Bishop Smith marks 25 years since Episcopal Ordination

A special mass to mark the Bishop of Meath"s Silver Jubilee will take place at Mullingar Cathedral on Sunday February 1 at 3pm. Dr Michael Smith was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Meath by Pope John Paul II in 1984 and is over Tullamore, Clara, Tubber, Rahan, Kilcormac, Tubberclair and Kilbeggan parishes. Bishop Smith will celebrate the Jubilee Mass, concelebrated by the priests and religious from across the diocese. The Papal Nuncio will attend and the homily will be preached by Bishop Tony Farquahar. The Taoiseach, local representatives and civil authorities have been invited. It is hoped that representatives from the various lay organisations in Offaly, Westmeath and Meath will attend the Cathedral event on Sunday February 1, at 3pm. A native of Oldcastle, Bishop Smith studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1963, after which he served in Clonmellon Parish, St Loman"s Hospital and was appointed was appointed Secretary to Bishop John McCormack. Later he worked for the Irish Bishops Conference and had a central role in organising Pope John Paul"s visit to Ireland in 1979. At the age of 43, he was one of the youngest members of the Irish Hierarchy when he was ordained a Bishop at Mullingar Cathedral on January 29, 1984. 'A silver jubilee celebration is always a very special occasion. As a diocesan family, it gives us an opportunity to express our thanks to Bishop Smith for his ministry over the past 25 years and to pray God"s blessing upon his work. This gathering will bring together people from various parishes, schools and services, all of which have been touched by our Bishop"s ministry,' said the Chairperson of the Jubilee Organising Committee Mgr Eamonn Marron, Further information can be obtained from Irene Connaughton on 044 9348841 or email secretary@dioceseofmeath.ie.