VIDEO: Fr. Shane's a man with a mission in Mayo

A FRIENDLY and upbeat young priest, who was born and raised in the United States, is now a man with a mission in Mayo.

Fr. Shane Sullivan, newly appointed to the parish of Castlebar, is fired with a zealous belief to replenish the seriously diminishing ranks of the Catholic clergy here.

He is reaching out to young men in the hope they might be encouraged to join the priesthood.

His message is simple - a life serving God can be joyous and fulfilling despite what the cynics might say.

His message to anybody who harbours even the slightest thoughts of becoming a priest is straightforward.

“By all means be open to the possibility. Be courageous and, if it is for you, it is a tremendous joy.”

Claire McNamara caught up with Fr. Shane as he made the rounds on his first weeks in Castlebar.

* Next week's edition of The Connaught Telegaph – August 23 – will feature a lengthy interview with Fr. Shane who was ordained a priest for Tuam Archdiocese in the Cathedral of the Assumption just over four years ago.