Navan parish celebrates bishop"s silver jubilee

A large congregation attended a Mass of Thanksgiving last Saturday to celebrate the silver jubilee of the Episcopal ordination of Most Rev Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, and Parish Priest of Navan. Earlier that day, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons, Mayor of Navan, and the local town council honoured Bishop Smith with a civic reception at Navan Town Hall. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Smith along with Navan clergy, Fr Gerry MacCormack, Fr Declan Hurley, Fr Dwayne Gavin, Fr William Coleman and Fr Brendan Ludlow, Vicars General Mons Eamonn Marron and Mons Sean Heaney and other diocesan and religious priests. The Smith family and congregation were welcomed by Dolores Mohan from the Parish Pastoral Council and the scripture readings were proclaimed by Jackie Smith and Alice Walsh. Local primary schools and religious groups in the parish were represented in the prayers of the faithful and offertory procession. A reflection was offered by Maria McCabe, niece of Bishop Smith. Saint Mary"s Parish Choir and organist Anna Mary Foley, directed by Gabrielle Harte, provided the sacred music. In his homily, Bishop Smith reflected on the last 25 years and thanked all who had supported him and offered their friendship over the years. He recalled that this was only the fourth public celebration of the silver jubilee of a bishop in the diocese over the past several years. 'The Lord has given me the energy and the health over the last 25 years as I try, with all my own personal limitations, to fulfil the call that came to me,' said Bishop Smith. Pope Benedict had earlier sent a special letter of congratulations to Bishop Smith stating: 'I offer you my sincere and well deserved congratulations, while imploring a just reward for you from our Saviour, and bestowing the Apostolic Blessing, above all on yourself and the faithful of the Diocese of Meath.' At the end of the Mass, Fr Gerry MacCormack, Parish Administrator of St Mary"s, wished the Lord"s blessing on the bishop for the future and local Mercy Parish sister, Sr Peter Daly, made a presentation to Bishop Smith from the priests and parishioners of Navan, of a painting by local artist Patsy Reel depicting St Mary"s Church and the surrounding parish grounds. After the jubilee Mass broadcast by LMFM, P5 TV and on the web at www.navanparish.ie, a large crowd gathered for refreshments and the chance to meet and congratulate Bishop Smith.