Bishop Donal Murray ordains three priests for the Diocese of Limerick

18 Jun 2002

Bishop Donal Murray ordains three priests for the Diocese of Limerick

Three Limerick men were ordained by Bishop Donal Murray to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Limerick on Sunday 16th June 2002 in St John’s Cathedral. They are three of thirteen Deacons to be ordained in Ireland this year.

Bishop Murray said: “I am delighted to have three new Priests available for pastoral work in the Diocese and I congratulate all who have supported and encouraged them during their years of formation and study”.

All three Deacons studied at St Patrick’s College Maynooth.

Paul Finnerty was born in Limerick City. Went to Primary School in St Paul’s N.S., Dooradoyle, Limerick and Croom N.S and afterwards attended CBS Sexton St Secondary School. Following his leaving cert Paul trained to be a hairdresser and worked for seven years in this profession. He entered Maynooth in 1994. Paul has had pastoral experience in St John’s Parish, Limerick and is well known to all of the parishioners there. He returned to Maynooth in 2001 where he has studied for an STL in Theology. Paul’s parents, Tony and Mary now live in Galway city. He has three brothers, Aidan, John and David.

Richard Keane is a native of Janesboro and Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Limerick City, he attended the Model N.S. and St Clement’s Secondary School. Following his Leaving Cert, Richard studied at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick for a BA, and following his graduation he joined the Jesuits for two years. During his time with the Jesuits, he worked in Dublin, Birmingham and South America, where he worked with the homeless and also did some teaching. In September 1998 he entered Maynooth to study for the Limerick Diocese. He has had Pastoral experience in Mountjoy Prison and Tralee General Hospital. His parents Thomas and Olive live in Janesboro, Richard has one brother Shane and a sister Lorraine.

David Bracken is a native of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Ennis Road and is son of Tom and Margaret Bracken. David attended Primary School in Salesian Junior N.S. and JFK N.S. Ennis Road. He also attended St Clement’s Secondary School. David went to Maynooth in 1994 where he studied Modern History and French for his BA. In December 1997 David took a break from his studies for the Priesthood and spent a number of months teaching in Co Meath, in September 1998 he went to Paris where he graduated with an MA in History. David returned to studies for the Priesthood in September 1999. As part of his preparation for Ministry in Limerick, David worked in St Michael’s Parish and also at the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre. David has two brothers, Andrew and Edward.

Bishop Murray hopes to appoint the three new priests to various positions in the Limerick Diocese in the coming weeks.

ENDS

18 June 2002

Further information:
Limerick Diocesan Offices
Tel: 061 315856