Two ordinations for Drogheda
DROGHEDA will celebrate two ordinations this Sunday, with Fr Warren Collier and David McGovern joining the priesthood.
Collon native, Warren Collier will be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Meath in St Mary’s Church on Sunday next, July 10th at 3pm.
He is a former Bus Eireann employee and spent some 16 years driving the town bus in Drogheda.
At the same time on Sunday, in St Peter’s Church, Fr David McGovern will celebrate his first mass. He will be ordained in the Dominican Order on Saturday in Dublin.
THE area will celebrate the ordination of two new priests this weekend.
Collon native, Warren Collier will be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Meath in St Mary’s Church on Sunday next, July 10th at 3pm.
And at the same time, in St Peter’s Church, Fr David McGovern will celebrate his first mass. He will be ordained into the Dominican Order on Saturday in Dublin.
Rev. Collier (41) studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome and his diaconate ordination took place last year, celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley, Archbishop of Edinburgh and St Andrews.
Warren has strong links with St. Mary’s Parish, his late grandparents lived in Crufty and they are buried in Calvary Cemetery. This is a proud day for Warren’s parents, Frank and Rosaleen, sister Fiona and extended family and friends and Warren thanks them for their prayers, encouragement and support over the years.
Before spending four years studying for the priesthood in the Beda College in Rome, Warren worked for Bus Éireann for sixteen years and the people of Drogheda may recognise him because he drove the local town service route for many years.
While studying for the priesthood, and as a deacon, Warren spent some time working in the parish of Laytown and Mornington.
Looking forward to his ordination Warren said that he is excited at the prospect of serving the people of God in whatever parish that he is assigned to, and putting his faith in the scriptures and quoting from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians he said ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
Fr. Phil Gaffney P.P. of St. Mary’s said, ‘In this Jubilee Year of Mercy we have become more aware of the mercy of God and how God welcomes us as we strive to walk in His way. A marvellous time to be ordained a priest, and to have the mercy of God as a key motif of one’s priesthood. We the parishioners of St. Mary’s promise you Warren our prayers and support as you set out to lead your life as a priest of Christ.’
Fr. Shane Crombie and Fr. Joe Campbell, Vocation directors for the Diocese of Meath congratulate Warren on his upcoming ordination and asked that anyone who might be considering a vocation to priesthood might make contact with them through www. dioceseofmeath.ie/vocations.
Everybody is welcome to attend the Ordination ceremony which will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Smith. Warren will celebrate his First Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Collon next Monday evening at 7pm and again all are most welcome. Fr David McGovern from the Chord Road is also to be ordained into the Dominican Community.
He celebrated his “solemn profession” last year, having joined the Order in Cork in 2009 as part of a group of thirteen.
Eight will be ordained this weekend.