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A Time for Parting
I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Dublin, 21st of May 1961. It is now time to bid farewell. I have ministered in nine parishes and was chaplain in Saint Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown for five years. I also served as a diocesan advisor for religious education to primary schools, and in that role was well known to the teachers of the diocese. I wish to thank the clergy and the schools for their welcome.
I was asked to write an item for the first parish newsletter of 2025. It is my pleasure to do so. In mid-November I noticed a decline in my health and spent 6 days in hospital, before coming to the Holy Family residence. I am settling in nicely and starting to enjoy my retirement and carry with me fond memories of my 25 years in St Agnes Parish.
I wish to thank my fellow clergy past and present. Thinking especially at this time of Fr Paddy Brewster SDB who has passed away last weekend, may he rest in peace.
I thank Fr. Tony, Parish priest who was most kind and supportive since he arrived in the Parish. Thanks also to Father Tom Clowe SDB and all our Salesian friends. Jimmy Fennell, our Parish Deacon, always available to assist. Thank you to the parish volunteers in the different ministries. I wish to thank the staff of the Parish, Parish Centre and the sacristy. Colette, Mary, Teresa, Bernadette, and many more volunteers who have helped to make St Agnes a much-loved Parish.
I wish to thank Karen for long being my PA. I would not have managed without her, bless you Karen and a thousand thanks.
The growing issue of shortage of priests, as priests retire, it is difficult to find replacements which forces pressure on the remaining clergy.
I personally owe my vocation to my family, especially my uncle who was a priest to the Diocese of Glasgow.
Let us pray now for our priests and encourage any way we can for vocations to replace those who are retiring.
Finally let us pray for each other.
John Deasy.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Lord, when my heart is overburdened, overwhelm me with your peace. Lead me to you, my rock, strength and refuge. Guide me to your Word which gives me strength and comfort. Help me not to run to lesser things. Draw me to run to you first. Help me to get into the habit of taking my burdens to you and placing them in your care. For your Son, Jesus said, “Come to me all who labour and overburdened and I will give you rest: for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls”.
AMEN.
The Hopes of Pope Francis for the future of the Church
464 Bishops, Priests, Religious and lay people have gathered in Rome for the month of October 2023 to take part in the Synod which is the most important happening in the Church since the 2nd Vatican Council. Of that number 81 are women and 54 of those are voting members.
Pope Francis seeks to bring a revived sense of mission to the Church, and many are hoping that new life will emerge as a result. The documents that will emerge at the end of the month are not the final word, the same people who attend the present gathering will meet again in October 2024, and the Pope is expected to respond to the documents in the months after.
One topic that will be addressed is the role of women in the Church and perhaps we might have women deacons in the years ahead. The Synod will address the role of all those of us who are Baptised and encourage us to become more active in the Church and in our Parishes. We all share in the common priesthood of the Baptised. This gathering is a culmination of the work that took place in our parish and the parishes of Ireland in 2022.
Ireland is represented by Alan McGuckian, Bishop of Raphoe, and Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick, his early years were spent as a child in the parish of St. Agnes.
PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD
We Stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
And not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
In the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.