Fr. Willie Purcell (Ossory) heads up the new 'Leadership Team' for the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors.  He was formally appointed to the role on Monday 17th October, by Bishop Donal McKeown (Down & Conor), Chair of the Vocations Commission of the Irish Episcopal Conference.  The appointment took place at a media event to mark the end of the five year tenure of Fr. Patrick Rushe (Armagh), and the launch of a new 'Vocations App' for iPhone.  Fr. Purcell is joined by; Fr's Eamonn Bourke (Dublin), Ignatius McCormack (Killaloe), Muredach Tuffy (Killala), & Rory Brady (Raphoe).  Their appointments signify a major review of the role of National Coordinator taking into consideration the more excessive demands on priests in these times.

The new Leadership Team begins its work at a time which also sees the creation of a Vocations Commission, as part of the Irish Episcopal Conference (click here for a link); 

The 'Team' certainly has work to do; As well as maintaining all the usual vocations initiatives there are some major events to focus on in the coming months, including the International Eucharistic Congress (10th - 17th June, 2012), at which there will be a 'Vocations presence', and the hosting of the European Vocations Service Annual Conference (June 28th - 1st July 2012), which will be held in Maynooth.

In his concluding address to Conference, Fr. Paddy Rushe said "As I come now to the end of my term as National Coordinator of Diocesan Vocation Directors, I look back at five years of enthusiastic and vibrant vocations promotion work undertaken in this country. I have been honoured to have played my part in carrying out what I believe to be the most important work of the Church (after the proclamation of the Gospel, of course), which is, to call men to consider a vocation to the priesthood.

Fr. Paddy highlighted that in these times of change in fundamental Church structures and realities (especially in Ireland), it remains essential that there are priests to lead our congregations in the eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass, and to administer the sacraments - our work has been, and will continue to be extremely important in this regard.   He commended the Vocation Directors "I have also been blessed to have worked with so many of you, and have always felt your support and enjoyed your friendship over the years. I will miss this most. You have been such an encouragement to me in my own priesthood, as well as within this work".

Fr. Rushe, who is now Administrator of a busy Urban Parish in Dundalk ended by commending the new 'Vocations iPhone App' to the Conference saying "I am confident hat this is a new and novel approach for the current and future generations of those seeking to find information, and investigate more about the subject of Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood in Ireland".