Reward offered by parish committee for leads on the whereabouts of the head of the marble statue of Archbishop Patrick Leahy, which was unveiled in the grounds of Thurles Cathedral in 1911.

The parish of Thurles has only had an administrator until now. Recent clergy changes have enabled the parish to have its first parish priest since 1774

“Des lived his life by the Christian principles of the gospel. He particularly believed in the life of the unborn,” said Thurles curate Fr Tomás O’Connell.

Wherever you go, you can follow in her footsteps by bringing light to the lives of our world, says Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dr Kieran O’Reilly.

The initiative aims to promote liturgical music in second level schools as well as in parishes throughout the diocese.

Ordained ministers have a responsibility to “help people to lift their gaze beyond the pessimism of those who speak today of ‘new dark ages’ and enable them to discern a distant horizon of hope”.

St Willibrord is one of the most important saints in Europe and has appeal across many Christian communities. He studied and was ordained in Carlow.

“I can only begin to imagine the huge emotional wrench which the mothers suffered in giving up their babies for adoption or by witnessing their death,” says Archbishop of Tuam.

Speaking at a special bicentennial Mass to celebrate the 200th anniversary of education by Christian Brothers in Thurles, Dr O’Reilly told students that “we can all be the best at what we do in so many different ways.”

“By opening a door, we are door-keepers, we have got to reach out as well as moving in” - Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin.

For the first time ever, former students who did not reach ordination, have also been invited back to international reunion at St Patrick's College Thurles.