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2017 Archived Announcements
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April 2017 - Sad News
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We were shocked and saddened by news of the sudden death of Fr. Pádraig Coleman, O.F.M., who served as chaplain in Firhouse parish for 11 years, from 2005 until last Autumn, 2016. We were truly blessed to have Fr. Pádraig with us for these years and we miss him since his transfer to Sandymount last September. We offer our condolences to his family and to his colleague Franciscans who no doubt miss him too. Ar dheis Dé sa bhflaitheas go raibh a anam.
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Fr. Pádraig's funeral Mass took place at 10.30.a.m. on Monday 24th April in the Church of the Immaculate Conception (commonly known as Adam & Eve's Church) Merchant's Quay, Dublin, and was followed by burial in Shanganagh Cemetery.
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April 2017 - Sad News
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We were deeply saddened by news that, after a long illness that he bore with great dignity, our previous parish priest, Fr. Colm Matthews has died.
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Fr. Colm served as parish priest in our parish from 1995 to 2004 before moving to Holy Rosary parish nearby. Having served previously as army chaplain in the Congo and spent time in the mission fields in Chile, Fr. Colm brought many gifts to our parish when he came here. He is fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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Fr. Colm's Funeral Mass took place at 10.00.a.m. on Tuesday 2nd May in Holy Rosary Church, Ballycragh, his final parish, where he served as a curate after leaving Firhouse.
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September 2017 - Sad News
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Sadly, the death has occurred of Jimmy Whelan, our much-loved, long-serving (22 years) and retired sacristan. Jimmy was very involved in the parish and the local community over the years, as was his wife Bridie, R.I.P. He was a regular contributor to parish newsletters, with many fascinating historical accounts of the area before it became built up. Jimmy received the Benemerenti Medal, a rare honour awarded by the Pope to members of clergy or laity for service to the Catholic Church (see below). He will be sadly missed not only by family and friends but also more generally in the parish.
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Jimmy's funeral Mass took place at 10.00.a.m. on Sat 16th September. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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Death of Fr. Martin Murnaghan
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At Mass on Monday 14th November Fr. Peter announced the sad news of the sudden death in Kenya of Fr. Martin Murnaghan.
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Fr. Martin retired from parish work in Sandymount this autumn and came to live in Firhouse. From here he went to Kenya just a few weeks later to undertake six month of active ministry. He hoped to do this each year. God gave him the health and the energy. He was not in active ministry in Firhouse, but he helped out when he could for the few weeks he was with us; and in that time his gentle demeanour and winning smile endeared him to us. We were looking forward to his return in April.
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While he hoped to complete six months in Kenya and then return to Ireland, clearly the Lord had another plan and called him home, not to Ireland but to Heaven itself. We offer our condolences to Fr. Martin's family on their loss and to the people of Sandymount, his last parish, in their sadness. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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Fr. Martin's funeral took place on Monday 21st November at 12.00. noon in St. Mary's Church, Haddington Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
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Not One Benemerenti Medal but Two
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While the Benemerenti Medal is a rare honour awarded by the Pope to members of clergy or laity for service to the Catholic Church, it is a source of great joy and pride for our parish that two of our parishioners have received this award. One is Jimmy Whelan; our much-loved, long-serving (22 years) and now retired sacristan. Jimmy's contribution to our parish over the years has been immense. He is pictured with current parish priest, Fr. Peter Reilly, previous parish priest Fr. Paddy Madden, and previous parish chaplain, Fr. Padraig Coleman R.I.P.
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The other deserving recipient of this award is Nuala O'Toole. Nuala has been a faithful servant of this parish since its foundation and has been involved in various ministries and on various active committees over the years. Equally happy with a "Martha" or a ""Mary" role, whatever she undertakes gets done. She has always been an enthusiastic, positive, dedicated and inspirational and above all a faithful figure. She is pictured with our parish priest, Fr. Peter O'Reilly.
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