Good vocation news in Ireland

 Sr Brigid Marie of the Sacred heart is clothed in the habit of the Poor Clares in Galway

Here at Irish Dominican Vocations we are always delighted to hear of good news stories about vocations in Ireland and are only too happy to share that news. Events like, receptions, professions and ordinations in Ireland tend to make the news much more so today than in the past because of the fact that they are so rare. But, we are happy to promote the good news of other orders and dioceses because they are a real source of encouragement to men and women who might be considering a vocation themselves. This good news needs to be highlighted because it gives great encouragement to all involved in vocations ministry in Ireland.

Firstly, the Poor Clare nuns in Galway had reason to celebrate recently as they clothed Sr Brigid Marie of the Sacred Heart in the habit of the Order on the eve of Pentecost. The Poor Clares in Galway have had some media exposure recently - particularly with the success of their best selling book 'Calm the Soul' (available nationwide in Ireland through bookshops and on www.amazon.co.uk). We send our best wishes to them and to Sr Brigid Marie as she takes on the life of the contemplative community in Galway.

 Image from the diaconate ordiantion ceremony in Maynooth on May 26th

Secondly, six deacons were ordained in the national seminary in Maynooth in Co. Kildare on Sunday last. The six, Sean Flynn from Tuam, Stephen Gorman from Raphoe, Ben Hodnett from Cork & Ross, Seán McGuigan from Armagh, Dominic Meehan from Cashel & Emly and Colm Murphy from Dromore, came to their studies for the priesthood from diverse backgrounds including accountancy, teaching and one was a funeral undertaker. We wish them every blessing as they continue on the path to priestly ordination.

Good news on the vocations front!

Amid much of the negative news about religious and priestly vocations in Ireland during the past few weeks, it is great to recount some good news stories on the vocations front as well. Irish Dominican Vocations would like to congratulate our brother Franciscans and Capuchins on their reception of new postulants and novices and also to send best wishes to the Presentation brothers on the occasion of professions recently.

Our Franciscan brothers have three men beginning their postulancy year in Killarney Co. Kerry. They are Denis Ahearne, Ronan Sharpley and Richard Cutting (pictured above with their formation directors).

The Franciscans also have three men beginning their canonical novitiate year in Ennis Co. Clare. They are Adrian McGrath, Vincent Finegan and Dave Connolly (all pictured above).

The Capuchins have two men beginning their postulancy programme in Raheny Co. Dublin. They are Sean Oberc and Antony. They are pictured above with their director of postulants Br Eustace. Irish Dominican Vocations send particularly warm wishes to Sean who has many Dominican connections and friends.

Finally, there was great joy in Killarney, Co Kerry recently as the Presentation brothers received the first professions of Brothers Augustine and Callistus (both from Ghana) who have completed their novitiate. They are pictured above with the congregational leaders of the Presentation brothers Martin Kenneally

If any readers of this blog know of other orders or congreagations are receiving new members at this time, please do let us know so that we can highlight and share the good news. Please pray for all considering vocation to religious life at this time and particularly for those highlighted in this blog post.

Good News Stories for Irish Vocations

Irish Dominican Vocations is always on the lookout for good news stories related to the vocations scene in Ireland - and happily there are three such stories to tell. In the past number of weeks, an Augustinian friar was ordained a priest, a contemplative Cistercian nun made her first profession and a new postulant was added to the ever growing Redemptoristine community of sisters in Drumcondra. We wish them well and thank God for the gift of their generosity in his service.

Augustinian friar Colm O Mahony was ordained on April 26th in Cork

Sr Katherine, a Cistercian nun made first profession on Easter Sunday in Glencairn, Waterford.

Lynette Lane joined the Redemptoristine community in Dublin recently.