The parish of Drumlane hosted a wonderful event on Monday 24 June last – the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist – when parishioners and others from near and afar gathered together in St Mary’s Church, Staghall, for the first Mass of Thanksgiving of Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann. An air of joy and celebration pervaded the church and the evening was blessed with beautiful Summer weather.

We continue to keep Fr Jordan in our prayers that God will bless him and his ministry among the people of God in the Diocese of Kilmore.

Lord Jesus, you have chosen Fr Jordan from among us and send him out to proclaim your word and to act in your name.

For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving.

We ask you to fill him with the fire of your love, that his ministry may reveal your Presence in the Church.

Since he is an earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out through his weakness. In his afflictions let him never be crushed; in his doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned.

Inspire him through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising.

In times of weakness send him your Spirit and help him to praise your heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners.

By the same Holy Spirit put your word on his lips and your love in his heart, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the broken hearted.

And may the gift of Mary your Mother to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest.

Grant that, under her loving guidance and through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in her, Fr Jordan and all priests may grow more according to the likeness of you, her Divine Son.

Amen.

[taken from St Joseph’s Young Priests Society online resources and amended]

Drumlane Pastoral Council presents Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann with a beautiful painting of Drumlane Abbey by Seanie Cassidy, just after he celebrated his first mass in St Mary’s  Church, Staghall on Monday evening last. L-R: – Fr Gerry Comiskey PP, Brigid Sheridan, Rosemary Connolly, Shauna Gaffney, Kate Monaghan, Brendan McGowan, Chairman of the Drumlane Pastoral Council presenting the painting to Fr Jordan Mac Gabhann, Anna Marie Maguire, Brid Teevan and Mairead Mc Anenna.

Thanks to Sean McMahon for these beautiful photos.