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My First Six Months Ordained.

My name is Karl Burns. I am the eldest of 3 children. My father is the principal of the local National School and my Mother is involved in training handicapped people for the workplace. I am from the parish of Dunmore, Co Galway.After 7 years in Maynooth, I was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Michael Neary. I was ordained in my home church in Dunmore, whichmeant a lot to me. It was a great privilege to be ordained in the Jubilee year of 2000. The first priest ordained for the Archdiocese in the 21st century.

The first days and weeks after ordination were hectic but very memorable. One of the more memorable events was celebrating the Eucharist in the local national schools. It was great to return to these schools and perhaps to inspire someone to the thoughts of priesthood. In the build up and during the weekend of the Ordination, I was very conscious of how much effort was put into the event by the local community. It made me realise how much the priest is valued by the local community. I have also noticed this as I attended the ordination of my classmates around the country. It was refreshing to get this support as we start out on our priestly ministry.

In July, the Archbishop appointed me as curate to Moylough and chaplain to Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew. I have got a lot of support from the local people and also from the staff in Holy Rosary College. There is a great sense of community in Moylough, which makes my ministry more effective. My ministry in the school is also rewarding. I see my ministry as a ministry of presence. A major part of my work in the school is meeting the students on a one to one basis. This helps me and the students to get to know each other better. I also lead the school liturgies. It is great to let the students use their creativity and musical talents in the celebration of the liturgies. On a personal note I find that my youth is an advantage as a school chaplain.

One thing that I have noticed since working in the parish is how varied my day can be. That is one of the things that I enjoy in pastoral ministry. Priesthood is certainly not a 9 to 5 job! The work of a priest is so varied. Celebrating the Eucharist, house visitations, visiting the schools, presiding at weddings and funerals, and visiting the sick is part of the variety of work. On reflection, the first 6 months of priesthood have been wonderful. I have a great sense of fulfilment, of purpose in life. I have received great support from my family and friends and the people of Dunmore and Moylough. The support from home and friends has been invaluable. Looking back, I am glad that I took the risk to study for the priesthood. The last 7 years has seen me make great friendships, learn more about myself and most importantly deepen my vocation and my relationship with God. I am glad that I took that risk. To someone who would be contemplating entering the seminary, I would say take the risk, it is well worth it.

A Career with a Big Difference

Tuam Vocations Teams visit Secondary Schools

Towards another Goal!

Six specially chosen teams of Church members are visiting thirty secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Tuam. The teams consist of one priest and one lay person each. The twelve people involved, that’s us, attended a training evening at the end of September. We have already visited more than half of the secondary schools in the Archdiocese.

The visitation is part of the ongoing Tuam campaign to stimulate awareness of the vocations issue. Archbishop Neary and his Vocations Committee intend that this type of visitation will become a stable apostolate. Every year from now on.

Not “Doom and Gloom”

For all the pessimism you hear! The teams are already reporting back in hugely positive terms. Both students and staff have received us warmly. We are not doing half enough of this. Team members talk of the greatest courtesy and attention from students. They also talk of an obvious thirst for meaning. For hope.

More like “Light and Shade”

Teenagers are living complicated lives. Crude simplifications don’t reflect the true picture. They’re not breaking down the doors of the local church. But their own doors are open. Christ sent the Apostles out. He didn’t tell them to stay in and wait for business to pick up. This is the experience we’ve had so far. Fear really is the enemy. Young people are not.

A Labour Shortage

It’s a bit like the Celtic Tiger. A surging economy passes out its own labour supply. The harvest here is enormous, almost beyond imagination. Who’ll bring it in? Do we leave it in the fields? It’s enough to make any farmer cry.

One Lesson Anyway

A vocations campaign is only a start here. This is huge. We have learnt that over again in a few months. A few months of going out. Of leaving our parishes and normal environments. Of going out to new places and meeting new people in a diocese we thought we knew. This is part of the new evangelisation. The “Gospelling” of a new society.

What Do We Need?

Your prayers, to start with. And then any ideas or comments you may have. And finally your own question to yourself. Should I be doing this too? Should I be doing it as a lay Church member, spreading the good that I have around? Should I be doing it as a priest?

Finally, Who Are We?

Our names are Raymond Flaherty, Michael Byrne, Mairéad McDonagh, Richard Gibbons, Mary Connell, Máirtín Ó Moráin, Conal Eustace, Marie Nee, Francis Mitchell, Debbie Moore, Mary Doherty and Brendan Kilcoyne. We are priests and laypeople of the Archdiocese of Tuam. If you want to contact us you can e-mail this website. We will be putting up more news here about our work over the next few months. Meantime……

Where is Your Goal?