Retirements from the priesthood continue to reduce the number of clergy available to work in parishes in the Diocese of Kerry and, Bishop Ray Browne has acknowledged, this is something that will continue.
He said it is vital that a recently launched initiative appointing lay personnel to be pastoral leaders is successful.
“In an era when priests and religious were more plentiful, so much was left in their care. Today they are fewer in number,” he said.
“Sustaining the fullness of life in the parish family requires the participation, commitment and leadership of the laity. Hence, I warmly welcome the ministry of lay pastoral leadership that we embark upon,” Bishop Browne said.
He recalled that Pope Benedict said, in 2009, that the laity must no longer be viewed as collaborators of the clergy but truly recognised as co-responsible for the Church’s being and action.
The bishop thanked Fr Tom Leane, who has reached the retirement age, for more than 50 years of service and the Dromtariffe parish will now be served by the priests of the pastoral area.
“We have had a large number of priests celebrating jubilees this year including two silver, two golden and two diamond. Thank God for their lives of priestly service,” Bishop Browne stated.
He said it was good news that Fr Amos and Fr Vitalis, two priests on loan from the Kitale diocese in Kenya, will be available to work in Kerry for a further three years.
“Their joy in their faith is an inspiration to us all. Continue to pray for vocations and for our two seminarians that they will, in time, be priests among us,” the bishop said.
Bishop Browne said with summer here again, he is hopeful that Covid will be under good control after a a difficult and challenging year for us all.
“Ever there for one another, together we have come through. Sincere thanks to all clergy and so many in all our parish communities for their dedicated service throughout the year,” he remarked.
He also thanked deacons, the laity and parish secretaries, religious-education teachers in primary and secondary schools and chaplains in schools, hospitals and in MTU, Tralee.
The bishop said it is good to see many have returned to regular weekend church attendance and he encouraged every home to think about what role does God and for prayer play in their Sunday?
“If young children do not grow up with a familiarity with prayer in the home and regular Sunday Mass, will they grow up to have faith in Jesus Christ and God present among us?” he asked.
“It is important that we all keep regular contact with God. In these difficult times, God is a source of security and comfort,” Bishop Browne stated.
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