Great news for Irish lay Dominicans

Lisa Hanna and Francis McCaughan who made lifetime promises as lay Dominicans in Belfast

 

The lay Dominican movement in Ireland is growing. In the past few years, there has been a significant increase in new membership to this important Dominican vocation. Readers of this blog will be aware that the lay Dominicans are an integral part of the Dominican family worldwide. The 'family' also includes the apostolic sisters, friars and contemplative nuns.

In the past year a new 'chapter' of lay Dominicans was formed in Belfast - under the patronage of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. The new chapter is based at the Catholic chaplaincy at Queens University, Belfast. The founding members Lisa Hanna and Francis McCaughan yesterday made their 'life' promises as lay Dominicans during the celebration of the Eucharist at the chaplaincy. The Frassati chapter have as its apostolate (or mission) preaching through the reflective reading of church documents and Dominican texts. They meet regularly and pray the Divine Office in the chaplaincy during the week. The chapter has also embarked on a series of ambitious projects during the Year of Faith. Continuing with the good news theme, the chapter will soon increase in size substantially as there are three people currently undergoing a formation programme as part of their initiation into the life of this new chapter.

 

Michael Joyce, Fr Louis Hughes OP (prior, Black Abbey, Kilkenny) and Damian McDonnell after Michael and Damian had made their lifelong promises on the feast of Saint Martin de Porres (November 3rd)

The lay Dominican chapter attached the the Dominican priory in Kilkenny (the 'Black Abbey') recently received the lifelong promises of two of its members - Michael Joyce and Damian McDonnell. This vibrant chapter continues to experience growth and is responsible for many of the pastoral initiatives of the friars in Kilkenny.

Paul McLoughlin pictured with Fr Ben Hegarty OP (prior of Saint Dominic's, Ennismore, Cork) after making his lifelong promise as a lay Dominican on October 3rd last.

 

Finally, Paul McLoughlin from Dungarvan in Co Waterford also made his lifelong promise as a lay Dominican during the celebration of the Eucharist in Saint Dominic's Retreat Centre, Montenotte, Cork.

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes God's blessing on all who have made commitments to the Order as lay Dominicans in the recent past. Their incorporation into the Dominican Order is a powerful witness of the call of God to the hearts of men and women who seek to give their lives in the service of others.

New Lay Dominican Group at Queens University Belfast

 Left to right: Francis McCaughan, Fr Gerard Dunne OP and Lisa Hanna

Yesterday, January 30th 2012,  I had the honour of attending and preaching at a Mass in the Catholic chaplaincy at Queens University in Belfast to formally receive two new members into a newly formed lay Dominican chapter in the university campus. Lisa Hanna and Francis McCaughan were received and formally became members of the 'Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Lay Dominican chapter'.

Francis and Lisa, along with others who have an interest in becoming lay Dominicans, have decided that this newly formed chapter will have an intellectual and reflective outreach as part of the ministry of the group. This coupled with prayer and regular meeting will form the basis for their initial first steps as a new lay Dominican chapter.

Left to right: Dr Gaven Kerr, Francis McCaughan, Lisa Hanna and Fr Gary Toman

Fr Gary Toman, the Catholic chaplain at Queens University, Belfast celebrated the Mass during which the new chapter was instituted and the new members formally received. In his remarks, he warmly welcomed this new Dominican presence at the chaplaincy and expressed his delight that the chaplaincy will be able to facilitate the new group there. There was a strong presence of Dominican sisters from the Belfast area at the event along with members of other Belfast based lay Dominican groups. The two new members, Lisa and Francis, were presented by Dr Gaven Kerr for acceptance as lay Dominicans. Dr Kerr is a lay Dominican attached to the Falls Road chapter.

This new beginning of lay Dominicans attached to this university in Belfast is both an encouraging and inspiring event. The fact that there are young lay men and women who are captivated by the Dominican charism of preaching and teaching is a sign of the enduring call of Saint Dominic throughout the generations. The event which we celebrated yesterday is also a sign of hope for the Dominican family and will further the Dominican mission in Ireland.

 Francis and Lisa pictured with the newly commissioned icon of Saint Dominic

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes to congratulate the two new members of the 'Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Lay Dominican chapter' and thanks them for their patience during the time of preparation for this event over the past number of months and looks forward to working with them into the future.

For more information on the lay Dominicans in Ireland, please visit www.laydominicans.ie