Over 110 priests ordained at St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny will gather for a reunion at their alma mater on Tuesday, August 17 next.
The priests, who trained for their ministry at St Kieran’s College, work in English speaking dioceses around the world, mainly in Great Britain, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
The past pupils from many parts of the world will gather at the college for a keynote address by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor will also deliver the homily at a public concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving at St Mary’s Cathedral at 6.15pm that evening. The Mass will officially mark the end of the ‘Year of Priests’ in the Diocese of Ossory and it is hoped laity from all over the diocese will attend to offer their prayerful support and thanks to the priests. Members of the diocesan St Joseph’s Young Priests Society will have a special role in this unique celebration.
Speaking in Maynooth earlier this year Cardinal Murphy O’Connor said, “we should not fear. In our prayer, our worship, our contemplation before God, and following the teaching of the Church, for those who believe in Christ, the future is always full of hope and open to new life. Nor should we forget the words of Mother Teresa: God has not called me to be successful — he has called me to be faithful.”
Bishop Séamus Freeman, Bishop of Ossory, who will be principal celebrant at the Mass of Thanksgiving, is delighted to welcome Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor to the diocese.
“Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor’s words will challenge and give hope to those who hear them,” said Bishop Freeman.
“I hope as many as possible will come to St Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday evening at 6.15pm.”
