On Wednesday, 2 February 2022 – the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Diocese of Clogher will celebrate the ordination of Paul Flynn as a Permanent Deacon for service in our diocese. Paul will be ordained by Bishop Larry Duffy in St Michael’s Church, Enniskillen in a liturgy which begins at 7pm. The liturgy can be followed online via www.stmichaels-parish.com/webcam.asp
Paul is the second Deacon to be ordained for the Diocese of Clogher in the last 4 years. Ahead of the ordination, Bishop Duffy has noted that ‘permanent deacons, as ordained ministers, are called by the Lord to be part of the Church’s response to the needs of a changing world. Deacons today, along with their families, make many sacrifices to be able to serve the People of God and for that we are very grateful. In particular, I pray for Paul, and I wish him, his wife Angela and their family every blessing for the future.’
The restoration of the Order of Deacon is one of the many developments flowing from the Second Vatican Council. For almost 1,000 years it was reserved only to those journeying towards Priesthood. Today, it is open to married and single men, allowing them to serve the Church community through the proclamation of the Gospel, preaching, assisting at the altar, performing baptisms, presiding at weddings and funerals and visiting the sick. Deacons also help with the preparation of people for the sacraments and with aspects of parish administration. While only men can be ordained Deacons at present, Pope Francis has set up an international commission to study the question of women Deacons.
A Deacon is one who serves in answer to the call of the Lord, Alongside other roles for men and women, deacons will be an important part of ministry into the future. While he is an ordained minister for life, the Deacon is not a substitute priest. The role does not take away from the vocation of Marriage, which is the Deacon’s first vocation. Because of this, Deacons bring to Church life a whole different perspective of the world today. The preparation for the Diaconate takes 4 years – a year of discernment, and three years of human, intellectual and spiritual formation.
Anyone interested in learning more about this form of ministry is asked to contact the Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Deacon Martin Donnelly, Enniskillen. Email: deacon@st-michaels.net or Tel. 00442866322075.
Short Biography of Paul Flynn 
Paul is from Lucan, Co. Dublin. Born to Noeleen and Dermot Flynn. He attended St Mary’s Boys National School in Lucan. While there, he sang in the Canticle of St Mary, a boys’ choir, part of the Pueri Cantori movement. This was Paul’s introduction to liturgical music. At the age of thirteen, Paul attended post-primary school at St Vincent’s College, Castleknock, and completed his Leaving Certificate there. For third level, Paul attended Trinity College Dublin to study music, from where he was awarded a BA and M. Litt.
While studying at Trinity College, Paul met his wife-to-be, Angela. They got married in the College Chapel in 2003. They have four children, Aisling, Peter, Leo, and Felicity, and they all now live in the parish of Urney and Annageliffe, Cavan Town.
Paul has also worked in financial services, starting out in Thomas Cooks. He is also a qualified Music and Religion teacher and has taught at primary, post-primary and third levels, and is currently the chaplain to Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen. Additionally, Paul is the Music Director of the 10.30am Sunday choir. He has been working in St Michael’s in this position since 2013.
