Thurles Information

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Monday 25th September 2023, of Mrs Catherine von Hildebrand, Ballagh, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Taney Road, Dundrum, Co. Dublin.

Pre-deceased by her husband, Irish writer, journalist, and broadcaster Breandán Ó hEithir; Mrs Hildebrand passed away peacefully while in the care of staff of Acorn Lodge Nursing Home, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Her passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her children, Maria, Ruairí, and Brian, her grandchildren, brothers, sisters, extended relatives, neighbours and friends around the world.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Hildebrand will repose at Hayes’ Funeral Chapel, Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary on Wednesday, September 27th, from 6.00pm until 7.00pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of Jesus Christ Our Saviour, Rossmore, Co. Tipperary on Thursday morning, September 28th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am.

Mrs Hildebrand will further repose at Fanagans Funeral Home, Dundrum, Dublin, on Thursday afternoon, September 28th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, followed by a Memorial Service at 10:45am on Friday morning, September 29th, at the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Hildebrand, same can be viewed streamed live online, at Rossmore Parish Church HERE, and Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium HERE.

The extended Hildebrand family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: No flowers please. Donations in lieu, if desired to CONCERN.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

The Diocese of Killaloe is undertaking a year-long initiative to encourage men to consider joining the priesthood.

Visits to parishes across the Diocese in Clare, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary and Limerick commence next weekend in Ennis, followed by visits to Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Birr, Co. Offaly and Castleconnell, Co. Limerick during next month, October 2023.

With just over half of the 58 parishes in the Diocese currently served by a resident priest, Vocations Director Fr. Iggy McCormack says there is hope the three vocations recorded in the Diocese of Killaloe during the past 12 months can be built on, during the ‘Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood’.

“Geographically, we are the third largest Diocese in the country and is it has become increasingly difficult to maintain full cover across the five counties due to retirements and a lower number of vocations,” he explained. “The idea of young men taking up a vocation has arguably become more countercultural in recent years, but we are very hopeful that we can build on recent progress whereby three men from the Diocese will enter the seminary at Maynooth over the next 12 months.”

Fr. McCormack, who also is Principal of St. Flannan’s College in Ennis, said the vocations initiative will encourage people to discover more about vocations on the Diocesan website, while the parish church visits are aimed at kickstarting conversations within family groups, with local priests and in communities across the Diocese on the vocation of priesthood.

He continued, “I am encouraging any man who has been considering a vocation and is exploring their calling to make contact today with the Vocations Office or to speak with their local priest. Most newly ordained priests will comment on how the encouragement and counsel they received from their local priest greatly assisted in commencing their journey to priestly ministry.”

Ennis native Mr Mark Nestor, a former secondary school teacher and Clare County Councillor, entered the National Seminary at Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth last week, having spent the past year at the Royal English College of St Alban in Valladolid, Spain.

“Answering yes to my vocation to the priesthood has resulted in a great sense of contentment in my life,” Mark explained. “The support I have received from family, friends and the Diocese over the last two years has been phenomenal. I would encourage anyone who feels they have a vocation to priesthood to reach out and talk about their vocation.”

Visit www.killaloediocese.ie or follow the Killaloe Diocese on Facebook, – Instagram, – TikTok and Twitter for more on the Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood.