Bishop Crean has published the Cloyne Diocesan Changes during the week. The full list is published below.
In the changes he has accepted the resignation of Fr Anthony Wickham P.P. Shandrum who has reached the retirement age of seventy-five years. As a result of this he has transferred the administration and pastoral care of the Parish of Newtown and Dromina to the care of the priests and Deacon in Charleville Parish. Canon Donal O Mahony to become Administrator. These changes will come into effect at 12 noon on the 12th of September 2026.
Already the priests and deacon in Charleville have held separate meetings with the Parish Pastoral Councils in both parishes. Both meetings were cordial, productive and members in both Councils were anxious to have a smooth transition. Both councils expressed concern for the wellbeing of the priests.
Diocesan Changes:
Very Rev. Anthony Wickham P.P.
Newtownshandrum to retire and become Pastor Emeritus. (P.E.)
Very Rev. Michael Fitzgerald P.P. Blarney to take Sabbatical Leave.
Very Rev. Canon Donal O’Mahony P.P. Charleville to continue as P.P. Charleville and to be Administrator of Newtownshandrum.
Very Rev. Eugene Baker P.P. Buttevant and Adm of Churchtown-Liscarroll to be P.P. Blarney.
Very Rev. Christopher Donlon P.P. Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge to be P.P. Buttevant and Adm. Churchtown – Liscarroll.
Very Rev. Tom McDermott Adm. Cobh to be P.P. Milford.
Rev. Mark Hehir C.C. Midleton to be P.P. Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge.
Rev. Gerard Cremin C.C. Cobh to be Administrator of Cobh.
Rev. Damien Lynch C.C. Mallow to be C.C. Midleton.
Rev. Tiernan Burke C.C. Youghal pro-tem, to be C.C. in Cobh.
Deacon Garrett Cody Co-ordinator of Support to PASTORAL AREAS.
In light of the Diocesan Changes announced by Bishop Crean, that Charleville and Shandrum Parishes will be co-operating parishes and sharing clergy, during the week the priests and deacon of Charleville met with the Charleville and Shandrum Parish Pastoral Councils to make decisions about the future.
In regard to the Mass times, we are advised to leave an hour and a half between Masses to allow time to celebrate Mass and travel from A to B safely.
Arrange Masses so that if one priest was ill, away on pilgrimage, or on annual leave/holidays etc. that the one priest could celebrate Masses on those occasions.
After discussion the following Rota of Masses is the most suitable and agreeable:
Saturday: 6:00p.m. Vigil in Charleville and
7:30p.m. Vigil in Dromina.
Sunday: 9.30a.m. Mass in Newtown.
11:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. in Charleville
Both parishes are losing a Mass.
Other decisions include setting up a Funeral Ministry Team to recite the Rosary and lead prayers in the Funeral Home when necessary and also to expand the Baptism Team to both parishes.
There will be no funerals celebrated on Sundays.
This is the practice in Shandrum, Mallow and other parishes. Funerals are not celebrated on Sundays in Cork Diocese, Kerry Diocese and in other areas around the country.
We appreciate that what is happening is a big change for all of us and it will take time to adjust to the new Mass times going forward. We ask for your co-operation and support as we journey along.
