Priests and laypeople from across the Diocese of Clogher gathered in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan for a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the Golden Jubilee of the ordination to priesthood of Bishop Liam MacDaid, Bishop Emeritus of Clogher.
In addition to family and friends of Bishop MacDaid, the attendance also included the Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, Right Reverend John McDowell and the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough, Right Reverend Michael Jackson. Bishop MacDaid presided in the sanctuary.
The chief celebrant of the Mass was the Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy and he was joined by Bishop Joseph Duffy, Bishop Emeritus of Clogher, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Bishop Emeritus of Kilmore (and a classmate of Bishop MacDaid), Bishop Terry Brady, auxiliary bishop of Sydney, Australia, whose people come from Errigal Truagh parish in north Monaghan and who is on holiday in Monaghan presently, together with priests from across the diocese and beyond.
The music for the Mass was led by the St Macartan’s Cathedral choir under the direction of organist Deirdre Macklin and instrumental music was provided by Peter Mckenna, a choir member.
The cantor was Grace McCooey and the congregation was conducted by Fr La Flynn, Prior of Lough Derg. Family, friends and representatives of various aspects of diocesan life participated through the different ministries.
The homily was delivered by Bishop Larry Duffy in which he thanked his predecessor for his years of service, adding ’we were blessed by your wisdom, your ability to listen, your sense of humour and your spirit of compassion.’ (see text below). Bishop MacDaid responded at the conclusion of the Mass (see text below also).
Before the conclusion, Bishop Duffy thanked all who had planned and participated in the Mass and, once again, wished Bishop MacDaid many years of health and strength.
Bishop Liam MacDaid in a native of Bundoran, Co Donegal and was ordained a priest on 15 June 1969 at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
He joined the teaching staff of St Macartan’s College, Monaghan, in 1970 and was President of the college from 1981 until 1989.
Later, he ministered in the parishes of Brookeboro-Fivemiletown and Tyholland and was Diocesan Secretary and Diocesan Chancellor from 1993 until 2010.
He was Bishop of Clogher from July 2010 until October 2016 when his retirement was accepted by Pope Francis on the grounds of ill-health.
