Dear Parishioners,
In his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes that "the life and death of each of us has its influence on others...” Rom. 14:7. The life of Fr. Pat O Brien who was laid to rest in his native Claremorris last weekend, had its influence on many people.
Fr. Pat served as curate here in Tuam, Cortoon and Lavally from 2004-2006. He was Parish Priest of Caherlistrane from 2006 up until the onset of his illness last Easter. He also served as curate in Clare Island, Skehana, Kilmeena, and as GMIT chaplain at the Castlebar Campus.
I was first introduced to Pat when the late Fr. Tommie Waldron, then president of St. Jarlath’s College, invited him to give our fourth-year retreat. When the retreat director arrived at the College from Clare Island on a motorbike, he caught our teenage attention immediately. During the retreat, he introduced our young minds to the writings of Thomas Merton. He shared some of his own poetry and recalled fondly memories of captaining a St. Jarlath’s side to a Hogan Cup final during his student days.
Pat continued throughout his life to influence the minds and hearts of many people. His “Thought for the Day” slot on RTE Radio 1, homilies given on various occasions, inputs at various gatherings were always reflective, prophetic and challenging.
Each Christmas Pat designed a Christmas card with his own artistic and literary flair. I will miss that card this year.
On behalf of all us in Tuam, Cortoon and Lavally, I convey our sympthies to Fr. Pat’s family and friends.
Go dtuga Dia solas na bhflaithis dó.
Fr. Pat Farragher Adm.
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Times for Masses for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception: |
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Feast of the Immaculate Conception December 8th
December 7th 7.30 pm Vigil Mass. December 8th 8.30am & 10.00am in Tuam Cathedral
9.30 am Mass in Lavally Church
8.00 pm St. Patrick’s Church Cortoon. |
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First Holy Communion 2022 |
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The following are the arrangements for the celebration of First Holy Communion in 2022
There will be three First Holy Communion ceremonies in the Cathedral: Saturday May 7th at 11.30 for the students from Gaelscoil Iarfhlatha and Gardenfield N.S.
Saturday May 28th at 11.30 am for the students from Trinity Primary School Campus 2.
Saturday May 28th 2.00 pm for the students from Trinity Primary School Campus 3 and Educate Together N.S.
The students from Brownesgrove N.S. and Lavally N.S. will make their First Holy Communion in Cortoon Church at 12.00 on Saturday April 30th 2022
Please note that all the arrangements outlined here are provisional and subject to whatever Covid – 19 restrictions in place during April & May 2022.
Arrangements for the 2022 celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation cannot be confirmed until Archbishop Francis is installed and publishes his confirmation schedule. |
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NBSCCCI Review of Safeguarding Practice in the Archdiocese of Tuam |
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The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) has conducted a review of safeguarding practice in the Archdiocese of Tuam, and its final Report was received on last week. Archbishop Michael Neary has welcomed the findings of the Report and its positive assessment of the application of the seven safeguarding standards right across the Archdiocese. To coincide with publishing the Report on the diocesan website, Archbishop Neary wishes to thank and congratulate all those who have worked tirelessly to bring safeguarding practice in the diocese to this high standard. He thanks everybody who has been involved in any way, especially the priests and Local Safeguarding Representatives, volunteers and youth workers, parish and diocesan personnel, the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee, the Diocesan Case Management Committee, the Designated Liaison Persons, and those who deliver the safeguarding training. This, Archbishop Neary believes, has been a truly synodal exercise, and it has been most affirming to see the good work at every level being recognised and acknowledged by independent external reviewers. The Report is available on the diocesan website https://www.tuamarchdiocese.org/2021/12/nbsccc-safeguarding-review-2021/. |
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The Cathedral of the Assumption |
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