Moycullen man John Gerard Acton will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Brendan Kelly in Galway Cathedral on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 3pm.
Originally from Knockauranny, Moycullen, John Gerard is the son of Seamus and Maureen Acton and is the youngest of four siblings.
A former pupil at Scoil Bhaile Nua, Moycullen and Cholaiste Chroi Mhuire, Spiddal, John Gerard also studied business and communications in GMIT, worked in both the Galway and Dublin branches of Debenhams and in The Park House Hotel (Eyre Square ), before beginning six years of priestly formation at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
According to Fr Diarmuid Hogan, the Diocesan Spokesperson, John Gerard will be ordained at a particularly challenging time for our Church and for Irish society.
“We are in a period of profound and rapid change. The long-term impact of Covid-19 has yet to emerge, secularism has become the norm, inequality is endemic in our economic culture and a contracting Church has to find new, vibrant, relevant ways to respond to the needs of our times and to preach, teach and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“However I believe that John Gerard has the maturity, personality, faith and flexibility, not just to cope but to thrive in these challenges.
“Of course he will need the support, encouragement, welcome and affirmation of good people across our diocese and beyond, and he will need our prayers. But he is a young man of considerable talent and energy, and our diocese is proud and grateful to see him ordained. To quote Isaiah, in the Old Testament, ‘those who bring good news bring good,’ “ said Fr Hogan.
In deference to the Covid 19 restrictions, only a strictly limited number of the faithful will participate in the Ordination liturgy. However Bishop Kelly has asked that prayers for John Gerard and for further vocations to the priesthood would be offered across the diocese for the next two weekends.
A live-stream of the ceremony will be available at www.galwaydiocese.ie/ordination/
