Clonmel man ordained a priest at Waterford Cathedral

Caption for photo above: The newly ordained Fr Mark O’Farrell (third from left) with Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan and his family at the entrance to Waterford Cathedral. Pictured from left are Fergal O’Farrell (brother), Audrey O’Conor (sister), Fr Mark O’Farrell, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Mary O’Farrell (mother), Brian O’Farrell (brother), Conor O’Conor (brother-in-law)

Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan ordained Deacon Mark O’Farrell from Clonmel to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford City on Sunday.

Fr O’Farrell is the second priest to be ordained for the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore in less than two years. A third candidate is currently halfway through the seven years of studies required for the priesthood. 

He was joined by dozens of priests in the sanctuary of the Cathedral for the Ordination Mass.

The Clonmel man’s family and friends were among the hundreds who filled the Cathedral for the ceremony.

The Mass was a joyful celebration with uplifting music from the Cathedral choir.   

In his homily at the ordination, Bishop Cullinan told Fr O’Farrell that his task was to join with his brother priests, deacons and people to build up God’s Kingdom today and to do so with joy.

In setting out his mission as a priest, the Bishop referenced the famous Bible passage where Jesus called on the fishermen Simon (Peter) and Andrew to become fishers of men; that is to bring people into the Kingdom of God.

“God gives gifts and never takes them back.  God gives you today the gift of ordination to the priesthood, through his Church to show mercy to all mankind, to link heaven and earth and to fish with Jesus Christ.
 

“Not to preserve the past but, rather, to allow Christ to enter in, to step into our boat and cast the net again for the people of today,” said the Bishop.  

He added: “May you have an eagerness to walk with Christ.” 

Bishop Cullinan then urged Fr O'Farrell to have the “courage and missionary desire of Saint Paul”, who was sent to the non-believers as their apostle, and the “faith and perseverance” of the woman featured in the Gospel reading recited at the Mass.

He extolled him to persevere in prayer each day, especially in Adoration, and in faithfulness, which he pointed out “will mean suffering in the ups and downs of priestly life as it does in the life of every person”.

Fr O’Farrell was born in Galway but his family moved to Clonmel when he was four years old. He attended St. Peter and Paul’s National School in Clonmel and received his secondary school education at Rockwell College.

He graduated from University College Galway with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He later returned to university to study pharmacy at the University of Brighton and graduated from there with a Masters.

He began his career as a pharmacist back in Ireland in 2008.

While still working as a pharmacist in 2015, he made contact with the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore and met with Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan and they both agreed he had a vocation to the priesthood.

He then embarked on seven year-long journey of studies for the priesthood. His studied at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, St Patrick’s College Maynooth, the Irish College in Rome and the Angelicum in Rome.

He was ordained a Deacon of the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore by Bishop Cullinan at Waterford Cathedral in January this year.

Fr O’Farrell has been based in Tramore & Carbally Parish in county Waterford since September last year.