A message of thanks from Fr. Robert

Newry Cathedral News

Fr. Robert Markuszewski

My Archbishop has recalled me to become a Parish Priest in home city of Bialystok, Poland. I have to take up duty on the 3rd July 2022.

After almost 4 years spent in Newry, I wish to thank the parishioners of Newry & Saval Parishes for their friendship, support, prayers and making me feel so welcome. My special thanks to Archbishop Eamon Martin, Bishop Philip Boyce, Canon Francis Brown, Fr. Des Loughran, Fr. Krzysztof Kosciolek, Fr. Colum Murphy, Fr. Alphonsus Chukwunenye, Fr. Callum Young, Fr. Juan Jesus Gonzalez and Deacon Carlos Esteban Rojo for their friendship and brotherhood. I would also like to thank the parish staff & sacristans for their support and friendship. Be assured of my prayers and I ask for your prayers.

I carry you with me in my heart and my hope is to visit Newry as often as can.

Fr. Robert Markuszewski

Newry Cathedral Parish says a fond farewell to Father Robert

Father Robert Markuszewski has been recalled by his Archbishop to become a Parish Priest of St Stanislaus in his home city of Bialystok, which is in the Northeast of Poland. He will take up duty on the 3rd July and will leave Newry on the 21st June 2022. He made the formal announcement at Masses in the parish last weekend. The news was greeted with sadness but also with a resounding round of applause for his excellent ministry to us over the last four years.

Father Robert came to Newry on Tuesday 16th October 2018 and was welcomed by parishioners with open hearts and has gained a lot of experience in Newry. He thanked the parishioners of Newry & Saval Parishes for their friendship, support, prayers and making him feel so welcome. He has served as Chaplain at Ballyholland Primary School, St Joseph’s Convent Primary School and Our Lady’s Grammar School. Many of the recently confirmed pupils of P7 have had the pleasure of Father Roberts chaplaincy for their First Holy Communion as well and Father Robert thanked the principals and staff of the schools for their cooperation for the benefit of the children and young people.

At the 12noon Mass on Sunday, he said that he would like to convey his special thanks to Arch-bishop Eamon Martin, Bishop Philip Boyce, Canon Francis Brown, Fr. Des Loughran, Fr. Krzysztof Kosciolek, Fr. Colum Murphy, Fr. Alphonsus Chukwunenye, Fr. Callum Young, Fr. Juan Jesus Gonzalez and Deacon Carlos Esteban Rojo for their friendship and brotherhood. He also thanked the parish staff and sacristans, readers, altar servers, choirs and members of the parish office for their support and friendship. He stated that, ‘the involvement of the laity in Newry Cathedral Parish is a really wonderful thing’. He concluded by saying, ‘be assured of my prayers and I ask for your prayers. I will carry you with me in my heart and my hope is to visit Newry as often as I can. Go mbeannaí Dia daoibh. Slan go foill’.