New priest to be ordained to the Diocese of Kilmore
The Diocese of Kilmore will gain another priest this weekend when Rev Jordan Mac Gabhann is ordained. He will become the second to be ordained since 2020.
The ceremony will take place in the Cathedral of Ss Patrick & Felim this Sunday, June 23, at 3pm. Bishop Martin Hayes will perform the honours.
Fr Mac Gabhann's first Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated in the parish of Drumlane the following day. It will be said in St Mary's Church, Staghall, on Monday, June 24, the Solemnity of the Navity of Saint John the Baptist, at 7pm.
Originally from Ballyconnell, Rev Mac Gabhann was ordained a deacon by Bishop Hayes in 2023.
A native to the Diocese of Kilmore, Rev Mac Gabhann expressed his gratitude when ordained a deacon last year.
“I am very proud and honoured to be ordained as deacon for my native Kilmore diocese where I received the faith I know hold dear. My family, local community, and the priests who served in the parishes, where I lived, all passed on faith to me. Into the future, I hope to make my own contribution to the life of faith of the people of the Kilmore Diocese.”
In his early education, he attended Greaghrahan NS and later St Bricin’s College, Belturbet.
He graduated from GMIT with a BA in Heritage Studies in 2017 after which Jordan began his studies for priesthood in St Patrick's College, Maynooth. He was a member of the Parish Team of Urney and Annagelliff in 2023 that served the people of Cavan Town and surrounding areas.
Late last year, the Diocese began the process at looking at reducing masses in parishes and other measures to mitigate against declining vocations.
Currently, there are around 64 priests in the diocese, with 44 in active ministry across 34 parishes, two abroad and 18 retired. More than half the priests are aged over 70 years, and a third are older than 75.
By 2030, it is projected there will only be 27 priests left ministering.
Discussing on the declining number of priests being ordained within Ireland today Rev MacGabhann said: “It is an exciting time to be ordained during this time of change. I look forward, most especially, to journeying with people during their significant life events of joy and sorrow, such as baptism, weddings, and bereavements.”