Welcome to our Community

In this first week of Advent, we reflect on the tension of the already-but-not-yet; of being sure of the hope that we have, but of having but a small taste of that which has been promised. The nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, had heard from God through the patriarchs and prophets since its very beginning. He had taught them how to live life in the very best way, life lived close to Him and to others. But the people of Israel had rejected God and did whatever was good in their own eyes.

God sent prophets to warn Israel of what would happen if they continued to rebel against God. Prophets also foretold of a new covenant God would make with his people. They pointed people to a coming Messiah, an eternal king who would fulfil this covenant, save them, and rule forever.

Despite the warnings of the prophets, the people of Israel stopped listing to God and God did not speak to humans again for 400 years. And it is against this backdrop that we begin our first week of Advent, wondering with the Israelites what God is going to do and how he is going to fulfill his promises.

In a similar way, though Jesus has already brought about our salvation by his life, death and resurrection, we eagerly await with great hope the day when he will come again and fulfill all of his promises and put the world to rights.

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Among our guests recently was Brother Walter Vinci, from the Roman Province. Bro. Walter, a native of Puglia, was here to learn English and is currently studying for a doctorate in the Theology of Pastoral Health-Care

Brother Augustine has celebrated 60 years of Religious Profession. The Community and Nursing Centre

wish him very many congratulations and Ad Multos Annos!!

Bro. Augustine with Fr. Frank, Mary, Luca & Paul

Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, a welcome regular visitor to Killucan.

Bishop Smith drops in to meet the residents, staff and community

Bishop Michael with Pope Francis

Here are some images of the Members of our Community, Residence, Chapel and Grotto

Our community is made up of six Camillian Religious. All our religious are activly engaged in a variety of Pastoral Ministries, both here in our Nursing Centre and Community as well as in the wider community as well as in hospital chaplaincy in Dublin.

 Fr. Frank Monks is the Superior of the Community and is responsible for the Pastoral Care of the Nursing Centre residents and staff. He has served as Provincial Superior of the Anglo-Irish Province and has also served at international level as Superior General of the Order in Rome. He has gained wide experience of Pastoral Care of the Sick and dying as a hospital chaplain in several Dublin hospitals, including the Mater Hospital and St. Vincent's Elm Park. Fr. Frank has been instrumental in promoting the role and involvement of the Laity in the Order worldwide. At the international ecclesiastical level, Fr Frank has served on the Vatican Pontifical Commission for Health Care. Fr. Frank is a member of the Provincial Council.

 Bro. Augustine McCormack is from Longford. He has been a member of the Order for over sixty years. He trained as a nurse at the Whittington Hospital, London in the early 1950s. He nursed at our former Nursing Centre in Hexham, Northumberland, England as well as here in Ireland. Today he continues his ministry of promotional work for the Order. Added to this, he is also responsible for much of the Liturgical preparation in the Nursing Centre and Community Residence.

  Fr. Martin Geraghty is from Athlone, Co. Westmeath. He is currently senior chaplain at Blanchardstown Hospital, Dublin and also has pastoral duties within the community at Killucan. Fr. Martin has worked in many hospitals since his ordination both in Ireland and in Perth, Western Australia. Fr. Martin is unique in the Province in that while living in Australia he held a private pilot's licence! Fr Martin is a fluent Irish speaker and often celebrates Mass as Gaeilge in local parishes.

 Bro. John O'Brien comes from the sea-side town of Penarth in South Wales. Returning from Hexham in the North East of England to Killucan in August 1996. Brother John initially held the post of Staff Nurse, followed by Assistant Director of Nursing at our Nursing Centre. Since 2001 he has ministered to the sick as the Director of Nursing and with the introduction of the Health Act in 2007 he has been the legal "Person-In-Charge". He trained and qualified as a nurse at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England and worked in the General Intensive Care Unit at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. At this time he also gained an Honours Degree in Science from South-Bank University, London.

 Fr Baby Joseph Naikarakudy, a member of the Indian Vice-Province of the Order and a native of Kerela, joined our community at Easter this year. Fr Joseph was professed in 1990 and then ordained a priest in 1994. Following ordination he undertook further studies both in India and Rome, where he gained a doctorate in 2005. His ministries in India have included periods of acting as superior and procurator in our communities there.  Fr Joseph is one of ten Camillians from India who are now either working or studying with us, seven here in Ireland and three in Uganda. Currently, Fr. Joseph is working in the Cathedral parish in Mullingar. This ministry affords him the possibilty to be involved pastorally with the patients and staff of the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar.

Fr Andrew Carroll is a native of County Kilkenny. He trained as a nurse in London and worked in Austrailia, England and here in Killucan. He later studied at the Pontifical Beda College, Rome, for the Priesthood. Among his ministries today is his pastoral care of our residents as well as those of a nursing home in Kinnegad where he is also a member of the Residents Council. 

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