NEWSLETTER
Association of Papal Orders in Ireland
Volume 1 - Edition 1 - January 2018
Patron: Seán Cardinal Brady Daily Prayer Lord Jesus, make me a loving and courageous member of the Pontifical Order of Blessed Pius/ Saint Gregory / Saint Sylvester. May I ever be an inspiring example to others to be faithful to you, your teaching and the teaching of your Church. May I look on those teachings as your very own and, when necessary, have the courage to defend them against attacks from any source. After a life of faithful service on earth, may you welcome me to your Heavenly home and the happiness of eternal life. Amen. (This is also on our website, and a credit card size hardcopy is available from the Secretary.) New Mass Cards We have developed an Association Mass card which is now available for purchase at a cost of €12.75 per pack of ten. It will be up to the user to arrange to have the Mass offered by a local priest.
Diary 2018
February 11th World Day of the Sick, Crumlin February 25th Mass for persecuted Christians particularly in the Middle-East, Mullhuddart, 12 midday. Sat. April 28th AGM to include Period of Reflection, Mass and followed by lunch. Commences at 11:00 am.
The logo of the Association (top-left) is designed by Thomas Ryan RHA. The crests of the various Papal Orders are displayed on the top-right.
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From the President: Dear Dames and Knights, Your Council have decided that a twice yearly newsletter to members be introduced to keep all informed of important dates and activities. It is not designed to supplant in any way our website. From a communications perspective Council are of the view that it will complement the latter’s role. We hope that you find this initiative welcome – feedback and comments would be of assistance. Currently we plan Spring and Summer editions. Since our last AGM (in April 2017) three notable events have occurred. On September 13th, last Council members had the pleasure of meeting our newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio: HE. Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo. We thank him most sincerely for the warmth of his reception of us. On October 20th, Archbishop Okolo was chief celebrant at our annual Mass for deceased members of our Association which has traditionally preceded our annual members’ dinner. His concelebrants were Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare & Leighlin, Rt Rev’d Msgr Eoin Thynne, our Chaplain, and Vy Rev Seamus Madigan, Head Chaplain to the Forces. A summary of Archbishop Okolo’s homily is published on our website. Special guests at our dinner were David Quinn of the Iona Institute and his wife Rachel, and Rev Timothy Bartlett, Secretary General of the World Meeting of Families. The third notable event, or series of events, surround the initiation of our planned programme of visiting each diocesan bishop. To date we have visited seven dioceses – including the four Metropolitan Sees – in addition to Down & Connor, Kildare & Leighlin and Killala. Attendees at these “courtesy meetings” have included members of Council and, where available, local knights and dames. We are most grateful for the warmth of reception we have received. Please pray for the success of this initiative. Council have met three times since our last AGM. The major event of the World Meeting of Families will be held in Dublin (21-26 August, 2018). We hope to have information on our involvement when we meet at our next Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place in Maynooth on Saturday, 28th April next. I look forward to seeing you all again at that time. Meantime, a very happy New Year to all. John B Morgan, KSG
http://www.papalorders.ie
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Mass for deceased members and Annual Dinner Friday 20th October, 2017
Mass was celebrated in the Garrison Chapel at McKee Barracks, Dublin - The Church of the Most Holy Rosary. The dinner venue was in the officer’s mess, Defence Force Headquarters, McKee Barracks, Dublin.
Msgr Eoin Thynne, Archbishop Okolo & Bishop Nulty in the In the sacristy of the Garrison Chapel with the Nuncio, Garrison Chapel Anthony Smyth, Eileen Kane, John Morgan, Jim McDonald, Margaret Downes, Eamonn Walsh, Aidan Canavan & Peter Durnin
Mrs Una Kennedy, Dr Des McGrath, Gerry Walsh, Dr John Cooney & David Kennedy at the Mass
Guests at the Annual Dinner in McKee Mess
Rachael & David Quinn with the Nuncio at the Papal Dinner Reception in McKee Barracks
left to right at Annual General Meeting in Maynooth April 2017 Dame Margaret Downes, Chevaliers Michael O’Donnell and Judge Patrick Durcan
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World Meeting of Families Dublin, 21-26 August 2018
This important event, the 9th World Meeting of Families, will be hosted in Dublin. There is a real likelihood that his Holiness Pope Francis will attend on the 25/26 of August if circumstances permit. It is our expectation that members who are available will be asked to participate. For those members based in the Dublin region and who are in the position to do so, requests are likely to be made to volunteer in collecting visiting church dignitaries from the airport and delivering them back to the airport after the event. In order to participate it will be necessary to register as a volunteer for the event and this can be undertaken by visiting the website for the meeting, www.meeting2018.ie and following the process. If you require any assistance in this regard, the Secretary would be very happy to assist. We recommend early registration for those who are in a position to assist.
Meeting with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. Left to right: Peter Durnin, Feargal Quinn, Niall Kennedy, President John Morgan and Gerry Walsh. 30th November 2017 in the Library of Archbishop’s House.
Left to right: Tom Lynch, Gerry Walsh - Treasurer, Msgr Eoin Thynne, H.E. the Apostolic Nuncio - Archbishop Jude Thaddeus OKOLO, John Morgan - President and Peter Durnin - Secretary. 13th September 2017.
