New Irish bishop to make vocations a priority

Bishop Kevin Doran was installed as Bishop of Elphin on Sunday last in Sligo - one of the north western dioceses in Ireland. He is a former vocations director of the Archdiocese of Dublin. In a wide ranging address at the end of the ordination ceremony, Bishop Doran indicated that vocations are one of the key challenges facing his diocese and signalled that they would be a priority for him. In an enterprising move, he challenged the congregation at his episcopal ordination to help address the vocations 'crisis' by identifying six candidates from their own communities and families between now and next Easter.

He also reminded those gathered that 'vocation does not begin when people are teenagers or young adults.....it begins when God calls us into life and when, through baptism, He invites to be members of His family'. He said that it makes no sense to expect that people can be ready to commit to any Christian vocation, marriage, priesthood, religious life or diaconate if they have not first of all been helped to recognise God's invitation in baptism and respond to it.

It's wonderful to hear a new Irish bishop speak in these terms - making vocations a priority. Hopefully his initiative and challenge will bear fruit. Bishop Doran may well change the language around the question of vocation - this can only be a good thing.

Irish Dominican Vocations wish Bishop Kevin well in his ministry in the diocese of Elphin - and are grateful for his contribution to the work of vocations in his previous role as vocations director for the Dublin archdiocese.

A Note from Sligo

I am currently taking a break from the normal routine of work to be in our Dominican community in Sligo to preach the novena in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes. The novena started on Saturday last (February 6th) and concludes on Sunday next (February 14th). It is very heartening to see the large crowds attending the nine days of prayer - both young and old. I suspect this has much to do with the great devotion to Our Lady that exists but also to the service that the friars give to the people of the town and beyond.

It is interesting to note that the Dominican friars first arrived in Sligo in 1252 - over 750 years ago and have had well over thirty genrations of service to the people of the North West. Also worth noting is the fact that two of our brothers currently in formation are from the Sligo area.

It is encouraging that the people associated with the friary here regularly pray for vocations. Evidently their prayers are not going unnoticed - as I have a number of people from the area who are making enquiries about the Order in the Mayo/Sligo/Donegal region. I look forward to meeting with them in the coming days.

Thank You

During these hectic days for the Irish Dominican friars, it has been notable that because of the professions of some of our brothers and the reception of the new novices, that many people have taken the time to pray for these men and for a continuation of vocations.

Yesterday, on my way to Cork, I attended a prayer service organised by the brethren of our Newbridge community in their church. This time of prayer was for vocations and in particular for Dominican vocations. It was very heartening to see so many people gathered for this purpose. I know that a similar event is being organised by the friars of our Sligo community this evening (September 14th). Indeed, I am aware that many other people will be joining us in prayer over these days.

To all involved in organising these events and to all those who take the time to pray for the Irish Dominicans and for vocations to the Irish Province, we say a heartfelt thank you. We know that without prayer that our efforts are somewhat empty.