Courtney McGrailSt Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny was suitably packed when it hosted on November 20 a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the recent retirement of Bishop Séamus Freeman, S.A.C., who served as Bishop of Ossory for almost nine years.
The celebration coincided with the Feast of Christ the King and the conclusion of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy which saw the bishop emeritus formally close the cathedral’s Holy Door of Mercy which he had opened on the First Sunday of Advent last year.
The chief celebrant and homilist at the Mass was the diocesan administrator Msgr Michael Ryan, with the Mass concelebrated by members of the bishop’s Pallottine Community and by priests and religious of the diocese where Dr Freeman was bishop from 2007 until this summer.
Others present included Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin, Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, and Auxiliary Bishop Ray Field of Dublin.
Faithful
Members of Bishop Freemans family and his many friends were present, while parishioners from the cathedral parish, diocesan staff, and other members of the lay faithful from around the diocese read Prayers of the Faithful, presented the Offertory gifts and delivered the Communion Reflection, which referred to Dr Freeman’s comments on the canonisation of St Teresa of Calcutta and cited a prayer for perseverance written on the walls of her Home for Children in Calcutta.
After Communion the Dean of Ossory, Fr Seamus McEvoy spoke of the bishop emeritus’ many qualities and made a presentation to him on behalf of the priests of the diocese. Bishop Freeman thanked the congregation and all those who had organised, participated in, and attended the Mass.
After Mass and the closing of the Holy Door, refreshments were served in the local Presentation Primary School, including a commemorative cake given to Bishop Freeman by fellow Callan man, Billy Keogh.