Celebrations in navan as robert mcgivney ordained

St Mary's Church in Navan saw hundreds queueing to receive a blessing from newly-ordained Fr Robert McGivney last night (Monday) afther he celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving.

The 28 year-old was ordained by Bishop Michael Smith in Navan on Sunday, a ceremony which also saw over 1,000 people attend, with parishioners joining his family, friends, neighbours and fellow clergy.

Last night, Fr Robert said he was humbled by the preparations which had gone on around the town for his ordination, as bunting, flags and banners were hung everywhere, with the Pastoral Council putting huge effort into making the event a success.

Even the doors of the church were painted a priestly purple for the occasion!

Addressing the congregation last night, Fr Robert said he was delighted to be present in the church his family attended, in the town where his faith was nourished, and it was great to see such excitement on the streets of Navan. He was astonished to see such a build-up.

And he thanked all those who were offering their support as he began his priestly ministry, saying it was amazingly humbling.

He acknowledged those who had been withhim along his journey, family, friends, teachers in St Paul's and St Patrick's schools, the seminary community, priests of the parish, and the diocese, whom he was now proud to call brother priests.

He thanked all the voices who were there to drown out the storms of doubt when the hit.

And he recalled especially his mother, June, who passed away last year, one voice that would always be with him.

In the Mass booklet, he wrote: “My thoughts are very much of my mother, June, for her love, her ceaseless self-giving, and especially the heroic witness throughout her illness. My mother was the first teacher of prayer to me, and today is marked with sadness knowing she could not be here. A candle is burning for her, and for my sister, Grace, at Our Lady's Altar in prayer and remembrance.”

He said that during these days, he lovingly thinks of his parents, Gerry and June, who have always been an inspiration of Christian hope and a rock of support.

“To all my brothers, relations, friends and neighbours in Aylesbury Lodge, I offer my sincere gratitude.”

He hoped he would be diffusion of joy during his priestly ministry, and prayed for vocations.

He thanked Bishop Smith, Fr Declan Hurley, ADM, and his predecessor, Fr Gerry McCormack.

The Irish National Foresters Band, of which Robert is a member, joined St Mary's Parish Choir and the Navan Parish Youth Choir at last night's Mass, which began at 7pm. After Mass, hundreds queued for blessings from the newly ordained priest, with Fr Robert eventually arriving to the celebrations in an adjoining marquee at 11pm.

Crowds were still waiting here to greet him, and a specially made ordination cake was cut. Fr Robert was presented with a chalice and a 'wad of notes' by Phil Cuffe and Susan Smith of the Parish Council, and a specially made ordination cake was cut. Eamonn Toal entertained into the night.

After finishing his secondary education in St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, Fr Robert completed a four year degree in Mathematics in Trinity College, Dublin. He began his seminary studies and formal discernment process in 2009 and has just qualified in his studies of Theology from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Fr Robert has a huge interest in music, being a member of the Irish National Foresters Band in Navan, and studied Sacred Music during his time in Maynooth. During his studies, Robert took the opportunity to work with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in the summer 2012 which he described as a “life changing experience”. Along with that he has worked in parishes in the United States and undertook an intensive chaplaincy ministry course in Wisconsin in 2013. He was ordained a deacon last year in Maynooth College, and has assisted in many parishes of the diocese, particularly in Navan and Dunboyne.

Sympathies

Bishop Michael Smith, during the Ordination Rite, spoke of the 'happy occasion of today for the diocese, yet we carry the tragic death of Lorna Carty with us as well, and I extend my sympathies to her husband Declan, and children Simon and Hazel. Ordination includes bringing comfort to the suffering and Christ's peace to a difficult world.'