Sunday 27th June 2021
St. Patrick’s Church, Stamullen
Saturday, 26th 6:00 pm Deceased members of the Connolly family
and Anne Merlehan
Sunday, 27th 10:00 am People of the Parish
Tuesday 10:00 am Paddy & Bridgid Flood
Thursday 10:00 am Celebrant’s Intention
Saturday, 3rd July 6:00 pm James Dunphy
Patrick Mooney
Sunday, 4th 10:00 am
St. Mary’s Church, Julianstown
Saturday, 26th 7:00 pm Jack Rothwell (2nd Ann)
Sunday, 27th 11:30 am George Balfe, Patsy Balfe, Fr. George Balfe
and Joe Balfe
Wednesday 10:00 am Celebrant’s Intention
Friday, 2nd July 10:00 am – No Mass Today –
Saturday, 3rd 7:00 pm Nano Cole & Patsy Cole
Sunday, 4th 11:30 am Nicholas Hughes (MM)
A prayer at the beginning of each day
I stand before you today Lord,
ready for the challenges that this day will bring.
Help me to keep the spirit of your word alive in my heart
and to remember that you are always with me,
at home or at work,
amongst strangers or friends,
faced with struggles or joys.
Be with me, Lord and guide me, wherever I may go.
Give me the courage to be open and responsive
to the call of serving all your people.
Amen
Fr. Declan Kelly- An Appreciation
Fr. Declan came as Parish Priest of Stamullen-Julianstown, in late 2004, replacing Fr. M.V. Daly, who had unexpectedly retired. It was widely felt to be the herald of a new beginning for the Parish, to have one of the youngest Parish Priests in the country at the time, taking the reins. Having served in Trim for the previous 13 years, the Kinnegad native was filled with energy and enthusiasm, and received a very warm welcome from one and all. He immediately struck a chord and endeared himself to the very youngest and most senior members of the Parish community.
One of his first acts in 2006, was to organise a very successful Parish Pilgrimage to The Holy Land. Another Parish Pilgrimage to Rome followed in 2017, and to Fatima in 2019. Fr. Declan celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Priesthood in 2015, and this milestone was marked with great celebrations in the Parish. The International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 2012, and the Visit of Pope Francis to Ireland in 2018, were other highlights of the 17 years Fr. Declan has been Parish Priest.
Fr. Declan oversaw the construction of the vast new St. Patrick’s National School in Stamullen in 2008, and is currently overseeing the construction of an equally vast new Whitecross National School. However, arguably his biggest legacy, was the complete renovation of St. Patrick’s Church Stamullen, and Preston Hill Parochial House. This enormous project, along with the preservation and refurbishment of the “old school” in Stamullen into the “Parish Centre,” was completed by Christmas 2010.
Anyone out very early in the morning, in rain, hail or shine, will be familiar with seeing Declan taking his morning stroll from his house, to Whitecross. Using this time for reflection early in the morning, set him up for the day. His sociable personality meant he was the life and soul of any party he was invited to, and the Parish Bingo and Family Field Days at Preston Hill, added immensely to the social life of many people from Stamullen, Julianstown and much further afield. Declan also loves to chat with anyone of any age, about any topic; but his knowledge of all sports is unequalled.
During the last very difficult year and a half of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Lockdowns, when Churches were closed, and Masses not permitted, Declan made sure that the spiritual life of the Parish did not go “unnourished”. His weekly Youtube Masses, mostly from the oratory of the Parochial House, boosted our spirits, and focused our thoughts on the higher things. His wonderful singing voice also always enhanced any occasion.
Stamullen-Julianstown Parish will feel an immense void with Fr. Declan’s departure. Kilcloon-Batterstown’s gain, will most certainly be our great loss…
We wish you all the very Best of Luck and Good Health in your new Parish, and Thank You for your 17 years of service, friendship and care to all.
Rath Dé ort Declan, agus le gach dea-ghuí don todhchaí.
Colm Clarkin, June 2021
Time to say goodbye ….
Next Thursday morning, (1st July), I will hand over the keys of the parish to my successor, Fr. Brendan Ferris and my time in this parish will come to an end. A chapter of my life closes, and a new chapter begins in the parish of Kilcloon.
As I reflect on my seventeen years in Stamullen & Julianstown, I look back with great gratitude and a sense of pride in what has been achieved. Stamullen church and the Old School were extensively renovated to include a parish centre for the community. Preston Hill underwent extensive work, and the stables were turned into the secretarial offices. Provision was also made for a community room in the stables.
Over my time both Stamullen and Whitecross Schools have been transformed with new buildings. Whitecross took some time, but it is due to open this year, and this gives me a particular sense of satisfaction.
In order to achieve this work a sum of €650,000 was borrowed to supplement capital that already existed. I am happy to report that the parish debt has been reduced from €650,000 to €25,000. This has happened as a result of the generosity of the parishioners who have contributed financially over the years and especially during the past Covid year.
A special thanks to a wonderful fund-raising committee who raised up to €300,0000 through various fund raising activities, parish draws, field days, bingo nights and through other various means. I have no doubt that if Covid hadn’t happened the parish would be completely in the clear, but no-one can legislate for a pandemic!
However, parish success or failure should not be viewed solely on buildings. A parish is about people, and this is what I personally have enjoyed the most over the last seventeen years. I reflect especially on the loyalty and dedication of my friends, acquaintances and all the parishioners who have greatly enriched my life. Together we have journeyed through the joys and the sorrows. During my time many have passed to their eternal reward, including my own father, and I hope that they look down on me at this time. It was a privilege to serve you and I pray that in some small way I influenced you because you, the parishioners have played a huge part in my life.
Finally, I give thanks to God our almighty Father, whom I trust will lead and guide me. The words of the hymn seem very apt at this time:
Through life’s busy day,
And death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be my light.
Kilcloon awaits, but I shall never forget.
My thanks and my gratitude and please keep me in your prayers as I keep you in mine.
Fr. Declan
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