Bishop Séamus Freeman acknowledges the significant contribution made by Religious in the Diocese of Ossory
To mark this special Church year of the Year of Consecrated Life, Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC, Bishop of Ossory, will concelebrate Mass this Sunday 29 November, the First Sunday of Advent, in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, at 5.30 pm, in thanksgiving for, and in recognition of, the significant contribution Religious have made and with the help of God, will continue to make in the Diocese of Ossory for many years to come.
Priests and Religious Congregations and Orders in the diocese, their families and friends, are invited to attend this afternoon celebration which begins at 12.00pm on Sunday. Parishioners across the diocese are very welcome, especially those who have connections with Religious Congregations, past or present.
As preparations for the celebration are being finalised, Bishop Freeman noted that it was “only fitting that our diocese honour the contribution of Religious, men and women, who have served, and continue to serve, all the baptised of Ossory in such a selfless and generous way modeling Christian care and commitment for the benefit of all.”
Sunday’s diocesan celebration will commence in Saint Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, at 12 noon, and will display the varied charisms and gifts which the Religious Congregations and Orders have given to Ossory throughout the years. Parishioners from around the diocese are invited to the exhibition area to share stories, hear memories and experience insights into the life and work of these Religious.
In all there are eighteen Religious Congregations and Orders in the diocese – eleven female and seven male – see details below. These colourful and engaging displays will be open to all from 12.00pm until 5.00pm at Saint Kieran’s, before concluding with a Mass of Thanksgiving, to be celebrated by Bishop Freeman at 5.30pm pm in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Ossory.
The Year of Consecrated Life was proclaimed by Pope Francis for this year and continues until 2 February 2016, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. Its purpose is to celebrate the charisms, role and contribution of Consecrated and Religious life in the Church; to honour its passion for listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today; and, to embrace the future with hope so that the Church can do great things to make the joy of the Gospel known. In declaring the Year of Consecrated Life Pope Francis expressed his wish that we would use this time to “look at the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to embrace the future with hope.” This is the undertaking that the Ossory Adult Faith Development group set itself for its diocesan celebration at the iconic Saint Kieran’s College on Sunday.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
· The Religious serving in Ossory today
– Eleven female: Daughters of Mary and Joseph, Franciscan Missionaries of Saint Joseph, Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux, Little Company of Mary, Little Sisters of the Poor, Loreto Sisters, Mercy Sisters, Presentation Sisters, Religious Sisters of Charity, Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Sisters of Saint John of God (In total one hundred and fifty nine religious women).
– Seven male: Brothers of Charity, Capuchins, Carmelites, Christian Brothers, De La Salle Brothers, Dominicans, Pallottines, and Mill Hill Fathers, (in total fifty five religious men).
· Saint Kieran’s College
Saint Kieran’s College is Ireland’s oldest Catholic Secondary School. It was founded in 1782. Presently it is home to the all-boys diocesan secondary school of 750 students and it is home to an outreach campus of Maynooth University. It is also the location of many diocesan services such as Faith Development, the Diocesan Forum, the Vocations Office, and the Diocesan Retreat Centre.
· Further information
Ossory’s Adult Faith Development Office 056 7721086 and email [email protected]
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
