Letter from Bishop Denis Brennan to the priests and the people of

the diocese to mark Vocations Sunday, 13th April 2008.

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

Jesus Christ had an uncanny gift for pitching his teaching in ways that connected with people‟s

lived experience; He took his examples from everyday life. Simply by saying, “I am the vine”, “I

am the way”, “I am the light of the world”, He immediately engaged his hearers and aroused

their interest in his message: a basic teaching principle of going from the known to the unknown.

So when he said, “I am the good Shepherd”, His listeners understood precisely how central to

their lives he would be. In those days the sheep were totally dependent on their shepherd. His /

Her life was totally dedicated to their welfare.

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and a day of special prayer for vocations to the work of service

in the church. There is the enduring command of Jesus to his church to go out and to preach the

Good News to all people. There is a continual need for people of faith to respond to that

command; people who are prepared to dedicate their lives to this work for the sake of the

gospel.

This Vocations Sunday, our first duty is to rededicate ourselves to living our common baptismal

vocation of worship and service. Our second and pressing duty is to pray for an increase in

vocations to priesthood and religious life.

I am convinced that such vocations will develop in church communities where prayer and service

are valued and evident; if we practise the message of Jesus Christ locally, we will encourage the

youth to respond to the invitation of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: “Come, follow me”.

On Sunday 22nd June we will celebrate such a response, when it will be my great pleasure to

ordain Rev. Declan Corish O.P (Dominican) in Tagoat and the following week Sunday 29th June, I

will ordain Rev. Tomas Kehoe to the priesthood for service in our diocese. The parishes of Bree

and Tagoat are busily preparing to celebrate these happy evening; one of their own answering

the call. I thank their families, their teachers and their communities for the part all have played in

their journeys to ordination.

Rev. Harold Bumann, a member of the Order of the Incarnate Word, who is presently ministering

in Kilmyshall, will also be ordained to the priesthood in Switzerland in June next. Following

ordination, he will return to Kilmyshall to continue his work there with Fr Gabriel Barros.

The diocese has another young man – James Cullen from Castlebridge parish – making that same

journey. In thanking his family and community, we offer James our continued support and best

wishes for the future.

Let us place them in our prayers, while asking God to inspire others to follow their example.

Should you feel the calling to priesthood or religious life, you owe it to yourself, to God and to

others to listen to the prompting – God may very well be calling you to undertake a particular role

in the church and the world – may you receive the generosity to say the simple „yes‟, as Mary –

the first disciple of Jesus – said „yes‟ to the plan formed so long ago.

I take this opportunity of thanking you – the priests and people of the family of St Aidan – for

your generous financial support of our students and I ask you continue that in the future.

May, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, guard the families of the diocese and keep all close to him.

Yours Sincerely,

+ Denis Brennan

Bishop of Ferns

Kilmore United Soccer Club reach the

Leinster Junior Shield Final

Congratulations to Kilmore United on reaching the Leinster Junior Shield final, which will be

played against Ballycumber Rovers (Offaly) at Lea Victoria Park, Tullamore, on Sunday next

(20th) at 3.00pm. A bus will leave Kilmore at 11.30am on that day for the game. Contact (086)

813 9842 for further information. Also, jackets with the Kilmore United crest are available for

sale, from Quigley‟s Pub at €25.00 each, all sizes available. May we wish them the very best of

luck in that game and I hope there will be huge support from the parish.

What it means to the Club

Next Sunday will be a great day for all involved in the club and those who have given assistance

over the years. Days like this don‟t happen too often and they don‟t happen by accident. We take

this opportunity to thank all who have helped over the last 15 years, numerous sponsors,

numerous ticket/lotto sellers, numerous mentors, numerous committee members, numerous

grounds men, numerous pitch donators and anyone who has helped in any remote way. As for

the players who will be taking part next Sunday, the best of luck lads, ye know you have the

abilities to win it, and if the semi-final result is repeated there might be a little celebration.

Players from around the parish

Players who are representing their parish and county, under team manager Billy Sinnott, are:

James Lowry, Poulrane

Colm Benson, Bridgetown

Jimmy Benson, Newtown

George Maloney, Bridgetown

Gino Owens, Rackardstown

Norman Sinnott, Bridgetown

Stevie Cousins, Bridgetown

Bobby Kinsella, Boley‟s Cross

Daithi Moore, Newtown, Grange

Mark Doyle, Bridgetown

Devin Furlong, The Hill

Bernard Hogan, The Hill

Willie Murphy, Bridgetown

Gary Wilson, Bridgetown

Alan Reid, Sarshill

Ciaran Moore, Tullibards

Cormac Walsh, Gentstown

Mark Maloney, Bridgetown, and

Paddy Hogan, Bridgetown.

Most unfortunate mishap

Young Gary Moore, Newtown, Grange, who was to play next Sunday broke his leg in a league

match on Thursday night and is currently in Waterford Regional Hospital. His team mates send

their best wishes for a speedy recovery. The team is now even more determined (if that‟s

possible) to lift the Leinster Junior for Gary who has contributed such a lot to the team‟s

performances this season.