipperary, Clare, Laois, Offaly and Limerick to coincide with the ‘Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood’. The promotional campaign has so far visited two thirds of the parishes and will continue into 2025.
Welcoming the news, Bishop Fintan Monahan (Bishop of Killaloe Diocese) said, “As the third largest Diocese in the country, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain full cover across the five counties, due to retirements and a lower number of vocations. I am delighted that we have been successful in reaching those who had been considering a vocation and helping them in making the next step.”
Vocations Director Fr Ignatius McCormack has visited some 60% of parishes in the Diocese over the past 12 months and will be undertaking visits to remaining parishes, over the coming months.
Fr. McCormack, (Principal of St. Flannan’s College) in Ennis Co. Clare, said, “Our vocations initiative is aimed at encouraging people to discover more about vocations on the Diocesan website. Meanwhile, our parish church visits have helped to kickstart conversations within family groups, with local priests and in communities across the Diocese on the vocation of priesthood. We are very hopeful that we can build on the progress made since we launched our Vocations drive last year and are encouraging anyone who feels they have a vocation to the priesthood, to reach out and talk about their vocation with their family, friends, local priest or with me,” he added.
Pre-deceased by her parents Bridget and Timmy (Ryan), brothers Liam, Larry, Connie and Gerald; Mrs Croke passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; husband Tommy, daughters Beatrice and Siobhan, sons Philip, T.P., Thomás, Declan, Donal and Justin, 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, son-in-law Thomas, daughters-in-law Mary, Naoko, Joanne, Josie and Nora, brother John and his wife Joan, sister Mary and her husband Johnny (Egan, Thurles), nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mrs Croke will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday September 3rd, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. Her remains will leave her place of ordinary residence on Wednesday morning, September 4th, to be received into the Church of Our Lady and St. Kevin, Littleton, Thurles at 11:00am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Croke, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Croke and Ryan families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Civil Orders To Prevent Stalking And Protect Victims Introduced.
A new law comes into effect today (Monday September 2nd 2024) that will allow for someone who has been subjected to stalking behaviour, to apply to the District Court for a civil order to prohibit such behaviour continuing.
This was introduced by Part 5 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 Act which was first signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins in July 2023.
Part 5 of that Act introduces a new system of civil orders designed to prevent stalking and protect victims, Same represents an important first step in addressing stalking behaviour, by allowing for earlier intervention without requiring the level of proof needed to secure a criminal conviction.
Under this Act, an affected person, or a member of An Garda Síochána acting on their behalf, can apply to the District Court for an order prohibiting another person from engaging in relevant conduct.
This new approach extends protections currently available to certain victims, under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, to all victims of stalking behaviour, regardless of their relationship with the perpetrator. These new civil orders complement the criminal post-conviction orders, available under the new provisions in section 10 of the 1997 Act, which apply when a person has been found guilty of the offence of stalking.
Part 5 also provides for the making of orders on an ex-parte basis, where the court is satisfied that there is an immediate risk to the safety and welfare of the applicant. Additionally, the court may grant an interim order pending the final determination of the application, where the court deems it necessary and proportionate for the safety and welfare of the applicant. The benefit of these ex-parte and interim orders is that they will provide victims with immediate protection against ongoing offending behaviour, while they await the determination of their application.
Legal and operational preparations, including the drafting and adoption of new rules of court, were required before the commencement of Part 5 of the Act and the required rules of Court also come into effect today, September 2nd, 2024.
Vocals: The magnificent voices of American country singer, songwriter and guitarist, Chris Stapleton, and his American singer, songwriter wife Morgane Stapleton(née Hayes), latter performing the harmony and duet vocals.
Amanda.
Lyrics: Retired American songwriter, the great Robert Lee McDill.
I’ve held it all in, God knows I’ve tried, It’s an awful awakenin’, In a country boy’s life. Look in the mirror, In total surprise, At the hair on my shoulders, And the age in my eyes. Amanda, light of my life, Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife. Amanda, light of my life, Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife. It’s a measure of people, Who don’t understand, The pleasures of life, In a Hillbilly band. Got my first guitar, When I was 14, Now, I’m pushing 40, And I’m still wearin’ jeans. Amanda, light of my life, Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife. Amanda, light of my life, Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
Politics: From the words Poli (Meaning ‘Many’) and Tics (Meaning ‘Blood Sucking Parasites’).
The Thurles Roofless Bicycle Shed.
A newly erected bicycle shed to house eighteen bikes at Leinster House, latter the seat of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Ireland has cost more than €335,000. The above expenditure could have purchased a 4 bed, 3 bath, 138 m² detached house, or 3 semi-detached council houses each with 3 Bedrooms, and 1 Bath, here in urban Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Initially hailed by Transport Minister Mr Eamon Ryan TD, as an excellent example of public sector climate action, this shelter, required archaeological advice, to make sure it fitted into the parliamentary complex, at a cost to the taxpayer of €2,952.
We are advised that over 600 civil service staff support the functioning of the Oireachtas in Leinster House. Add this number to the 160 TDs attending for 3 days each working week, [Note: 124 men and 36 women (latter only 22.5%)]; one hopes that this “18 Space Bicycle Shed” can be easily expanded.
Then again many may be working from home or using “The Dart” (“The Dort”, for the benefit of those commuting from Sandymount and Foxrock)“, or (God forbid) these rainy days, using other public transport. One thing we do know, the vast majority of these 760 workers and their bosses are not arriving on bicycles, but then again we never get to see what is parked around the back of that formidable structure and are the great unwashed permitted to mix with nobility?
We further learn, courtesy of the Office of Public Works, that a high-quality structure was needed because of the building’s sensitive location.
Note: Off the record, and keep tight lipped on this, Thurles does not have even one Bus Shelter, and when Tipperary Co. Council learn of the above costs of an 18 Space Bicycle Shed, local commuters had better continue to carry their parasols and hope for non-windy conditions.
According to numerous press outlets, other breakdown costs; provided by the Office of Public Works, shows that €322,282 was spent on the main construction and finished installation; while €10,816 was paid for quantity surveying services and contract administration services.
However, asked for a copy of the business case for this project, the OPW confirmed that none had been required. On a more positive note: unlike roofless Thurles Bicycle stalls on Liberty Square, Thurles, shown above, at least the 18 cyclists in Leinster House won’t have to ride home on wet saddles or come out to find someone has reversed into their “High Nelly” .
Looks like Tipperary Co. Council are not the only wasters of taxpayer funding.
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