Far from his work as a manager at Whitechurch Service Station for many years, and studying hotel management in Cork Institute of Technology (now MTU), Tiernan Burke’s next career move is an unusual one.
At the end of May he will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cloyne.
As a result, the 41-year-old will become the second youngest priest in the Cloyne diocese.
“From a young age, priesthood was always at the back of the mind. I had a deep love of the mass and saying my prayers,” he told The Echo.
“I bring with me a lot of life experiences, and then through experience as a priest I will gain further knowledge and understanding. But I feel that it will be essential to reflect on my experiences as that will allow me to grow further.”
The beginning of his radical career change came in 2017 for Tiernan, when he began his vocation to become a priest. He realised he was at a crossroads in his life.
“The most significant thing was when I was very privileged to be at Fr John Magner’s ordination in Cobh Cathedral in June 2017 and my heart was moved by the holy spirit,” Mr Burke said. “This finally gave me the courage to explore the priesthood further. My journey towards priesthood consisted of determination, dedication, and making a deeper relationship with the lord, which gave me the strength to continue.”
He added: “I am really looking forward to beginning a new life of service as a priest for the diocese of Cloyne.
“Being able to celebrate the sacraments, accompany people through the most important moments in their lives, and being present in the parish community that I will be assigned to."
Gratitude
“I have a fierce sense of gratitude to those who helped form me, my family, friends, the Whitechurch community, people I have met on my journey, the priests of the diocese, and the formation team in the National Seminary in Maynooth.”
Mr Burke also remains hopeful that there is a strong future for his church in Ireland.
“As a priest, it will make me a representative of the church, I will be representing something greater than myself.
“It will be my responsibility to support, inspire, encourage others to use their talents for a common purpose and I am being called into communion with those whom I will minister.
“I feel there is a more noticeable hunger for meaning among younger generations. They are searching for something more than material success or digital connection.
“It is powerful to meet people who are returning to the sacraments after years of being away.”
Survey
According to a survey carried out in recent years by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), 15% of priests in Ireland are over 75 and still working, over 25% are aged between 60–75, and just 2.5% of serving Catholic priests in Ireland are under the age of 40.
For any young people considering a career in the priesthood, Mr Burke has the following advice:
“Do not be afraid to reach out to a priest for advice. It will be confidential. He will recommend a spiritual director or someone who knows you well and will be both supportive and honest.
“Yes, it’s a long journey. But once you break it down into smaller goals, it becomes really achievable and the time absolutely flies.
“Read about the lives of the saints, study their lives and works, as they gave great moral witness and modelled holiness.
“What inspired me when I was growing up was the joyful, active and the witness of priests that were in my parish and in my secondary school, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Carrignavar.
“When a priest is clearly grounded in prayer and genuinely available to people, it stands out.”
Ordination
In preparation for the priesthood, Mr Burke has spent the last few months in Midleton.
The Diocese of Cloyne will celebrate the ordination to the priesthood of Tiernan Burke at 3pm on May 24 in St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh.
Additional masses of thanksgiving for Fr Tiernan will take place in Whitechurch on Monday, May 25, at 7pm, on Tuesday, May 26, in Midleton at 7pm, and on Thursday, May 28, in Blarney at 7pm.