Journeying to the priesthood
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Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann’s first Mass in Staghall Church comes to a conclusion on Monday evening, as the ceremony brings great joy and celebration to the large congregation.PHOTOS: Sean McMahonImage 2 of 9
A mother's tears of joy.it is always a special occasion for a mother to witness her son celebrating his first mass and in this instance, Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann's proud mother, Majella shed a few tears of joy after she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Kate Monaghan from the Drumlane Pastoral Council with Fr Jordan by her side.Image 3 of 9
Drumlane Pastoral Council presents Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann with a beautiful psinting of Drumlane Abbey by Seanie Cassidy, just after he celebrated his first mass in Staghall Church on Monday evening.From left: - Fr Gerry Comiskey, Brigid Sheridan, Rosemary Connolly, Shauna Gaffney, Kate Monaghan, Brendan Mac Gabhann, Chairman of the Drumlane Pastoral Council presenting the painting to Fr Jordan macGabhann, Anna Marie Maguire, Brid Teevan and Mairead Mc Anenna.Image 4 of 9
Little Kyden Smith enjoying catching up with his big Cousin, Fr Jordan mac Gabhann, after he celebrated his first mass in Staghall Church on Monday evening.Image 5 of 9
Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann being congratulated by Fr Anthony Harnett from Donegal, who was a class mate in College.Image 6 of 9
Elisha Conaty was thrilled to have the opportunity to congratulate Fr Jordan.Image 7 of 9
Brigid O'Reilly from Kill, Kilnaleck congratulates Fr Jordan on celebrating his first Mass and then received a blessing from the new priest.Image 8 of 9
Hundreds of people in the congregation lined up after Fr Jordan Mac Gabhan had celebrated his first mass in Staghall Church on Monday evening, to receive a blessing from the newly ordained priest in his home Parish of Drumlane. It is over 40 years since the last priest from Drumlane was ordained and that was Fr Michael Fitzpatrick.Image 9 of 9
Receiving Holy Communion from Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann, during his first mass in Staghall Church on Monday evening.There was a celebratory mood in the Diocese of Kilmore at the weekend when Fr Jordan MacGabhann from Ballyconnell was ordained to the priesthood.
Fr MacGabhann - who studied for six years in Maynooth - is the fourth priest to be ordained locally over the past 20 years.
The last was Fr Thomas Small in 2020. Prior to that, Laragh native Séan Maguire was ordained in June 2012, and eight years before that again, Fr Ultan McGoohan became a priest in 2004.
Last Sunday’s ceremony at the Cathedral of Ss Patrick & Felim was officiated by Bishop Martin Hayes. Fr MacGabhann was joined by family and friends and parishoners for the special occasion. He also celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving in St Mary’s Church Staghall in his native parish of Drumlane on Monday evening.
Fr MacGabhann was appointed Deacon to the parish of Urney & Annagelliff in November 2023.
Speaking to The Anglo-Celt yesterday (Tuesday), the local priest said he feels “very honoured” to be ordained and is looking forward to entering the lives of the people in his community. He also highlighted that, while he found those six years of study to be “challenging”, so much opportunity for “personal growth” also came his way.
“The ordination on Sunday was really great; my family were there and personal friends came from all over Ireland and the world to be there, and I am so grateful for the support,” Fr MacGabhann continued.
“I’m really looking forward to journeying with people as their priest and entering their lives during special moments like christenings and weddings and also being there during sickness and death.”
Indeed, during the ordination, Fr MacGabhann spoke of his gratitude to the people who “acted as very rich soil for the seeds of my vocation to grow in”. He pointed to his family, friends and neighbours and recalled his days in St Bricin’s College in Belturbet where the friends he made there remain “close friends today”.
“I thank God for my friends and neighbours, for my family and for the people of the local parish of Urney & Annagelliff. I am extremely appreciative of the team of priests in the parish. I am thankful most of all to God for calling me to the priesthood. All of you who have journeyed with me in various ways throughout the years have really made God’s love a reality in my life. As I answer God’s call to the priesthood, please pray for me that I will be a holy priest and be able to serve you all well,” he added.
Late last year, the Diocese began the process of looking at reducing masses in parishes and other measures to mitigate against declining vocations.
At the time, there were around 64 priests in the diocese, with 44 in active ministry across 34 parishes. More than half the priests were aged over 70 years. By 2030, it was projected there would only be 27 priests left ministering.