Tomorrow morning, Sunday 26 June 2022, marks the last occasion that Fr Michael O'Grady will celebrate mass as parish priest of The Most Precious Blood & Christ the King parishes Cabra.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Most Reverend Dermot Farrell DD, is moving Fr Michael to Donnycarney parish where he will take up his new appointment as parish priest at Our Lady of Consolation church in mid-July. It is one of the many changes that are occurring across the Dublin diocese this summer. Also on the move is Fr John O'Brien PP from Our Lady Help of Christians parish, Navan Road to Clontarf where he will be parish priest and moderator of the three Clontarf parishes.
Fr Michael has been parish priest in Cabra as well as chaplain to St Declan's College for the past seven years. It was with great sadness that we learned of his transfer when he announced it at our recent sixth year graduation mass. He has been a constant in the life of the school celebrating with us many of the milestones that occur throughout our school year. Bursary awards, first year masses, November remembrance, Christmas carol service, Ash Wednesday, Blessed Edmund Rice feast day not forgetting our Graduation mass were each enhanced by his presence and the very well chosen words which he shared with the school community.
A gifted speaker, he always had an insightful message to impart expressed in the simplest and most sincere way. Attention to detail was a hallmark of each occasion over which he presided or concelebrated. He is a man of belief, sincerity, and commitment to his parish and priestly life. Of particular note was his work during the Covid-19 lockdowns where he helped so many who experienced loss in the most difficult of circumstances. This came at great risk to his own personal health. He was constantly in touch enquiring after the school community and remembering them by the mass as well as during his office and prayers. Fr Michael will be fondly remembered as a dedicated parish priest who in the toughest of times stayed true to his calling. We wish him health and happiness in the years ahead.
Also leaving the Navan Road area is the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo. This brings to an end his five year mission in Ireland as he takes on a new post as Papal Nuncio to Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic). Archbishop Okolo concelebrated our graduation mass along with Fr Michael on two occasions. We remember fondly his warmth at these masses expressing a particular connection with the graduates willing them to follow their dreams and challenging them to become the best young men they could. His love of music and celebration is a lasting memory.
During his time in Ireland he oversaw the papal visit of Pope Francis, when for only the second time in our history Ireland welcomed a pontiff to these shores. I am sure he leaves with many memories of what was a very full and challenging time as Papal Nuncio.
Rath Dé oraibh go léir.
Fr Michael's farewell mass can be viewed live tomorrow morning using the parish tv service.
Link >>>>>>>Church of the Most Precious Blood Cabra
