By editor - 11 July, 2016
Fr Philip Gaffney (PP St Mary’s, Drogheda), Fr Warren & Bishop Michael Smith, Fr John Breen (vice-rector of the Beda College, Rome)
Courtesy: Fr Joe Campbell of the Diocese of Meath
Yesterday, a new priest was ordained for the diocese of Meath in St Mary’s parish Drogheda.
Forty-one-year-old Rev Warren Collier is from Collon in Co Louth but he has strong links with St Mary’s Parish; his late grandparents lived in Crufty and they are buried in Calvary Cemetery.
Members of Fr Warren’s extended family attended the ceremony including his parents, Frank and Rosaleen, sister Fiona as well as many friends. The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Michael Smith of Meath.
Before spending four years studying for the priesthood in the Beda College in Rome, Fr Warren worked for Bus Éireann for sixteen years and he was well known to the people of Drogheda as he drove the local town service route for many years.
While studying for the priesthood, and as a deacon, Warren spent some time working in the parish of Laytown and Mornington and he is very grateful for the experience that he gained and the support which he received while he was in the parish.
Speaking ahead of his ordination he said he was excited at the prospect of serving the people of God in whatever parish he is assigned to, and to putting his faith in the scriptures.
He quoted from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians – ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
Fr Phil Gaffney, parish priest of St. Mary’s said, “In this Jubilee Year of Mercy we have become more aware of the mercy of God and how God welcomes us as we strive to walk in His way.”
He added that it was “A marvellous time to be ordained a priest, and to have the mercy of God as a key motif of one’s priesthood. We the parishioners of St Mary’s promise you Warren our prayers and support as you set out to lead your life as a priest of Christ.’
Fr Warren will celebrate his First Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Collon this evening at 7pm.
Fr Shane Crombie and Fr Joe Campbell, vocations directors for the Diocese of Meath, asked that anyone who might be considering a vocation to priesthood might make contact with them through www.dioceseofmeath.ie/vocations.
They also ask that we continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to encourage and support those among us who might feel called to the priesthood.
