Diocesan News
First Confirmation Services in Cork, Cloyne and Ross since 2019
On Friday, 10th September, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, confirmed ten young people from Kilgarrife Union. It was the first Confirmation Service in the Diocese since 2019.
The Rev Kingsley Sutton, Rector of Kilgariffe Union, said: “When we started Confirmation preparation, most of our candidates were in sixth class in primary school. They are now in second year in secondary school! We’re delighted to have got there on our third attempt at holding a Confirmation Service. Many thanks to Bishop Paul, and congratulations to each one who was finally confirmed.”
Bishop Colton said: “The pandemic has disrupted our community life and, in particular, our opportunity to worship together in person. It was simply wonderful to start these weeks of catching up on Confirmations in Clonakilty and also to be with people from the Diocese whom I had not seen for too long.”
The following evening (Saturday, 11th September), the second of four Confirmation Services that weekend was held at Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen. It was a joint Confirmation for candidates from Abbeystrewry Union of Parishes and Ballydehob Union of Parishes.
A minute’s silence was observed during the service to mark the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The Gospel was read by the Rev Carole Pound, who had been ordained Deacon the previous Sunday in the same church, and the prayers were read by the Rector of Ballydehob, the Rev Steve McCann.
The Rector of Abbeystrewry Union, the Rev. John Ardis, sang a solo during the service and was accompanied on the organ by his son Joe, who was also one of the confirmands.
Mr Ardis said: “I would like to pay tribute to all of the candidates who have had a very disrupted preparation for their confirmations. They have shown great perseverance, and have even endured confirmation classes over Zoom. There was a real sense of joy and accomplishment after the service, and perhaps some were wondering whether they would ever be confirmed!
“I would like to congratulate all those confirmed this year, and I wish them all well as they continue in their Christian discipleship.”
Diocesan Media & Information Technology Officer
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Ms Denise Stobart
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