CAPTION: Bishop Martin celebrating Mass in SS Joseph & Brigid Church, Bóthar na Naomh with Fr. Vincent Stapleton & Fr. James Purcell There was a mighty welcome for former Thurles curate and ADM, Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore, at the weekend when the town motto of ‘fleadh agus failte’ was alive, well and living its meaning. This was Bishop Martin’s first official visit back to Thurles since his appointment to the Kilmore diocese four years ago by Pope Francis. And, the congregations at the 7pm Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption on Saturday evening and at the 10am Mass in St Joseph and St Brigid’s, Bóthar na Naomh on Sunday morning were thrilled to see him and attended celebrations after both Masses of Thanksgiving to welcome him ‘home’ and have a chat. As part of the welcome, Bishop Martin was presented with a beautiful painting of Our Lady Star of the Sea by Thurles parish – this painting, created so beautifully by local man David McElgunn is a copy of the stained-glass window adjacent to Our Lady’s Altar in the Cathedral of the Assumption and was admired by many people having been presented to Bishop Martin. In September 2002, Father Martin was appointed as curate to Thurles parish with responsibility for Saints Joseph & Brigid Church, Bóthar na Naomh. He continued his facilitation of marriage preparation courses with Accord Thurles, served on the Accord National Executive Council and provided supervisory support for Accord personnel in the south-east Region. He became an active member of the Cashel & Emly Ongoing Formation and Education of Priests Committee from its inception in2003. Having studied for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Thurles, Father Martin continued to walk the famous corridors as a part-time lecturer in Introduction to Philosophy on the newly established Bachelor of Arts in Education, Business Studies and Religious Studies course for secondary school student teachers which was delivered in Saints Patrick’s College, Thurles. He
A mighty welcome for Bishop Martin Hayes in Thurles
This was the Bishop's first official visit to Thurles since his appointment
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CAPTION:Archbishop Kieran, Cathy Russell, Parish Pastora Team, Bishop Martin and Fr. James Purcell during the cutting of the celebratory cake, baked by Tina Bourke, Thurles Parish.
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CAPTION: Fr. Joe Waslh, Fr. James Purcell, Bishop Martin & Fr. Vincent Stapleton.
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CAPTION: Presentation of painting of Our Lady of the Sea (Stained Glass Window in the Cathedral), painted by David McElgunn, to Bishop Martin by Phyllis Kennedy, Parish Pastoral Team & Fr. James Purcell, on behalf of Thurles Parish.
