A Prayer for Our Priests

You came from among us to be , for us, one who serves.
We thank you for ministering Christ to us
and helping us minister Christ to each other.
We are grateful for the many gifts
you bring to our community:
for drawing us together in worship,
for visiting us in our homes,
for comforting us in sickness,
for showing us compassion,
for blessing our marriage,
for baptising our children,
for confirming us in our calling,
for supporting us in bereavement,
for helping us to grow in faith,
for encouraging us to take the initiative,
for helping the whole community
realise God'spresence among us.
For our part, we pray that
we may always be attentive to your needs
and never take you for granted.
You, like us, need friendship and love,
welcome and a sense of belonging,
kind words and acts of thoughtfulness.

We pray, also,
for the priests who have wounded priesthood.

May we be willing to forgive
and may they be open to healing.

Let us support one another during times of crisis.

God our Father,
we ask you to bless our priests and confirm them in their calling.
Give them the gifts they need
to respond with generosity and a joyful heart.

We offer this prayer for our priest, who is our brother and friend,

Amen

Father Gerald Powell, born in 1948, comes from Newry where he received his early education in St. Joseph’s P.S., the Abbey P.S. and St. Colman’s College.

He studied for the Priesthood in the Irish College Rome and was ordained in Newry Cathedral on 9th April 1972.

Fr. Gerry’s first curacy was in Moyraverty (Craigavon) from 1972 to 1977 before being transferred to Lurgan where he remained for 12 years.
Warrenpoint then beckoned in 1989 and he was curate there for a further 9 years.

In 1998 he was inducted as Parish Priest of Drumgath and was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese in 1999. In September 2001, Fr. Gerry returned to St. Paul’s in Lurgan as parish priest and was then appointed Finance Administrator of the Diocese in 2003.

On 30th October 2006 he was inducted as Parish Priest of Tullylish.

Fr. Martin McDonagh
who has been appointed as Curate in Tullylish.

Fr. McDonagh will reside in Gilford