Catherine Moran to speak at Coosan annual family day

St Mary’s Parish will celebrate its Annual Family Day Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan this Sunday, with Glasson native Catherine Moran set to be a special guest at the celebrations.

Taking place at 12pm on Sunday, September 20, the Annual Family Day Mass is an opportunity to welcome new members of the parish and bring together families and friends "to celebrate all that is good in our parish".

"When it is at its best a parish is a family of families. We encourage people not to be in a hurry home, but to take time after Mass to chat with neighbours and friends," said Fr Pat Murphy.

Tea and coffee, along with light refreshments, will be available on the day, as well as a surprise for the children.

A key part of the celebrations over the years has been the invitation of a guest speaker to share something of their life experience with the parish community.

This year, that role will be taken by Catherine Moran, a Glasson native and Consultant Neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Catherine made history in 2021 when she was appointed as Ireland's first female consultant brain surgeon, taking up the position of consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital.

She is daughter of Jack and Kathy Moran, and has a twin sister, Rosalyn. The Moran twins are past pupils of the former Bower girls' national school in Athlone, Tubberclair NS, and the former St Joseph's College in Summerhill.