November 2011

Organisers of the Elphin Diocese's Annual Priests' Assembly, Fr. John Cullen (Kiltoom), Fr. Eugene McLoughlin (Roscommon), Bishop Christy Jones, Fr. Ray Milton (Knockcroghery) with Eoin O'Mahony (IEC Research Dept.) and Fr. Pat McHugh (PE Roosky-Kilglass / Sligo) pictured following a presentation from Eoin on Priesthood and Education on Nov. 7th..

Fr Hugh Lee MHM (Curraghboy), Fr. Micheal Donnelly (Castlerea) and Fr. Vincent McDevitt CSSp (Caltra) at the Elphin Diocese's Assembly for Priests on Nov. 7th

October 2011

Boyle Abbey Community College RE Teachers Maria Moynihan, Marie Keaveney, Orla Walsh (Faith Development Officer, Spiritan Trust), Una McLoughlin and Marie McNamara following their RE in-service on Thurs. Oct. 20th.

Participants in the Elphin Diocese's second Share the Good News Catechetics Conference in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Monday Oct. 17th 2011: Back row, left to right: Msgr. Austin McKeon (Tulsk & Education Secretariat), Bishop Christopher Jones, (Fr. Eugene McLoughlin (Roscommon & Diocesan Advisory Catechetics Group), Guest Presenter: Bishop Martin Drennan (Galway), Guest Presenter: Dr. Andrew McGrady (Mater Dei Institute) and Fr. John Cullen (Kiltoom & Cam & Elphin Council of Priests). Front Row: Aine Groarke (Tulsk), Vivian Barry & Ann Brennan (Ballagh-Kilrooksy), Ann Marie Dowd (Caltra) and Anne Martin (St. Anne's Sligo).

Delegates enjoying one of the many jovial sharings of Bishop Martin Drennan during the Elphin diocese's second Share the Good News Catechetics Conference in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Monday Oct. 17th.

Members of the Elphin Diocesan Committee which supported Bishop Jones with the launch of three competitions for primary and post primary pupils at this year's Elphin Diocesan Pastoral Ministry Gathering in Roosky on Sat. Oct. 15th: (left to right): Rose Morris (Elphin), Maureen Beisty (Elphin), William Gacquin (Curraghboy), Bernadette Higgins (Elphin), John Coughlan (Sligo), Fina Golden (Sligo & chairperson of the Elphin Diocesan Eucharistic Congress Committee), Mary McDonald and Marie Nerney (Elphin), Siobhan Hall (Athlone) , Justin Harkin (Pastoral Development Office) and Bishop Christopher Jones.

Fr. John Cullen (Chairperson, Elphin Council of Priests) and Bishop Christopher Jones with Elphin Pastoral Planning Group members Tom Costello (Roscommon), Justin Harkin (Pastoral Development Office), Sr. Breege Donohoe RSM (Athlone), Mary Mulligan (Athlone), Fr. Eugene McLoughlin (Roscommon) and Bernie Burke (Riverstown) at the Elphin Diocese's 11 annual Pastoral Ministry Gathering in The Shannon Key West Hotel, Roosky, on Saturday Oct. 15th.

Young singers from Kilglass, Ballyleague, Longford, Elphin and Frenchpark/Ballinagare parishes led by Andrew Reynolds (right) with Bishop Jones at the Elphin Diocese's 11th annual Pastoral Ministry Gathering in The Shannon Key West Hotel, Roosky, on Saturday Oct. 15th.

Delighted parishioners welcome Fr. Kevin Reynolds MHM back to St. Cuan's Church, Ahascragh, on Sunday Oct. 9th

Our good wishes to the recently established Parish Pastoral Council in Aughrim and to Fr. Thomas Grzegorzecrski SDB. The Aughrim Pastoral Council held an extra meeting on October 2nd which they dedicated to their on-going formation. Over the coming months they look forward to organising a number of parish initaitives, including an evening of recollection for Ministers of the Word..

September 2011

Meeting organisers and presenters: Sr. Moya Hegarty OSU (Ballytivnan), Marian McGowan (St. Anne's), Bishop Christopher Jones, Bernie Burke (Riverstown), Pat Thornton (St. Anne's, Fr. John Carroll SPS (Sligo General Hospital) and Celia Dunleavy (Drumcliff) following the exploratory meeting of older adults in St. Anne's Day Chapel on Sept. 29th.

St. Anne's parishioners who participated in the exploratory meeting relating to the spiritual and other needs of older adults that was held in St. Anne's Day Chapel, Sligo on Thursday Sept. 29th.

Chor members from parishes of the southern end of the Elphin and Ardagh & Clonmacnois dioceses following the dioceses shared choir workshop in St. Mary's Church, Athone, on Sept. 27th. 

Choir members from parishes of the Sligo end of the Elphin diocese following the diocese's annual choir workshop in St. John's Church Carraroe on Thursday Sept. 22nd..

