Bishop Michael Smith ordains Father Noel Weir in Tullamore

07 Dec 2015

“There is no greater gift, nothing more total, that you could give to the Lord” – Bishop Smith

The ordination of Father Noel Weir took place in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore on Sunday 6 December 2015. The 39 year old native of Clonminch, Tullamore attended Scoil Bhride and Tullamore College after which he trained as a mechanic. Following a number of years working in Intel, he began his studies for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He has assisted in Saint Mary’s Parish, Navan since last May.

This is the second ordination to the priesthood in the Diocese of Meath this year. Father Robert McGivney was ordained in Navan on 28 June, while it is hoped that deacons Warren Collier and Conor McGee will be ordained in 2016.

Bishop Michael Smith expressed thanks to Father Noel for giving his life in radical witness to Jesus Christ. “There is no greater gift, nothing more total, that you could give to the Lord”, the Bishop said, speaking directly to the ordinand as the ceremony began.

The ordination was attended by a large congregation of clergy, parishioners from Tullamore, as well as family and friends of the new priest. Among them were his mother Mary, sisters Catherine and Eileen and his brother in-law Ignatius. The chalice and paten were presented to Bishop Smith by Amy (niece) and James (nephew).
The new priest will celebrate his First Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday 7 December at 6.30pm, the Vigil Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, followed by a parish reception in Saint Mary’s Youth Centre.

The ordination is the first in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore since Father Tony Gonoude’s in 2007 and Father Seamus Houlihan’s in 1995.

ENDS