A mighty welcome for Bishop Martin Hayes in Thurles

CAPTION: Bishop Martin celebrating Mass in SS Joseph & Brigid Church, Bóthar na Naomh with Fr. Vincent Stapleton & Fr. James Purcell

There was a mighty welcome for former Thurles curate and ADM, Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore, at the weekend when the town motto of ‘fleadh agus failte’ was alive, well and living its meaning.

This was Bishop Martin’s first official visit back to Thurles since his appointment to the Kilmore diocese four years ago by Pope Francis. And, the congregations at the 7pm Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption on Saturday evening and at the 10am Mass in St Joseph and St Brigid’s, Bóthar na Naomh on Sunday morning were thrilled to see him and attended celebrations after both Masses of Thanksgiving to welcome him ‘home’ and have a chat.

As part of the welcome, Bishop Martin was presented with a beautiful painting of Our Lady Star of the Sea by Thurles parish – this painting, created so beautifully by local man David McElgunn is a copy of the stained-glass window adjacent to Our Lady’s Altar in the Cathedral of the Assumption and was admired by many people having been presented to Bishop Martin.

In September 2002, Father Martin was appointed as curate to Thurles parish with responsibility for Saints Joseph & Brigid Church, Bóthar na Naomh.  He continued his facilitation of marriage preparation courses with Accord Thurles, served on the Accord National Executive Council and provided supervisory support for Accord personnel in the south-east Region.  He became an active member of the Cashel & Emly Ongoing Formation and Education of Priests Committee from its inception in
2003.

Having studied for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College, Thurles, Father Martin continued to walk the famous corridors as a part-time lecturer in Introduction to Philosophy on the newly established Bachelor of Arts in Education, Business Studies and Religious Studies course for secondary school student teachers which was delivered in Saints Patrick’s College, Thurles.  He also engaged with the two-year Ecology & Theology programme provided by the Columban Fathers, in Dalgan Park,
Navan, Co Meath, on an audit basis.

In July 2007, Father Martin was appointed Administrator of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles.  Working in collaboration with a group of lay people, he encouraged the celebration of relationships with the established voluntary organisations in Thurles, promoting the ongoing development of pastoral outreach and faith development groups which culminated in the formation of a Parish Pastoral Council in 2017.  During Father Martin’s term as Administrator, Saints Joseph & Brigid’s Church, Bothar na Naomh was renovated, a Pastoral Centre (Lámh Chunta)
was constructed and the cathedral presbytery was refurbished.  Father Martin was elected a member of the Cashel and Emly Council of Priests, having previously served as its recording secretary and was appointed as a member of the diocesan committee for safeguarding children.

In August 2017 Father Martin was appointed to the full-time position of Director of Pastoral Planning & Development in the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly and he took up residence at the Parochial House, Knockanrawley, Tipperary Town.  In conjunction with the Diocesan Pastoral Council, he co-ordinated the diocesan-wide Listening Process’ with 46 parishes over 2017-18, alongside a ‘Listening to Priests’, commissioned by the Archdiocese. He is now undergoing a similar process in Kilmore where the involvement of lay ministry is very much encouraged.

Pope Francis appointed him as Bishop of Kilmore on the Solemnity of SS. Peter and Paul in June 2020. He was ordained bishop in the Cathedral of SS. Patrick and Felim in Cavan on Sunday 20 September 2020 at 3pm. by Archbishop Eamonn Martin of Armagh and the Primate of All-Ireland, assisted by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, and Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA of Cashel and Emly as co-consecrators.  

Bishop Martin really enjoyed his return to Thurles parish where he was educated in second level in Thurles CBS Secondary School – just next door to his native Two-Mile-Borris and together with his family members, he was welcomed with open arms.

He also had the distinction of being on the steps of the Cathedral of the Assumption to, in keeping with tradition, welcome home the victorious All-Ireland Tipperary minor hurling team, alongside Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly. To have the Archbishop present is very special, but to have a second Bishop present really enhanced the celebrations in the yard of the Cathedral.

Bishop Martin made an enormous contribution to pastoral life in Thurles during his years in the parish and he was overwhelmed by the welcome back at the weekend. It was, he said, an occasion that would stay with him for many years and he thanked Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, Rev Fr James Purcell PP, Frs. Joe Walsh and Vincent Stapleton, the Parish Pastoral Team and all involved in organising the celebrations,
as well as the many people in Thurles who continue to offer support and prayers for him on a daily basis.

Bishop Martin admitted to having settled in well in Kilmore, is enjoying the work, but added that he still has not claimed a Cavan accent despite the long distance from home in mid-Tipperary.