Notices

Making the diocesan appointments is getting increasingly difficult every year.  This year, despite the small number of appointments it was exceptionally difficult due to a number of extra vacancies.

We now have 31 parishes out of 58 with no resident priest under 75 years of age.

Currently in 2025 we have 52 incardinated priests in active ministry under the age of 75.

In 2030 we will have 41.

In 2035 we will have 27.

In 2040 we will have 22.

These stark statistics speak for themselves.

It is not possible to continue to sustain the level of pastoral care we currently provide in the 58 parishes and 15 pastoral areas.  It is clear that in the coming year and beyond we need to address this in order to be able to provide a structure to continue to offer pastoral care and for the well-being of clergy, volunteer ministers and all involved in faith related activities.

Annual Tractor Run in Memory of the Late Mattie McInerney R.I.P. and Michael Flynn R.I.P., on Sunday 20th July, meeting at Mikey’s grave at 1.20pm, leaving Mullagh Sportsfield at 1.30pm to Ennistymon Graveyard followed by an evening of entertainment at Michael A’s Bar, Miltown Malbay, €20 per tractor, proceeds to West Clare Cancer. Please support this worthy cause. For more info contact Mary T. at 086 1012857.

Emma and Claire Murray co-ordinated the Youth Section of the Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.  The young people help with the assisted pilgrims throughout the week.  Kylie Cooney and  Aoife  Ferguson from Kilmurry Ibrickane and Miltown respectively represented our Parishes and our local Secondary School St. Joseph’s Spanish Point.  Well done to all who give their time so generously throughout the days of the pilgrimage.

At present twenty five young people along with the leaders – Joanne O’Brien, Myriam Black and Fr. John Molly, among them are our own Aleysha Sexton and Lucy O’Keeffe from our own Parish.  We wish the group well on their extraordinary week in Taize founded by the late Br Roger.  Taize a place of peace and welcome to all.