The Catholic Diocese of Clogher has marked the induction and installation of three new parish priests over the past two weekends.

The most recent celebration was on Saturday evening, September 24, during the Vigil Mass in St Tierney’s church, Rosslea when Fr John Chester was installed as the new Parish Priest of Rosslea parish by Bishop Liam MacDaid, who was the chief-celebrant of the Mass.

In the previous weekend, two parishes in the diocese of Clogher experienced the installation of new parish priests by the Bishop.

These joyful occasions were in the north-Monaghan parish of Errigal Truagh, where Fr John Flanagan was installed during Mass in the Church of the Holy Family, Ballyoisin on Friday, September 16, and in the parish of Kilskeery (Trillick and Coa), where Monaghan native, Fr Padraig McKenna was installed during the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening, September 17, in St Macartan’s Church, Trillick. 

Bishop MacDaid was the chief-celebrant at both Masses.

In Ballyoisin he was joined by Fr Flanagan, Canon Macartan McQuaid and Fr Hubert Martin PP, Donagh. 

In Trillick, Canon John McKenna, the retiring Parish Priest, and Canon Shane McCaughey, the President of St Macartan’s College, Monaghan and priest in Aughnamullen East parish, joined the bishop and Fr McKenna as concelebrants. Members of the new PPs’ families were in attendance. 

At the Mass in Trillick, prayers were offered for the soul of the late Canon Tom Marron whose funeral took place the previous day. Canon Marron had retired to Trillick when he retired as PP of Tempo in 2002 and had lived there until his recent death. 

There was active participation of the congregation in both Masses, including exceptionally beautiful and fitting music. The rite of induction and installation took place after the Gospel and homily. 

In Trillick, Bishop MacDaid also exchanged a sign of peace with Canon John McKenna who has retired as PP there after almost 30 years of service. 

Fr John Flanagan, a native of Annyalla, was ordained a priest in June 1988. Since then he has served in a number of parishes including Clones (Aghdrumsee), Castleblayney and Rosslea. Since 2000 he has been the Diocesan Advisor for Religious Education, a post he continues to hold.

He has recently completed 16 years of helping to lead the one-day retreats on Lough Derg. Fr Flanagan is author of the very popular book A Healing Word: A Reflective Journey towards Inner Peace, as well as another work on catechetical homilies for young people. Within the GAA, Fr John has played at all levels with his home club Cremartin. 

Fr Padraig McKenna, a native of Tyholland parish, Co. Monaghan, was ordained a priest in 1987. Since then he has served in a number of parishes around the diocese, in addition to periods of teaching in St Macartan’s College, Monaghan and the now former Vocational School in Clones. 

His service in parish ministry has included Clones, Belcoo, the Cathedral parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace and, most recently, nine years in Carrickmacross.

During his time in Carrickmacross he wrote and published a reflective account of the Stations of the Cross by the renowned Irish artist Richard King which have adorned St Joseph’s Church there since 1951. This book was revised and reprinted recently to mark the 150th anniversary of St Joseph’s (1866-2016). Fr Padraig was the co-ordinator of the entire celebrations in Carrickmacross to mark the 150th anniversary.