Mass Leaflet, Prayer Card available above

Message from the Head Chaplain on the death of Lt Gen Earley

On behalf of the Chaplaincy Service, I extend my deepest sympathy to the Earley family on the death of Lt Gen Dermot Earley, our former Chief of Staff.

Suaimhneas síoraí tabhair dó, a Thiarna
agus go lonraí solas suthain air.

Suaimhneas faoi shíocháin do. Amen.

Msgr Eoin Thynne
Head Chaplain to the Forces

 

Lourdes 2010

Click above for a photoalbum from this year's International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Mass & Wreathlaying Ceremony at Arbour Hill 2010

The annual State commemoration of the burial of the leaders of the 1916 Rising was marked at Arbour Hill on Wednesday 05 May. The ceremonies were attended by descendants and relatives of the 1916 leaders.

Members of the Oireachtas, the Judiciary, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and many public dignatories gathered for Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart and adjoining cemetery.

Mass was celebrated by the bishop of Down & Connor, the Most Reverend Noel Treanor. In his homily (full text here), he referred to the growth of distrust in the Church, Government, Banks, Hospitals and the Media and noted that Ireland does not stand alone in this regard.

The bishop spoke of "the contagion of distrust and how corrosive it is of hope, another vital and spiritual element in the social capital of a people and nation". (see RTÉ report here)

Using the Gospel text (Luke 10:1-9), Bishop Treanor examined some spiritual attitudes and actions which might tend the foundations of trust.

Following the Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, prayers were offered at the Graveside by Msgr Eoin Thynne and Very Rev John Marsden.

The grave was sprinkled with Holy Water by Most Rev Noel Treanor after which the Uachtarán na hÉireann was invited by An Taoiseach to lay a wreath. All observed a minute's silence before Last Post was sounded.

The National Colours were raised to full mast and Reveillé was sounded following which the National Anthem was played.

Refreshments were served in McKee Barracks.

Modlitwa za tragicznie zmarlych w katastrofie

Irish and Polish soldiers have served together overseas in the past. Some Polish personnel and their families are serving in the Defence Forces at home and overseas at present. We pray for all who died at Smolensk including the Military Bishop - Tadeuz Ploski and chaplain, Rev Jan Osinski.

Photos of Biskupa Tadeusz Ploski & Rev Jan Osinski

Honour Guard at coffins of Biskupa Ploski & Rev Osinski

Swieta Mario, Matko Boza, modl sie za nami grzesznymi teraz i w godzine Smierci naszej. Amen.

 

Easter Blessings to all visitors to this site.

Easter blessings to all members of the Defence Forces
and to your families!

We pray that the light of Christ may shine in our troubled world. In particular, we remember places where Irish personnel are deployed on peacekeeping missions. We pray God's blessing on you all this day.

Beannachtaí na Féile Phádraig!

Brig Gen D. Murphy, drummer, Revs P. Mernagh & D. Tyndall,
Cpl Noel Kelly, Lt Col B. McAndrew

Rev Pat Mernagh CF & Rev David Tyndall CF
after St Patrick's Day Mass in Camp Clarke

Rev David Tyndall CF is presented with his KFOR medal
by Brig Gen Dennis Murphy GOC 2 E. Bde

Rev Séamus Madigan CF & Rt Rev Trevor Williams
pictured before St Patrick's Day Mass in Sarsfield Barracks

Click here to read Fr Séamus' words of welcome and Bishop Trevor's St Patrick's Day sermon.

Fr Séamus Dunican R.I.P.

Fr Séamus was ordained in 1963 and initially served for brief periods in Navan and Rahan. The following year, he began his ministry in the Archdiocese of Westminster and, in 1970 – 1971, he attended Saint Mary’s, Strawberry Hill.

He taught at Saint Patrick’s Classical School, Navan from September 1971 until his appointment as Chaplain to the Forces at Gormanston in August 1981.

He became Parish Priest of Moynalvey in September 1991 and, ten years later, he moved to Rahan.

Fr Dunican died on Saturday 23 January.

His funeral mass was offered on Wednesday 27 January in Killina, County Offaly.

May he rest in peace.

Suaimhneas síoraí i measc na Naoimh!

102 Inf Bn MINURCAT Ministerial Review

Fr Seán McDermott blessed the Unit Pennant

Almighty and Eternal Father,
bless all who will serve under this flag, carried by the 102nd Infantry Battalion as they serve the cause of peace.

Give success to our labours and make us instruments of your peace among those whom we are called to serve...

Protect us from all harm and watch over our families in our absence...

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady, Patroness of the Defence Forces, pray for us.

Battalion on Parade at Roden Place

Capt Declan Whitston leads the Salute to the National Colours

Cooks on Duty with Fr Bernard & Fr Seán

Cardinal Cahal B. Daly, R.I.P.

Cardinal Cahal Daly is pictured with cadets in Lourdes during last year's International Military Pilgrimage.

An annual arrangement allowed the Cardinal and some military pilgrims to meet together for a wide-ranging conversation. His questions about building an environment of peace at home and overseas showed his awareness of the role of Irish peacekeepers and the support which they receive from family, neighbours and parish communities.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

Chaplaincy Calendar 2010

The 2010 calendar was distributed with the December edition of An Cosantóir. If you require some extra copies, please contact your chaplain or the Office of the Head Chaplain 01-804 2271.

Carol Service 2009

Photos are available by following the link above

Pass It On Campaign

Please note that the Campaign for Schoolbooks to Liberia has finished since April 2007 as the last group of soldiers returned home from UNMIL in May 2007. This project has made a great difference to many schools, villages and communities in Liberia. Current overseas missions (Kosovo and Tchad) do not have facilities for using or storing Irish text-books.

Photoessay of the project is available here

Céad fáilte!

A few words of welcome from the Head Chaplain.
here