Bishop Michael Smith, during  the Ordination Rite, spoke of the “happy occasion of today for the diocese, yet we carry the tragic death of Lorna Carty with us as well, and I extend my sympathies to her husband Declan, and children Simon and Hazel.  Ordination includes bringing comfort to the suffering and Christ’s peace to a difficult world.”  The ordination took place on Sunday 28 June at 3pm in St Mary’s Church, Navan attended by over 1,000 people including parishioners, family members, friends and neighbours of the new priest. 

Speaking after his ordination Fr Robert said “I’ve been heartened and humbled by the good wishes and support of so many people from near and far. It has been fantastic, wonderful and I’m so blessed and so encouraged as I start out on this road of service of God and his people. For the last number of weeks, the excitement and buzz around the town has been palpable. I’m just so thankful to so many people.”

After finishing his secondary education in St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, Fr Robert completed a 4 year degree in Mathematics in Trinity College, Dublin. He began his seminary studies and formal discernment process in 2009 and has just qualified in his studies of Theology from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Fr Robert has a huge interest in music, being a member of the Irish National Foresters Band in Navan, and studied Sacred Music during his time in Maynooth as well. During his studies, Robert took the opportunity to work with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in the summer 2012 which he described as a “life changing experience”. Along with that he has worked in parishes in the United States and undertook an intensive chaplaincy ministry course in Wisconsin in 2013. He was ordained a deacon last year in Maynooth College, and has assisted in many parishes of the diocese, particularly in Navan and Dunboyne.

Fr Robert is one of 15 ordinations to priesthood this summer.

ENDS

For more information, please contact: Fr Kevin Heery CC

Parochial House, Navan: Phone: 046-9027518,

Email: stmarysnavan@eircom.net

Facebook: Navan Parish