Limerick man, 35, takes final steps to become member of the priesthood

A 35-YEAR-OLD Limerick man has taken the final steps on the road to joining the priesthood.

Tim Collins was ordained a deacon at a special ceremony at St John the Baptist Church in his home village of Croagh.

He will serve churches in the Raheen/Crecora/Mungret parish.

“It’s the last step before his final ordination as a priest,” outlined his proud father Con Collins.

Below: Tim, pictured with Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy

Tim will need to serve a minimum of six months as a deacon before he becomes a fully-fledged priest.

At the ordination ceremony, he was joined by his mum and dad, Con and Abine. Alongside them were their daughter Ellen, her husband and All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey and Tim’s twin brother Michael.

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Tim’s other sisters were also present at the ceremony, in the presence of Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy.

Julianne, her husband Chris and their toddler son Joseph were joined by Mary-Therese and her husband Brendan.

Other close friends of the newly appointed deacon were also in attendance.

This included his cousins, fellow priests plus seminarians and others who have already been ordained deacons.

“We were very proud, delighted for him,” said Abine.

“He had his calling when he was at university in Cork. He was studying a masters in English literature there,” she explained.

After completing his studies, he commenced training to join the priesthood after a meeting with his local parish priest, Fr Eugene Boyce.

Eight years in preparation, Tim studied near Rome before attending Maynooth in Co Kildare.

He began his period as a deacon last week. According to the Limerick Diocese website, there are currently six priests serving the parish of Mungret/Crecora/Raheen.