The Seminary Community was delighted to welcome Bishop Paul Connell of Ardagh and Clonmacnois back to preside at the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for six of our seminarians during Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8th December 2023. They are pictured above with Bishop Connell and with Bishop Paul Dempsey of Achonry Diocese. LtoR: Israel Osikang (Ogoja/Achonry); Will O'Shea (Cloyne); Ciarán Carragher (Armagh); Mark Caffrey (Meath); Patrick Oshie (Ogoja/Achonry) and Damien Kirkpatrick (Down and Connor). During his homily, Bishop Connell reminded the Candidates that "Like Mary, God has called each of us and yet has not provided us with an outline of our lives, an outline of what will happen to us. We do not know as we go through life what faces us, what manner of life we will have, what joys or sorrows, what crosses and pain may come our way. We cannot predict our tomorrow. We have to make a leap of faith and trust in God, just as Mary did."
May God bless these six candidates for ordination as deacon and priest as they continue on the journey of transformation through faith, by hope and in love that is formation for the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
