(Fr. Tom’s “Courier” Newspaper Articles)
The 54th Annual Diocesan Summer Pilgrimage from the Diocese of Killaloe to the International Marian Shrine at Lourdes took place from 26th June to the 1st July. 500 Pilgrims from all parts of the Diocese departed from Shannon Airport under the leadership of Bishop Willie Walsh. Among the pilgrims were 60 sick and seriously ill people. “Lourdes is a place where those who are sick find a very special welcome. They are the focus of wonderful care and concern and many of our sick pilgrims find consolation and a spiritual peace in this sacred place,” said Fr. Tom Ryan (P.P. Shannon and Director of the Pilgrimage)
The huge numbers of pilgrims were accompanied by 15 priests of the Diocese along with 2 deacons, Gerard Jones and Ger Fitzgerald, who will be ordained as priests next year. The sick pilgrims were under the expert care of a medical team of 20 nurses headed up by Dr. Martin Fitzgerald from Tulla, Michael Daly from Feakle and Theresa Willis from Barefield. The chaplain to the sick pilgrims was the newly appointed Canon Michael McLaughlin P.P. Kilmaley who this year celebrates 50 years of priesthood. An experienced team of brancardiers and helpers was led by Michael Mulanney from Dunkerrin Parish. A special feature of the pilgrimage is the youth section and this year 42 young people from parishes and secondary schools across the Diocese participated as helpers. “It is always a challenging but enjoyable experience for the young people who come on pilgrimage”, said Fr. Tom, “their participation almost always makes a significant impact on their lives and gives them a great appreciation for their gifts and blessing.”
During the five day trip the Killaloe pilgrims took centre stage among the huge international gathering on a number of occasions. They led the torchlight procession on Sunday evening and the Blessed Sacrament procession on Monday afternoon. Bishop Willie Walsh presided and preached at Mass in the apparition Grotto on Tuesday which was the feast of SS Peter & Paul.
It was on this occasion Monsignor Jacques Perrier, the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, announced the appointment of two Killaloe priests as Canons of the International Marian Shrine at Lourdes on 29th June 2010. Canon Michael McLaughlin, P.P. Kilmaley, and our own Canon Brendan O’Donoghue, A.P. Shannon, were honoured for their longstanding service to the shrine and to the Killaloe pilgrims who travel to the shrine each year. The announcement was made at the famous grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous 18 times in the year 1858. The installation of the new canons took place in the presence of Bishop Willie Walsh and the 500 pilgrims from across the Killaloe Diocese who are participating in the 54th Annual Diocesan Summer Pilgrimage to the shrine. Also present at the installation were pilgrims from the Diocese of Hallam in England under the leadership of their bishop Rt. Rev. John Rawsthorne.
Commenting on the appointment Bishop Willie Walsh said, “This honour for Canon McLaughlin and Canon O’Donoghue is a reflection of the wholehearted dedication that these men have shown in their ministry in the service of pilgrims for many years. It is a particular tribute to their pastoral care for those who are sick and suffering. I am delighted that the local Bishop here and the shrine authorities have recognised the Christ like qualities of these men, qualities that have been evident to us in the Killaloe Diocese for many years. Between them Canon McLaughlin and Canon O’Donoghue have given 104 years of priestly service to the people of our Diocese of Killaloe. We rejoice with them today as their devoted service has also been recognised on the international stage.”
Canon Brendan was ordained to the priesthood in June 1956 and has served on the Emigrant Chaplaincy in Britain, on the staff of St. Flannan’s College as well as various parishes throughout the Diocese. He has been leading pilgrimages to Lourdes for 52 years and in 1991 he succeeded Canon Thomas Daffey as Director of the Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Through this ministry Canon O’Donoghue has made it possible for thousands of pilgrims to visit a place that has become truly sacred for them. His work has facilitated the pilgrimage of great numbers of people who are sick or seriously ill to come to a place where they find great comfort and consolation. He retired as director of the Diocesan Pilgrimage in 2008 but continues to travel twice a year with Killaloe pilgrims to the shrine.
Canon Michael McLaughlin is the Parish Priest of Kilmaley. He was ordained to the priesthood in June 1960. In his priesthood he has served in the parishes of Bournea, Silvermines and as Chaplain to Cahercalla Community Hospital. He has been Parish Priest of Kilmaley since 1993. On the night before his departure for this year’s pilgrimage several hundred people gathered in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Kilmaley to celebrate his 50 years of priesthood. He has served as chaplain to the sick pilgrims from Killaloe Diocese for 32 years. During the pilgrimage each year he stays at the international hospital and provides spiritual care for them and for the medical staff who travel with them.
Deirdre Conway, deputy principal of St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart, participated as a youth leader for the very first time. She described her memories of the five days as etched around the ceaseless kindness, care, compassion, support and gratitude shared among the Pilgrims from the youngest to the oldest, from the strongest pilgrim to the most vulnerable.
The kind words exchanged, the reassuring touch and the smiles of empathy shared were surely examples of the work of the Holy Spirit finding us pilgrims in our moments of openness. The focus of this year’s Pilgrimage “Making the sign of the Cross” echoes through all our celebrations of the Eucharist and ceremonies. Many pilgrims’ personal crosses were visibly heavier than others but evidently there was a strong faith and a desire to be healed with Pilgrims seeking strength to face their situation with courage and optimism, Pilgrims seeking the dawn beyond the night, searching for the light beyond the dark.
Many hands are involved in the ongoing story of Lourdes and many paths cross during the five days. The generosity of the volunteers and hospital staff, the presence of the clergy, youth and each individual pilgrim all contribute to make Lourdes a special place where people return year after year.
The autumn Pilgrimage to Lourdes leaves Shannon Airport on Monday 27th September, returning on Saturday 2nd October. At €660 per person sharing, it is the cheapest Pilgrimage from Ireland to Lourdes this year. Our new Bishop, Kieran O’Reilly will lead this, his first Diocesan Pilgrimage. Details are available in each Parish.
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