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God."
In a statement issued in October 2017 by the Heads of the Christian Churches in the Kurdistan Region they appealed to the conscience of humanity, the international community, the UN and the major powers to intervene and bear their moral and human responsibility to safeguard their people and help them stay and survive on their ancestral land through the following efforts: 1. The creation of conditions for dialogue based on mutual respect between the Iraqi Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government on the disputed issues, and a move away from the language of threats and the use of media for escalating the crisis. 2. Keeping Christians safe from the internal struggles among the larger components of the lraqi people. We cannot hide our concern that the situation for the Christians has become very difficult and leads to uncertainty. Amidst the absence of any genuine political plans for them, the Christians are unable to see the pain that would keep them stay and survive on their ancestral land in dignity. 3. Restoration of life to the Christian towns and their reconstruction, and the development of projects that would provide job opportunities for their children so that their existence may continue in the area. 4. Termination of all acts of demographic change in the Christian historical areas that would bring about change to its Christian identity. 5. The future Plain of Nineveh should be maintained as a unified territory; it is critical to not divide it into parts. Bishops who have formed the Nineveh reconstruction committee to restore Christianity to the region
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In Memoriam
New Conferrals 2017
Aidan Canavan KSG James Sheehan KCSG
Feast Days
associated with recipients of Papal Orders Blessed Pius IX: Feb 7 St Gregory the Great: Sept 3 St Sylvester: Dec 31
Council of the Association 2017-2019
John B Morgan KSG President James McDonald KC*SG Chancellor Peter Durnin KC*SG Secretary Gerard Walsh KSG Treasurer Thomas Lynch KSG Member Msgr Eoin Thynne Chaplain The Association may be contacted through its Secretary, Peter F Durnin, “Rosaire”, Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth. A92 RF6F email: peternora12281@eircom.net
Joseph Barnes Knight of St. Gregory 17 July 1984 1914 – 4 May 2017. Joe was born in the family home in Belfast. He went to eastern Nigeria where he took charge of a 200 bed missionary hospital, where he encountered leprosy. Together with Bishop Thomas McGettrick and three Irish Medical Missionaries of Mary sisters, they established a Leprosy treatment centre in 1944. For the next two decades this fearless pioneer fought against leprosy in various parts of West Africa before returning as Consultant Dermatologist at the Mater Hospital. Liam Cosgrave Grand Cross Pian Order, 7 March 1956 Born 1920 – 4 Oct 2017. Taoiseach 1974-77. Received the honour as Minister for Foreign Affairs; his father WT was also a papal knight. He studied at UCD but interrupted his studies to join the Army in 1940. Following the 1948 election, he was appointed a parliamentary secretary to the new Taoiseach, John A Costello, also a papal knight. Subsequently Taoiseach in 1970’s. Instrumental in approving commemorative stamp when Oliver Plunkett was canonised. He led a very private life during his long retirement, rarely appearing at public functions and never commenting on political matters. Liam St John Devlin Grand Cross of St Sylvester, 5 June, 1976 He was closely associated with Irish commercial life and with public service in his native county and country for over half a century. After attending Christian Brothers College, he went to University College Cork at the age of 16 on a scholarship, and took his MSc in chemistry there at the age of 20.. A particularly significant appointment was to the board of the Munster and Leinster Bank and, following its merger with two other banks, he became deputy chairman of the new entity, Allied Irish Banks, in 1974. He retained close ties with his native city, and helped Bishop Lucey of Cork in the establishment of a mission in Peru. Ellen Gibbon Dame Commander of St Sylvester, 11 November 2011 1943 – 12 June, 2017, Ellen worked in accounting in Dublin before she married John Gibbons KSS. They moved to Zambia in 1970 where they both worked on a mission station until 1973. They then moved to the Middle East in 1973 and remained there until retirement to Ireland in 2010. During her time in the Middle East Ellen worked closely with the Vicar Apostolic of Arabia based in Abu Dhabi. Her work for over 30 years in the region made it possible for Christians to practise their faith. Des Hanafin Knight Commander of St Gregory, 30 October, 1988 1930 - 22 June 2017. Senator, pro-Life activist. He was first elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and retained his seat until the 1993 Seanad election at which he lost his seat by one vote. He retired from politics in 2002. Hanafin operated the Anner Hotel in Thurles during the 1960s. Malachy McGrady Knight Commander of St. Gregory 28 June 1994 Oct 1926 - Obit 17 Jan 2017. Chartered accountant. He was vice-chairman of the Eastern Health Board and served as a lay member of the General Medical Council for ten years. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency. He played a key role in helping St Patrick’s Parish build a new transept in 1993 and served as chairman of the first Downpatrick pastoral council. Anne Young Dame Commander of St. Gregory with Star 31 May, 2013 1947 – 2017 From Cork resident in Dublin. Financial secretary to the Bishops Conference until retirement in 2012. Involved in the 2012 IEC and World Meeting of Families until her death. Msgr Thynne has celebrated Mass for the repose of their souls.
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