Bishop of Killaloe welcomes ordination of Gerard Jones

THE Diocese of Killaloe this Sunday celebrates its second ordination in a matter of weeks as Gerard Jones from O’Brien’s Bridge joins the priesthood.

The 28-year-old son of Nicholas and Chrissie Jones began his studies in Maynooth shortly after graduating with a degree in computer science from the University of Limerick in 2004.

Bishop of Killaloe Kieran O’Reilly will officiate at this weekend’s ordination ceremony, which takes place at 3pm on Sunday at St Flannan’s Church in Killaloe.

And Fr Jones will celebrate his first mass at 7pm on Monday evening, August 22, at the church in Bridgetown.

With the shortage of new vocations a real challenge to the future of the Catholic Church, Bishop O’Reilly has welcomed the recent additions to its ranks.

“The ordination of Gerard Jones, along with the ordination of Ger Fitzgerald, earlier in the summer are great signs of hope for the people of the Diocese of Killaloe,” Bishop O’Reilly said.

“The generosity of these young men in offering their lives for the service of God’s people is a great encouragement for people of faith. I invite the people of the Diocese to join me in welcoming Ger Jones to the ministry of the priesthood and to pray for him as he begins his mission in the Diocese of Killaloe.”

Fr Jones was educated at Killaloe Boys NS and St Anne’s Community College. He studied at the Irish College in Rome from 2007 and has already held pastoral placements in Ennis and Birr. Following his ordination, he will take up his first diocesan appointment as curate in Nenagh.

Earlier this year, Fr Ger Fitzgerald from Castleconnell also became a priest of the Killaloe Diocese. In so doing, he became the first Limerick-born priest ordained since Fr Chris O’Donnell six years ago.

The former barman began his studies in Maynooth in 2005; was ordained in his native Castleconnell in June and has since taken up an appointment in Ennis.