Popular Fr Vard to be Stradbally parish priest 

HUGELY popular Fr David Vard is set to become parish priest of Stradbally next month.

After two years as parish administrator, he will be officially appointed parish priest of the ‘little town’ on 3 October.

The announcement was made by Bishop Denis Nulty today, as part of a series of diocesan clergy changes in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.

A native of Newbridge, Co Kildare, Fr Vard became the youngest priest in Ireland when he was ordained in June 2017 at the age of 25. He was ordained in his hometown by Bishop Nulty and was immediately appointed curate in Portlaoise parish.

He was greatly missed in Portlaoise when he moved to Stradbally in August 2023, where he has become the life and soul of the community, organising the first Stradbally Parish Picnic last June and getting involved in countless groups and causes, including the Timahoe Male Choir which performed on the main stage at the 2025 Electric Picnic Fr Seán Kelly, who celebrated his diamond jubilee recently, retired as parish priest some years ago but continues to preach and take an active role in the parish.

Fr Gerard Breen, who is Chaplain at SETU Carlow, succeeded Fr Seán Maher as parish priest in Stradbally in 2018 but subsequently went on sabbatical, living in Doonane. He has returned from sabbatical and will become parish priest of Kildare.

Meanwhile, Fr Pádraig Shelley, who is parish priest of Arles, will also become parish priest of Doonane.

Making the announcement today, Bishop Nulty said: ‘Against the backdrop of an ever-changing pastoral environment with fewer priests and an aging cohort, I am all the more grateful to the priests involved.

‘I thank those who have agreed to move, those who have taken on more, and I am very grateful to those who are retiring or are taking a step back from administration.

‘It is an ongoing challenge to sustain the traditional model of parish and church.

‘For far too long we relied almost exclusively on a priest-led church, ministering to the lay faithful. Recent initiatives are helping us rebalance how we are and will be church.

‘Our diocesan pastoral ministry programme, which commences this month will introduce trained pastoral ministers to our parishes and pastoral areas.

‘It so heartening that this weekend our first seminarian in a number of years commences his formation in Maynooth.

‘In late October I will ordain five more Permanent Deacons. All of this gives me great joy as I see the church very much alive in our diocese.

‘Today’s announcement of changes is later than planned. Over recent months I have met many men taking soundings from them, while continuing to pray about what might be best for our diocese.

‘In October I will look at diaconate appointments, to endeavour that we move towards at least one deacon in every pastoral area.

‘I ask you to keep our priests and deacons in your prayers, to help them and to support them at this important time in our diocese.’ 

The full list of other appointments coming into effect on 3 October is:

Fr. John Fitzpatrick PP Carbury to retire and live at Braganza, Carlow

Fr. Bernard Reyhart CC Prosperous to become PP Carbury 

Fr. Liam Lawton Adm Edenderry to become CC Edenderry

Fr. Greg Corcoran PP Rhode and Clonbullogue to become PP Edenderry and Rhode 

Fr. Adrian Carbery PE Adm Kildare to become PE CC Kildare

Deacon Gary Moore to become Adm of Clonbullogue while the sacramental needs will be coordinated by Fr. Greg Corcoran PP Edenderry and Rhode 

Fr. Locky Flanagan CSSp AP Kildare to become CC Newbridge 

Fr. Brian Kavanagh CC Allen to assist in Newbridge, while continuing to work in the Marriage Appeal Tribunal, Coordinating the Permanent Diaconate Programme and working with Accord 

Fr. Michael Cudzilo CC Newbridge to become CC Prosperous 

Fr. Andrei Blaj, on loan from the Diocese of Iasi (Romania) to become CC Edenderry, Rhode & Clonbullogue.

Fr. Brian Maguire SPS on sabbatical leave to return to St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan

Fr. Martin Smith SPS resumes Chaplain SETU Carlow