New and established members of St. Anne's Parish Pastoral Council following a formation meeting in St. Anne's Day Chapel on Tues. Sept. 20th.

June 2011

The Elphin Diocesan group (57 people) who walked to Knock Shrine from Castlerea Co. Roscommon (18.5 miles) on Saturday (June 25th) and who subsequently participated in the National Eucharistic Congress celebrations.

International Journalists, Staff of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress Office with Athlone clergy and parishioners following a reception for the international delegation in The Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone on June 3rd. The photo includes: Gita Hosek (Salt and Light TV, Canada), Celine Hoyeau, (La Croix, France), Peter Gagmom (EWTN, USA), Riccardo Maccione (L'Avenire, Italy), Emer McCarthy (Vatican Radio), Simona Mengascini (SIR, Italy), Sarah McDonald (The Tablet, England), Fr. Alfonso Simon Munoz (Alfa y Omega, Spain) and Brenda Drumm (Catholic Communications Office, Irish Epis. Conference).

Knockcroghery's new Parish Priest, Fr. Ray Milton, enjoying a cuppa with Msgr. Jim Cassin following Msgr. Jim's presentation to primary school principals in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, on June 2nd.

May 2011

Board of Management representatives with Msgr. Jim Cassin (front row, second from left) and Bishop Jones during Msgr. Cassin's visit to Sligo on May 29th to meet with Catholic Primary School Principals, Deputy Principals and Board of Management members

Participants in the Revisiting the Mass course in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon with Fr. Ray Browne PP Ballagh (second from left, back row) who presented the second session which focused on the Penetential Rite during the Mass.

Strokestown, Roosky, Kilglass and Tarmonbarry participants with Bridgeen Regan (Parish Catechist, Roscommon & Castlerea clusters) (back row second from right) following the second session of the Revisiting the Mass course in Roosky during May.

Castlerea, Ballintubber-Ballymoe and Kilmurry participants with School Chaplains Maria Moynihan and Maria Beirne (front row, on right) who presented the third session of the Revisiting the Mass course in Castlerea during May.

Roosky-Kilglass, Strokestown, Elphin, Aughrim and Tarmonbarry participants with Mary Connolly, Liturgy Resource Person, Tuam Archdiocese, following Mary's presentation of the third session of the Revisiting the Mass course in Roosky during May.

Fr. John Cullen, Chairperson Elphin Council of Priests, Teresa Talbot, PRO, Elphin Diocesan Eucharistic Congress & Adoration Committee, Fr. Kevin Doran, Secretary General, International Eucharistic Congress 2012 and Bishop Christopher Jones during the Elphin Diocese's Clergy Conference which focussed on the forthcoming National and International Eucharistic Congresses in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Monday May 9th.

April 2011

Members of the Pilgrim Walking Group who participated in the Faith and Friendship walk organised by the Eucharistic Adoration and Congress Committee on Easter Monday in Kilmeane Church with Local Historian Willie Gacquin (fourth from left) who provided commentary and Fina Golden (centre), chair of the Elphin Diocese's Eucharistic Adoration and Congress committee.

Roscommon parishioners Mary Connolly, Marie Nerney (Elphin), Carmel Gacquin (Curraghboy), May McBrien , Winifred and Tom Mannion during the Easter Monday Historical Walk of Roscommon organised by the Diocesan Eucharistic Adoration and Congress Committee.

March 2011

Deirdre Symth (Ahascragh), Caroline Donnelly (Caltra), Matt Crehan & Noreen Muldoon (Newbridge) following their participation in the Leader's Training Evening for the You Shall Be My Witnesses Confirmation programme in St. Cuan's Castleblakney during Lent. Matt and Noreen have since facilitated the programme in Ballygar.

Geevagh & Highwood parents, front row (from left): Noreen Flynn, Karen Oboyae & Deirdre Fallon & back row, Maura Conlon, Jo Brehony, Karen Gabbidon, Alice McDonagh and Nicola Mooney who participated in the Anchor Your Faith programme in Tearmann Brid Retreat Centre, Highwood, Co. Sligo.

Roscommon PP, Fr. Eugene McLoughlin, recently celebrated his 70th birthday. He is pictured here (centre) during a surprise party organised by fellow members of the Elphin Pastoral Group (left to right): Bernie Burke (Riverstown), Fr. Ciaran Whitney (Strokestown), Mary Mulligan (Athlone), Celia Dunleavy (Drumcliff), Fr. Eamonn O'Connor (Tarmonbarry) and Sr. Breege Donohoe (Athlone). Like many priests in the diocese Fr. Eugene serves on a number of diocesan bodies in addition to ministering in a parish. These include the Diocesan Council of Priests, the above mentioned Pastoral Planning Group, the Catechetics Advisory Group (which he chairs) and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.