Very Rev Fr Albert McNally PP

Fr McNally was born in Dunloy, Co Antrim. Following his studies at St Malachy's College, Belfast, Queen's University and Maynooth College, Co Kildare, he was ordained in 1960. After teaching in St Malachy's College, Belfast and St Patrick's College, Knock, Fr McNally completed post-graduate studies in Sacred Scripture, at “The Biblicum”, Rome. He returned to Belfast where he spent 22 years in St Mary's Teacher Training College (now known as St Mary's University College). In 1993 he was appointed Parish Priest of Glenariff, Co Antrim and remained there until 1997 when he came to Maghera Parish as Parish Priest.

Fr Declan Mulligan

Declan was born in Loughinisland in 1971. He attended local schools: St Macartans's Primary, Loughinisland, St Colmcille's High School, Crossgar and the East Down Institute, Downpatrick.

In 1991 Declan began training for the priesthood in St Malachy's College, Belfast, but left to complete a BSc in Social Work at the University of Ulster. He practised as a family and childcare social worker for North and West Belfast HSST and within Children's Disability Services, Down Lisburn Trust.

He returned to complete his Bachelor of Divinity degree and HDip in Pastoral Studies at Maynooth College, Kildare. Declan was ordained on 4th June 2006

Sister Teresa Clancy

Sr Teresa is a member of the congregation of St Louis. The Sisters have been associated with the Parish of Maghera since 1924. Sr Teresa was on the staff of the original St Malachy's High School from its foundation in 1959. She is currently enjoying retirement and is actively engaged in community work in the Parish.

Faith Development Worker - Frances McNally

As part of the South Down Vicariate of the Down and Connor Diocese, this parish avails of the services of Frances McNally the newly appointed Faith Development Worker. Besides her formal qualifications, Frances has many years' work experience in varied types of youth ministry including faith development in the Diocese of Johannesburg, interface youth work in North Belfast and facilitating school retreats for the St Luke's Retreat team in the Down and Connor Diocese.

Frances is planning to undertake a range of activities in the development of a comprehensive youth ministry. These include:

• The development of Faith Friends within primary schools and the training of leaders for such a programme
• The development of programmes such as GIFT for 12 - 14 year olds within parishes
• The development of faith development programmes for 16 to 18 year olds eg Kairos, Discovery, as well as programmes for older teenagers eg Search, Education for Citizenship
• Creating opportunities for young people to participate in Liturgy and worship
• Assisting in the development of a Pastoral Care system for young people within the parishes in conjunction with schools and youth centres
• Assisting with the planning of youth retreats and youth missions in schools and at parish level
• Assisting in the development of a forum which will allow young people to contribute to the life of the local church