Fr David Vard is set to be officially appointed as the Parish Priest of Stradbally early next month.
The announcement was made by Bishop Denis Nulty today who confirmed the move would become official on October 3.
Fr Vard came to Stradbally in August 2023 when he was made parish administrator.
Fr Gerard Breen succeeded Fr Sean Maher in Stradbally in 2018 but he went on sabbatical – residing in Doonane.
He was replaced by Fr David Vard, who had been stationed in the Portlaoise Parish since 2017.
The Kildare native, who was the youngest priest in Ireland when originally ordained, is now officially in charge.
Fr Sean Kelly, who recently celebrated his diamond jubilee as a priest, retired as parish priest some years ago but continues to preach in the parish.
In his two years in Stradbally, Fr Vard has made a massive impact on the community.
He is a member of the Timahoe Male Choir which performed on the main stage at Electric Picnic last weekend.
While he also organised the first ever Stradbally Parish Picnic which proved a big success in June.
Meanwhile, Fr Padraig Shelley, who is the Parish Priest of Arles, will also become Parish Priest of Doonane.
Former Parish Priest of Stradbally, Fr Ger Breen, has returned from sabbatical and will become Parish Priest of Kildare.
Bishop Nulty said: “I am pleased to announce today the diocesan clergy changes for 2025.
“Against the backdrop of an ever-changing pastoral environment with fewer priests and an aging cohort, I am all the more grateful to the priests involved.
“I thank those who have agreed to move, those who have taken on more, and I am very grateful to those who are retiring or are taking a step back from administration.
“It is an ongoing challenge to sustain the traditional model of parish and church.
“For far too long we relied almost exclusively on a priest-led church, ministering to the lay faithful. Recent initiatives are helping us rebalance how we are and will be church.
“Our diocesan pastoral ministry programme, which commences this month will introduce trained pastoral ministers to our parishes and pastoral areas.
“It so heartening that this weekend our first seminarian in a number of years commences his formation in Maynooth.
“In late October I will ordain five more Permanent Deacons. All of this gives me great joy as I see the church very much alive in our diocese.
“Today’s announcement of changes is later than planned. Over recent months I have met many men taking soundings from them, while continuing to pray about what might be best for our diocese.
“In October I will look at diaconate appointments, to endeavour that we move towards at least one deacon in every pastoral area.
“I ask you to keep our priests and deacons in your prayers, to help them and to support them at this important time in our diocese. The changes come into effect on Friday, October 3.”
The full list of appointments is below:
- Fr. John Fitzpatrick PP Carbury to retire and live at Braganza, Carlow
- Fr. Bernard Reyhart CC Prosperous to become PP Carbury
- Fr. Liam Lawton Adm Edenderry to become CC Edenderry
- Fr. Greg Corcoran PP Rhode & Clonbullogue to become PP Edenderry & Rhode
- Fr. Adrian Carbery PE Adm Kildare to become PE CC Kildare
- Fr. Ger Breen Chaplain SETU Carlow and previously on sabbatical leave to become PP Kildare
- Fr. Padraig Shelley PP Arles to become PP of Arles & Doonane
- Deacon Gary Moore to become Adm of Clonbullogue while the sacramental needs will be coordinated by Fr. Greg Corcoran PP Edenderry & Rhode
- Fr. David Vard Adm Stradbally to become PP Stradbally
- Fr. Locky Flanagan CSSp AP Kildare to become CC Newbridge
- Fr. Brian Kavanagh CC Allen to assist in Newbridge, while continuing to work in the Marriage Appeal Tribunal, Coordinating the Permanent Diaconate Programme and working with Accord
- Fr. Michael Cudzilo CC Newbridge to become CC Prosperous
- Fr. Andrei Blaj, on loan from the Diocese of Iasi (Romania) to become CC Edenderry, Rhode & Clonbullogue.
- Fr. Brian Maguire SPS on sabbatical leave to return to St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan
- Fr. Martin Smith SPS resumes Chaplain SETU Carlow
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